My name is Tori Newbauer and I live in Zimmerman with my husband, 3 dogs, 5 cats, 1 parrot, 4 fish, 19 chickens, and 4 ducks.
Ruff Start Rescue has a special place in my heart. I have personally seen the positive impact RSR has on animals in need through my volunteer experience. I am so excited to join the young professionals board for Ruff Start Rescue to further the goals of the rescue to strive for a world where every companion animal has a safe and loving home and their family has the knowledge and resources needed to give them the life they deserve.
In my free time, I love being outdoors hunting, gardening, walking the dogs, and fishing. Summer & Fall are my favorite seasons as I can work in my garden and be in the sunshine. I have different hobbies that I like to do but the “oddest” would have to be my fascination for Monarch Butterflies, during the right season I collect monarch eggs, and caterpillars let them go through the life cycle and then release them so they can venture to Mexico in the Fall. I am so excited to start this new venture with Ruff Start Rescue and be a voice for all the animals in need.
Welcome to the Young Professionals Board
We are looking for emerging leaders ages 21-32 who are passionate about assisting to improve animal welfare in communities through adoption, education, and providing resources for people and pets. Join a dynamic and enthusiastic group of emerging professionals dedicated to volunteering, fundraising, and networking.
Purpose
1. Alongside staff and the RSR Board of Directors, The Young Professionals board will support Ruff Start Rescue’s events, fundraisers, and community engagements.
2. Raise awareness and educate our peers and the community about animal welfare, advocating passionately for RSR.
3. Utilize networking and fundraising to secure financial and in-kind support for RSR’s initiatives.
4. Embody empathy, diversity, and trustworthiness as leaders in the community.
Responsibilities
1. Commit to a one-year term, contributing $500 or more towards RSR’s life-saving efforts
2. Serve as ambassadors for Ruff Start Rescue
3. Volunteer at a minimum of one RSR transport and one community event
4. Host an educational session or volunteer opportunity at your workplace
5. Attend at least one of our four annual signature events
6. Participate in 4 out of 6 bi-monthly (every other month) board meetings
Benefits
1. Development through professional, educational and social opportunities.
2. Network with like-minded young professionals.
3. Make a lasting impact for Animal Welfare.
4. Enhance your professional network and resume by partaking in an important community service while gaining a sense of philanthropy.
5. Access RSR’s distinguished Executives and Leaders.
6. Attend an annual Board Meeting.
7. Annual One Time Use: 25% Merchandise Discount.
8. Receive a free Ruff Start Rescue Bumper Sticker.
9. Receive Special Pricing for RSR events.
Goals & Objectives
Support RSR
Support Ruff Start Rescue with it’s strategic partnerships, events, fundraisers, advocacy, and community engagements, by integrating RSR’s mission into every activity.
Grow Awareness for the Mission
Educate your peers and the community at-large about animal welfare, resources, support and build awareness of the value of volunteerism and fundraising.
Fundraise and Provide Fundraising Support
Open new doors in the community to gain funding or in-kind support for RSR efforts. Connect with corporate and civic leaders creating a deeper connection within your community and with RSR partners.
Provide Professional Volunteer Support.
Support RSR with special projects in the local market including advocacy, program execution and participation, event support, and community engagement.
Grow a Local Network of Volunteers
Represent professional, geographic, and ethnic diversity and all those impacted by animal welfare, rescue, resources and surrender prevention. RSR builds awareness among the young and civic-minded.
Apply today if you are:
Need More Info?
Questions? Please emailkendra.plaschko@ruffstartrescue.org
Young Professionals Board Members
Tori N.
My name is Tori Newbauer and I live in Zimmerman with my husband, 3 dogs, 5 cats, 1 parrot, 4 fish, 19 chickens, and 4 ducks.
Ruff Start Rescue has a special place in my heart. I have personally seen the positive impact RSR has on animals in need through my volunteer experience. I am so excited to join the young professionals board for Ruff Start Rescue to further the goals of the rescue to strive for a world where every companion animal has a safe and loving home and their family has the knowledge and resources needed to give them the life they deserve.
In my free time, I love being outdoors hunting, gardening, walking the dogs, and fishing. Summer & Fall are my favorite seasons as I can work in my garden and be in the sunshine. I have different hobbies that I like to do but the “oddest” would have to be my fascination for Monarch Butterflies, during the right season I collect monarch eggs, and caterpillars let them go through the life cycle and then release them so they can venture to Mexico in the Fall. I am so excited to start this new venture with Ruff Start Rescue and be a voice for all the animals in need.
Rachel C.
Rachel has always loved animals and has been an animal welfare advocate. Having grown up with a yellow lab and experienced the incredible gift of a bond with a pet, she is particularly passionate about efforts to support pet parents and provide resources to help them and their pets thrive, together. Rachel currently works as the Annual Fund Officer at Pinky Swear Foundation. She has experience fundraising in the animal welfare sector and is excited to contribute to Ruff Start Rescue.
Cassandra Q.
My connection with Ruff Start Rescue is personal because I adopted one of my dogs from Ruff Start Rescue. We met Nino, a special dog from the Lone Star to North Star program, at an adoption event. We met and fell in love with him instantly. He has been a part of our family for about a year and a half and he has been a wonderful dog! He is attached in my photo!
I love speaking about this transport program because I believe it is important to help dogs get out of overcrowded shelters and into foster homes. I also really believe that sometimes an animal just needs to come to another state to find their family. Without this program, we would not have been able to meet Nino so I truly believe in advocating for programs like this that help animals.
I’m very excited to be here and help Ruff Start in any way I can!
Molly L.
Molly joined the Young Professionals Board to bring together her love for animals, adoption, and her background in business- especially when it comes to connecting with people and sharing causes she cares deeply about, including animal welfare and access to veterinary care.
She has been surrounded by dogs her whole life, and in 2024, she adopted her own dog, Stevie, from a local shelter. That experience, along with watching close friends and family foster and adopt, has only deepened her passion for rescue and helping dogs find their forever homes and people.
With a background in healthcare management and consulting, Molly enjoys solving problems, improving processes, and helping organizations and teams do their best work.
She’s excited to support Ruff Start in any way she can- whether that’s volunteering, fundraising, spreading the word, or jumping in wherever help is needed!
Samantha M.
Samantha supports Ruff Start Rescue because of its commitment not only to rescuing animals, but also to supporting the people and communities around them. She was especially drawn to Ruff Start’s vision of a world where every animal has a safe, loving forever home and every family has the knowledge and resources to provide that. She also deeply admires the organization’s commitment to maintaining a no-kill philosophy except when medically necessary.
She was interested in joining the YPB as a way to become more involved in her community while supporting Ruff Start’s mission through advocacy, fundraising, outreach, and volunteer engagement. The opportunity to contribute to an organization making such a meaningful difference in animal welfare felt like a natural fit.
Outside of Ruff Start Rescue, Samantha is currently pursuing a Master of Public Policy with a focus on animal protection. She is passionate about improving the lives of companion animals through advocacy and systemic change. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her dogs, Arlo and Cove, being around animals, spending time outdoors, and continuing to learn more about animal welfare and policy.
Mackenzie M.
Mackenzie grew up with two childhood dogs, sparking her lifelong love for animals of all kinds. After rescuing her own pup, she experienced firsthand how meaningful the adoption and placement process can be. She has always wanted to give animals a voice and advocate on their behalf, which she now does through volunteering at a local animal shelter and serving on Ruff Start Rescue’s Young Professionals Board.
She was drawn to Ruff Start Rescue because of the organization’s deep commitment to its community — a commitment that extends beyond rescue and adoption to take a holistic approach to the well-being of both people and animals.
Mackenzie recently earned her master’s degree and has worked in higher education for the past several years. Outside of work and volunteering, you can find Mackenzie enjoying spending time on Minnesota’s many lakes, going for walks with friends, and exploring new restaurants throughout the Twin Cities.