BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jai'Oni is an Los Angeles based educator, DEI consultant, and curriculum editor who values excellence, communication, and culture.
Along with being a full-time teacher for 7 years, Jai'Oni has been working in non-profit organizations whose mission targets working with youth, animals, and championing human rights.
She is currently working on her second doctorate in Global Leadership and Change.
JAI'ONI SLY-DANE
BOARD CHAIR & ACTING SECRETARY
JOHN NUNN
BOARD TREASURER
John H. Nunn, Managing Principal, is the principal manager of NNC Apartment Ventures LLC and is responsible for acquisitions, investor relations and the operations of the company.
John formerly served as the Executive Vice President of Asset Management for BRE Properties, Inc. a publicly traded NYSE real estate investment trust from 1996 to 2001. In this role he was responsible for the asset management organization, acquisition underwriting and due diligence for over 28,000 apartment units; a total of two and one half billion dollars in value.
From 1990 to 1996 John served as Vice President – Asset Manager for Real Estate Investment Trust of California (RCT) – NYSE, specializing in acquisition and ownership of apartments and commercial real estate throughout the western US.
Mr. Nunn holds the designation of Certified Property Manager from the Institute of Real Estate Management and is an honors graduate of California State University Long Beach.
AVALON ECONOMOU
Avalon Economou is an attorney and small business owner who has dedicated her professional and personal life to working with underserved communities.
She has extensive experience with nonprofit finance, governance, and fundraising, having served on several nonprofit boards, most recently serving former foster youth, as well as having volunteered in a variety of organizations helping other at-risk populations and the environment.
A lifelong rescue dog and cat person, she is passionate about all animals and promoting shelter dog placements.
JENNIFER HIRANO
Jennifer Hirano is a native of Los Angeles with a professional background in digital publishing and account management.
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She received her BA at Tufts University in International Relations. She currently serves on the Board of Governors of the Japanese American National Museum and on the Board of Councilors for the U.S.-Japan Council.
She is also a steering committee member of the Next Generation Japanese American Leaders initiative, a program led by Consul General Sone of Japan in Los Angeles.
A strong advocate of mentoring and animal advocacy, she is thrilled to join the board of K9 Youth Alliance.
LARRY KAY
Larry Kay makes wildly creative projects with dogs. He’s the bestselling author of award-winning books ‘Training the Best Dog Ever’ and ‘The Big Book of Tricks for the Best Dog Ever’.
Larry’s dog filmmaking awards include Pet Product News Editors’ Choice Award and Dogster magazine’s Hero Award.
As a keynote speaker and guest on live TV, Larry demystifies movie dog tricks and flips myths about shelter dogs. Nearly two million dog lovers follow Larry‘s Positively Woof Facebook page.
Larry wrote, produced, and directed TV documentaries for PBS, TV cartoons for The Pink Panther, computer games and internet experiences for The Muppets and Disney. He taught at NYU’s Film/TV school, holds a M.S. in Telecommunications from Syracuse University, and a B.A. in Social Sciences from the University of California, Berkeley.
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LEIGH LUSTIG
Leigh Lustig is a licensed clinical psychologist and private practice owner.
She has worked in both outpatient and inpatient settings with diverse populations, as well as teaching in both undergraduate and graduate programs.
She is passionate about helping others find more joy in their lives.
Also, she is an avid animal lover and passionate for helping animals in need. She has a particular fondness for bully breed dogs, as her last 4 dogs have been pit bulls.
ELVIS CARRILLO
Elvis Carrillo is a nonprofit and community development leader with a professional background in youth development, sports-based programming, and equity-centered initiatives.
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He completed his Bachelor of Science in Earth Science and Geography with a minor in Physics, obtained his Master of Public Health (MPH) from the University of Southern California, and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Management at Texas A&M University.
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He serves as Director of Programs at the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, where he provides strategic oversight for youth development efforts and community partnerships focused on expanding access to safe, inclusive opportunities for young people.
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A strong advocate for youth empowerment and animal welfare, and a proud dog dad to three rescue dogs: Luna (Australian Shepherd), So (PitBull-Husky-Shepherd Mix), and Nova (Terrier Mix).
KHRISTINA KELESHIAN
Khristina Keleshian is a leadership strategist, ICF-certified executive and life coach, and global transformation leader with more than 20 years of experience developing people and organizations. Throughout her career, she has coached and trained over 5,000 professionals worldwide across leadership development, culture transformation, and organizational effectiveness. Known for her ability to connect strategy with the human side of growth, Khristina brings strong communication skills, emotional intelligence expertise, and a heart-centered approach to helping individuals build confidence, resilience, and purpose — qualities that strongly align with the mission of K9 Youth Alliance.
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An avid dog lover who believes deeply in the healing connection between humans and animals, Khristina is especially passionate about supporting youth who face adversity. Having grown up as an at-risk child herself in Pacoima, California, she understands firsthand how access to mentorship, structure, and belief can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. She is honored to serve on the K9 Youth Alliance Board and is committed to advancing its mission of empowering youth while helping dogs find loving homes. Khristina is excited to contribute her leadership experience, optimism, and community focus to help expand the organization’s impact for years to come.
ADVISORS
KAREN ROSEN
CO-FOUNDER, FOUNDING PROGRAM DIRECTOR AND ADVISORY COUNCIL
Karen earned her BA in Communications from Tulane University where she first became involved with children with special needs through Volunteers of America.
She was incredibly moved by her experience and a few years later she went back to school to earn a M.A. in Special Education as well as a California Education Specialist Mild/Moderate Disabilities from Loyola Marymount. She has recently completed a Certificate of Sustainability from UCLA.
Karen worked as both a special education teacher and administrator in the non-public school setting for over 10 years. In those roles Karen worked with numerous multidisciplinary teams to help meet the challenges and unique needs of hundreds of students and families.
She has spent the last 5 years learning about the powerful ways that connecting vulnerable young people with dogs living in shelters can uplift the lives of both.
Karen is a native New Yorker and as such loves traveling to visit the Big Apple to see family and friends, among other places. One of her greatest passions is Koa, her adopted companion pooch.
If you are ever in the Hollywood Hills you may have seen them taking long walks together, harvesting from their garden or just staring longingly into each other’s eyes (yes…she is that kind of dog person).
PAUL OWENS
ADVISORY COUNCIL & FOUNDING TRAINER
Paul, often referred to as the “original” Dog Whisperer, has been training dogs for 47 years and is one of the leading proponents of positive, force-free, nonviolent animal training.
Paul was one of the first of 27 individuals in the world accredited by the prestigious Pet Professional Guild Accreditation Board as Professional Canine Trainer.
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In 2019, he was recognized as one of the 10 Top Dog Trainers in the United States by Topdogtips.com.
Paul’s after-school violence prevention program Paws for Peace afforded hundreds of children and dogs the opportunity to build confidence and self-esteem while improving safety and the quality of their lives.