Staff
Elisabeth Jennings
Elisabeth Jennings has served as Animal Protection Voters’ and Animal Protection of New Mexico’s Executive Director since 1993, but began lobbying in New Mexico in 1989 as a volunteer. Since then she has worked to encourage a broader segment of New Mexicans to get actively involved in promoting animal protection legislation and holding legislators accountable for their important votes on bills that impact animals. Elisabeth grew up around all kinds of animals, including dogs, cats, and horses, where she learned to appreciate what animals offer to our lives. Jennings has lived in New Mexico since 1987, and enjoys spending time doing just about anything outdoors with her husband.
Jessica Johnson Shelton
As Chief Government Affairs Officer, Jessica Shelton leads Animal Protection Voters’ legislative and political efforts for the protection of all New Mexico’s animals. With over a decade of experience in government relations on behalf of animal protection, her expertise includes grassroots advocacy training, legislative analysis, campaign strategy, and digital communications. Previously, Jessica worked in the ASPCA’s Government Relations department in Washington, DC, where she led efforts to organize grassroots support for state and federal legislation, ballot measures, voter registration and get-out-the-vote efforts. Jessica earned a J.D. from Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, OR, where she specialized in environmental and animal law, and received the Animal Law Leadership Award upon graduation. She lives in Santa Fe, NM with her husband and daughter, her beloved flock of companion chickens, and intrepid rescued canines, Zelda and Edwin.
Alan Edmonds
Alan Edmonds is from New Jersey and moved to New Mexico in 1997 after falling in love with the Southwest. Alan worked as APNM’s Cruelty Case Manager from 2011-2021 and was promoted to Challenging Animal Cruelty Program Director in 2022. He has been involved in grassroots ordinance development and revision processes in the City of Santa Fe, Santa Fe County, Valencia County, and Sierra County. Alan and his wife Tisha live with their beloved feline companions Nona, Chauncey, and Pippi, all rescued from the streets of Albuquerque.
Board
Yolanda Eisenstein
President
Yolanda Eisenstein is an attorney with more than 10 years of experience in animal protection law. She is a published author and an adjunct professor at the University of New Mexico School of Law. Yolanda is past chair of the American Bar Association Animal Law Committee and in 2018 received their “Excellence in Animal Law” Award in recognition of her work to advance the humane treatment of animals through the law. She currently serves on the board of the State Bar of New Mexico Animal Law Section and is a member of the Santa Fe Bicycle and Trail Advisory Board. Her books include Careers in Animal Law, The ABA Guide to Dog Laws, and Wildlife Law and Ethics, where she served as co-editor.
Robert Schutz
Director
Robert spent his early years on a small cattle ranch in Montana and a farm in Minnesota. He worked in the banking industry for five years and after completing a college degree in Anthropology-Archaeology worked on various archaeology projects in California and Montana. In 1980, he moved to New Mexico and began a career in wood-working. Currently he is owner of Tesuque Design and a dedicated animal advocate.
Dave Holland
Director
Dave Holland has been a long-time animal advocate and former board member of the Santa Fe Animal Shelter. Seeking to make a broader difference by working to solve the root cause of animal abuse in New Mexico, Dave and his wife, Liddy, became members of Animal Protection of NM. Dave joined the board of Animal Protection Voters to support its efforts to pass humane laws that promote an environment in NM that protects and supports animals, women and children.
Dave is the managing member of a financial services company, Davos Capital. He has served as Chair of the Board of Santa Fe Economic Development and on an advisory board at Wells Fargo Bank. Dave is an avid traveler, cyclist and mountaineer.
Jim Corcoran
Director
JC has been an outspoken advocate for animals for over 25 years. He co-founded and served as president of VegMichigan, the state’s largest vegetarian organization; co-founded Plant Peace Daily, with his wife Rae Sikora; founded Santa Fe Veg and co-founded VegFund, an international organization which helps vegan and animal rights activists spread the word through food and other means. JC was also inducted into the Green Michigan Hall of Fame.
Rebecca Álvarez
Director
Rebecca Álvarez is Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice at New Mexico Highlands University. Her work focuses on violence against women and explores the connection between animal abuse and domestic abuse. She is the author of Vigilante Gender Violence: Social Class, the Gender Bargain, and Mob Attacks on Women Worldwide (Routledge, 2021). She envisions the sociocultural evolution of humanity toward nonviolence as converging toward nonviolence against animals as well.
A life-long vegetarian and dog lover, Dr. Álvarez is especially motivated by issues concerning factory farming, the enforcement of animal abuse and hunting laws, and the regulation of the pet trade and grooming industry. She also serves on the board of the League of Women Voters of New Mexico as chair of the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee. An avid hiker and nature lover, Dr. Álvarez enjoys exploring Pecos area mountain trails with her daughter in her free time.
