OUR ORGANIZATION

Board of Directors

board chair

michelle search

Jefferson Wells

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Michelle Search is the National Practice Leader at Jefferson Wells, having been with the firm since 2004. Previously, she served as a senior manager at PwC. Michelle brings expertise in business development, finance, accounting, and audit—as well as experience on the boards of American Lung Association of Colorado and Susan G Komen Colorado—to the FSD board.

Michelle has one human son and several canine kids: border collie Stella and American Staffordshire terriers Iggy and Layla. She enjoys yoga, kickboxing, motorcycles, rollercoasters, and spending time with her human and canine family in Colorado.

“It is a privilege to work with the incredible team at FSD and witness first-hand how the organization improves lives and creates brighter futures. I can’t think of a better use of my experience than to contribute to FSD’s mission and community impact.”

VICE CHAIR

John DellaSalle

Tennison Group

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John DellaSalle is CEO of Tennison Group, a national executive search and consulting firm specializing in the recruitment of senior staff, management, and senior management positions for all industries ranging from Fortune 100 companies to early-stage enterprises. John brings expertise in executive recruiting, human resources, finance, and accounting to the FSD board, as well as experience on the boards of Susan G. Komen, Project Angel Heart, Redline Denver, and Vistana Desert Willow.

John and his wife have two children and two dogs: Ruby, an Airedale terrier, and Mozzie, a Jack Russell terrier. In his free time, John enjoys tennis, hiking, and skiing.

“I have worked on a few recruiting assignments for FSD and have found the staff to be very professional and competent. I have learned a lot about the mission and the service that FSD delivers and have been very impressed with this well-run organization.”

Treasurer

Keith Smith

InBank

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Keith Smith is senior vice president and a commercial banking executive at InBank, a community bank serving metro Denver, southern Colorado, and northern New Mexico. He brings expertise in banking, finance, accounting, and sales/business development to the FSD board, along with board experience at Growing Home, Inc., Global Scholars, and CoBiz Cares Foundation.

Keith and his wife have two children and a Yorkshire terrier named Hugo. He enjoys fishing, concerts, reading, and Fantasy Football.

“I love FSD’s focus on providing service dogs to people with PTSD and other disabilities and needs, as companionship and help is something all should have access to.”

Board Members

Kristen Deevy

Pensionmark Financial Group

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Kristen Deevy is managing director of Pensionmark Financial Group, where for more than 20 years, she has made it easier for businesses to help their employees achieve a successful retirement by providing financial wellness, investment, and fiduciary support for corporate retirement plans. Kristen brings expertise in finance, fiduciary governance, and investment strategy to the FSD board, as well as experience on the boards of Grant Ranch Swim Team and the Alpha Chi Omega Advisory Board.

Kristen and her husband have two children and a white English Labrador named Kelby. In her free time, she enjoys skiing, beach time with her family, and supporting her kids at swim meets and basketball games.

“The mission of the FSD board really resonated with me. My father is a veteran and my mom worked with special-needs children most of her career. I really wanted to find an organization that I can give back to that helps transform the lives of so many people, and I felt Freedom Service Dogs was a perfect fit. Also, any chance to work with dogs is a big plus and adds a smile to anyone’s day!”

William Foy

Spearhead Mortgage Company

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William Foy is co-founder and partner at Spearhead Mortgage Company, a commercial mortgage brokering firm, with previous experience in commercial banking at Wells Fargo, Bank of the West, and Sunflower Bank. He brings expertise in finance, lending, equity, and underwriting to the FSD board.

William and his wife have three children, a yellow Lab named Skeeter, and a tabby cat named Cognac. A second-generation Colorado native, he enjoys skiing, hunting, hiking, and traveling.

“Being an active volunteer and committee member for FSD’s Faces of Freedom fundraising event has shown me the impact this organization can make on veterans, people with other disabilities, and kids with autism. The companionship and support these dogs provide to veterans and kids is particularly close to my heart since I have friends and family who benefit from service dogs. I want to donate my time to FSD to further the success of the organization so every veteran, person with disability, and kid with autism will have an opportunity for a life-changing service dog!”

Al Hirshberg

VOR Advisors, Inc.

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Al Hirshberg is president of VOR Advisors, Inc., which provides engineering and business consulting for the energy industry. Previously he retired as chief operating officer for ConocoPhillips, where he was responsible for worldwide operations, as well as engineering, aviation, marine, project management, and supply chain functions. Al currently serves on the boards of Noble Corp. and McDermott and has retired from the boards of DCP Midstream, Falcon Minerals, Primexx, and Guidon.

Al and his wife have three children and a granddog named Nugget. In addition to spending time with his family, Al enjoys flying, car racing, motorcycling, ranching, hunting, fishing, and investing.

"I was first exposed to Freedom Service Dogs and what it does for people about five years ago at an FSD Faces of Freedom Sporting Clays Tournament. Every time I hear an FSD client talk about what their FSD-trained dog enables them to do in their life that they were not able to do before, it inspires me to want to increase the number of people that FSD can help and shorten the wait list."

Lani Kessler

Kessler Personal Development Coaching

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Lani Kessler is a personal development life coach whose style is collaborative, insightful, and fun. She helps individuals gain clarity on where they are now, where they see themselves in the future, and how to create a successful, balanced life. Prior to coaching, Lani was a member of senior management teams within the customer service and marketing departments in the telecommunications industry. She then launched her own business in the events industry, where she was able to work with a diverse group of individuals helping to turn their visions into reality. She brings expertise in customer service, marketing, and human resources management—along with experience on the boards of Rose Women’s Organization, Jewish Family Service of Colorado, and Aish/Ahavas Yisroel—to her role as an FSD board member.

Lani and her husband have one daughter and a poodle mix named Simba. She enjoys hiking, riding her Peloton, and playing pickleball in her free time.

“My family takes great pride in being involved with FSD for 34 years. Seeing firsthand the impact of FSD on both human and canine lives is the most life-changing experience and one that I wanted to be more actively involved in to help make a meaningful difference in the lives of both people with disabilities and dogs.”

Dan May

Quitman Consulting

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Dan May is CEO of Quitman Consulting, a niche financial consulting firm that operates primarily in the health care and transaction spaces. Dan brings expertise in finance, accounting, mergers and acquisitions, and board leadership and strategy to the FSD board, along with experience on the boards of Goodwill of Colorado, Craig Hospital, American Lung Association, and Downtown Denver Partnership.

Dan and his wife have two children and two dogs: Bella, a dachshund, and Champ, a standard poodle. In his free time, Dan enjoys golf, skiing, and gardening.

“I joined the FSD board because it’s a great organization with a great mission, and I have a love of dogs and an affinity for service.”

Peter Meyers

Black Creek Capital Markets

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Pete Meyers brings a wealth of experience in financial services to FSD. He is currently senior vice president of internal sales for Black Creek Capital Markets, prior to which he served as vice president of the national sales desk at Jackson.

Pete and his wife have two children and a Berniedoodle named Griffey. He enjoys camping and sports in his free time.

“I joined the FSD board to help make a difference in the lives of people in need. The connection that can be formed between a dog and a human is remarkable; they can quite literally save each other. To witness this bond and know that you may have played a small part in it is very satisfying. The passion that everyone associated with FSD brings to this great cause is infectious, and I love being a part of it.”

Melissa Morrow

FirstBank

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In addition to being a board member, Melissa Morrow is chair of FSD’s Young Professionals Council (YPC) and a member of our board of directors. As vice president of human resources at FirstBank Holding Company, she brings expertise in human resources management and customer service to the council and board. Melissa has been a volunteer at FSD for nearly five years, primarily as a Diamonds in the Ruff Committee member, and more recently as a member of our Community Outreach Team and a puppy raiser.

Melissa and her husband have a boxer/Lab mix named Ruger and a chocolate Lab named Gunner. She enjoys hiking, travel, creating custom cakes and cupcakes, and spending time with her husband and fur babies.

“My slight obsession with dogs is what drew me to FSD, but FSD’s mission is what has kept me involved. I have enjoyed every minute of my involvement with FSD, and it’s been amazing to see the growth of the organization! I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of the creation of the new Young Professionals Council for FSD and to be the chair. I hope that through the YPC, we will further FSD’s mission while providing young professionals the chance to grow personally and professionally, including myself.”

Brian Sward

Jackson National Life Distributors

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Brian Sward is the Vice President of Internal Audit at Jackson National Life Distributors. He brings expertise in financial services and experience on the board of the Secure Retirement Institute to his role on the FSD board of directors.

Brian and his wife have two children and a Goldendoodle named Rockie. In his free time, Brian enjoys skiing, hiking, and biking.

“I am a dog lover and enjoy spending time with dogs. While living in Denver, I spent time with the FSD dogs as a volunteer and also fostered some on weekends. I really love the fact that the organization takes in shelter dogs and turns them into assistance dogs for people in need. Additionally, both my father and father-in-law served in the military, and supporting FSD allows me to give back to veterans who have given so much to our country.”

Noel Wickwar

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

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President & CEO Chris Nelson

Chris comes to FSD from Boulder-based nonprofit organization TGTHR, where he has served as CEO since 2018. During his 14 years at TGTHR, Chris’s expertise in financial, operational, and program planning and management was instrumental in the success of the organization’s mission to end youth homelessness. His background in leadership, mission-oriented growth, development, facilities expansion, and donor cultivation make him uniquely qualified to lead FSD into the future.

“I am incredibly excited to be joining an organization that is truly passionate about their mission. I am inspired by the mission of FSD because I have spent my entire adult life contributing to the improvement of circumstances for people in their daily lives. I know my life will be enriched by helping to fulfill FSD’s mission through working with an amazing group of people and dogs."

To contact Chris, email [email protected] or call 303-922-6231.

leadership team

Erin Conley, Director of Communications
[email protected]

Stephanie Guild, Director of Operations
[email protected]

Nadine Pace, Interim Director of Philanthropy
[email protected]

Laura Rogers, Director of Finance and Administration
[email protected]

OUR ORGANIZATION

Board of Directors

board chair

michelle search

VICE CHAIR

John DellaSalle

Treasurer

Keith Smith

Board Members

Kristen Deevy

William Foy

Al Hirshberg

Lani Kessler

Dan May

Peter Meyers

Melissa Morrow

Brian Sward

Noel Wickwar

President & CEO Chris Nelson

leadership team

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