Adrien Abuyen joined FAAS as CEO in June 2025, bringing a strong track record of leadership in nonprofit strategy, public affairs, and community engagement. Adrien grew up in Alameda and intimately knows our beautiful island city. He holds a B.A. in Legal Studies from UC Berkeley, along with associate degrees from the College of Alameda.

Before FAAS, Adrien served as Director of Public Affairs at Kos Read Group, where he advocated for mission-driven organizations across the Bay Area. He has also held key leadership roles at SOS Meals on Wheels and the Jobs and Housing Coalition, helping to shape programs that uplift both people and communities.

Adrien’s love for animals isn’t just professional—it’s personal. He has had rescued dogs in his life since childhood. A few even came from FAAS! Adrien and his spouse, Zoë, share their home with Olive, their beloved, adopted 8‑year‑old dog. Olive helps fuel his deep belief in the transformative power of adoption and rescue. Adrien’s  lifelong connection to animals is a driving force behind his commitment to FAAS and its mission, and he’s excited to lead FAAS into its next chapter—advancing its work in compassionate care, community partnerships, and innovative animal welfare.

Amanda is a Bay Area native with a BA in English literature from UC Berkeley, and a master’s certificate in Shelter Management and Medicine from the University of Florida. in 2023 Amanda was a member of CalAnimal's Emerging Leadership Program, and in 2025 she was a graduate of the Alameda Chamber Leadership Program.

Amanda grew up in a family that fostered cats for Island Cat Resources and Adoption (ICRA) and took in strays. Prior to coming to FAAS, she worked for almost 10 years in hospital administration.

She began volunteering at FAAS in 2017, always knowing in the back of her mind that one day she would make a career out of helping shelter animals. In 2021 Amanda joined the FAAS staff and never looked back. Amanda lives in Alameda with her adopted pitsky Henley. 

Dr. Katherine Mills serves as Medical Director at Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter, where she leads all aspects of veterinary care for shelter animals, oversees community wellness clinics through the Healthy Pets, Healthy People program, and directs services at the FAAS Animal Medical Services & Training Campus.

Dr. Mills has dedicated her veterinary career to shelter medicine, working in both nonprofit and municipal shelters across the Bay Area. 

With a strong commitment to improving the lives of lost, stray, and homeless animals, Dr. Mills is passionate about providing high-quality medical care, supporting public education, and ensuring that every shelter pet receives the attention and compassion they deserve. She also takes pride in mentoring staff and helping strengthen community-based animal health initiatives.

Dr. Mills lives in Alameda with her beloved rescue pets—all of them special-needs animals—who inspire her work every day and reflect her deep belief in the healing power of second chances.

Deja Johnson joined FAAS in August 2023, bringing a strong background in customer service in various different roles. Born and raised in the Bay Area, Deja has always had a passion for connection and teamwork—something she developed early on through basketball, which ultimately earned her a scholarship to pursue her bachelor’s degree in Communications in Missouri.

 She began her journey at FAAS working in community programs focused on keeping people and pets together, a mission close to her heart. Her dedication and leadership soon led her into the role of volunteer manager, where she continues to build meaningful relationships and foster a compassionate, supportive environment for both animals and the people who care for them.

 Outside of FAAS, Deja enjoys time with her Husky-Malamute, Duse, and is also enjoying the new and rewarding role of being a first-time mom to her son Kairo! 

Having grown up watching her mom, Cindy, work in the same industry, Shannon learned the animal shelter business from an early age. Her mom instilled in her the same passion, love, and respect for animals that had driven her on her own. 

Having been with FAAS for eight years now, Shannon has gone through many positions and is now our Medical Services Manager. She will be attending school in the fall to get her RVT certification. When she took her mom’s place at FAAS, Shannon brought with her a number of years in customer service experience from various industries. In addition, she has party and event planning experience, making her a jack of all trades in her profession. 

Shannon has amassed a plethora of knowledge about pets including dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, snakes, fish, frogs, and (catching her breath) chinchillas; she is the go-to “cat whisperer” at FAAS. Finally, being a fourth-generation Alamedan has its perks when it comes to working with the community and tracking down lost pets. When Shannon isn’t helping animals in need, you can find her spending time with her husband, Jacob, and their dogs, Moxie and Chewie.

Monica grew up in the Bay Area and moved to Southern California where she graduated from San Diego State University with a B.S. in Criminal Justice and a Minor in Sociology. An animal lover who grew up with dogs, she began volunteering at FAAS in 2017, and joined the staff a year later as an Animal Care associate. She was promoted to Animal Care Manager in 2020. 

During this time, she obtained a certificate in Animal Shelter Management. Monica has been the Adoption Manager at our South Shore Center, the FAAS Volunteer Engagement Manager and now is our Adoption and Foster Manager. 

In her spare time Monica enjoys traveling to concerts, fostering puppies & skiing poorly with her family. The family has two dogs, Suki, an 11-year-old German shepherd, adopted from FAAS, and 2-year-old shelter rescue Frenchie.

Madden (they/he) is a transplant from the South with a background in mental health advocacy and varied customer service. Thrifting and animal welfare have always been passions for Madden. 

They have a love of animals that drew them to bottle feeding kittens at the neonatal nursery in Austin, Texas, and to supporting local trap-neuter-return programs in Providence, Rhode Island. 

As an advocate for transgender rights, Madden also volunteers with a trans teen mentorship program. In their free time you can find Madden thrifting and refinishing vintage furniture, embroidering and spending their time with their chosen family and sweet orange tabby, Doris.

Sheila is a lifelong animal lover from Chicago. She started volunteering with FAAS, walking dogs, during a break in her freelance graphic design work with Levi Strauss & Co. From there, she branched into helping out at FAAS events, taking dogs to physical therapy appointments, and bringing animals to vet appointments.

All of this led her to her current position at our South Shore Adoption Center, where she manages the volunteers in helping to feed, clean, and socialize the four-legged residents  as they await adoption. 

Sheila lives in Alameda with two cats, Isabelle and Mousse.