MEET OUR TEAM
Our board of directors is comprised of dedicated volunteers from the community who generously donate their time and expertise to advance our mission. Their commitment ensures that at-risk dogs receive the visibility and support they need. By working collaboratively, our board drives our initiatives forward, championing the welfare of these dogs and reinforcing our shared vision of a compassionate and supportive community.
Meet The Team
Pogo
Meet Pogo, the inspiration for this organization. Pogo doesn't know she's blind and enjoys every day! She quickly makes friends and brings joy everywhere she goes, and she loves to be on the go. She is a regular at local stores where she is greeted with treats and is well known in the community. She enjoys travel, swimming in Lake Michigan, dining out on patios, walks on local trails, road trips and relaxing in the sun.
Renee Harlor
Founder, President
Renee spent nearly fifteen years working in in the hospitality industry, where she held the roles of Director of Revenue and Director of Operations. In 2011 she started her career in the nonprofit world when she co-founded Misty Eyes Animal Center. In 2018 she earned a Certificate in Fundraising Management from IUPUI and the Lilly School of Philanthropy. Renee has served as an advisor to Next Stop Beech Grove and on the Board of Directors for the Hendricks County Humane Society. Renee believes that education is the key to solving many problems. Renee is employed by Options in Education as their Foundation Director. She enjoys spending time with Pogo, her Pit Bull. She also enjoys travel, entertaining, theatre and trivia.
Betsy Solmos
Vice President
Betsy has spent her career in Healthcare; she started as a Certified Medical Assistant while completing her Bachelor's in Business Administration, concentrating in Healthcare Management. She is currently the Director of Quality Assurance & Investigations for Zotec Partners. She has always had a love for all animals growing up on an Arabian horse farm, with many other pets. While volunteering in equine therapies she earned a certification in equine assistance. Her passion for the humane treatment of all animals is what drives her to stay involved. Betsy and her husband enjoy the outdoors, which includes walks, hiking, camping, and road trips, along with other travel. They also enjoy being creative in the kitchen, at the grill, and in their bar.
Lesley Neff
Secretary
Neff is the Executive Director of Online Innovation at Marian University. She also co-coordinates and volunteers in the pre-college program, Beyond Learning, at the Indiana Women's Prison.
Neff graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Political Science and English. Her Master of Arts degree, in English, is from Butler University. She graduated in August 2023 from Marian's Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership. She and her partner retired from owning and working with a local, professional women’s football team, the Indy Crash, in 2018. Neff also enjoys yoga, boxing and swimming and has 4 dogs. Aside from her passion for education for marginalized populations, her heart is dedicated to dogs who are abandoned and forgotten in hopes of making a little progress for as many as possible.
Claire Lash
Treasurer
Claire Lash is a graduate from Indiana University Bloomington; she received her bachelor's degree in criminal justice and psychology and her passion is re-entry and criminal justice reform. Claire has been around animals her entire life - specifically dogs! Her desire to advocate for pit bulls took off when her brother rescued 2 pitties, Faith and Otto. Seeing the pure love these dogs have for her brother and family was enough to convince her to rescue one herself, so when she finally got a house with a yard she adopted her pittie, Willie, who loves to compete for attention with his 2 kitty siblings Archie and Louise. In her free time Claire loves gardening, watching TV, listening to the Ladies & Tangents podcast, and traveling to new places with her husband!
Angela Phelps
Board Member
Angela Phelps has worked in both the for profit and nonprofit sectors. She has a Bachelor of Administration in Marketing and Management from Northwood University and is currently working on a Master of Arts in Leadership Practice at Marian University. She comes from a family that loves animals and she fondly remembers her first dog Chica. Chica and Chica’s predecessors have been Angela’s best friends and therapists. It is through the unconditional love she has received from her dogs and in their honor that she is motivated to help provide education and support towards Indiana’s abandoned and surrendered dogs. Angela enjoys spending time with her two dogs Chi Chi and Bo Bo, along with running, boxing, yoga, and community networking.