Great things are on the horizon

For over 25 years, Pam has dedicated her career to working with animals, with a special focus on cats. She began as an Animal Keeper at the Endangered Wolf Center before joining Nestle Purina PetCare, where she spent 16 years advancing pet behavior research and marketing. As a Senior Pet Behavior Scientist, she played a key role in groundbreaking cat behavior studies, including innovations for Tidy Cats litter. She later transitioned to a marketing management role, spearheading Purina’s nationwide pet welfare marketing initiatives.

Driven by a passion for improving cat welfare, Pam founded That Cat Girl, LLC. a consulting business dedicated to helping cat owners, veterinarians, and shelters nationwide enhance their cat behavior programs—ultimately improving shelter cat well-being and increasing adoptions.

Pam has also been deeply involved in animal welfare leadership, previously serving as President of the Advisory Board to St. Louis Animal Care and Control, and as a Board Member and Executive Director of the Coalition for Pet Progress. She now sits on the board of Gateway STEM High School’s Pre-Veterinary Program, helping shape the next generation of animal care professionals. She is certified in Fear Free Pet Handling, as well as Cat Behavior and Shelter Pet Consulting from the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.

Pam now brings her expertise to The Cat Shelter as Executive Director, continuing her mission to better the lives of cats and the people who care for them.

Mike Murphy, a seasoned Certified Public Accountant, built a distinguished career in the construction and real estate industries. As the first CFO of both Paric Corp and Clayco, he played a pivotal role in their financial foundations, spending a decade at Paric and 16 years at Clayco—where he also became a co-owner. After shaping industry giants, Mike retired from Clayco in 2009, bringing his expertise to causes he cares about.

A lifelong librarian and cat enthusiast, Claudia Seifert has built a career around knowledge and problem-solving. She worked in public, university, and special libraries before applying her expertise as a computer analyst and tester for a library automation vendor and later at Wells Fargo Advisors. After retiring in 2013, she devoted more time to her true passion—cats—having started as a volunteer in 2011. Now, as a board member of The Cat Shelter, she continues to advocate for feline welfare with the same dedication she brought to her career.

Gillian’s love for animals started early—at just eight years old, she rescued her first stray cat, sparking a lifelong commitment to animal welfare. Since then, she has volunteered with numerous rescue organizations across the country, dedicating her time and energy to helping animals in need. Outside of her advocacy work, Gillian is the co-owner of Urban Chestnut Brewing Company and serves as the Admissions Lead at Crossroads College Preparatory School. At home, she’s surrounded by her own furry family—five cats, two dogs, and two senior foster kitties.

Amy is a Senior HR Business Partner at The Boeing Company, where she supports a global finance team by guiding talent strategy and coaching managers on people-focused processes. A St. Louis native now living in University City, she’s passionate about animals and currently fosters dogs in need of loving homes. In her free time, Amy enjoys traveling, pub trivia, and exploring new restaurants around the city.

Emily is a Communications Manager at Lumen, where she leads internal communications for a national sales team of 4,000 employees and specializes in hosting engaging virtual events. Originally from northern Illinois, she now lives in Crestwood with her partner and their two cats, Fish and Basil. Emily is pursuing a master’s in Communication at Saint Louis University and loves roller skating, trying new recipes, and playing bass guitar in her spare time.

Leah works at The Boeing Company, where she leads a team that manages and negotiates international defense contracts across Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas. Based in Richmond Heights with her husband, dog, and two cats—Micia and Alisaie—she holds degrees from Saint Louis University and Washington University, and is currently pursuing a master’s in law. Leah enjoys reading, painting, exploring local events, and traveling whenever she gets the chance.

Emma is the Chief Marketing Officer at CareVet, a veterinary practice management group supporting over 200 hospitals across more than 35 states. A St. Louis native now living in the Southwest Garden neighborhood, she works closely with veterinary teams on marketing strategies while pursuing her MBA at Washington University. In her free time, Emma enjoys running, biking, and relaxing in Tower Grove Park with her brown tabby cat, Rocks.

Casey is a social worker with a Master’s from The Brown School at Washington University, specializing in economic and community development. She brings over eight years of experience in nonprofit management and community engagement, with a focus on affordable housing, neighborhood investment, and environmental justice in St. Louis. Now serving on the Young Professionals Board of the shelter where she adopted her cat Ramen Noodle, Casey is thrilled to give back to the place that brought him—and so much joy—into her life.

Michael is a Program Manager at Pearl Solutions Group, where he oversees nationwide fleet support and upfitting programs for a major utility company. Based in Affton with his wife and their two cats, Bernie and Minerva, he brings a love for problem-solving to both his work and his hobbies, which include aquascaping, tabletop gaming, and tackling weekend projects around the house and garden.

Kayla leads a global team at Cisco, where she develops innovative recruiting programs and hosts events that connect top talent with opportunities around the world. Based in St. Louis with her husband and cats, Kayla brings her passion for animal rescue to our Young Professionals Board, combining her professional skills with her love for giving animals a second chance.