PHOTO COMING SOON.
Mia Bendixsen
Position: Executive Director
Mia is an attorney and a seasoned nonprofit leader with more than 20 years of experience and a demonstrated track record in fundraising, strategic management, and community engagement. She has held senior roles with nationally recognized organizations, including Executive Director of the American Red Cross Texas Gulf Coast Region, Director of Philanthropy for the Humane Society of the United States in New England, and Director of Development for the Boy Scouts Cradle of Liberty Council in Philadelphia.
Complementing her professional experience, Mia has long demonstrated a deep commitment to animal welfare, serving on boards supporting animal advocacy and leading efforts to protect companion animals in times of crisis. At the American Red Cross, she served as Regional Pet Sheltering Lead, working alongside emergency managers, law enforcement, and community partners to ensure disaster response efforts kept pets safe and with their families
Mia is based in Austin and lives with her two rescue dogs, Mishka and Riley, and her fiancé, Michael.
Karen Rankin
Position: Director of Operations
Karen, a highly experienced Administrative Professional with over 25 years of career experience, 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 volunteering at the local shelter, day-tripping in central Texas, and challenging herself with jigsaw puzzles.
Brianne Comeaux
Position: Digital Media & Marketing Manager
Brianne 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 for multiple pet store ordinances, the Safe Outdoor Dogs Act, the Big Cat Public Safety Act, our Advocacy events and meetings, including capturing company-wide videos and still photos.
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 Liaison
Francesca 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 Manager
Blair joined the THLN team in November 2024, bringing over a decade of experience managing volunteers and organizing large events within the nonprofit 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 the Project Manager role. 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.
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.
