Meet the PetRescue team

Patima (Pats) has been leading the team at PetRescue since 2019 while wearing many hats, most frequently, the MD/CEO hat (which is really more like a sombrero) and is our driver of using tech for good and creating impact at scale.

Pats is our design thinker, sparkle bringer, culture nurturer, and is best known for bringing ideas to life. She puts the organis(e) in organisation and makes sure we are firmly on mission, focused and able to make good things happen.

Using her wide breadth of knowledge and experience in business strategy, systems thinking, design, product, marketing, culture, and web development, Pats rallies the whole team around one shared vision. She created our roadmap, workflow and systems which we lean on heavily to help us have laser focus on the work that needs to happen to create impact at the largest scale, moving us towards a future where every pet is safe, respected and loved!

After a collective 25 years of caring for her wonderful best friends (some with rather unique needs, including a disabled dog in a wheelchair and a golden oldie with two knee recons and a little anxiety), she’s no stranger to deeply knowing the human pet bond. Both angels have since crossed the rainbow bridge, but they remain her heart, her inspiration, and the “soul” reason that drives her (and us) forward in our mission today.

James Lolicato (he/him) is PetRescue’s Chief Operating Officer, helping steer the ship when it comes to partnerships and financial operations, and loves a good spreadsheet!

With a background rooted in charity development and a deep passion for community impact, James brings a wealth of experience from his time as CEO of Pride Cup Australia and COO of The Man Cave. His love for animals and welfare initiatives led him to shift his focus from working solely in human wellbeing to now championing the wellbeing of the voiceless, the homeless pets who need it most.

James has been recognised nationally for his leadership, taking out Australian Community Leader of the Year by the Australian Institute of Managers and Leaders and being named in OFA’s 30 under 30. He’s a fierce advocate for supporting impact-driven campaigns and organisations that create meaningful, long-term change.

Outside of work, James throws himself into his Italian heritage - cooking up big, hearty meals to share with his chosen family of friends. He’s also a proud dad to his four-legged best mate Bandit, who’s always ready for their next camping adventure or wild wander through the bush.

The amazing Dr Di often gets asked by the team whether they can just download her incredible knowledge into their own brains, and once you meet her, you'll understand why! Dr Di is a walking encyclopedia armed with an impressive PhD that dives deep into the world of improving assessments of dog behaviour in shelters. She's had the privilege of collaborating with brilliant minds across the entire spectrum of companion animal welfare, management, research, and broader service provision throughout her career.

As a Program Specialist, Di gets to nerd out on data and support the team in assessing and developing PetRescue programs. She also works in the Home2Home program, helping dog owners who enquire about rehoming to find the best pathways possible for their doggos, providing excellent advice and resources along the way.

Di loves that her role at PetRescue is an interesting blend of directly helping people and their pets and 'big picture' work helping to advance the field of companion animal welfare and management towards a future in which pets and people are safe and supported, no matter what they are facing in life.

When she’s not busy helping people and pets, green-thumb Di is tending to the beautiful garden on her property or spending time with her doggos Bolt, Reggie and Shinto and horse Sophie (who she’s trained to smile on command.) Yep, you heard that right – a smiling horse!

Have you ever hiked up the roadside with cows, goats, chooks, ducks, pigs and horses all in tow? Susan has!

As one of our helpdesk superstars at PetRescue, she ensures that everyone who reaches out to PetRescue for help is supported and is one step closer to finding their furry BFF.

Susan brings a treasure trove of animal welfare experience to the team, having worked in pounds, wildlife shelters, catteries and boarding kennels. She has also managed boarding facilities and has been a committee member of two council shelters. We told you she’s a superstar!

When Susan isn’t working to create a better future for pets, she’s learning more about them. On a continuous path to enlightenment, she already has a long list of achievements in her kitty, including certifications in dog behaviour and training, chicken behaviour and welfare, advanced wildlife care and management, and cognitive dysfunction in ageing pets. And she’s just getting started, folks.

Bella champions the programs that support PetRescue’s member community of rescues, shelters, vets, and councils. From providing technical support on the platform and coordinating food and product donation drops, to sharing resources that strengthen rehoming outcomes and researching animal rehoming legislation to keep members informed, she’s always ready to help. Bella also collaborates closely with the partnerships team, helping transform partner relationships into insights and opportunities that grow and level up member programs across Australia.

With a background in program and client management in the startup space, Bella thrives in fast-paced environments where problem-solving and innovation go hand in hand. Later, she pivoted into hands-on animal care at the RSPCA, where her passion for animal welfare deepened. Joining PetRescue has allowed her to bring both worlds together; pairing operational know-how with compassion to support people and pets nationwide.

Outside of work, Bella loves being outdoors with her four-legged buddies, Zarla and Malfy. Whether she’s playing social footy, discovering a new camping spot, or soaking up the sun at the beach, she’s most at home when she’s out in nature with her dogs by her side.

Merel helps coordinate partnerships and campaigns. A natural go-getter, she uses her strong organisational skills and eye for detail to support everything from collaborative campaigns to daily partnership activities, making sure things run smoothly and deliver real results for pets in need - tracking deliverables, coordinating with multiple teams and spotting opportunities for improvement and growth.

What Merel loves most is seeing the impact of her behind-the-scenes work, from helping a family keep their pet during tough times to watching pets find loving homes through successful partnership campaigns.

Outside of PetRescue, you'll find Merel exploring with her rescue doggo Kobe by her side. When she's not discovering Australia's beautiful beaches, she's spending time with family and friends, cooking up a storm, or getting hooked on a good thriller series.

From managing accounts to creating clear, insightful financial reports, Sarah helps ensure the organisation remains sustainable and well-resourced to keep making an impact for rescue pets across Australia.

She loves that her work contributes directly to the financial health of a cause she cares deeply about. While she’ll happily admit that spreadsheets and reconciliations aren’t always the most glamorous part of the job, she finds real joy in using her skills to support an organisation making such meaningful change. Providing useful insights that help guide decision-making is one of her favourite parts of the role.

Outside of work, Sarah loves spending time with her dog Bobby, soaking up the very best cuddles. She first found Bobby on PetRescue during a particularly challenging time in her life, and Bobby melted her heart from day one. She can’t imagine life without her now, because, as Sarah will happily tell you, dogs really are the best.

With a deep understanding of the PetRescue ecosystem and community, Laurel plays a key role in steering the delivery workflow, making sure the team is always working on the right things at the right time. She thrives on bringing clarity to chaos, clearing blockers, and spotting opportunities to improve the platform for everyone who uses it.

Laurel helps turn big ideas into real outcomes. She’s the go-to for keeping delivery on track, improving efficiency, and moving things forward appropriately to make the biggest impact possible. With a sharp focus on attention to detail, she helps to turn ideas into action, and action into impact while keeping us aligned with what matters most - our mission to help every pet be safe, respected and loved.

Off the clock, you can find her by the ocean, chasing the sunshine (she’s solar powered!), or having a yap at her local café - making sure to always end the day with a cuddle from her two adored cats, Penny Lane and Bowie.

Helping pets and people is what gives Vicki a spring in her step and a happy heart. Having spent more than a decade working in animal care, Vicki cherishes bringing people and pets together. She loves that her role at PetRescue allows her to do this by helping adopters looking for a new furry family member or pet owners looking for the best outcome for their beloved pet.

As a small child, Vicki’s life ambition was to cuddle every animal she could find, and that obsession was something she never grew out of. That’s why seeing every pet safe, respected and loved means so much to her!

When she’s not trying to show friends (or, let’s be honest…random strangers) every picture she’s ever taken of her three super-doggos Snoopy, Lacey, and Ada, Vicki plays music, reads books and loves being outside surrounded by nature.

Bryony finds immense satisfaction in assisting people during challenging times, transforming difficult situations into positive experiences. As part of the Home2Home team, she’s dedicated to helping people find loving new homes for their pets and supporting new pet owners in their adoption journey.

With over 15 years in the animal welfare world, Bryony is passionate about empowering pet lovers with the knowledge to build fulfilling and loving relationships with their furry companions, making sure every wagging tail gets all the love and cuddles they deserve!

On the weekend, you’ll catch Bryony exploring the world with her camera and snuggling her beloved cattos Askari and Louis, who also double as excellent lap warmers during winter! She’s also on a mission to find the best cup of coffee, frequenting the hidden cafes around her city.

If somebody made a movie on Kelly’s life, they’d really have their work cut out for them. From volunteering at a turtle conservation centre in Costa Rica and helping build a school in Cambodia to living in Mexico for almost a year, Kelly has most certainly been there, done that. And it’s this enthusiasm for connecting with people that helps her thrive in her role as a Partnership Development Manager.

At PetRescue, Kelly manages corporate partnerships and helps us drive collaborations with fellow pet lovers and animal welfare champions in the community.

Kelly was taking the big scary advertising world by storm before she decided to pursue her passion for animal welfare, and use her expertise in client engagement and project management to create positive change for rescue pets.

What drives Kelly to get out of bed everyday is a personal mission to build effective partnerships that she can leverage to help shape the future for vulnerable pets and give them a fighting chance.

When she isn’t working, you can catch her deep in Italian books trying to become bi-lingual, perfecting her ice-cream making, mapping out the next perfect location to watch a water sunset or playing with her extremely entertaining and curious kitty cat, Mila.

Stephen is our Fun-draising Manager at PetRescue. He loves making donors and supporters feel appreciated by showing them how their contributions make a real difference in the lives of pets and their people. With his contagious positivity and passion for connecting people to the cause, Stephen creates happiness wherever he goes (it could also be the doughnuts he brings to the office)!

When he signs off from work, Stephen loves to spend time with his loved ones - if they’re travelling the world together, even better. He's a total beach bum and can often be found soaking up the sun, sand, and surf. His two Chow Chows, Stella and Wilbur, are always by his side. They're as different in personality as they are in fur colour, and both love a good cuddle and pat (and Stephen does, too).

Besides rock climbing, one of the things Tom is most passionate about is building digital experiences for people, and using his coding skills to create meaningful change. And that's how he ended up at PetRescue!

With over 10 years of experience as a developer, Tom’s mission is to help implement new features to help connect thousands of pets with potential adopters, and help take the load off member rescue organisations.

When Tom isn’t lost in code world, he likes to hit up the farmer’s market, and takes pride in his ability to lug around 10kgs of veggies with a smile. So if you ever need a hand with your groceries, we’re happy to outsource him for the job.

Chris is the point person for all the sparkles that you see on PetRescue’s platform. A big part of Chris’ work is ensuring that everyone using PetRescue, including adopters, rescue organisations, and pet owners, can seamlessly navigate the website.

Having always been passionate about creating a better future for pets, he loves that his role at PetRescue can help bring positive change to animal welfare while helping him grow personally and professionally.

Chris enjoys going for runs when he’s not showing off his coding wizardry. You can also catch him playing music in bands, going to gigs, and getting involved in a community that plays a part in sustaining and evolving the music scene. A man of many talents, Chris also likes to spend time on his side projects that include designing artwork for bands and screen printing t-shirts (he might create a lovely t-shirt for you if you ask nicely). And above everything else, he likes to hang out with his two cuddly felines, Lucifer and Xray!

Cleyton is one of PetRescue's talented developers. Resident Riddler, Cleyton loves the challenge of solving unique puzzles behind each request. He finds joy in the complexity of his tasks, enjoying the challenge of finding unique solutions to complex problems. What Cleyton loves most about working at PetRescue is the opportunity to help pets and work with a team of friendly, funny, and passionate individuals dedicated to the cause.

Outside of work, Cleyton enjoys spending time with his kids, teaching them life tips, and building things for them. His favourite activities with his family are creating puzzles, games, and riddles. He finds inspiration for these activities from his many adventures practising extreme sports in nature!

Alesha leads the Marketing Team at PetRescue and is the proud gatekeeper of the brand. She combines strategic thinking with creative flair to build deep, meaningful connections between PetRescue and Australia’s pet-loving community.

With a background in digital marketing, brand strategy, creative direction, and project management, Alesha brings together a rare mix of big-picture vision and detail-driven execution.

Her collaborative leadership style, love of storytelling, and sharp intuition for what resonates make her the perfect ‘Captain’ to steer campaigns across all our squads.

A classic Virgo (in the best way), Alesha’s exceptional planning, time management, and eye for detail are chefs kiss - you should see her in action!

Offline, you’ll find her by the ocean, in the sun or gazing at the stars, hanging out with her handsome floofer Obi, pottering in her herb garden, or perfecting a pasta sauce.

Em is part of the marcomms team at PetRescue, where she creates content and resources for the pet-lovin’ public and the amazing PetRescue member community while also embracing her inner data nerd!

A digital marketing whiz, Em loves her role because she gets to use her awesome communication skills and creativity to help find pets homes and create tons of happiness along the way while hanging out with the cutest office dogs!

When she clocks off, she hangs out with her furry BFF Rosie and spends her time reading, gymming, binging Schitt's Creek and cooking (and eating OFC!)

Laura weaves her digital magic through all of PetRescue’s channels. From crafting engaging social media content to eDMs, blog articles and campaigns. Laura's expertise lies in using her analytical skills to create content that gets pets into loving homes.

Laura says her role blend of her two passions—marketing and animals. She describes it as the ultimate "smoosh," where she gets to put pets at the forefront of minds in creative and strategic ways. Laura is all about making a difference by using her skills to ensure that pets find the loving homes they deserve.

Laura shares her life with two furry companions - Tiger and Phoebe. After over six years of on-and-off care during her first role at a doggy daycare/boarding kennel, Laura officially adopted Tiger at the start of 2023. when it's time to unwind, Laura loves taking walks in the sunshine with both doggos or curling up with a good book.

Akane is part of PetRescue’s MarComms Team, helping share the stories that connect rescue pets with the people who’ll love them most. Passionate about all things furry, scaly, and feathery, she uses the power of storytelling to spark emotion, build community, and inspire adoption.

With more than 18 years of experience working with animals, Akane’s journey has taken her from wildlife conservation and education (and even having a koala named after her!) to serving as an RSPCA QLD Ambassador, where she proudly advocated for animal welfare and helped fundraise for rescue initiatives. She’s also been the proud “plus one” to many pets at their humans’ weddings, lending a paw as a pet wedding assistant.

When she’s not weaving words or championing rescue pets, Akane pours her passion into helping save wildlife in Madagascar. A true creative, she loves being outdoors with her camera, heading to gigs, tinkering with DIY projects, and gardening to a soundtrack of ‘90s punk and boy bands. Her senior catto, King Stalky, and playful doggo, Ska, are never far away — always keen to “help” with the gardening (or at least supervise and bring her toys)

Leilani boosts our capacity, professionalism and excellence in operations in the role of Executive Assistant (EA) - especially in supporting our Managing Director but also by enabling the executive team, the board and the whole organisation to help us all achieve great things together!

She’s got awesome experience and insights from working in government/councils and with rangers, grants and more. In her role, she efficiently manages a diverse set of responsibilities, including coordinating conferences and travel, scheduling meetings, acting as a liaison both internally and externally on behalf of the executives, reconciling monthly accounts, conducting supplier audits, and meticulously planning social events.

Leilani’s two puppers, Diesel and Poppy, are her world, and funny enough, she found her second pup, Poppy, via the PetRescue website! Outside of work, you'll either find her basking in the sun with her pups, plane spotting, watching the sunset or chatting time away with family and friends.

Simone is part of PetRescue’s passionate fundraising team, where she plays a vital role in helping PetRescue's pet-loving supporters and showing them just how appreciated they are. Whether it’s answering questions, sharing updates, or helping celebrate the impact of their generosity, Simone loves connecting with the incredible humans who help give homeless pets a brighter future.

Before joining PetRescue, Simone studied domestic animal and wildlife care and worked hands-on in animal shelters - experience that gave her a deep understanding of the rescue system and an even deeper passion for improving it. Now, she’s proud to be making a difference on a national scale, working alongside a team of like-minded pet lovers.

When she's off the clock, Simone is usually spending time with her furry fam: two dogs - Plutonium (Pluto) and Maharaja (Raja) - who love exploring WA and roughhousing in the backyard, and two cats - Gatsby and Django - who prefer napping in sunny spots, lounging in their catio, and snuggling up with their canine BFFs (and Simone!)

Outside of her pet adventures, Simone is also a creative at heart. She loves to cook, read, paint, sculpt, and generally get her hands messy in anything artistic - especially if she’s got furry friends supervising her work.

Matt is the Chair of PetRescue, bringing his extensive experience as a venture capitalist and angel investor to help guide the organisation through accelerated growth, key milestones, and the sustainable scaling needed to achieve our big, hairy, audacious goals.

A long-time investor and entrepreneur, Matt has been mentoring and supporting tech companies in Perth for over two decades. Today, he serves as a non-executive Director.

A Perth native, Matt became a Chartered Accountant in 1992. After 11 years in Europe working in telecoms M&A, he returned home and co-founded a software company that went on to raise over $2.5 million in angel funding. In 2008, he co-founded a $40 million venture capital fund, later ran accelerator programs, and led icetana.ai (ASX:ICE) through a successful IPO on the ASX.

Alongside his role at PetRescue, Matt is Chair of icetana.ai and Chair of AEGIC (a grains technology research organisation), as well as a non-executive Director of AgriFutures, a rural industries research and development corporation.

In 2017, he was named the Pearcey Western Australian Entrepreneur of the Year by the WA IT and Telecoms Association (WAITTA).

Gina Anderson brings more than 25 years’ experience as a board director serving in both chair and non-executive capacities. She is currently a Non-Executive Director of PetRescue and a member of the Conservation Benefactors Committee for the Art Gallery of NSW.

For 11 years, 5 years as Chair, Gina was a member of the Board of Directors of GDI Property Group, an integrated, internally managed value investor in commercial property. Currently, GDI has some $1.5bn in assets under management, primarily in premium office buildings, 95% of which are located in Perth. GDI also owns mining accommodation through a joint venture.

Gina served for 10 years as a Non-Executive Director of The George Institute for Global Health (TGI), a large complex Australian health promotions charity and medical research institute with institutes in Sydney, Beijing, Hyderabad and London, with a mission to improve the health of millions of people worldwide. TGI also had a commercial arm, George Health Enterprises, to commercialise its research, which was sold in 2023.

In 2011, Gina co-founded Women’s Community Shelters Limited (WCS), and from 2011 - 201,7 she was Chair. WCS developed a new social franchise model to establish women’s shelters in partnership with local communities, replicating the model and taking it to scale.

In 2013, she was appointed as a founding Advisory Board Member of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) and reappointed for a second and final term, finishing in November 2017.

Gina has also served on the boards of Landcare Australia Limited and Youth Off the Streets.

Jeremy lends his strategic mind and steady leadership to PetRescue as an Independent Director (Non-Executive Director) and member of PetRescue’s Advisory Board. A purpose-driven transformation leader with more than 15 years’ experience, he has supported boards and executives to shape strategy, lead change and deliver sustainable growth across diverse sectors. Jeremy brings deep capability in governance, risk and financial oversight, alongside hands-on operational leadership in supply chain, performance improvement and cultural renewal.

Having held CEO and COO roles across agribusiness, retail and services, Jeremy is also the founder of The Strategy Factory, where he advises leaders and organisations on strategic leadership and transformation. He is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), holds an Executive MBA (AGSM), and is strongly committed to community impact through mentoring and not-for-profit involvement. In his volunteer role with PetRescue’s Board and Advisory community, he is proud to contribute his expertise in support of a mission that matters.

Jeremy is passionate about PetRescue because it removes much of the uncertainty around pet adoption by bringing shelters, foster carers and adopters together in one trusted place; helping pets be seen sooner and matched with the right family. Having personally found two pets through PetRescue over the past 20 years, he has seen first-hand how life-changing adoption can be, and is proud to help PetRescue continue to grow and improve lives for families and their pets.

Marcus brings a unique blend of veterinary expertise and strategic leadership to PetRescue in his role as an Independent Non-Executive Director. With qualifications including BVSc, BSc, MBA and GAICD, Marcus has spent over 15 years shaping better outcomes for pets and the communities who love them. His career spans hands-on clinical veterinary roles across Victoria and South Australia, senior government leadership in animal welfare and policy, and corporate strategy consulting within the pet industry.

Passionate about education, sustainability, and customer experience, Marcus thrives on solving complex challenges and driving programs that strengthen the future for pets. In generously volunteering his time and expertise as a Board member, he plays a key role in guiding PetRescue’s strategic direction and championing innovation across the sector.

Outside of work, Marcus enjoys staying active, spending time with his family as a dedicated father and partner, and finding meaningful ways to give back to the community.

Vix has her eyes firmly fixed on a future where every pet is safe, respected and loved. Her focus - the single-minded goal of seeing an end to the killing of Australia’s homeless pets.

Vix co-founded PetRescue in 2004. She works with corporates, academics and community rescue groups to create and run programs that create genuine impact, transforming the lives of pets and people.

Vix doesn’t just think outside of the box - she will turn that box inside out, make a rocket out of it and launch it into the stratosphere in the pursuit of a safer, happier future for rescue pets. Status quo be damned.

Vix is passionate about bringing the advantages of the for-profit sector to the NFP world, especially in the use of technology to help drive social change, driving innovation to grow capacity, and creating jobs to attract fresh talent to the animal welfare industry and create positive change.

She’s also a Delta qualified behavioural trainer with a special interest in anxiety and related aggression. Prior to PetRescue, she ran her own behavioural training business and worked in canine behaviour at RSPCA shelters in three states. Vix can spot a dog with whale eye at ten paces and is passionate about creating a low-stress world for pets.

Vix was awarded EY’s Social Entrepreneur of the Year in 2014, is a judge on the Companion Animal Rescue Awards panel, and juggles parenthood, a parade of foster kittens, two cats, and her very senior dog Mikalla. Just quietly, she’s also partial to a bit of interpretive dance.

Chris brings his strategic insight and entrepreneurial spirit to PetRescue in his role as a valued member of the Advisory Board. Chris generously volunteers his time and experience to support PetRescue’s mission of improving outcomes for rescue pets across Australia.

As Managing Director at Refresh:Food (a Woolworths Group company), Chris draws on more than three decades of experience spanning multiple industries. He brings a rare blend of hands-on business building and senior corporate leadership, paired with a deep understanding of how large, complex organisations work. Throughout his career, he has focused on exceeding customer needs, fostering and empowering talent, and building strong, trust-based relationships.

Chris has launched and scaled businesses, navigated significant financial transitions, and led teams through change; always with a focus on delivering real, tangible results.

As PetRescue’s CoSec, Kat brings a wealth of organisational know-how, governance expertise and admin wizardry to the team. With her finger on the pulse of compliance, scheduling, and all things board support, she helps keep the wheels turning smoothly so the PetRescue Board can focus on driving meaningful change for pets and people across Australia.

With a rich and varied career spanning the Navy, corporate consulting, small business (everything from wine and coffee to coaching and leadership, to the arts and hospitality), Kat is no stranger to juggling diverse roles with skill and purpose. She’s currently a reserve naval officer and the Deputy Director of the Australian National Veterans Arts Museum - a veteran-led charity championing wellbeing through the arts.

Kat is fuelled by a deep love for animal welfare, and is passionate about PetRescue’s role as a changemaker and leader in the sector. After adopting three pets through the platform, she knows first-hand the incredible impact it can have. Now, she uses her admin superpowers to help create happiness and save lives.

When she’s not wrangling board papers or training for her Kokoda trek, you’ll find Kat reading, baking, horse riding, wine tasting, pole dancing, or auditioning for her next theatre or screen role. Oh, and did we mention she’s also writing her debut novel? She lives with her husband, dog and eight cats - and yes, she’s proudly a crazy cat lady.

Shandré is the legal beagle at PetRescue and is good at sniffing out things to look out for so that we can be the best for all the pets!

She is originally from South Africa, has lived in and practised law in four countries so far, has crazy hair and generally has an opinion on everything! She hopes to one day be part of drafting legislation against cruelty to animals in Australia. She says that her most important achievement by far is being a fur-mum to her two mini-sausage rescue babies, Nina and Felix! They make everything in the world better, and she is regularly distracted from work by their cuteness. Nina particularly enjoys attending Zoom meetings to people-watch whilst Felix barks his demands out to everyone!

Her loves include (in order of importance) all animals (especially dogs), cake, singing, the outdoors, and more recently (and much to her own surprise), triathlons!