OUR BOARD
Dr. Erin Shults
Our founder and CEO Dr. Erin Shults quit private practice to devote all of her time and expertise to Mazie’s Mission. She graduated from Texas A&M Veterinary School in 1998. She founded Mazie’s Mission in the fall of 2009 with one goal in mind-become a driving force in animal welfare. Dr. Shults believes that every animal deserves to be treated with kindness and live without fear. She is also working on a Masters degree in the field of Veterinary Forensics to aid prosecutors and law enforcement in animal neglect, cruelty, and dog fighting cases. Dr Shults is a member of AVMA, TVMA and the International Veterinary Forensic Science Association. She also serves as an Advisory Board Member of Texas Humane Legislation Network and holds a Veterinary Advisory position for the Licensed Breeders Committee for Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations.
Bruce Foster
Bruce Foster is our Chairman of the Board. He has recently retired after a lucrative career as an entrepreneur. His expertise at creating a business and making it profitable is tantamount to making Mazie’s Mission successful. He currently is adopted by a stray cat who wandered on his property last year and they are inseparable.
Doug Dowd
Doug is the President and CEO of Hurley+Dowd Partners, an executive and leadership coaching business helping organizations with marketing and development. His passion for animals and expertise in fundraising is vital to our mission. He and his wife own a dog they adopted from the local shelter.
Felicia Kerney, ESQ.
Felicia has spent most of her career serving the citizens of Texas. She began her journey as a public servant with the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office in Galveston, Texas where she served as a misdemeanor and chief felony prosecutor. During this time, Felicia prosecuted a number of cases ranging from Driving While Intoxicated to Official Oppression by a Local Police Officer to Murder. While working in Galveston, Felicia came into contact with a number of Spanish speaking victims however was unable to communicate with them effectively due to the language barrier. Having the desire to better communicate with the Hispanic Community, Felicia moved to Costa Rica to study the Spanish language. Upon her return, Felicia taught English to Spanish speakers while working with the Mississippi Immigrant Rights Alliance in Jackson, Mississippi.
In 2011, Felicia began working as an Assistant District Attorney with the misdemeanor section of the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office and in 2013, was placed in a specialized unit where she prosecuted solely domestic violence cases. It was here that she came into contact with her first animal cruelty case. Felicia’s desire to be a voice for the voiceless as well as educate the community about animal abuse led her to the position of chief animal cruelty prosecutor in 2015. As Felicia began to settle into her new position she began to realize more and more that the abuse of animals was more than just that. There was a link between animal abuse and interpersonal violence. As a result, Felicia and three other members of the community established the North Texas Link Coalition. An organization dedicated to educating the community about the link between animal abuse, domestic violence, elder abuse and child abuse.
In 2017, the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office launched the office’s first ever satellite offices. These offices were designed to provide the community with more accessibility to prosecutors while providing services to victims of domestic violence. In addition to her role as Chief Prosecutor of the Animal Cruelty Unit, Felicia was assigned to manage the 11 newly created offices. Currently, Felicia currently supervises 11 satellite offices located throughout the County of Dallas as well as an after-hour office located at the Genesis Women’s Shelter.
In August of 2020, Felicia created the Nondisclosure Unit which handles all Petition for Nondisclosures filed with the office.
Felicia is a member of the State Bar of Texas, State Bar of Mississippi, State Bar of Alabama (inactive member) the American Bar Association, the Texas Humane Legislative Network , Junior League of Texas, Concord Baptist Church and Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc.
Michael Aigen
Mr. Aigen has first-chaired jury and non-jury trials in state and federal courts and argued before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, the Dallas Court of Appeals and the Houston Court of Appeals. He graduated from The George Washington University Law School, J.D., with honors, published member of The George Washington Law Review. Tufts University, B.S., graduated with honors
Admissions: Texas U.S.District Court Northern District of TexasU.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
Mr. Aigen was recognized by his peers in D Magazine as one of the best lawyers in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex Under 40 and repeatedly has been named a Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star byTexas Monthly
Kayti Gage
Kayti has worked in the Real Estate Industry for over 14 years. As a Texas native, Real Estate Broker and manager of a growing property management company, Kayti has an extensive knowledge of the local area and specializes in McKinney neighborhoods. Kayti has fostered many pets with Mazie’s Mission and lives with her husband, daughter, and one goofy dog!
Mazie’s Mission’s Board of Directors is a working and engaged board. Board members are required to attend 4 board meetings a year and participate in selected committees where they can advise adequately. Monthly commitment varies but is generally 4-6 hours a month. Board members are also encouraged to participate in fundraising which includes an annual gift to Mazie’s Mission. Current director positions are for a minimum of 2 years.
If you are interested in serving on the BOD, please fill out this application and a representative will contact you shortly.