LEADERSHIP TEAM

Jen Self-Aulgur

Jen has been with HHS since September 2016. Previously, Jen was the Director of Education and Programs at Humane Society of West Michigan. Jen has been involved in animal welfare since 2002, creating many programs including humane education programs and camps, low income/cost vaccine clinics, and many community engagement events. Jen has a broad view of animal welfare in the United States and beyond and works to keep HHS progressive and practicing gold standard animal sheltering. Jen holds a Master of Public Administration focusing in Non-Profit Management. Jen has the skillset to create, implement, and oversee multiple projects to both raise revenue and recognition for HHS. In her free time, Jen enjoys spending time with her daughter, husband, 3 rescue cats, and 2 rescue dogs.

Jen Nuernberg

Jennifer Nuernberg joined HHS as the Development Director in October 2018, having previously spent 3 years as the ED for Al-Van Humane Society in South Haven. With a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and advertising, Jen spent many years in the marketing field, but made the switch to animal welfare when she realized her passion for community education, animal rights and fighting for the “underdogs” was something she wanted to turn into a career. Jen was promoted to the Director of Marketing and Strategic Initiatives in summer 2021.  Jen spends her life with her partner, Steven, and their 2 dogs, Sahara and Dax, but they have owned and fostered many pets over the years. They plan to fill their life with more pets and fosters, their love of travel, family, music and exploring the best local dive bars.

Ashton VanKoevering

Ashton is the Programs Manager for Harbor Humane, joining us in August 2019. She’s a West Michigan native who graduated from Alma College in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and continued her education at Grand Valley State studying education. She spent her post grad working with AmeriCorps, assisting and running after school and summer programs prior to joining Harbor! She loves spending time with her seven pets: four cats and three dogs. On the weekends, she enjoys hiking local trails with her pups or putting a dent in her never ending “TBR” list.

Cindy Gruppen

Cindy has been serving as Harbor Humane’s Customer Service Manager since 2018, bringing years of animal welfare experience to her role. Her interest in animal welfare sparked when she first got involved as a dog foster parent with Harbor, while working full time for Ottawa County Dispatch as a Communications Specialist. Fostering helped her discover her passion, which lead her to part ways with dispatch after ten years and work for a variety of limited intake facilities and rescues prior to coming to Harbor. She now strives to help animals find their best-fit forever home (just as her own 3 Harbor adoptees have had) and create great adoption experiences here at Harbor!

Chelsea Klomp

Chelsea began working at Harbor Humane in November 2015 as a Kennel Technician, but her work in animal welfare began at a small dog rescue in 2013. With her animal experience, Chelsea was promoted to Assistant Kennel Manager, then to Kennel Manager, and more recently to Vet Services Manager. Her passion at Harbor is the feral cats. After work, Chelsea can often be found releasing (fixed) feral cats back to where they were found as part of our RTF program. When she is not at work, Chelsea is often hiking, at the beach, or relaxing in the sun with her reptiles, cats, or dog. Chelsea is currently in school part time and aspired to be a Veterinarian one day soon.

Jen DeBoer

Jennifer DeBoer is the manager of Harbor Humane Resale Store. Jennifer started by volunteering at the resale store and accepted a customer service position in 2012 and was promoted to manager in 2017. She has served as a foster parent for 12 years. She has worked hard in leading her team to reorganize the layout of the store, to increase quality donations and to increase profits while maintaining a clean and customer-friendly environment. Jennifer graduated  from Baker College with a bachelor’s degree as a medical administrative assistant. On her days off, Jennifer enjoys spending time outdoors with family and cuddling with her dog Flynn and her two cats, Libby and Nile. She is also an avid thrifter!

Megan Winters

Megan Winters is the Director of Shelter Operations for Harbor Humane Society. Megan has been with HHS since December of 2015, where she started out as the Front Desk Lead. Through continuing education, dedication, and hard work she worked her way up to her current position. Megan is finishing her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and hopes to eventually receive her Masters in Nonprofit Management. Over the years, Megan has become Harbor’s “Cat Lady” with a focus on improving the lives of our felines during their (hopefully) short stay with us. In her spare time, she works a second job as a dog groomer and fosters motherless kittens and cats with medical needs.

Sarah Rapisarda

Sarah Rapisarda has worked in her current position as Behavior Manager at Harbor since January 2017. She has bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Writing and has become a certified Canine Good Citizen Instructor. She is an IAABC Affiliate Member of the Shelter Division and has attended many conferences on animal behavior as well as taken continuing education credits to further her general and applied knowledge of animal behavior and behavioral modification. She has been teaching general group dog obedience and puppy socialization classes at Harbor since Spring 2018. In addition to helping animals find homes, her goal is to help animals stay with the families already dedicated to their success. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys hiking and spending time outside with her dog and cat. She is an avid writer and reader who also enjoys playing video games in her spare time.