BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Cary Granat
The Forgotten Dog Foundation co-founder, Cary owns and operates Granat Entertainment, a creator of family films, television, and books. As former CEO and co-founder of Walden Media, Cary oversaw the production of several beloved films including Academy Award-winning “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” “The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising,” “Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium” and “Nim's Island.” Cary began his film career at Warner Bros. and then went on to serve as an executive at MCA/Universal before starting his tenure as president of Miramax Films’ Dimension Division. While at Dimension, he oversaw such projects as the successful Scream, Scary Movie and Spy Kids franchises.
Cary serves on the board of directors of World Information Transfer (WIT), a non-governmental organization in general consultant status with the United Nations. He is the owner of Yoda, a Boston terrier who he adores.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Linzi Glass
Co-founder of The Forgotten Dog Foundation, Linzi is an acclaimed young adult and children’s book author, philanthropist and dedicated animal advocate, having worked in the trenches of animal rescue for more than 7 years. In 2006, she was given the Woman of Action Award by The Israel Cancer Research Fund for her accomplishment as a writer and her philanthropic work which includes co-founding a charity to raise money for bone marrow transplants for children with cancer (The Jeffrey Katz Fund/Ronald McDonald House, LA) and for her ongoing work in animal rescue in Los Angeles.
Linzi has published two novels with a third book “Finding Danny” released in May 2010 that deals with the world of shelters and animal rescue. Her first novel, “The Year the Gypsies Came,” published in 2006, was nominated for the prestigious Carnegie Medal in the U.K. and voted one of the best books for young adults by the American Library Association. Linzi’s second novel, “Ruby Red” was first published 2007 and short-listed for the Carnegie Medal. Both books were published in multiple foreign languages. Linzi works as a writing consultant and writing instructor through the UCLA Extension Writer’s Program. To link to her writer’s website go to www.linziglass.com . She lives in Santa Monica with her pack of happy rescue dogs.
SECRETARY
Tamara Mandel
Tamara is a passionate animal lover. From the time she was a small child she has been sympathetic to hurt and homeless animals. She spent eight years in the healthcare industry advocating for patient rights and bringing communities together to improve the quality of life for many. Tamara is an activist and community volunteer. Armed with an MBA, Tamara consults with companies to develop growth and sustainability strategies.
TREASURER
Debbie Gaylor
Debbie has been involved with animals since she was about 8 years old. At 11 she hand raised 8 English Bulldog puppies after their mom ended up at the vet. Since that time she has mostly had cats since she is an apartment dweller. When her mom got sick 3 years ago they adopted a dog, Cleo, from the pound. After observing Cleo's behavior problems, she decided to become a dog trainer and that lead her to The Forgotten Dog. For the last several months, Debbie has fostered several dogs and helps out at our adoptions. Debbie graduated from UCLA with a degree in Geography/Management and Conservation of Ecosystems and has been working the IT field since the 80s. She has worked for a number of start-up companies as well as one of the largest firms in the country. She is currently working at EA as a technical writer and lives in Culver City with 3 rescued cats and sometimes a foster dog!
BOARD MEMBERS
Barbara Mandel
Barbara has spent over 25 years in the entertainment business. After 10 years as a Motion Picture Literary Agent at ICM she left to start her own Management Company, Artist Talent Management.
She is an avid animal lover and a devoted pet owner. She comes to The Forgotten Dog Foundation with a strong commitment to help provide every dog with a loving home.
Victoria Burrows
Victoria has been a top film and television casting director for 30 years and has worked on major motion pictures such as “A Christmas Carol,” “The Lovely Bones,” the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, “King Kong,” “Cast Away,” “Contact,” “Monster House,” “The Polar Express” “The Muse” and “Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World.” During her impressive career, Victoria has teamed up with such top directors such as Peter Jackson, Robert Zemeckis, Paul W.S. Anderson and Albert Brooks. In 2000, she decided to open her heart to saving dogs. As the founder of Star Paws Rescue, she has been responsible for placing hundreds of dogs in loving forever homes. She brings to The Forgotten Dog Foundation her unwavering commitment to bettering the lives of her four legged friends.
James Symington (aka Peter James)
James is the founder and CEO of Prodigy Talent Group, a talent management firm. Prior to establishing PTG, James spent more than a decade as an actor. He also served 13 years as a decorated police officer in Canada where he led his department’s K-9 Unit, was a search and rescue manager and SWAT team leader, as well as active in numerous charities. Passionate about the animal human bond, James prevented his department from enacting a policy to euthanatize former K-9s, including his now world-famous K9 partner, Trakr.
James and Trakr received international acclaim following the September 11 terrorist attacks, when they found the last survivor buried in the rubble. Dr. Jane Goodall, renowned primatologist, presented the two heroes with an Extraordinary Service to Humanity award. James spends his free time rescuing, fostering and training abandoned dogs and is also the Founder and CEO of the Team Trakr Foundation (www.teamtrakr.org).
Emily Herakovich
An ex-real estate broker, Emily is now embarking on a new career in yoga and health/wellness industry. A graduate of USC in 2009, Emily has been in California for almost seven years now after relocating from her hometown in Whiting, Indiana. Emily has always had a special place in her heart for rescuing animals, but until recently had not found a place to put her energy. After being introduced to the Forgotten Dog Foundation, Emily immediately jumped in to do whatever she could to help. Emily now sits on the Board, helping out where and when she is needed, while always working to generate exposure to the Foundation. She has recently taken in her second Forgotten Dog rescue!
Cari Chanin
Dogs have always been a meaningful part of Cari's life. She rescued her first puppy at age 7 and then, as a teen involved in 4-H and summer jobs at a stable, had a menagerie of cats, dogs, horses and chickens. During college, she spent a year learning animal husbandry on a dairy farm in Europe. Over the years, Cari has volunteered her time with a number of local dog rescue groups.
A former TWA flight attendant, who then went on to a successful career in film production, working with many notable directors and producers, Cari now has her own small business management company. Cari is also a licensed Real Estate Agent and Notary Public
Cari and her border collie, Clementine, and Australian cattle dog, Zoey, love to play frisbee, take longs walks and cuddle up together and share some belly rubs.
Mendy Walsh
Mendy is a pet photographer and a graduate of San Francisco State University with a degree in Marketing/Public Relations. She has two wonderful kids, Cameron and Cole, and is a huge animal lover. Her job combines two of her favorite things; namely, photography and pets. She is thrilled to have recently joined the team as our official pet photographer and board member. She adopted two of her dogs last month from The Forgotten Dog Foundation. They are both settling in well with her and her family in Malibu.
Ben Karson
Ben has had a special relationship with dogs ever since
he was a little kid. His father has long said the only explanation is that Ben was one in a former life, bolstered by the fact that even problem pups usually talked to him. He was lucky enough to have a Master 4-H educator as his babysitter which gave him a comfort for working with animals and a background to fall back upon to this day. Amongst her many animals were her prized three Standard Poodles, who were his daily playmates. From those days on, he has been somewhat of an amateur dog whisperer, assisting with light training and watching the dogs of friends. Plus, Ben has made a habit of weekly visits to Animal Shelter and trips to the dog park just to be around and observe canines.
In addition to his personal interests outside of dogs (music, sports, comedy, people and a dose of tech/science/quantum theory), Ben spends most of his time managing the creative/production process for both traditional and new media. That has included broadcast advertising spots, television shows, feature films as well as websites and internet content/video.
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Cary Granat
The Forgotten Dog Foundation co-founder, Cary owns and operates Granat Entertainment, a creator of family films, television, and books. As former CEO and co-founder of Walden Media, Cary oversaw the production of several beloved films including Academy Award-winning “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” “The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising,” “Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium” and “Nim's Island.” Cary began his film career at Warner Bros. and then went on to serve as an executive at MCA/Universal before starting his tenure as president of Miramax Films’ Dimension Division. While at Dimension, he oversaw such projects as the successful Scream, Scary Movie and Spy Kids franchises.
Cary serves on the board of directors of World Information Transfer (WIT), a non-governmental organization in general consultant status with the United Nations. He is the owner of Yoda, a Boston terrier who he adores.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Linzi Glass
Co-founder of The Forgotten Dog Foundation, Linzi is an acclaimed young adult and children’s book author, philanthropist and dedicated animal advocate, having worked in the trenches of animal rescue for more than 7 years. In 2006, she was given the Woman of Action Award by The Israel Cancer Research Fund for her accomplishment as a writer and her philanthropic work which includes co-founding a charity to raise money for bone marrow transplants for children with cancer (The Jeffrey Katz Fund/Ronald McDonald House, LA) and for her ongoing work in animal rescue in Los Angeles.
Linzi has published two novels with a third book “Finding Danny” released in May 2010 that deals with the world of shelters and animal rescue. Her first novel, “The Year the Gypsies Came,” published in 2006, was nominated for the prestigious Carnegie Medal in the U.K. and voted one of the best books for young adults by the American Library Association. Linzi’s second novel, “Ruby Red” was first published 2007 and short-listed for the Carnegie Medal. Both books were published in multiple foreign languages. Linzi works as a writing consultant and writing instructor through the UCLA Extension Writer’s Program. To link to her writer’s website go to www.linziglass.com . She lives in Santa Monica with her pack of happy rescue dogs.
SECRETARY
Tamara Mandel
Tamara is a passionate animal lover. From the time she was a small child she has been sympathetic to hurt and homeless animals. She spent eight years in the healthcare industry advocating for patient rights and bringing communities together to improve the quality of life for many. Tamara is an activist and community volunteer. Armed with an MBA, Tamara consults with companies to develop growth and sustainability strategies.
TREASURER
Debbie Gaylor
Debbie has been involved with animals since she was about 8 years old. At 11 she hand raised 8 English Bulldog puppies after their mom ended up at the vet. Since that time she has mostly had cats since she is an apartment dweller. When her mom got sick 3 years ago they adopted a dog, Cleo, from the pound. After observing Cleo's behavior problems, she decided to become a dog trainer and that lead her to The Forgotten Dog. For the last several months, Debbie has fostered several dogs and helps out at our adoptions. Debbie graduated from UCLA with a degree in Geography/Management and Conservation of Ecosystems and has been working the IT field since the 80s. She has worked for a number of start-up companies as well as one of the largest firms in the country. She is currently working at EA as a technical writer and lives in Culver City with 3 rescued cats and sometimes a foster dog!
BOARD MEMBERS
Barbara Mandel
Barbara has spent over 25 years in the entertainment business. After 10 years as a Motion Picture Literary Agent at ICM she left to start her own Management Company, Artist Talent Management.
She is an avid animal lover and a devoted pet owner. She comes to The Forgotten Dog Foundation with a strong commitment to help provide every dog with a loving home.
Victoria Burrows
Victoria has been a top film and television casting director for 30 years and has worked on major motion pictures such as “A Christmas Carol,” “The Lovely Bones,” the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, “King Kong,” “Cast Away,” “Contact,” “Monster House,” “The Polar Express” “The Muse” and “Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World.” During her impressive career, Victoria has teamed up with such top directors such as Peter Jackson, Robert Zemeckis, Paul W.S. Anderson and Albert Brooks. In 2000, she decided to open her heart to saving dogs. As the founder of Star Paws Rescue, she has been responsible for placing hundreds of dogs in loving forever homes. She brings to The Forgotten Dog Foundation her unwavering commitment to bettering the lives of her four legged friends.
James Symington (aka Peter James)
James is the founder and CEO of Prodigy Talent Group, a talent management firm. Prior to establishing PTG, James spent more than a decade as an actor. He also served 13 years as a decorated police officer in Canada where he led his department’s K-9 Unit, was a search and rescue manager and SWAT team leader, as well as active in numerous charities. Passionate about the animal human bond, James prevented his department from enacting a policy to euthanatize former K-9s, including his now world-famous K9 partner, Trakr. James and Trakr received international acclaim following the September 11 terrorist attacks, when they found the last survivor buried in the rubble. Dr. Jane Goodall, renowned primatologist, presented the two heroes with an Extraordinary Service to Humanity award. James spends his free time rescuing, fostering and training abandoned dogs and is also the Founder and CEO of the Team Trakr Foundation (www.teamtrakr.org).
Emily Herakovich
An ex-real estate broker, Emily is now embarking on a new career in yoga and health/wellness industry. A graduate of USC in 2009, Emily has been in California for almost seven years now after relocating from her hometown in Whiting, Indiana. Emily has always had a special place in her heart for rescuing animals, but until recently had not found a place to put her energy. After being introduced to the Forgotten Dog Foundation, Emily immediately jumped in to do whatever she could to help. Emily now sits on the Board, helping out where and when she is needed, while always working to generate exposure to the Foundation. She has recently taken in her second Forgotten Dog rescue!
Cari Chanin
Dogs have always been a meaningful part of Cari's life. She rescued her first puppy at age 7 and then, as a teen involved in 4-H and summer jobs at a stable, had a menagerie of cats, dogs, horses and chickens. During college, she spent a year learning animal husbandry on a dairy farm in Europe. Over the years, Cari has volunteered her time with a number of local dog rescue groups.
A former TWA flight attendant, who then went on to a successful career in film production, working with many notable directors and producers, Cari now has her own small business management company. Cari is also a licensed Real Estate Agent and Notary Public
Cari and her border collie, Clementine, and Australian cattle dog, Zoey, love to play frisbee, take longs walks and cuddle up together and share some belly rubs.
Mendy Walsh
Mendy is a pet photographer and a graduate of San Francisco State University with a degree in Marketing/Public Relations. She has two wonderful kids, Cameron and Cole, and is a huge animal lover. Her job combines two of her favorite things; namely, photography and pets. She is thrilled to have recently joined the team as our official pet photographer and board member. She adopted two of her dogs last month from The Forgotten Dog Foundation. They are both settling in well with her and her family in Malibu.
Ben Karson
Ben has had a special relationship with dogs ever since
he was a little kid. His father has long said the only explanation is that Ben was one in a former life, bolstered by the fact that even problem pups usually talked to him. He was lucky enough to have a Master 4-H educator as his babysitter which gave him a comfort for working with animals and a background to fall back upon to this day. Amongst her many animals were her prized three Standard Poodles, who were his daily playmates. From those days on, he has been somewhat of an amateur dog whisperer, assisting with light training and watching the dogs of friends. Plus, Ben has made a habit of weekly visits to Animal Shelter and trips to the dog park just to be around and observe canines. In addition to his personal interests outside of dogs (music, sports, comedy, people and a dose of tech/science/quantum theory), Ben spends most of his time managing the creative/production process for both traditional and new media. That has included broadcast advertising spots, television shows, feature films as well as websites and internet content/video.
