Meet the board
Melissa Patricelli
Founder & Board President
In the mystical year of 2008, amidst the cornfields of Illinois, Melissa had an epiphany while hanging out with cows she'd heroically saved from the clutches of obscurity. It was there, amongst the bovine brethren, she decided to chase the wild dream of creating a sanctuary - not just any sanctuary, but the illustrious Blue Barn!
Armed with a Master's in Counseling (because, let's face it, who better to understand the complex emotional needs of animals than someone trained to deal with teenage angst?), and a superhero cape made from two decades of youth work, Melissa set out to concoct the ultimate haven. A place where animals and humans could high-five in emotional solidarity, all while learning the ancient arts of kindness, compassion, and empathy.
Fast forward to 2018, Melissa and her ever-so-patient husband Ryan, embarked on their greatest adventure yet. They claimed a piece of Creswell and began the magical transformation into the Blue Barn sanctuary. With the power of friendship (and probably a lot of pizza and promises), they constructed fences, barn stalls, and probably the occasional makeshift hammock for nap breaks. Their friends, now honorary barn builders, were roped into an endless saga of "just one more small project" - their gratitude immortalized in every nail hammered and every splinter endured.
The grand opening gala was held in December 2019, with the arrival of the pioneering “piggiecrew”, strutting in as the sanctuary's first official residents, likely to the tune of their own theme song.
Melissa, now a certified Humane Educator (because why stop at a Master's?), has been busy brewing a curriculum potent enough to transform the wildest of munchkins into knights of animal kindness. The future of Blue Barn? Brighter than a disco ball at a barn dance, and Melissa is just getting started. Stay tuned for the next episode of "Adventures at Blue Barn" - it's going to be udderly fantastic!
Jessica McLaws
Board Treasurer
Meet Jessica, the animal enthusiast extraordinaire! Ever since she was knee-high to a grasshopper, she's been surrounded by furry friends of all shapes and sizes - from dogs and cats to hamsters and even rats (yes, really!). And if you think her love for critters stops there, think again! This gal took the plunge into veganism back in 2018, waving goodbye to meat and dairy faster than you can say "tofu scramble."
By day, Jessica's your go-to guru for all things numbers and business babble, slinging spreadsheets like a pro at the local utility company for a whopping 15 years. But when the clock strikes "freedom," you'll find her frolicking in the great outdoors, whether it's hiking up a storm, riding the waves on a paddleboard, or simply getting lost in a good book (preferably one about animals, of course).
But wait, there's more! When Jessica's not crunching numbers or communing with nature, she's a superhero in disguise, donning her cape (okay, maybe just an apron) to rescue animals in need. From cuddling kitties at the Greenhill Humane Society to fostering furry friends at Wiggly Tails Dog Rescue and FurEver Young Senior Dog Rescue, she's a one-woman animal-saving machine.
And her ultimate dream? To cozy up with a cow, of course! Yep, you heard that right - this gal's got big dreams of fostering a bovine buddy someday, because who wouldn't want a moo-tastic addition to the family? So here's to Jessica, the vegan vixen with a heart of gold and a knack for making the world a better place, one pawprint at a time! 🐾
Nicole Jendro
Board member
Once upon a time in Deutschland, Nicole's story began with furry friends and a wanderlust bug itching to explore the world. After a series of twists and turns, she landed in Eugene circa 2023, ready to dive into adventures. And boy, did she find them!
Picture this: Nicole, the accidental vegan superhero, emerged from the chaos of the pandemic armed with newfound knowledge about the shenanigans of animal farming. Cue the dramatic music! From a mere vegetarian to a compassionate crusader, her journey to the leafy side was epic.
Now, let's talk about her alter ego. By day, she's the mastermind behind Geocaching HQ's products, steering the ship of treasure hunts into uncharted territories. But wait, there's more! By night, she's a farm animal sanctuary savior, a code-cracking ninja, a juggling extraordinaire, and a swing-dancing sensation. Is there anything this vegan-volunteer-virtuoso can't do? Stay tuned for the next episode of "Nicole's Adventures in Awesome-land!"
Victoria (Tia) Wiley
Board member
In the bustling world of 2024, Tia, a bonafide animal whisperer and part-time legal eagle, found her latest perch on the Blue Barn board. Nestled in the not-so-wild wilderness just outside Boston, Massachusetts, she cohabitates in a fur-and-fluff-filled abode with her partner, a trio of tail-wagging pups, and a dynamic duo of bunnies that have more followers on Instagram than you and me combined.
When she's not busy being Boston University School of Law's gift to the class of 2017, Tia moonlights as a crusader against corporate malfeasance, wielding her expertise in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues, along with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) matters, like a superhero caped in legalese. Currently, she's leveling up her powers at Vermont Law & Graduate School, diving deep into the riveting world of animal law, because who wouldn't want to spend their evenings debating the rights of chickens to cross the road?
In the rare moments when she's not saving the world one legal brief at a time, Tia is out there in Massachusetts, championing animal protection laws, fostering every critter that gives her the sad eyes, and standing tall for the LGBTQ+ community. And let's not forget her backyard garden, a veritable Eden for her family and especially her bunnies, ensuring they're the most well-fed, Instagrammable fluff balls this side of the Mississippi. Yes, Tia is the superhero we all need, armed with a watering can in one hand and the Constitution in the other, making the world a better place one bunny snack at a time.