Staff & Board

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors consists of volunteers from all aspects of the community. We meet the third Tuesday of every month at 4:30pm. If you would like to attend a meeting please email our President in advance.

If you are interested in joining our board, please review board responsibilities, complete an application and email president@facf.org with questions.

Board Responsibilities

Board Application

Staff Members

Stephanie Koehler

Executive Director

Stephanie Koehler is the Executive Director of Friends of the Animal Center, a position she has held since 2020. A proud graduate of the University of Iowa and a lifelong Iowa City area resident, Stephanie has always been passionate about animal welfare, fostering over 30 animals for the Iowa City Animal Center. She is the Past President of the Iowa City Downtown Rotary Club and has served as a mentor for Women in Business at the University of Iowa since 2020. Through her leadership and dedication, Stephanie continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of animals and the community.

You can email her at: stephanie@facf.org

Hannah Frankl

Admin & Events Coordinator

“I grew up in a small town in northern Iowa until I made Iowa City my home in 2019 when I started at the University of Iowa. I graduated in December of 2022 with a BBA in Marketing & Certificate in Event Management. I have been a lover of animals my entire life, so it has been absolutely amazing to work in my career field AND save the animals!

When I’m home, my lap is never empty! I have a 10-year-old pup named Bella who is always by my side. I also have the most snuggly cats, Simon & Molly, who are 5-year-old litter mates! If you’re ever at the office, you’re likely to find Simon wandering around, keeping us in check!

If you ever need to reach me, you can email me at hannah@facf.org!

Board Members

Whitney Russell

President

Originally from Mt. Vernon, Iowa I’m a Realtor at Urban Acres Real Estate in Coralville, Iowa. My husband, Ben, and I live in Iowa City with our two children, Ford (4) and Poppy Rae (1), and our charming rescue dog, Opie (10). I love theatre, our shelter, and any local attractions!

Rose Schabilion

Vice President

Liz Louis

Secretary

Liz grew up around Cedar Rapids and has been calling Iowa City home since 2012. She shares a home with her dog Edie, her cat Terry (an IC Animal Shelter Alumni), and various house plants.

Liz has been with Hills Bank since 2016 and is currently Assistant Branch Manager in North Liberty. Some of her favorite parts of her job are being able to help people and saying hello to all the dogs that come through the drive thru.

In her free time she enjoys thrifting for vintage items, doing DIY and craft projects, painting her nails, and spending time with her fur-children.

Greg Reimann

Treasurer

Greg Reimann grew up in Iowa City and is a proud graduate of City High and the University of Iowa. After more than a decade of working in public and private accounting, Greg decided to open his own CPA firm in 2024 and works with locally owned Iowa City and Corridor area businesses. Greg and his wife Amanda live in North Liberty with their two dogs, Hank and Jax who keep his hands full with their escapades.

Ellie Campbell

Director

Cindra Bombei

Director

Cindra was born in Iowa City, raised in the small town of Wellman, moved to Iowa City in 2009 to attend the University of Iowa in pursue of a Marketing BBA, and now resides in North Liberty with her cat Maze, dog Arlo, and partner Travis.

Cindra works at the University of Iowa within the Student Services Team of the Graduate & Professional Programs at The Tippie College of Business.

In her free time, Cindra enjoys tending to her plants both indoors and out, reading fiction and listening to non-fiction books, and cycling outdoors in the spring, summer, and fall months.

Cynthia Kemp

Director

Rebecca Dirks

Director

Tracy Stotler

Director

I grew up in the small town of Tipton, Iowa. I moved to Solon in 1991 and soon after started working for Hills Bank and Trust. I’m currently a Senior Vice President and Regional Manager for our branches in Johnson and Washington County. My husband Terry and I have two adult children Alyssa and Brady and our cat Max. I started as a Volunteer for the Iowa City Care and Adoption Center in July 2022 due to my love for animals and wanting to give back to our community.

Clark McGuire

Director

Kelly Ruggles

Director

Marie Hassle

Director

I ‘m originally from Rockford Illinois, I moved to the Quad Cities 25 years ago. I currently serve as the Executive/Regional Director for ChildServe’s eastern Iowa operations. I am married to the love of my life, Jeff and have two stepdaughters, Reagan and Evyn, who I adore. My husband and I love animals, we volunteer with the French Bulldog Rescue Network and have fostered several dogs over the years. We have 2 shelter cats and a dog named Luka (named after U of IA Basketball great Luka Garza). I am an avid golfer, love to exercise, read and needlepoint.

Dr. Grace Zhang

Director

Originally from Longview, Texas, and found my way to becoming a veterinarian at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. Housemates are: Mike (husband and UIHC Pulmonary/Critical Care Fellow 2024-27); Shadow (Pit mix adopted in 2020); and Dori (supposed Mastiff mix adopted from ICAC in 2022)

Christa Payne

Director

Matt Russell

Director

Michael Christoffersen

Data and Analytics

Michael moved to Iowa City in 2003 and has been operating FACF’s databases since 2005.

He has an educational background in literature and philosophy, earning a BA from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 1995.

He currently lives with cat Kiddo “Tub Monster” McGee, who likes to play with running water and to sleep in cardboard boxes.

In his free time, Michael enjoys watching European club football, reading, writing poetry, and playing Civilization 5.

Staff & Board

Board of Directors

Staff Members

Stephanie Koehler

Hannah Frankl

Board Members

Whitney Russell

Rose Schabilion

Liz Louis

Greg Reimann

Ellie Campbell

Cindra Bombei

Cynthia Kemp

Rebecca Dirks

Tracy Stotler

Clark McGuire

Kelly Ruggles

Marie Hassle

Dr. Grace Zhang

Christa Payne

Matt Russell

Volunteers

Michael Christoffersen