Jaime Olin
Position: Interim Executive DirectorJaime is a partner at the Dallas law firm Skiermont Derby, where she practices patent and commercial litigation. Prior to that, she served as Legal Advocacy Counsel with the ASPCA, focusing on animal welfare litigation, animal cruelty prosecution support, and equine welfare issues. She has taught courses and delivered numerous presentations on animal cruelty laws, the LINK, and other animal law topics. Jaime holds a BA in Psychology and Biology with a focus on animal cognition from New College of Florida, an MS in Animals and Public Policy from Tufts University, and a JD from the University of Michigan, where she founded and led the school’s chapter of the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund.
Jaime has lived in Dallas since 2009. Her rescue dogs—Parker, Benny, and Lucy—are admittedly a bit pampered, but they serve as her daily motivation to work toward improving the welfare of all Texas dogs.
Karen Rankin
Position: Director of OperationsKaren, a highly experienced Administrative Professional with a rich career spanning over 25 years, brings a diverse professional background to the organization. Her passion for service led her to join THLN in May 2019, where she adeptly provides administrative support to the staff, board members, and volunteers. Her exceptional organizational and teamwork skills ensure smooth operations
Before her position at THLN, she managed the Lower Colorado River Authority grant program. Karen says the best feeling is giving money to other nonprofits in need. She is a conscientious steward of donations and previously worked as a business administrator for a 400-member church in the Houston area.
Outside work, Karen enjoys walking her newly inherited Springer Spaniel mix, Nicki, day-tripping in central Texas, and challenging herself to a jigsaw puzzle.
Brianne Comeaux
Position: Digital Media & Marketing ManagerBrianne began working with the THLN in 2021 and soon fell in love with our mission and team. Service and nonprofit work have easily become a huge passion for Brianne and she looks forward to making a difference for Texas animals every day! Brianne is an integral part of our marketing efforts of multiple pet store ordinances, the Safe Outdoor Dogs Act, the Big Cat Public Safety Act, our Advocacy events and meetings, including capturing videos and still photos company-wide.
When Brianne isn't editing our next social media post, you can find her with her husband and three fur-babies enjoying a delicious iced coffee, probably dancing, and learning her next creative craft.
Francesca Chillino
Position: Government Relations LiaisonFrancesca joined the THLN team in September 2024, shortly after graduating from Baylor University. In her role, she supports the THLN team by conducting research and gathering data to advance the legislative bills currently in progress. Francesca has been passionate about animal rescue and welfare for most of her life, actively engaging in the cause since the summer of 2014. During college, she worked at the Humane Society of Central Texas and volunteered with several other animal welfare organizations.
One of her most memorable and rewarding experiences was a mission trip to Antigua, Guatemala, this past May, where she and her classmates volunteered at underfunded animal shelters. Francesca is the proud owner of two pit bulls, Violet and Pluto, and dreams of one day having a small farm filled with rescued barn animals.
Blair Stirek
Position: Volunteer & Outreach ManagerBlair joined the THLN team in November 2024, bringing over a decade of experience managing volunteers and organizing large events within the nonprofit sector. She has over a decade of experience managing volunteers and large events within the non-profit sector. Animals are her #1 passion and in recent years Blair deeply wanted to work within the animal law sector and had a gut feeling that the opportunity would come her way.
Before THLN, Blair served as the Senior Volunteer Program Manager at Austin Pets Alive! for over five years. During her tenure, she established numerous annual traditions, created a volunteer recognition program, and developed many programs from the ground up. Her nonprofit career began in 2012 with the Girls Empowerment Network, where she advanced to Project Manager over six years. Under her leadership, the organization’s largest fundraising event, the We Are Girls Conference, expanded from one city with 1,400 attendees to three cities with over 4,000 participants statewide—all on a limited budget and with a grassroots approach. Blair holds the prestigious Certificate in Volunteer Administration (CVA), a credential earned by only about 1,100 individuals worldwide. The CVA’s mission is "To advance excellence in volunteer administration by delivering professional certification and advocating for ethical practice."
Outside of work, Blair enjoys spending time with her partner, young daughter, and three beloved dogs. In her spare moments, she loves crafting and creating, from macrame artistry to simpler crafts like crocheting and diamond painting.
For more information on becoming an Organization Partner please get in touch with us at: [email protected]