The Origin Story:
One Big Idea and the Quirky Crew That Keeps the Gears Turning
The Paws Claws and Talons Foundation started as a midnight lightning bolt by our President and Lead Engineer. She took one look at a mountain of garden scraps and a towering pile of “imperfect” gear—discarded by a culture that demands perfection or nothing at all—and decided to build something better. It was a fiercely independent mission to turn the neighborhood’s discarded “extras” into elite, first-class provisions, proving that high-end care shouldn’t require a high-end bank account. But as it turns out, even the most dedicated founder can only juggle so much kale before the wheels start to wobble.
To turn that defiant spark into a permanent institution, she rallied a Board of trusted comrades who specialize in making the impossible happen with a wink, a smile, and a whole lot of grit.
Our Vice President brings her elite mastery as a professional hedgehog breeder, channeling deep animal husbandry genius straight into our mission. While she rules her own specialized breeding empire, within our walls she is the mad-scientist mastermind behind every single Mojo Project crafting session. She engineers the enrichment gear that keeps our resident animals thriving while handcrafting the goods that fund our community-wide programs.
Because every high-flying operation needs someone keeping the lights on and the numbers straight, our Secretary-Treasurer brought a lifetime of startup battle scars to our table. He’s navigated more ventures than most people have hobbies, injecting sharp business logic into our whimsical world and helping us grow into the powerhouse we are today.
Protecting the Promise
The leadership of the Paws Claws and Talons Foundation is made up of the very same people who dreamed up our mission and built it from the ground up. These friendly guides provide the planning and care needed to keep all our wonderful volunteer teams working together like a well-oiled machine. By bringing together the clever ideas of our builders, the patience of our gardeners, and the magic of our kitchen teams, they make sure every part of our home runs with honesty and a neighbor’s touch. Their goal is simple: to take the kindness you give and turn it into a reliable circle of support that keeps every animal and family in our community safe and happy.
Miriah Gerlach | The Master Dreamer
If you were expecting a CEO who spends her day behind a mahogany desk, you’ve got the wrong foundation. While Miriah is the visionary who dreamed up the Paws Claws and Talons Foundation, she functions as our Lead Engineer. She is the master designer of the “blueprints” for our entire mission, personally ensuring our gardens thrive and our food pantry reaches every neighbor in need. For Miriah, leadership happens in the soil and the kitchen rather than an office; it is about calibrating the “heart” of our engine so that every pet and family in Hastings has a solid place to stand.
Lisa Norquist Carey| The Guardian of the Living World
If you want to know how our “Biological Engine” stays fueled and humming, you talk to Lisa. As our Vice President, she acts as the primary caretaker of our “living hardware” and our handmade treasures. She ensures the heartbeat of our foundation is steady, from managing the busy insect colonies that provide natural food to overseeing the creation of the cozy, handcrafted goods our neighbors love. Whether she is perfecting a delicate biological cycle or guiding the crafting of a new artisanal piece, Lisa makes sure every living and handmade part of our circle is perfectly in sync.
David VanCourt | The Keeper of the Keys
If you’re looking for the person who ensures our “Biological Engine” is both legally safe and physically unstoppable, you’ve found him. As our Secretary and Treasurer, David is the welder who fuses the sturdy walls of our mission together—literally and figuratively. While the rest of the team is busy in the labs or tending the gardens, David is the architect behind the scenes making sure the foundation is protected, prepared, and structurally sound. He’s the one who keeps our “Mission Blueprints” in order and ensures that every joint and seam of our organization is built to last.
The Next Chapter: Calling All Master Organizers and Spreadsheet Sorcerers
Every growing movement needs fresh momentum to keep the gears spinning smoothly. Because our founding Secretary-Treasurer has seen his professional schedule explode into a demanding full-time adventure elsewhere, he is ready to pass the torch. He will be stepping down once we find the right visionary to take the reins.
We are officially hunting for a sharp-eyed Secretary, a fearless Treasurer (or one multi-talented human ready to wear both crowns) to step into these foundational seats. If you speak fluent business logic, bleed animal rescue passion, and want to help us build a permanent, splashy institution right here in Hastings, your spot at the table is waiting. Come help us keep the ledger balanced so the love can stay limitless.