Carrie Smith is our Adoptions & Foster Manager. Looking for some volunteer opportunities after relocating back to the Chicago area in summer of 2021, Carrie found Second City and started by walking dogs staying at the adoption center.
After more than 20 years leading operations for a few different non-profit organizations she is excited to delve into the world of animal welfare.
Around The Community: Proud dog mom to foster fail Clancy, Carrie likes to spend time working in her garden, checking out local hiking trails and exploring a little further afield on RV trips.
Carrie Loves SCCR because: SCCR has such a passionate group of volunteers and staff. It is a privilege to be a small part of the organization’s success and to help families find their perfect match.
Deb Hays has been an active SCCR volunteer since 2016. Over the years, she has led the Orientation Team and collaborated with others to help new volunteers learn more about rescuing responsibly. As Volunteer Manager, she now mentors fellow volunteers as they step into leadership roles. In the past six years, Deb has helped SCCR grow by facilitating the implementation of our online volunteer management system and developing on-demand training resources.
Around The Community: Outside of SCCR, Deb and her family have shared their lives with three small, fluffy dogs—Dudley, Matti, and Macy. These quirky yet beloved pups inspired her to join SCCR, driven by a desire to help save more dogs and bring that same joy to other families.
Deb Loves Second City Canine Rescue Because: Deb values collaborating with dedicated volunteers and witnessing the incredible resilience of dogs when they are given the care and compassion they deserve.
Patti Cappas is SCCR’s Adoption Center Manager. She began her journey with SCCR over three years ago as a volunteer before stepping into her current role. Patti earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Communications from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.
Around the Community: Patti resides in Arlington Heights and is the very proud mother of three adult children. She has also adopted two Second City rescue dogs, Dixie and Wrigley, who she is grateful for every day.
Patti loves SCCR because: I am continually impressed by the first-class care our dogs receive. Second City truly spares no expense or resources when it comes to ensuring each dog becomes healthy, happy, and well-adjusted while they wait for their forever homes.
Martha Lemke is SCCR’s Animal Care Manager, Finance Manager and HR Manager. She started volunteering with SCCR on New Years Eve 2014, taking her first foster dog who had just made the trip from Cypress. After fostering for several years, she stepped into the roles of Animal Care and Finance/HR Manager.
Around the Community: Martha lives in Hawthorn Woods with her husband Gerry and their two SCCR alums Henry and March. She has two wonderful daughters and sons-in-law, and 2 grandsons who she loves to spoil. She’s been involved with animal rescue for over 11 years. She loves to cook and travel, and spend time outside – and fostering dogs for SCCR!
Martha loves SCCR because:She loves the work they do to find homeless dogs their forever loving family
Eric Weinstein joined Second City Canine Rescue (SCCR) in 2026. He currently serves as the organization’s Executive Director and brings expertise in financial and operations management, fundraising, strategic planning, and a strong commitment to mission-driven organizations. Prior to joining SCCR, Eric served for 15 years as the Executive Director of Guitars for Vets, a national non-profit organization sharing the healing power of music with Veterans impacted by service-related trauma. Eric began his career as an investment professional and has held senior research and portfolio management positions at PEAK6 Investments, L.P., Merrill Lynch, Deutsche Bank and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. Eric earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Tufts University and a Master of Business Administration from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.
Around the Community: Eric currently resides in the northern suburbs of Chicago with his family and their miniature goldendoodle named Koda. A life-long guitar player, Eric has played with rock bands on big and small stages around the country.
Eric loves SCCR because: humans and dogs share a profound, ancient connection. When we offer dogs a second chance, they offer us a new beginning.
Christina Morrison, J.D., joined SCCR in 2022 as its first Development Director. She has volunteered in the animal rescue world since 2008 and began a full-time career in non-profit development in 2020. At SCCR, Christina plans fundraising events, marketing, writes grant applications, and connects donors and supporters to the important work of helping dogs in need.
Around the Community: Christina lives with her husband and two rescue dogs, one of whom is a foster “fail.” In her free time, she enjoys knitting, gardening, and reading. She also serves on her local Zoning and Planning Commission.
Christina loves SCCR because: talking to donors, volunteers, and supporters who care about pets and people and who are working to improve this world is an awesome way to spend each day.
Elizabeth (Liz) Ash is an attorney for CVS Health. She lives in Palatine with her husband, Doug, a clinical prosthetist/orthotist, and their two dogs, Maya and Harley.
Around the Community: Liz plays first flute with the Buffalo Grove Symphonic Band and is a multi-sport athlete with a goal of doing 10 triathlons by August 2028.
Elizabeth Ash loves SCCR because: In 2017, SCCR brought shelter dogs up from Houston after Hurricane Harvey. Liz and Doug found their goofy mutt, Harley, at an adoption drive in Schaumburg, and she’s been an endless source of entertainment ever since. Liz was thrilled to join the SCCR Board in 2025.
Kristin Cavaleri joined the SCCR Board of Directors in 2022. Kristin is an Executive Vice President at Apex Systems and has 22 years of sales and IT consulting experience. She attended Illinois State University and earned a degree in Communications and a minor in Psychology.
Around The Community: Kristin lives in Barrington with her husband Derek, and sons Dylan and Chase. You can typically find her on a sideline of some short cheering on Barrington Youth Sports. She rescued her first SCCR dog Scout in 2020 and Kristin and her family adopted a second SCCR dog, Holly in 2021. She loves all animals but has a weakness for Pittie and Bully Breeds!
Kristin Loves Second City Canine Rescue Because: She has seen first-hand the love and care the organization provides to very deserving Dogs. After rescuing from SCCR, she will always “adopt and not shop”. Nothing makes her happier than seeing her friends and family rescue from SCCR!
Deb Piscola has been a passionate SCCR volunteer since 2018. Deb is employed as an external relations professional with a Fortune 50 technology and media company. In her role, she is responsible for, among other things, strategic policy, franchise negotiations, contract administration, government and community relations, and regulatory compliance. Deb is an elected official serving as a Village of Winfield Trustee and was appointed by Governor JB Pritzker to serve on the Statewide 911 Advisory Board.
Around the Community: Prior to joining SCCR, she served on the Naperville Humane Society Board of Directors and fostered Shiba Inu dogs for Midwest Shiba Inu Rescue. Deb adopted her two dogs, Homer and Selley, from SCCR.
Deb Piscola loves SCCR because: She is eager to help dogs just like Homer and Selley find loving homes.
Jeff Fritz is a 30+ year veteran of Chicago radio advertising, retiring in 2020 after 22 years with CBS Radio Chicago. After a work career that consisted of organizing and executing events and promotions, Jeff is now part of SCCR’s Cocktails For Canines team and organizes the popular Tailgate For Tails, Bow Wow Bingo, and Mutters’ Day Photoshoot fundraiser events. Jeff’s educational background is in Communications through Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL.
Around the Community: Jeff lives with his wife Tara, their dogs Henry and Pearl, and their cat Fern in Roselle, Illinois. Jeff and Tara have been volunteering with SCCR for several years and are proud dog parents of SCCR alums Henry and Pearl. Henry was one of the first dogs that SCCR adopted out in 2011! Being an avid golfer and loving being outdoors, he spends many days in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
Jeff loves SCCR because: Our tagline says it all. Rescuing Responsibly.SM I love the fact that we take the extra steps to find the best match of adopter and dog. Nothing makes me happier than when I see a smiling face and a wagging tail when a new forever home is found!
Jennifer Trombatore joined our Board of Directors in April 2019. She has 25 years of experience in technology, outsourcing, business intelligence and analytics sales. Now retired, Jennifer worked for Fortune 500 companies such as Hewlett-Packard and ADP as well as technology start-up innovators. Jennifer graduated from University of Illinois (Champaign-Urbana) with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and a minor in Aviation.
Around the Community: Jennifer lives in North Barrington, IL with her longtime partner, Josh, three daughters, two dogs, four cats, two snakes, one parrot and a variety of aquatic animals. Jennifer has been involved in animal rescue for over 25 years. She has gone on many working vacations to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah, rescued Leatherback Turtles with Earth Watch and fostered and fundraised for many Chicagoland rescue organizations.
Jennifer Trombatore loves SCCR because: Along with her Board responsibilities, she is an active foster, and is on the fundraising committee. She has built awareness and a volunteer base in her community. Jen loves to see the amazing transitions and transformations of the dogs we rescue, the work of the staff and volunteers who make it happen and the adopters whose lives we complete. It is truly an incredible feeling!
Rich Wulforst is a Board Member for SCCR. Rich is Vice President-Branch Leader at Fidelity Investments. Rich attended Denver University for executive education programs, and received his B.S. in Finance from the University of Rhode Island. Rich has spent the last 20+ years serving investors, focused on wealth management through proper planning. He was recognized at Schwab in 2014 as the Annual Community Ambassador Award recipient for his volunteer work.
Around the Community: Rich and his family have been committed to rescuing animals and have adopted three in the past eight years. Most recently they adopted an 11-month-old love, Nitro. Outside of work and volunteerism, Rich enjoys skiing, golfing, and most activities done in the open air.
Rich Wulforst loves SCCR because: Rich and his family have made a commitment to rescuing animals, bringing love and new homes to pets in need.
After retiring as SCCR’s Executive Director in 2021, Judy has returned to help guide the organization during this transitional period.
A graduate of Barat College in Lake Forest, Judy spent much of her professional career as co-owner of Best Travel, Inc, a successful, corporate travel-management company. After selling Best Travel, Inc., she transitioned into running SCCR full-time; turning her lifelong passion for animal welfare into her daily mission.
Around the Community: Judy is a proud mom of two lovely grown daughters and grandmother to two adorable grandsons. At home, she shares her life with two beloved rescue dogs, Phoebe and Lacie. Outside of rescue, Judy and her husband are avid adventure travelers.
Judy Anglada loves SCCR because: While Judy’s current role focuses heavily on organizational management and strategic direction, she never misses a chance to be part of adoption. “There is no better feeling than helping our dogs find their forever home,” she says—a sentiment that continues to fuel her commitment to SCCR’s mission.
Dr. Jacquie Cobb is President of SCCR and has been involved in dog rescue since 2004. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Auburn University and Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science from Texas A&M University.
Around the Community: Dr. Cobb lives with her partner, Bill. They have 3 human boys, two rescue dogs (Dan & Darla – Lab/Golden/Great Pyrenees mix), and two rescue cats (Gary & Darry). Her favorite things to do (other than rescuing dogs, of course) are traveling, birding, and spending time outdoors.
Dr. Jacquie Cobb loves SCCR because: It is a tie between evaluating dogs/bringing them into our program and volunteering at our no and low-cost veterinary service events in combination with C.R.I.S.P.
