Heartland's Board of Directors
Eric Sundquist
Board ChairEric 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 with their dog Victor, from Red Lake (Minn.) Rosie’s Rescue via ARVSS Animal Rescue.
Kate Atkins
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 pit bull mixes Molly and Gilligan.
Steve Suleski
MemberSteve is Vice President – Board Relations and Corporate Secretary of CUNA Mutual Group. In this role, he is responsible for supporting CUNA Mutual’s board of directors and its subsidiary management processes. He received his law degree from the University of Wisconsin and, prior to joining CUNA Mutual, was a partner at Foley & Lardner, LLP and a senior attorney at Alliant Energy. He currently serves on several other non-profit and two fintech venture company boards. He and his wife, Jacqui, live in Madison with their dog Oliver, and have enjoyed supporting Heartland Farm Sanctuary at its annual fundraiser for several years (including “winning” an African safari and a baby grand player piano at one memorable event). He looks forward to helping HFS take the next steps in realizing its mission of caring for farm animals in need, nurturing people through the human-animal bond, and fostering respect and kindness toward animals and each other.
Laura Konkel
Board SecretaryLaura is Partner at the law firm of Michael Best & Friedrich, practicing intellectual property law. Laura has volunteered at Heartland since 2014 in different capacities, including animal care, collecting gala auction donations, providing pro bono legal services, and chicken-sitting at her home. Always an animal lover, spending time with the Heartland animals and learning their stories inspires her to make thoughtful choices and live a more compassionate life. Laura is from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and lives in Madison with her husband Bryan, daughter Audrey, son TJ, and two rescued German Shorthaired Pointers, Maggie and Henry.
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."
Lorri Houston
MemberLorri is considered a “pioneer” of the farm animal sanctuary movement. In 1986, she opened the country’s first shelter for farm animals as co-founder of Farm Sanctuary and later established Animal Acres, a Los Angeles farm animal sanctuary and compassionate learning center. Her interest in helping people extend compassion to all living beings led her to study Buddhism and work to develop the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation in California. She is currently working at the Center for Healthy Minds at UW-Madison. Lorri is a native of Madison and received a Master of Public Policy & Administration and Master of Social Work from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Lorri is honored to join Heartland’s Board of Directors and being a part of the organization’s mission. "From the minute I walked into the barn, I wanted to be a part of Heartland Farm Sanctuary. More than any other farm animal sanctuary – including the ones I founded – Heartland has succeeded in creating a culture which offers a message of compassion in a way which people are able to hear. Heartland is a pioneer in the work to help people embrace the beauty of the human-animal bond, offering a kind and loving way for people and animals to live in harmony. This special sanctuary is truly a place where people help animals, and animals help people…and isn’t that a vision to take heart in."
Rena Cross
MemberRena is a Licensed Professional Counselor at Peace of Mind Therapy in Madison, WI. She works with adults and children who have experienced Trauma in their lives and struggle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. She believes each person (and animal!) has a story to tell, a journey they are on, and supporting them through that is a large step into feeling peace in their lives. Rena was born and raised in Wisconsin and has been in the Madison area since 2017. She and her husband David have two children and a rescued chocolate lab-blue heeler mix named Charlie! Her whole family loves Heartland and they believe in each value that Heartland holds – especially unwavering compassion and steadfast inclusion. Rena says, "My work with people is a direct parallel to the mutual respect of animals. I am truly honored and incredibly excited to join the team at Heartland Farm Sanctuary!"
Stacy Synold
Vice ChairStacy currently serves as the Lower School Head at University Lake School (ULS) in Hartland, WI. She is overjoyed to be part of a learning community which values curiosity, service, nature, social emotional learning, and academic excellence. At ULS, she is able to merge her passion for holistic educational experiences for children with her growing interest in outdoor education along with her commitment to the Reggio Emilia approach to learning. Previously, Stacy was the Director of Early Childhood Education at the JCC in Milwaukee and also served as the Executive Director of Preschool of the Arts, a progressive, Reggio Emilia inspired school in Madison. Stacy holds a Master’s degree in Education from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee and a bachelor’s degree in both Theater and German from Marquette University. Stacy’s other passions in life (after working with children) are animals and yoga. Stacy is a certified yoga instructor and serves as a mentor for yoga trainees at Breathe for Change. She’s the proud mama of two rescue doggies, Lydia and Cody, and has been a pet mama to countless fish, frogs, degus, and cats. She has a love affair with both bats and llamas and now, chickens. Stacy enjoys sharing her animal passions with her family and friends through long texts and emails about animal facts, which she is sure they all greatly enjoy. Stacy is the lucky wife of her beloved Greg and is a mom/bonus mom to six incredible young adults, plus any other humans who need a bonus mom in their life. She is thrilled and honored to serve an amazing organization that inspires compassion for all beings. "For me, I love the marriage of the rescue and care of animals and the transfer of that loving kindness to humans—adults and children," Stacy writes.
Charmaine Friar
MemberCharmaine brings nearly two decades of veterinary experience (as both a tech and in sales) and non-profit experience to the HFS board. Born and raised in Baraboo, WI, Charmaine made incredible impact working with the American Heart Association and Catholic Charities, but made a recent career change to real estate to get more flexibility and a better work/life balance. Charmaine currently lives in Middleton with her husband and their two boys. They love walking their dog around their neighborhood ponds and through the Pheasant Branch Conservancy. Charmaine also volunteers her time time doing laundry and serving meals at The Beacon, a comprehensive day resource center for people who are experiencing homelessness in Dane County.
Amanda Horn
MemberAmanda has worked in Human Resources at CUNA Mutual Group since 2014. Her approach in HR is to lead with compassion and empathy and her values are closely aligned with Heartland's mission. Amanda lives in Madison with her husband, Andy, who also volunteers at Heartland. Together they have two little rescue dogs, Lucas and Stuart. They both love animals of all kinds. They enjoy taking adventurous vacations across the globe, even spending some time volunteering at a Costa Rican animal sanctuary during one of their trips there.
Hillary Vedvig
Hillary earned her undergraduate degree at the University of South Carolina and graduated from Yale Law School in 2017. Hillary advises clients in all areas of environmental law, including environmental compliance counseling, transactions, and environmental litigation. 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 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.
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 all beings.