Following its April 14 meeting, Dakin Humane Society of Springfield announced its 2025 Board of Directors.  The all-volunteer Dakin board represents communities from around the Pioneer Valley region. 

Tracy Sicbaldi of Berkshire Bank will serve for the first time as president.  Rachel Slosek-Couture of Travelers Insurance, will serve as vice president.  Rob Cestola of Pope Francis Preparatory School will serve as treasurer, and Kendra O’Neill of Florence Bank will serve as secretary.

New directors beginning three-year terms on the board include Laurie Martin of Baystate Health, Keith Purcell, CPA, and Megan Rothschild of Chikmedia.  They will join current members Joseph Lopez, Lindsay Manning of Dietz & Company Architects, Kelley Moloney, Esq., Alison Spafford of Halloran & Sage LLP, and Nancy Weld of Easthampton Public Schools.

“I am pleased to welcome this dedicated group of professionals who have agreed to work alongside all of us at Dakin in fulfilling our mission,” said Executive Director Meg Talbert.  “They each bring a wide variety of expertise in numerous professions and industries, and will enhance our efforts to expand our programs and services to assist animals and the people who love them in our community.”

Dakin Humane Society, located in Springfield, MA, is a 501 (c) (3) organization that delivers effective, innovative services that improve the lives of animals in need and the people who care about them. Since its inception in 1969, Dakin has become one of the most recognized nonprofit organizations in western Massachusetts, and a national leader in animal welfare. In a typical year, the organization shelters, treats and fosters more than 20,000 animals and has performed over 134,000 spay/neuter surgeries since 2009, making it one of New England’s largest spay/neuter providers.  Dakin’s Pet Health Center, a non-emergency veterinary resource for pet dogs and cats, has seen more than 12,000 patients since it opened in 2022.  Dakin is a local non-profit organization that relies solely on contributions from individuals and businesses that care about animals to bring its services to the community.  For more information, visit www.dakinhumane.org.

Dakin Humane Society’s board of directors, from left: Rob Cestola (Treasurer), Laurie Martin, Rachel Slosek-Couture (Vice President), Kelley Moloney, Lindsay Manning, Kendra O'Neill (Secretary), Nancy Weld, Meghan Rothschild, Keith Purcell, and Tracy Sicbaldi (Board President). Missing from photo: Joseph Lopez and Alison Spafford. (Photo provided by Dakin Humane Society)