Raissa Allaire

Raissa Allaire

Executive Director

Raissa Allaire joined Tree House Humane Society in May 2018. Raissa has been a nonprofit leader for the past 20 years, including as COO of a social services organization and as a vice president/Chief of Staff for a Chicago museum.

She also developed and managed communications campaigns for major non-profit clients as a PR account executive.

As Executive Director, Raissa has overseen the growth of Tree House, including the opening of the Veterinary Wellness Center in 2021, doubling of the organization’s reserves, and a complete rebrand in 2019. She also serves as the co-chair of the Chicagoland Humane Coalition.

Raissa was selected as part of the Allstate-Kellogg Greater Good Nonprofit Leadership Program and has undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Chicago. She lives in Berwyn, IL, with her husband, two sons, and two beloved orange tabbies.

Jamie Gay

Jamie Gay

Senior Director of Operations

Jamie Gay is the Senior Director of Operations at Tree House. She graduated from Purdue University in 2013 with a Bachelors of Science focused in Animal Sciences.

Since graduating Jamie has devoted her career to the non-profit animal welfare industry. In her previous role she served as Director of Intake and Foster at PAWS Chicago. With over 10 years of experience in the industry Jamie has developed a knack for saving lives.

When Jamie isn’t tending to the garden or rock climbing, she’s typically surrounded by her animals. With a full house of 3 dogs, 2 indoor cats and 3 outdoor cats there is rarely an empty lap.

Brian Rivera

Brian Rivera

Director, Technology & Administration

Brian received his B.S. in Computer Science from Loyola University Chicago in 2007. He spent 12 years working for Center for Economic Progress (now Ladder Up) managing their entire technology infrastructure as Senior Innovation Manager.

Most recently he was at the non-profit All Chicago, as a Senior Manager, managing their homeless database help desk system. In his spare time, Brian is a professional-amateur photographer and volunteers his time working with first-generation college students.


Board Members:

Jilliann Smith, President

Paul Legac, Vice President and Secretary

Cody England, Treasurer

Matthew Benson

Matthew Dickerson

Ginger Dusek

Tim Graham

Kat Hindmand, LCSW

Ann Kaplan-Perkins

Nakul Korde

Susan Morisato

Don Souhrada

Colleen White

Colleen Currigan, DVM, Board Emeritus

Ross Mahowald, DVM, Board Emeritus