We need YOUR HELP to get OMI out of THE SKETCHY HOUSE!

Meet Team OMI

Our team is committed to providing lifelong “Sanctuary Care” for our animal residents, which includes:

  • Excellent quality feed supervised by an animal nutritionist
  • Sturdy, comfortable housing
  • Professional veterinary care with consistent healthcare follow-up
  • Routine vaccinations and parasite management
  • Spaying and neutering all animal residents
  • Consistent and proficient daily animal caregivers
  • Calm, peaceful surroundings with minimal disruptions
  • Natural settings that provide enrichment fueled by choice
  • Family-centered animal housing accommodations
  • Elder care focused on quality of life and providing maximal comfort
  • Facility services delivered straight to their doorsteps

Board of directors

Jacklyn Lahav

President

  • Health Information Management Specialist at OMI
  • Certified Nurse Midwife
  • OMI Director and 
  • Vegan business owner and manufacturer
  • Home base: Brooklyn, NY

Pamela Maciel Cabañas

Vice President

  • OMI Administrative and succession planning specialist
  • Wildlife biologist with emphasis in wolf conservation and thriving coexistence of humans and wildlife
  • Sanctuary Manager at Wolf Haven International
  • Home base: Pacific Northwest

Michael Pearce

Treasurer

  • Data Scientist with Physics PhD
  • OMI Sustainability and Technology Coordinator
  • Veganic-gardening and rewilding enthusiast
  • Home base: Pacific Northwest

Varun Rathi

Secretary

  • Marketing professional
  • Creative Projects and Communications Coordinator
  • Native ecology and rewilding enthusiast
  • Home base: Pacific Northwest

THE ON-SITE CREW

Wendy Smith

Co-Founder and Executive Director

  • USAF Military Veteran and Registered Nurse 20+ years
  • OMI Director of Communications and Marketing
  • Farm Mom and full-time OMI volunteer caregiver
  • Home base: Jamestown, TN

Joshua Smith

Co-Founder and Facilities Manager

  • Graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • OMI Facilities Manager and Director of Corporate Relations
  • Farm Dad and full-time OMI volunteer caregiver
  • Home base: Jamestown, TN

Daniel Singleton

Animal Care Manager

  • Seasoned animal sanctuary professional
  • Dedicated to science-based care
  • Lover of all things neat and organized
  • Driven to maintain animal health in the sanctuary environment
  • Home base: Jamestown, TN

Sunshine

Animal Caregiver

  • Pacific Northwest native
  • Passionate plant enthusiast
  • Master of the OMI Secret Snack Garden
  • Home base: Jamestown, TN

Vicky

Animal Caregiver

  • Florida native
  • Cat-lady extraordinaire
  • TNR assistant for the OMI team
  • Home base: Jamestown, TN

Volunteers

Angela

Senior Volunteer Caregiver

  • Tennessee native
  • Cumberland Co. High School teacher
  • Cheer captain of the Volunteer Crew
  • Forager, baker, singer, brewmaster

Veena Rathi

Store Operations & Management

  • Retired Business Professional
  • OMI Store Manager
  • Passionate about veganism, animal rights, environmental sustainability, and plant-based home cooking.
  • Home base: Pacific Northwest

Get a behind-the-scenes, unfiltered look at the daily, animal care operations.

Please consider joining our crew for just $5/month.