Lacy Shirey
Lacy Shirey is the outgoing Executive Director. She will support CHS through February 2025 before starting a new career path.
She started with the Chesapeake Humane Society (CHS) in 2008 as a volunteer and board member. She came on board as the Executive Director in April of 2012. In her first year as director, Lacy led the organization through its first capital campaign to purchase and renovate CHS’s Battlefield Blvd location, serving primarily as an income-based veterinary clinic.
Read Lacy’s Full Bio
In 2022, CHS celebrated 50 years and went through its second significant expansion with the addition of a 7,000 sq. ft. facility dedicated to sheltering homeless pets and providing temporary boarding for individuals and families facing hardship.
In 2016/2017, she participated in the Humane Society of the United States Puerto Rico Sister Shelter Program. She and a colleague mentored various animal shelters on the main island and the island of Vieques. She also assisted with transporting 200 mostly older dogs back to the stateside U.S., working with rural shelters in Puerto Rico, some of which did not have access to running water.
Lacy graduated from Christopher Newport University with a Bachelors in Biology. She serves on the WHRO Community Advisory Board (past Chair) and the Chesapeake Alliance Executive Board. She is a co-founder of COVA Recycles and Chesapeake Recycles.
She was a recipient of Inside Business’ Top 40 Under Forty in 2012, recognized as the 2017 Citizen of the Year from the Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council, and a 2020 LEAD Hampton Roads graduate. She volunteers her time with WHRO and often organizes community trash cleanups throughout the year. She fosters kittens, puppies, cats, dogs, and livestock for the Chesapeake Humane Society. She lives in Chesapeake with her three adopted dogs: two Bluetick Coonhounds, a Bloodhound, and two cats. She is a beekeeper and also cares for chickens and turkeys on her small farm.
Emily Peck
Emily Peck is the Development Director for the Chesapeake Humane Society. In her role, Emily leads the strategy and execution of all fundraising and marking initiatives. Emily ensures that the entire organization fosters a culture of philanthropy, working with the Board of Directors and the staff to build, nurture, and sustain meaningful donor relationships.
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Growing up in rural Ohio, animals have always been a primary focus of Emily’s life. Emily earned her bachelor’s degree from Otterbein University, where she studied biochemistry and equestrian sciences while competing on the IHSA Equestrian Team. In 2012, Emily relocated to Hampton Roads, where she began her career in non-profit – first with a concentration in veterinary medicine and later moving into her role as a dedicated and successful fundraising executive. Emily’s background and deep understanding of animal welfare enable her to bring unique insight to the stewardship of donor support and personally speak to the direct effect that their gifts have on our programs. Emily’s goal is to create pathways and opportunities for donors to support in the ways that are most meaningful to them; connecting passionate people to impactful missions and making good work possible.
Emily is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Hampton Roads Chapter, where she has served as Chapter Treasurer for the past 4 1/2 years. In 2016, Emily was named one of Hampton Roads Top 40 Under 40 Business Professionals, and in 2017, she was recognized by her alma mater with an Alumni Gold Award for outstanding volunteer service and community impact during her career. Outside work, Emily enjoys riding her beloved horse, Trip, and spending time with her husband, Andrew, and their two kids, Henry & Eleanor. The “Peck Pack” wouldn’t be complete without also mentioning their goofy and much-loved rescue dogs, Ben Franklin and George Bailey, and Henry’s pet fish, Meatball.
Rita Hemmings, DVM
Dr. Hemmings joined the Chesapeake Humane Society in 2023. Dr. Hemmings received her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from Rutgers University and her DVM from Western University of Health Sciences.
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Nicole Harrig
Meet Nicole Harrig, the Crisis Boarding & Outreach Manager at Chesapeake Humane Society. In her role, she assists families and their pets in need by providing boarding services, pet food assistance, and vital community outreach programs.
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With over eight years of experience in animal welfare, Nicole has dedicated her career to supporting both pets and families facing difficult circumstances, including disaster relief efforts. Her extensive background in customer service, combined with three years of management experience in animal welfare, allows her to provide compassionate, efficient support to those who rely on CHS’s services.
A proud graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, Nicole holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a foundation that strengthens her ability to connect with people and understand their unique needs.
After spending 13 years in Richmond, Virginia, she returned to the Hampton Roads area to be closer to family. Outside work, she loves to read, play golf with her dad and brother, and cheer on the Buffalo Bills every football season. Family time remains a priority; she cherishes every moment spent with loved ones.
Tracy Magro
Meet Tracy Magro, a compassionate and experienced Shelter Manager who brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the Chesapeake Humane Society (CHS). Originally hailing from Wisconsin, Tracy found her way to North Carolina before settling in Hampton, Virginia, in 2006.
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With an impressive 25 years of management experience under her belt, including seven years as a Veterinary Practice Manager and two years specifically in Shelter Management, Tracy is committed to making a difference in the lives of animals and their human companions.
Tracy discovered her calling for animal welfare through her involvement in the foster program for a rural shelter starting in 2016. Starting as a medical foster, she quickly became passionate about providing temporary care and rehabilitation for animals in need. This dedication led her to the Chesapeake Humane Society, where she is thrilled to contribute to the Crisis Boarding Program, which aims to keep families together with their beloved pets during difficult times.
Recognizing the importance of supporting the team, which makes CHS’s mission possible, Tracy prioritizes the well-being of the staff. She believes that by nurturing and empowering her colleagues, they can provide even better care for the animals in their charge.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Tracy has a green thumb and a soft spot for all living things, great and small. In her free time, she rescues plants from local garden centers and shares her home with two dogs and a snake named Extra Pickles, proving that she’s not just a crazy cat lady, but a dedicated animal advocate through and through.
With her extensive experience, unwavering dedication, and genuine love for animals, Tracy is an invaluable asset to the Chesapeake Humane Society and the community it serves.
Alyssa DeSena
Alyssa has been a dedicated member of our shelter team since 2021, bringing her passion for animal welfare and her exceptional organizational skills to everything she does.
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As our Assistant Shelter Manager, Alyssa plays a key role in ensuring the smooth operation of our shelter, from overseeing daily activities to supporting our hardworking staff and volunteers.
With a deep love for animals and a commitment to making a difference, Alyssa is involved in everything from animal care and intake to managing shelter resources and helping implement new programs. Her hands-on experience working directly with animals and strong leadership abilities allow her to provide compassionate care while keeping the shelter environment safe, efficient, and welcoming.
Alyssa’s dedication to improving the lives of animals and her drive to foster a positive, collaborative atmosphere makes her an invaluable part of our team. When she’s not caring for the animals or coordinating shelter operations, she’s continuing her education in animal welfare to further her expertise and enhance her impact.
We’re grateful to have Alyssa as part of our shelter family, and she continues to inspire those around her with her commitment to our mission and the animals we serve.
Stacy Cooper
Stacy joined CHS in July of 2023, bringing 17 years of experience in animal care/medicine and a lifetime of compassion for animals.
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Dr. Bleuer
Dr. Meredith Bleuer has been with CHS since 2022. She graduated from Oregon State University in 2019 and has worked in general practice and shelter medicine.
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She is passionate about shelter medicine and helping animals who need it most. Dr. Bleuer is particularly interested in increasing access to veterinary care for pet owners and helping companion animals throughout all stages of life.
Dr. Phan
Dr. Phan joined the CHS team in 2024 as our third doctor! She started her journey in shelter medicine in Richmond, Virginia, when she was just 13 years old.
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Her love for shelter animals grew, and she eventually went to school in Tennessee, where she got her masters in biomedical science and her doctorate in veterinary medicine. After completing her graduate degrees, she moved back to Norfolk, VA, where she went to college at ODU. Since graduating, she has worked at several nonprofit clinics and has recently landed here at Chesapeake Humane Society. Her interests are in high-quality, high-volume spay and neuter. She has four dogs, three cats, nine tortoises, two frogs, a couple of fish tanks, and a human child. She loves a good cruise vacation, and her guilty pleasure is reality TV.
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