Nicholas Gilman

Executive Director

Nicholas has worked in animal welfare for over 37 years, doing everything from direct care of animals to being Executive Director, national disaster relief to cruelty investigation, consulting and shelter design. He worked for three years for the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and for seven years for the American Humane Association (AHA) where he served as Director of Animal Programs.

Nicholas was a founding board member of the National Federation of Humane Societies and created Humane Logic, a business consulting firm focusing on animal welfare. Humane Logic helps non-profit humane organizations with strategic planning, leadership, board of director development, organizational review and other disciplines specific to animal charities.

Nick lives in Ridgway with his cat, Tree House.

Dan Brillon

Director of Administration & Finance

Dan is originally from Seattle but eventually made his way to Colorado where he found his true home. He has a degree in Finance and Accounting, is a CPA, and has held various CFO and COO jobs in both the for profit and nonprofit sectors as well as being a Finance Director for Microsoft. Upon moving to Colorado Dan took up his second career as a professional trail runner where he competed in races all over the world.

Dan is a passionate animal lover, having dogs and cats throughout his life. After a trip to Nepal where he raced in the Mt. Everest Marathon, Dan became a founding donor of Street Dog Care – a rescue organization in Kathmandu focused on providing treatment to the many street dogs there.

Today Dan enjoys a simpler life in the San Juan mountains where, when not working, you are likely to find him out running the local trails with his dog Willow, a Second Chance rescue. He also volunteers at the local wild horse rescue ranch here in Ridgway and is a student mentor. Dan served for three years on the Board of Second Chance where he held the positions of Treasurer and Secretary.

As Second Chance’s Director of Administration & Finance, Dan is able to bring together his broad business experience with his love for animals, truly living the mission of connecting people, pets and community.

Lynda Burns

Ridgway Thrift Shop Director

Lynda came to Second Chance after a long career in health care. She has bachelor’s degrees in nursing and sociology, a minor in business, and worked toward a master’s degree in healthcare management. She worked as an RN for many years in a variety of settings ending her career as a hospice nurse educator. Her interest in improving the lives of dying patients eventually led her to animal rescue and the care and fostering of homeless pets. Lynda’s hospice background drew her to the special needs of senior and dying dogs who are often abandoned at a time when they need a family the most. She has been a long-time volunteer for English Springer Rescue fostering and caring for many dogs in her home over the years.

Lynda has spent her life around animals, growing up with rabbits (5,000 of them!) chickens, goats and guinea pigs as well as dogs and cats and horses. Currently she lives on a ranch with her husband Robert, 4 rescue dogs and 3 rescue cats.

Lynda began volunteering at the Thrift Shop in 2004 as a way to support Second Chance Humane Society’s mission. Shortly after becoming a volunteer, she accepted a staff position at the Thrift Shop. Her interest in antiques and collectables made the thrift shop a perfect fit for her as she comments “The amazing variety of generous community donations makes working at the Thrift Shop a daily adventure and opportunity for learning”. Lynda has been the Thrift Store Manager since 2006.

Jess Krauser

Telluride Director

Originally from the Midwest, Jess Krauser graduated from CU Boulder, with a BA in Marketing and Communications. She and her husband Matt married and returned to Chicago after graduation.

Jess worked in corporate marketing for ten years, then developed a private business in fitness mentoring and nutrition after giving birth to their son, Matt Jr.

Jess’s heart for marginalized people and animals drives her to find purposeful and satisfying work. She was instrumental in founding the St. Michael’s Catholic Church Refugee Committee, assisting in developing an ESL program and helping people assimilate into a new culture. She was also an active member of St. Michaels Social Justice Committee and an active parent at St. Michaels Catholic School.

The Krausers returned to Colorado in 2014, choosing Telluride as their new home.

In 2016 Jess joined Second Chance Humane Society as Telluride Thrift Store Retail Manager. She later also became Development Director. Jess resigned from Second Chance in 2020 and missed the local connection to the community as well as the mission of the organization. Today Jess has rejoined the Second Chance family –this time as Telluride Director, managing the newly remodeled Sit…Stay…Shop!, Telluride’s Upscale Resale Emporium. Jess will also head Telluride’s community outreach, donor relations and special fundraising events.

In her spare time, Jess enjoys the natural beauty of the mountains, tinkering with all things creative and hiking and cooking with Matt, her husband of 33 years.

Tara Cleveland

Shelter Manager

Tara Cleveland comes to us from Kansas City, where she worked at the city’s largest non-profit animal shelter.

Tara has worked with animals in various capacities since she was a teenager. When asked about her goals at Second Chance, Tara said, “Using my experience and education, I hope to be a forward-thinking, strategic, and mission-driven leader for Second Chance. My priority is to positively impact as many lives as possible. I am so excited to join this incredible community, and I am looking forward to learning as much as I can.”

Tara loves to be outside, doing any activity she can do with her 14-year-old dog. She especially enjoys hiking, kayaking, and biking.

Tabby Camber

Clinic Manager

Tabby Camber is our Clinic Manager. She works to navigate, develop, and provide veterinary services for our shelter pets and our community.

Originally from California, Tabby wanted to grow up and be a veterinarian. As life sometimes goes, she got busy with a family and finally went to college after her kids were older. She graduated as a medical assistant- but soon realized her childhood dream of working with animals was still alive.

On a typical day, Tabby assists with spays and neuters, gives vaccines, schedules appointments, and develops programs and services to define the future of our veterinary programs.

Tabby is happy to be at Second Chance and in the local community. She shares, “I’ve worked in several veterinary hospitals, but found that my true passion is in shelter medicine. It is such a rewarding and fulfilling journey. I get the best of both worlds.”

She loves the outdoors and has become a true mountain gal. In her free time, you will find Tabby and her fiance, Dave, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, jeeping, and camping with their three rescue dogs. She also steps in to foster pets in need.

Ivy Holgate Fife

Marketing Manager

Ivy is originally from the Roaring Fork Valley. She grew up in a ranching family, spending summers at a family cabin in the mountains. She has always loved animals of all kinds.

Ivy is a graduate of Colorado State University, where she studied graphic design and creative writing. She started her career in creative product development at Hallmark Cards in Kansas City. At Hallmark, she worked primarily in the International division, creating humor product for European markets.

She and her family moved to Colorado in 2004. Prior to joining Second Chance, Ivy was the Marketing Manager at Colorado Yurt Company.

Ivy is an artist and writer, with a passion for telling stories. She now lives in Eugene, Oregon with her husband. Ivy has three grown daughters and twin grandsons. She enjoys camping, hiking, reading, and traveling.

Ashley Coady Smith

Development Associate

Ashley Coady Smith has called Southwest Colorado home for over 15 years. Recently relocating from Telluride to Mancos,

Ashley has been working in the nonprofit sector serving outdoor recreation/environmental, animal welfare, health equity, arts and education focused organizations in the region for over a decade. In recent years, Ashley has been running her consulting business helping dozens of nonprofit organizations increase their capacity through development and fundraising strategies, as well as managing projects and events.

A conservationist at heart and outdoor adventurer to the core, Ashley strives to constantly advocate for elevating organizations and building connections that aim to heal and protect our planet, its people and animals through stewardship, deep care and compassionate actions.