Heartland's Board of Directors
Kate Atkins
Board MemberKate is an Associate Business Developer in the Nonprofit and Government Practice at Wipfli LLP. She spends her workdays connecting nonprofits across the nation with consultants, auditors, products and other services they need to efficiently and effectively advance their mission. She just finished a 3-year term as President of Angel’s Wish, an all-volunteer cat rescue in Verona, WI. Kate graduated with a Masters in Philanthropy and enjoys using her skills to help Heartland. The animals at Heartland bring her peace and happiness and she knows that Heartland will continue to grow because it is a place where many people benefit from the joy, peace and stability that working with animals provides. Kate is passionate about animals and believes that connecting people to the rescued farm animals at Heartland is extremely beneficial for both. Kate lives in Madison with her husband Colin, cats Darius and Xerxes and dogs Molly and Lord Benedict Beaglebaum the third (Benny).
Ty Beck
Board TreasurerTy has over 17 years of financial experience, including ten years working in community banking. He currently serves as VP of Business Banking at Oak Bank. Ty was born and raised in Oshkosh and has lived in the Madison area for over 20 years. Before starting his career in finance, Ty worked as a research archaeologist in backcountry Alaska for six years! Ty and his wife, Heidi, live in Oregon with their three children, Odin, Piper and Willah, two rescue pups, Juno and Ginger, four rescue cats (Banjo, Luna, Katmai and Gertie), 12 chickens and a beta fish! "We are a family of animal lovers and value the reciprocity of love and compassion that we share with our animal friends," Ty said. "Heartland’s mission of providing a safe place for animals in need and in turn connecting the animals with people for mutual wellbeing is truly amazing. I am honored to be able to be a part of such a valuable and thoughtful organization."
Eric Sundquist
Board MemberEric Sundquist is the sustainability advisor at the California Department of Transportation. In that role he works with Caltrans staff and external stakeholders on ways to reduce motor-vehicle travel demand. He previously worked on transportation and clean energy policy at the Center on Wisconsin Strategy at UW-Madison, and before that as a newspaper reporter and editor, most recently at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. A native of Indianapolis, Eric earned a doctorate in urban planning and a master’s in public policy from the Georgia Institute of Technology, as well as a master’s in humanities from the University of Richmond and a bachelor’s degree from Miami University. Eric served for 11 years on the Madison Plan Commission. He and his wife, Dorrie, live in Sacramento.
Hillary Vedvig
Board SecretaryHillary is the Director of Government Relations for the Wisconsin chapter of The Nature Conservancy. She.earned her undergraduate degree at the University of South Carolina and graduated from Yale Law School in 2017. Hillary was awarded the Wisconsin Law Journal Up and Coming Lawyers Award in 2021 and the Outstanding Service Award by the Dane County Bar Association for work with the Eviction Defense Project, providing free legal services to low-income individuals facing eviction in 2019. Hillary lives on her family farm, homesteaded in 1844, with her husband, son Roland and two perfect kitties, Berg and Stan. Her family farm is just over two miles from the sanctuary! She also serves on the Board of the Madison Ballet and on the Board of the Outrider Foundation, a digital media foundation dedicated to raising awareness of the risks of climate change and nuclear proliferation. In 2019 Hillary co-founded Sustainable Saplings with her sister, a blog dedicated to advancing sustainable practices in the Midwest. Finally, she serves on the Law In Public Service Committee and the Animal Law Committee of the American Bar Association. In her spare time, Hillary can be found enjoying vegan restaurants and offerings around the Madison area and, especially in the winter, at the movies.
Erin Arango-Escalante
Board MemberErin founded All Children Thrive, an early childhood education consulting firm, and is a past Administrator for the Wisconsin Department of Children & Families Division of Early Care and Education. Erin has considerable experience with non-native speaking communities, equity, and early childhood education. Erin also has a hobby farm that is in alignment with Heartland’s values.
Jen Davie
Board of Directors, MemberJen is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and Association of Fundraising Professionals Master Trainer with over 15 years of non-profit development and fundraising experience, working for organizations throughout Illinois and Wisconsin. Jen is a longtime Heartland supporter and was an animal care volunteer. Jen lives in Sun Prairie with her husband, daughter, and dog, Calaway. Jen can be found exploring Wisconsin, hiking the Ice Age Trail with friends, or coaching club volleyball in her spare time.
Lily Mormann
Board MemberLily has spent her career in the financial accounting world and most recently started as a Controller at Elephas. As a Madison transplant of many years, Lily has been involved with Heartland's Finance Committee for the past three years. She is looking forward to joining the board and making a greater impact for the Heartland residents. At home she has a spunky labradoodle named Lyle, a talkative 2 year old and a baby on the way!
Christine Orrell
Board MemberChristine brings over 15 years of marketing and communications experience, most recently as Senior Research Manager at Condé Nast. Deciding to step off the corporate ladder after growing her family, Christine now helps a small local business with artisanal cider production, aligning with one of her core values of supporting our farmers by way of farm-to-table fare. Christine's passions include climate change prevention and animal care advocacy. In her personal life, she thrives on making memories with her family, practicing yoga with friends near and far, reading the latest memoirs and fiction releases, and attempting to win just one game of Settlers of Catan with her friends' 11- and 13-year-old sons. Although Christine and her family are new to Madison, they have loved visiting family nearby over the years and are thrilled to be part of the Driftless community.
Change Lives With Your Gift
Your tax-deductible donation to Heartland Farm Sanctuary allows us to care for farm animals in need and operate our unique people programs that inspire compassion for animals, the earth and each other.