LEADERSHIP
PetPALS of Southern New Jersey relies on the commitment and passion of its leadership and team. Our combined years of experience, differing points of view, areas of expertise and commitment to helping people and animals, provide an exceptional knowledge base to support our mission.
Together, we provide high quality care to our clients and their pets, and energize the programs and services we offer to help those in need. As a resource to our community, we are proud to have a strong and dedicated team looking out for pets and the people who love them.
LEADERSHIP
Peter Setaro, Executive Director
Peter joined PetPALS of Southern New Jersey in 2018. Over the course of his career he has helped nonprofits steer their course, working to end homelessness in Mercer County, promoting the Special Olympics, creating fundraiser events for Susan G. Komen, and helping children engage with the arts. In his time with PetPALS, Peter has launched our new website, built up our social profiles, and launched our online store. He also crafted the Lucky Paws Pet Adoption & Arts Fair fundraiser and manages donor outreach and engagement. Peter and his husband live in Burlington County, surrounded by their two dogs and six cats.
Ph: 856.939.6900
Carol Swanson, Board President
Carol Swanson obtained her JD from The Law School of The University of Chicago in 1982. She joined the board of directors of PetPALS in 1998. At that time, as a managing attorney in a legal aid office, she fought in court to prevent the eviction of elderly and disabled clients who sought to keep their pets while not losing their housing. Since 2009, Carol has had her own law practice in Woodbury, NJ.
Serena Blackwell, Board Vice President
Having volunteered over the years for various events and charitable causes, Serena became involved with PetPALS of Southern NJ in 2018. Serena is in the process of obtaining her masters degree in Nonprofit Management from Drexel University, and is also on the committee of the Philadelphia Arthritis Foundation's annual Jingle Bell Run. She brings a practical approach to event planning and donor management, while celebrating the joy that pets bring to our clients. Serena and her husband live in Collingswood, along with their cat and dog.
Kenneth Sell, Board Treasurer
A retired Postal Manager, Ken has volunteered with PetPALS since 2002. During his tenure, Ken has been a PAL to a number of PetPALS clients, fostered client pets, been involved with fundraising and tabling events. He has been Santa every year for Santa Paws pet pictures. He joined the Board of Directors in 2012 and in 2014 began serving as Treasurer.
Amy Chapman, Board Secretary
Amy's educational and professional experiences have been shaped by a desire to help and support others in setting and achieving their goals. Amy holds a Bachelor's degree in psychology from Smith College and a Master's degree in Education from the University of Pennsylvania, and has spent her career working in a variety of nonprofit organizations and academic environments. Her experience includes special needs adoption case management, teaching children with autism, and teaching English to non-native-speaking college and university students. Amy has also provided social work services to unaccompanied refugee minors, asylum-seeking youth, and trafficked children. She has spent the past 11 years in Human Resources at the University of Pennsylvania, work that allows her to play a role in employees' professional growth and development. Amy has volunteered with a South Jersey no-kill cat rescue for over nine years, serving on its board for six of them. She joined the board of PetPALS in the fall of 2018, and has been the Secretary since 2019. Amy lives in West Deptford with her husband and the Nine Best Cats in the Universe.
Bill Chapman, Board Member
Having worked for a large nonprofit in New Jersey for the last 18 years, Bill joined PetPALS in late 2019 as a way to give back to the community and further his passion for animals. Bill is the Associate Vice President of Information Technology for the Center for Family Services, and also serves on the board of Salem County Meals on Wheels. Bringing a strong knowledge of technology, as well as the administrative side of nonprofits, Bill is excited to bring those tools to PetPALS to help the organization grow. Bill and his wife live in West Deptford with their nine cats.
Serena Soape, Board Member
Originally from Houston, Texas, Serena has a deep passion for animals. She has always had pets in her life — from dogs to birds to a horse. Currently the Director of Inside Sales and Operations at TRIFLOW, Serena first interacted with PetPALS by getting her pets’ photos taken at our events. She began to volunteer, became our Food Coordinator, and now serves as our Veterinary Care Coordinator, touching the lives of every single one of our clients. Serena resides in Somerdale and is owned by two senior dogs and six parrots, so you can be sure there is never a quiet or dull moment in her household.
2020 — 2021 Board of Directors
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Carol Swanson, President
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Serena Blackwell, Vice President
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Kenneth Sell, Treasurer
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Amy Chapman, Secretary
Members at Large:
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Bill Chapman
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Serena Soape
Are You Interested in Joining the Board?
The Board of Directors provides direction and support for the organization. Some of the key qualities of a PetPALS Board Member include:
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An interest in the PetPALS mission and goals
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Specific experience and/or knowledge in at least one area: social work, veterinary care, legal, accounting, strategic planning, fundraising, finance, community relations or organizational operation
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Willingness to expand knowledge of board responsibilities through orientation and ongoing education
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Willingness to represent PetPALS to the community
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6-10 hours per month distributed among:
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Board meeting — preparation and attendance
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Committee meeting — preparation and attendance
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Special events and requests
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Serve as a liaison to one of the standing committees
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If you are interested, email info@petpalssj.com with a resume and a brief statement on why you would like to join. The Board will review all applications and contact parties directly.