Dr. Bryna Donnelly, the Executive Vice President of Programs, founded Rescue Rebuild, our animal shelter renovation program, in 2006 while a college biology professor. Teaching is still her passion, and she now uses her knowledge of construction and animal welfare to help people by building pet spaces in domestic violence and homeless shelters. Bryna and her team have renovated over 190 facilities worldwide and consulted with countless others to help keep people and pets safe. As part of her work to help pets of people in crisis, she started the Don’t Forget the Pets initiative that helps human service shelters start, sustain and evolve their pet programs through training, consulting and funding opportunities.
Dog Person or Cat Person?: Woof!
Animals at Home: 3 Dogs (Tinkerbell, Teddy, and "the demon" Blue)
Favorite RR Memory: When I hired Zach!
Zach Baker began working with Greater Good Charities’ Rescue Rebuild program in 2016, after having volunteered with the program for five years. Zach came from his own construction business and has worked in various construction fields since 2006. With Rescue Rebuild, he was able to combine his passion for animals with his construction experience.
Zach now oversees Rescue Rebuild’s operations as it works to renovate and create pet spaces in animal shelters, domestic violence shelters, and homeless shelters. Additionally, he works with the team to provides design consultations, plans, and conceptual renderings to aid shelters in their own construction projects.
Zach lives near Nashville, TN with his wife, 5 dogs, and 3 cats.
Dog Person or Cat Person?: Don’t make me say!
Animals at Home: 3 Cats and 5 Dogs
Favorite RR Memory: That time I dropped a fence fitting into a drain pipe and Bryn had to fish it out barehanded, up to her shoulder in things that no one should have to touch!
Casey started volunteering with Rescue Rebuild in 2013 while he was a freshman in college. Before Casey joined our team, he had already been on over 12 trips and his family had adopted 3 pups from Rescue Rebuild shelters! Lilly, Daisy, and Flint are happy to have forever homes thanks to him! He graduated from Delaware Valley University in 2017 with a B.S. in Conservation and Wildlife Management. Before coming on with Greater Good Charities, Casey worked as a Park Ranger after college and then did wildlife mitigation in Atlanta, Georgia. Now Casey splits his time with GGC's Global Discovery Expedition program, further Amplifying the Good and using his wildlife expertise.
Dog Person or Cat Person?: Dog person!
Animals at Home: 1 dog (Lily), 2 crested geckos, and 1 flying gecko
Favorite RR Memory: The time I convinced my parents that I had already adopted Lilly and got the ok to bring her home from the shelter we were working at!
Nate is currently living outside of Los Angeles, CA but is from Bethlehem, PA. Nate first worked with the team in 2013 after transferring to Delaware Valley University. He went on almost every trip he could during school and picked up his construction knowledge along the way. Nate graduated with a degree in Wildlife and Conservation Management in 2016 and began work with GGC in 2020. Nate has 2 pets (1 dog and 1 cat) that keep him and his fiancé company. Nate is heavily involved in the Don't Forget the Pets program and all human service shelter projects.
Dog Person or Cat Person?: Cat Person; Brains over Brawn
Animals at Home: 1 Cat - Tyrone; 1 Dog - Moe
Favorite RR Memory: That time Bryna returned a Rototiller…and then had me till an entire yard in the Nashville sun.
A.K.A. Dora The Explorer
Patrick joined the Rescue Rebuild team in early 2020 with a diverse work history but more importantly, a love for animals! He graduated in 2017 from East Stroudsburg University with a degree in Business Management and also has a background working with a general contractor, along with some logistics planning experience. He is excited to adapt and grow these skills into doing something meaningful for animals! Outside of work, Patrick loves to find solitude hiking and he hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2018. He is always looking for new backpacking opportunities!
Dog Person or Cat Person?: Dog
Animals at Home: None yet, but we’re working on it!
Favorite RR Memory: Making new ones every day!
Troy became part of our team in 2021 and brings a ton of animal and construction experience with him. He worked in animal welfare in Tennessee for 8 years, is trained in animal search and rescue and has been swinging a hammer for 20 years! He is excited to put his unique background to work in a job that takes advantage of both. Troy lives in TN with his family and officially wins the award for most animals on our team!
Dog or Cat person: Both… and why isn’t cow an option?!
Animals at home: 5 dogs, 4 cats, 3 cows, 2 horses, 2 ponies, 2 goats, 2 guinea pigs, 20 chickens
Favorite RR Memory: When I realized that I was going to get to do two things that I love together: building things and helping animals!
Gabbie started volunteering with Rescue Rebuild in 2019 when she was a freshman in college. After graduating with a B.S. in Animal Science, she realized that the animal welfare industry was where she belonged. After graduation she worked at a local SPCA as an animal behavior coordinator and completed an internship with the Don’t Forget the Pets program. She is excited to take her animal shelter experience and put it to good use while also learning the construction side of things. She currently resides in PA with her rescue guinea pig and spends her free time helping out around the farm and apprenticing with a dog trainer!
Dog Person or Cat Person?: Dog
Animals at Home: Pet parent to one guinea pig, but I live with 4 dogs, and a bunch of horses, donkeys, and various livestock!
Favorite RR Memory: Camping out in Colorado and building a bear enclosure!
Sabrina started working with Rescue Rebuild in November of 2023. She always knew she wanted to work with animals and pursued her passion through many different avenues. Throughout college, she worked at an animal shelter in PA, worked as an animal care technician in her college’s small animal science center, and interned at a zoo in their education and animal care departments. In 2021 she graduated from Delaware Valley University with a B.S in Zoo Science. After, she spent some time working in the laboratory animal science field but knew she wanted to get back into the non-profit space where she could make a difference in the lives of both animals and people! Now, at Rescue Rebuild, she is excited to put her multifaceted animal knowledge to use while learning new skills! She is currently living in CT with her many pets and spends her free time caring for them, going on hikes with her dog, and hanging out with friends and family.
Dog Person or Cat Person?: Changes everyday!
Animals at home: 1 dog (Minnow), 3 cats (Nova, Koala, Taz), 1 crested gecko (Cuja), 2 leopard geckos (Mimosa, Whiskey), and a California King Snake (Bane).
Favorite RR Memory: Ready to make lots of them!
Phil joined Greater Good Charities in May of 2024 after working at an equine vet as a technician for a couple of years. He graduated Delaware Valley University with an agribusiness degree and volunteered with Rescue Rebuild during his time there. Growing up on a farm, he grew a passion for animals and gained a ton of construction experience maintaining an old farmhouse. Outside of work he enjoys spending time with his many resident animals. He also enjoys using his technical skills to build and fly model airplanes.
Dog or Cat Person: Lizards
Animals at Home: Dogs, cats, horses, donkeys, goats, lizard, pigs.
Favorite RR Memory: Chicken nugget pocket.
