Ms. Hurley graduated Magna Cum Laude with an Associates degree in Fashion Design and Bachelors in Product Management from FIT. She is currently pursuing an MBA from the University of Scranton. As a volunteer for Rational Animal, she has used her skills in graphic design, textiles, fashion, and business to promote awareness for at-risk animals through various media campaigns and the Mothers Comfort Project. Maggie has a special passion for the Mothers Comfort Project as it utilizes her love of sewing, design and business coordination to bring warmth and comfort to Animals in need. Maggie is an active participant in animal rescue efforts and uses her love of animals and years of experience to foster at-risk animals saved from euthanasia in overcrowded city shelters Salem helped create and photograph the “I Did It” Campaign commissioned to Rational Animal by the Mayor’s Alliance for New York City’s Animals, a series of photographs used to promote spaying and neutering services available in all five boroughs. These posters will be seen throughout the city on telephone kiosks and in publications. Salem is currently married to Dr. Poyin Auyeung a professor of Contemporary Art History at Manhattan College. He has 2 cats, Small Fry and Big Fry, both adopted from the ASPCA in New York City. Donna is consistently recognized for her exceptional fundraising talent through coordination of multimedia, dignitary and celebrity events at high profile venues, and for procuring corporate support with high-end sponsors. Her passion lies in raising awareness for the plight of at risk animals through the support of legislative measures and political and media contacts. Identical to Rational Animal’s mission is her belief that humane education is the key to a more compassionate world.
Susan Brandt is the founder of Rational Animal. Her motivation to help at-risk animals began as a child as she became exposed to the plight of animals in her community and around the world, starting her first campaign to end the seal hunt in 4th grade. She learned from her mother and grandmother, who rescued and nurtured the animals around them, and her father, a Brooklyn native, who brought the family to live in Boulder, Colorado, and taught her about the beauty of nature. Susan attended the University of California, Santa Cruz and received a full scholarship for her Masters degree in 1991 from the School of International Studies Communication and Development Program at Ohio University and received a Houk grant for her 1992 internship at the Division for the Advancement of Women at the United Nations in Vienna. She headed programming and creative development at the University of Washington’s Communications and Technology Department and earned an award for Excellence in Programming from the Alliance for Community Media. Upon moving to NYC, she started Rational Animal and is also active in the fine art music photography world working at the Morrison Hotel Gallery in Soho where Rational Animal holds its meetings and fundraisers.
David Glicksman has been a board member and Treasurer of Rational Animal since June 2011. David is a CPA as well as a CLM, and is the Chief Financial Officer of the James Mintz Group, a global Investigative Services firm. He has also been an active volunteer of Animal Care and Control, the ASPCA, the Mayor’s Alliance for Animals and the Best Friends Animal Society.
Christine Hahn is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT). She is a Certified Service Dog Instructor trained at NEADS Service Dogs for the Deaf and Disabled in Worcester, MA. Christine has assisted the foster program at Animal Care & Control of New York City for over 10 years, as well as appeared regularly on WNBC Weekend Today in New York. She owns a cat and a dog, both former fosters. Christine has been on the Board of Rational Animal since April of 2011.
Howard Pfeffer was formerly Vice Chairman at Ambac Financial Group, and President at FGIC Corporation. At FGIC, he was a member of the Board of Directors. During his 27 year career, Mr. Pfeffer was responsible for the Public Finance Groups at both companies, including non-profit finance nationwide. He has worked on financings for the Bronx Zoo, the World Wildlife Fund and other animal related institutions.
Maggie Hurley is the Director of Business Operations at John Ciardullo, P.C., an Architecture firm in NYC. With John Ciardullo, P.C. she is responsible for the day to day operations and financial responsibility of the firm. She is accountable for the management of company financials, public contract requirements, project specific financial documentation and requisitions, coordination of accounts payable/receivable and system administration of human resources and payroll services.
Nina Levine is a born and raised native New Yorker. She has spent 27 years at Wenner Media (Rolling Stone and Us Weekly) as Entertainment Advertising Director for both titles. All of Nina’s pets have been rescued from shelters. Her current pet, Daisy, is working towards Therapy Dog certification. Nina has been a board member of Rational animal since November of 2009.
Salem Krieger is a New York City based photographer specializing in location portraits and architectural photography. Most recently Salem has also added video making to his arsenal of skills. Salem has worked with a wide array of clients, including American Airlines for their South American travel stories, the US National Guard Association to create photo essays in the Arctic Circle, and architectural assignments for Whole Foods Market and Nike. He has also done corporate portraits for clients such as The Financial Times of London and Forbes, as well as worked with companies such as FujiFilm and Samsung to help promote their digital cameras. Salem’s personal work has led him to publishing a book titled Continuing Interest with Xerox Corporation, which will feature their state of art digital presses.
Donna Lentol is a self-employed Senior Business Development professional, acknowledged for being an innovative, self-motivated and meticulous Business Development manager with over fifteen years of comprehensive, detailed experience in corporate luxury products, multimedia, advertising and real estate industries. Donna has spent over ten years as an active volunteer at a no kill shelter and its partners. With so much animal welfare experience, she joined Rational Animal in 2008 to further use her business development skills to increase awareness of at risk animals.
Susan Muska has been involved with Rational Animal as an advisor to the board and on media production since 2002. She is a documentary filmmaker and has her own company with Greta Olafsdottir, called Bless Bless Productions. They focus on social injustices, including hate crime, women refugees, and marriage equality. For Rational Animal, Susan and Greta produced the video featuring an interview with Tippi Hedren about banning big cats as pets for the Animal Law Committee, and the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals first video about the coalition of shelters in NYC. Susan and Greta divide their time between New York City, France, and Iceland. Presently they have several projects in development, including one about endangered wildlife. Susan also teaches at Parsons, CUNY, and at the University of Iceland in the Gender Equality Studies & Training Program.