About Us
Who We Are
Our Team
Amber Nix
Executive Director
Amber joined the Hermitage staff in August of 2017. She was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona and began working full time at the age of 18. Amber lived in Arizona until the age of 25 when she moved to Ketchikan, Alaska and started her family. Amber has worked for non-profits in education and medical and is excited to now be working in the animal welfare sector. Amber states, “I am thankful to wake up and go to a job I can feel good about doing every day. I know my effort at the shelter impacts and improves the lives of the kitties and it is an awesome way to earn a living!” She was named as the Executive Director in May 2023 after working as Shelter Manager for many years.
Emma Crawford
Donor Relations & Program Coordinator
Emma moved to Arizona after a life-long gallivant across the country and throughout Europe; she was a writer and political scientist in her "previous life". She started volunteering as a foster parent for The Hermitage in early 2013. Employment followed shortly thereafter, and she's been here ever since. She's had everything from a dairy cow and a large sow, to goats, to dogs, fish, rabbits, and of course cats as pets in her life, but is currently only owned by cats.
Cat & Facility Sanitation Specialist
Emma has worked at the Hermitage for a little over two years. She has spent a majority of her working life around animals because she finds peace and happiness with them.
Certified Vet Technician
Candace started at the Hermitage as a volunteer hoping to get some cat handling experience for school. She found more than experience; she found a purpose. Advocating for the animals who don't have owners. Seeing a cat come in scared and watching them blossom, teaching them that people can be good, every day is a blessing.
Erica Giles
Shelter Veterinarian
Dr. Giles is an Ohio native but has called Tucson home since 2019. She’s been active in the shelter world since she was in high school. Her passions are low stress feline care and exotic pet medicine. Her love for cats and shelter medicine led her to Hermitage, where she gets to cuddle and cure the many cats that call Hermitage home. During her time out of the clinic, she spends time with her mini zoo (cats, dogs, birds, and reptiles) and exploring the outdoors.
Adoptions & Foster Assistant
Annette moved to Arizona in July of 2020 to be near her daughter and family. She joined the Hermitage team as a volunteer in the Fall of that same year. Before moving to Arizona, Annette founded and co-owned River Kitty Cat Cafe in Evansville, Indiana which today has placed over 2,000 cat adoptions. Her love and care of cats has been a passion since childhood. Annette is honored to be part of the Hermitage family as both staff and volunteer. She lives with her husband and two felines and is a very proud grandmother.
Nancie Hubbard
Accounts Payable/Receivable & Certified Vet Technician
Nancie grew up in Tucson. She has always loved animals, and originally wanted to be a veterinarian. In 2004, she graduated from Pima Community College AAS Veterinary Technician program, and passed national and state boards that same year. Nancie worked in a small animal general practice for eight years and then at Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson in Internal Medicine for seven years before joining the Hermitage team. When she is not working, her hobbies include cooking, reading, spending time with her two kids, and adopting cats (Nancie has adopted a few of her cats from The Hermitage!).
Coming soon!
Volunteer Coordinator
TBD
Tiffany Johnson
Medical Supervisor, Certified Vet Technician
Tiffany moved to Tucson in September of 2001. She then retired after 20 years in the Air Force in January 2015. In 2017, Tiffany graduated from Pima Medical Institute as a Certified Veterinary Technician. She worked at Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson in Internal Medicine from 2017-2018, and taught the Veterinary Assistant Program at Pima Medical Institute from 2018-2021. Tiffany has adopted 6 cats from the Hermitage (soon to be 7!). In total she has 10 (soon to be 11) cats, 6 dogs, 5 goats, 8 tortoises and 16 chickens. "Even as a child, I was finding stray animals and bringing them home to care for," Tiffany says. In her free time, Tiffany enjoys pet sitting, geocaching, off-roading.
Veterinary Assistant
Jerrett was born and raised in Tucson. He came to the Hermitage as an extern from Pima Medical Institute (PMI). Going to PMI was not easy and probably one of the most difficult things he's done after high school. Jerrett doesn't feel like he's the greatest with books but if he can get his hands on what he needs to do he will overcome. He's come to realize one of the hardest things being in the vet field is always pushing himself to become the vet assistant he dreams of being. He is always seeking out new challenges and working on improving his skills. He credits both his family and CVT's for their help. His family supported him in so many ways and his CVT’s showed him the ropes and are always working with him to improve his skills. He has fostered for the Hermitage many times and 3 of those fosters stayed with him as companions. During his free time, he likes to watch anime with his cats or play games with family or friends.
Sydney Marine
Intake and Foster Coordinator
Originally from Arizona, Sydney has spent the last 2 1/2 years working at an animal sanctuary in Utah, focusing on the care and well being of cats. Returning to Arizona has provided the chance for Sydney to continue her passion for working with cats by jointing the Hermitage team. At home, she enjoys spending time with her two dogs, cat, and horse. “I’m thrilled to be part of the amazing work being done at the Hermitage to continue making a difference in the lives of cats and kittens in need”.
Victoria Martel
Marketing Coordinator
Victoria was born and raised here in Tucson and received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Arizona. She worked with local restaurant suppliers and a remote marketing agency before deciding that she wanted to do something more meaningful with her skills. With two cats of her own from The Hermitage she felt it was only natural to apply when the opportunity came up and is excited to use her marketing knowledge to spread our mission and help more cats find their furever homes. In her free time, she enjoys watching documentaries, playing video games with her friends, hiking when it’s not too hot out, and taking naps on the couch with her cats.
Rachael Meek
Veterinary Assistant
I was born and raised here in Tucson and graduated from FWHS in 2011. My first job was a kennel tech at Desert Dove. In 2023 I began school at Pima Medical Institute to become a Vet assistant. Something I've always wanted to pursue. I'm still attending PMI to become a certified vet tech (CVT). My passion has always been for animals, and I'm excited to be apart for the Hermitage medical team!!
Coming Soon!
Cat & Facility Sanitation
TBD
Veterinary Assistant
My family immigrated from Guanajuato, Mexico and I was born and raised in Tucson. I am a first-generation college student and graduated from Carrington college. It was always a dream for me to work with animals since I was a kid. Originally, I was an extern at the Hermitage and was offered a position. I am happy to work with the cats. I find cats very interesting and love how they all have their own personalities. During my free time I enjoy gaming and watching horror movies or tv shows I also enjoy tasting all kinds of Asian dishes and sweets. I currently have one cat which is my first kitty and two dogs and a hamster. I wish to have more kitties in the future!
Cat & Facility Sanitation
Dave is a former welder fabricator who relocated to Tucson in 2020. Growing up, Dave always cared for the family cats. Dubbed 'cat whisperer' by friends and family Dave finds caring for the Hermitage cats therapeutic. Dave and his wife recently lost their 21- year-old cat Sebastian and hope to adopt soon. Dave is very grateful to work with such amazing an group of cats and cat people.
Kennel Tech
Born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, Jordan started her journey into the veterinary field during the start of Covid in 2020. She started at a local, family-owned veterinary clinic and then moved into a full-time position at the Hermitage. Jordan’s passion for animals started at a young age, as she has grown up with cats and dogs her entire life. Her dream is to become a DVM and possibly start her own clinic. When she is not at work, Jordan is home reading, exploring nature, rock climbing, spending time with her friends and family, or playing with her boxer and three mastiffs, and, hopefully one day soon, her cat!
Events Coordinator
Born in Tucson, Katelyn graduated from Arizona State studying Digital Audiences with minors in Political Science and History. A huge animal lover that has always adored cats especially, working somewhere like The Hermitage is unfathomably awesome. In her free time, she loves going to concerts and collecting vinyl. She does not have any pets ... yet.
Veterinary Assistant
Eddie was born and raised in Tucson. He’s always had a passion to work with animals since he was little. During his free time, he likes to spend it with his family and two dogs. He recently finished high school and went straight to Pima Medical Institute (PMI). He is planning to go back to school to become a Vet Tech. Right now, he’s enjoying his time at the Hermitage and learning as much as he can.
Holly Simon
Adoptions Coordinator
Holly joined The Hermitage staff in January 2019 as a Cat & Facility Sanitation worker before moving into her current position as Adoptions Coordinator. She has volunteered and worked for numerous animal welfare agencies in a variety of positions. Holly is a Veteran who worked as a correctional officer and sergeant for over 10 years. She was just one of a small number of females selected to be a Class Sergeant, leading cadets from their first day at the academy to graduation day, seven weeks later. Holly currently has four cats and two dogs…all are rescue pets.
Ayla Stephens
Cat & Facility Sanitation
Ayla is a lifelong Tucson resident. She began her career with rescue animals in 2021 at Pima Animal Care Center where her love for cats turned into a passion for their care and wellbeing. As a hardcore cat lady, she feels very privileged to be able to serve the cats of the Hermitage and contribute to an organization that shares her values. Ayla lives with her partner, 3 wonderful cats (all rescued from various places in Tucson), frogs and a tarantula.
Kennel Technician & Administrative Assistant (Veterinary Assistant)
Cara is from southeast Idaho and has been living in Tucson since 2006. She's worked in landscaping, retail, and as a pastry chef at Beyond Bread. Although those jobs were great, Cara found nothing more rewarding than working with cats. It gives her the chance to love the unwanted and save lives, while helping to control the cat overpopulation. She has 2 sons living and one who passed, as well as 4 cats and a dog at home. At work, she enjoys making sure the cats have a clean place to live while waiting for their forever home. During her "off" time, she enjoys movies, tv and music.
Board of Directors
Captain Felix
Feline Board Representative Emeritus
Captain Felix lost his battle with several illnesses and crossed the rainbow bridge in December 2022. The Board thanks him for his tireless dedication by making him our Feline Board Representative Emeritus. Thank you Captain for being the master of the front desk, keeping all of us in line and focused on our work duties. He enjoyed helping our Adoption Coordinator “work” by sitting on her paperwork, typing up funny emails (lots of ossssspojskjlhf;aelkhrfas because he wasn’t the best at typing), begging for treats, and taking her chair. He was a very chatty boy so he gladly told you all about his day. He wasn’t the strictest of bosses, but miss one feeding time, and we never heard the end of it! You will be missed.
Duncan
Feline Board Representative
Duncan is such a handsome, gentle giant with tons of personality. He will casually follow you throughout the shelter and wait for you to pay attention to him and then spin around like “oh I wasn't following you at all”. Considering he’s been declawed and has arthritis and some behavioral issues because of it, he is a funny goofball. He has one of the most expressive faces in the whole shelter. He tolerates other cats which is why we know he’ll be fair in his representation of ALL the Hermitage cats.
*Former Feline Board Representative Peep has been adopted!
Olivia Arrestad
Director
Olivia moved to Tucson in 2021 after graduating from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. After completing a rotating small animal internship and spending some time working in emergency medicine, she now works as an associate veterinarian at Briarcrest Veterinary Care Center. During her internship, she got to work with the medical team at The Hermitage and see firsthand the excellent medicine and care given to the cats residing there. She joined the board of directors in 2023 and is grateful to be a part of the team that helps these cats have the best life possible. Her cat, Ginny, is a Hermitage alumnus. Despite being fluent in cat, the Wisconsin native spends most of her time constantly reminding her feisty feline to stay off the kitchen counter.
Michelle Eggett
Director
Michelle moved from Washington State to Phoenix, AZ, in 2022 with her partner, where they quickly realized that their love for the desert did not extend to the bustling city life of Phoenix. In May 2024, they purchased their first home in Tucson and fell in love with the city and its vibrant community. Michelle was introduced to the Hermitage Cat Shelter by a local real estate investor, who also happens to be a board member. A lifelong cat lover, Michelle has always had a deep compassion for animals and dreams of one day opening her own shelter. When she’s not caring for kitties, she manages operations for small businesses and teaches yoga. In her free time, you can find her exploring the outdoors, learning to garden, hiking Mount Lemmon, or diving into a good book. Michelle is thrilled to be a part of the Hermitage board and to contribute to the mission of providing care for Tucson’s feline friends.
Katie Filous
Vice President
Katie Filous Malka became a partner at criminal defense firm Ferguson Hill Filous, PLLC, in Tucson, Arizona in January of 2022. Prior to founding her own firm, Katie was a felony trial attorney and supervisor at the Pima County Public Defender’s Office for four years, where she honed her skills in all types of felony cases. Katie’s reputation for skillful litigation, honesty, and the utmost care in serving her clients brings excellence to her criminal defense practice. She is passionate about advocating for the fair treatment of all people, challenging injustice in all its forms. Katie sees her board service as an extension of that belief. In her spare time, Katie loves spending time with her family, including her son and her 4 dogs, getting outside, cooking, and enjoying all Tucson has to offer.
Cheryl Johnson
Director
Cheryl's journey with The Hermitage began many years ago when she first visited the sanctuary. She was immediately captivated by the concept of cats roaming freely in a safe, loving environment. This initial experience left a lasting impression on her. Years later, she was lead to The Hermitage by her partner, Andy to adopt Delilah, a beautiful small brown tabby who was living in the allergy room due to chronic IBD and diarrhea. This adoption rekindled her passion for The Hermitage and its mission. Inspired by Delilah's impact on their lives, Cheryl became a dedicated volunteer, focusing on socializing shy cats to enhance their adoptability and helping them find their forever home. Her commitment to the sanctuary grew, leading her and Andy to adopt several more cats from The Hermitage, including Heart, another resident from the allergy room. When not at The Hermitage or tending to her own feline family, Cheryl works alongside Andy in their real estate business. She balances her time between her volunteer commitments at The Hermitage, caring for her adopted cats, and her professional career.
Andy Kiel
Treasurer
Andy is currently the President of Optimize Investments Inc, a Tucson based private equity company. Currently treasurer for the Board, Andy became involved with the Hermitage when he adopted Dellyla in 2020. Since then, a few other Hermitage cats have found their way to his home. Obviously, Andy is a cat lover and found the Hermitage mission compelling and he looks forward to helping build their legacy to save even more cats.
Natalie Meier
President
Born and raised in rural Indiana, Natalie came to love and appreciate all of the animals that showed up on her family’s doorstep. Before moving to Tucson in 2015, she worked as a Registered Veterinary Technician in Oncology and Internal Medicine at a specialty center in Indianapolis. Natalie served as Technician Supervisor at the Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson before joining the faculty at Pima Medical Institute in their veterinary programs in 2017 where she now works as Clinical Director. She lives with her husband, their 2 dogs, 5 chickens, and their 5 beloved Hermitage cats: Walter, Peach-Pear, Raimi, Mort, and Newt. She is excited to continue her dedication to advocating for animals that have no voice.
Liana Sharp
Secretary
Liana has lived in Tucson since 2020. Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Liana started volunteering at the Hermitage in Spring 2023. Prior to volunteering for the Hermitage, she volunteered for different shelters since 2017. While she does not have any cats (yet!) she does foster for the Hermitage when possible. She is excited to continue teaching others about the mission of the Hermitage and helping every cat.
The Hermitage Board of Directors meets monthly, usually on the fourth Thursday of each month.
Public attendance is welcome.
If you are interested in becoming a Board Member, please fill out our application and give it to one of the current board members, drop it off at The Hermitage, or email it to [email protected].
*Applicants are subject to Board approval.