CAT's Board of Directors
Betsy Ballenger | President
JoAnn Freeman | Board Member
Betsy Ballenger | President
Betsy has a BA from Vassar College and has been a licensed real estate agent for over 20 years and a freelance editor for over 30 years. She began doing TNVR of feral cats in Connecticut in the 1980s, as well as fostering/socializing feral kittens for adoption, and was a board member/volunteer for several animal rescue groups there. In 20
Betsy has a BA from Vassar College and has been a licensed real estate agent for over 20 years and a freelance editor for over 30 years. She began doing TNVR of feral cats in Connecticut in the 1980s, as well as fostering/socializing feral kittens for adoption, and was a board member/volunteer for several animal rescue groups there. In 2004, Betsy moved to California and volunteered with the SFSPCA and started a small TNR group in Pacifica. Moving to Virginia in 2012, she quickly became involved with Voices for Animals. In January 2018, she became director of the Community Cat Project program of VFA. As president of CAT, Betsy will preside over meetings, direct ongoing strategy and fundraise, as well as continuing to trap and transport feral cats, deliver food to colony caretakers, and track the inventory of humane feral cat traps.
Ashley Morris | Secretary
JoAnn Freeman | Board Member
Betsy Ballenger | President
Ashley is a commercial construction professional, a 2019 UVA Mechanical Engineering graduate, and a long-time cat lover and animal welfare advocate. Growing up, her family cared for stray cats and participated in nearby TNVR clinics in Northern Virginia. Starting in high school, she was President of the Interact Club of Western Loudoun an
Ashley is a commercial construction professional, a 2019 UVA Mechanical Engineering graduate, and a long-time cat lover and animal welfare advocate. Growing up, her family cared for stray cats and participated in nearby TNVR clinics in Northern Virginia. Starting in high school, she was President of the Interact Club of Western Loudoun and sowed roots with the Rotary Club; in college, she continued this service as President of the Rotaract Club and Lacrosse the Nations. Ashley came to find out about CAT and our mission, and since 2020, has supported the team through management of CAT’s administrative processes, building strategic business partnerships, and organizing fundraising efforts. Her love for cats and community will continue to be the driving force of the work she does for Cat Action Team. Ashley lives in the City of Charlottesville with her husband, their black lab Toph, and their four kitties Milo, Opie, Bean, and Huck.
JoAnn Freeman | Board Member
JoAnn Freeman | Board Member
Ashley Matthews | Board Member
After graduation from the University of Connecticut and completion of additional training in computer software development, Jo Ann Freeman had a multi-decade, information-technology career at a major group health insurer in Connecticut. She managed development of business software and headed the organization’s strategic planning group. Af
After graduation from the University of Connecticut and completion of additional training in computer software development, Jo Ann Freeman had a multi-decade, information-technology career at a major group health insurer in Connecticut. She managed development of business software and headed the organization’s strategic planning group. After retirement, she was a long-term volunteer for Habitat for Humanity in Greensboro, North Carolina before moving to Virginia. After personal experience with a tickborne illness she founded BugBeWear, an online retailer of tick repellent clothing. BugBeWear worked with many Lyme Disease support groups to improve public knowledge of tickborne threats and effective approaches to tick-bite prevention. Jo Ann lives with her husband and two cats, Miss Pippi and Lucky, in western Albemarle county.
Ashley Matthews | Board Member
Donna Stephens Manley | Board Member
Ashley Matthews | Board Member
Ashley is an attorney and former journalist. She has a BA from Texas Lutheran University, an MA from New York University, and a JD from the University of Virginia. Ashley is passionate about animals and has fostered cats and dogs for a variety of organizations over the past 20 years. She is also a board member of the Virginia LGBTQ Bar As
Ashley is an attorney and former journalist. She has a BA from Texas Lutheran University, an MA from New York University, and a JD from the University of Virginia. Ashley is passionate about animals and has fostered cats and dogs for a variety of organizations over the past 20 years. She is also a board member of the Virginia LGBTQ Bar Association and a member of the Junior League of Charlottesville. Ashley is the proud mom of a blind and well-traveled cat named Billy, a horse named Chicken, and a dog named Gorby.
Donna Stephens Manley | Board Member
Donna Stephens Manley | Board Member
Donna Stephens Manley | Board Member
From winning the American Association of Feline Practitioners Senior Student award to engagement in a 2-yr online course seeking Certification in Feline Medicine today, Dr. Donna Stephens Manley has always been passionate about cats.
In her 30-plus years as a practicing veterinarian, Dr. Manley has served as a general practitioner to mixed
From winning the American Association of Feline Practitioners Senior Student award to engagement in a 2-yr online course seeking Certification in Feline Medicine today, Dr. Donna Stephens Manley has always been passionate about cats.
In her 30-plus years as a practicing veterinarian, Dr. Manley has served as a general practitioner to mixed species (cats and dogs), hospital manager of a feline exclusive practice in NC, an open
admissions shelter Staff Veterinarian and Medical Services Director, Field Technical Services Veterinarian for three pharmaceutical/vaccine companies and a volunteer surgeon for 8 yrs with a TNR group in NC.
She considers her most significant career honor as having served as the 2012 President of the American Association of Feline Practitioners, an internationally recognized organization promoting health and well-being of cats through high standards of practice.
Dr. Manley likes to say she is a "Unicorn" ("Caticorn"?), having had a very non-traditional career, thus gaining great insight into looking at issues from different viewpoints.
"I am truly honored to be invited to join the CAT Board, and view this opportunity as an affirmation of relationship building with honesty and integrity while providing high quality medical and surgical care for my CAT patients."
CAT's Volunteer Leaders
Jessa Campbell | Volunteer Coordinator
Elizabeth Isley | Donor Relations Coordinator
Maggie Williams | Social Media Coordinator
Jessa is a Learning Technology Integrator for Albemarle County Public Schools. With 9 years in education, she brings a passion for fostering community engagement and empowering others. She is an advocate for STEM education through volunteering with organizations like Girls‘ Geek Day, CodeVA, and CSTA. Jessa also coaches Girls’ JV Soccer a
Jessa is a Learning Technology Integrator for Albemarle County Public Schools. With 9 years in education, she brings a passion for fostering community engagement and empowering others. She is an advocate for STEM education through volunteering with organizations like Girls‘ Geek Day, CodeVA, and CSTA. Jessa also coaches Girls’ JV Soccer at AHS. She is dedicated to inspiring young minds and fostering inclusivity. Outside of the professional realm, Jessa finds joy in caring for her two beloved feline companions and indulging in the pleasures of literature. With a commitment to making a positive impact, in both the educational and animal welfare spheres, Jessa looks forward to utilizing her skills and enthusiasm to support the mission of CAT as Volunteer Coordinator.
Maggie Williams | Social Media Coordinator
Elizabeth Isley | Donor Relations Coordinator
Maggie Williams | Social Media Coordinator
Maggie is a professional photographer and a homeschool parent. She holds a dual degree from the University of Virginia in Global Development Studies and Sociology. Maggie became involved in cat rescue work as a girl when discovering that kittens were regularly discarded at a dumpster site near her home. Her family adopted several "dumpst
Maggie is a professional photographer and a homeschool parent. She holds a dual degree from the University of Virginia in Global Development Studies and Sociology. Maggie became involved in cat rescue work as a girl when discovering that kittens were regularly discarded at a dumpster site near her home. Her family adopted several "dumpster kittens" during her childhood and found homes for many more. In 2020, Maggie first became involved with CAT when she contacted us for support in TNRing a community cat in her neighborhood. Shortly after, she became a regular foster and, later, became certified in TNR so that she could help CAT trap and transport feral cats. Maggie enjoys combining her artistry and her love for cats into our social media posts. She resides in Scottsville with her husband, two children, one pup, and four cats: Olive, Alexander, Calliope, and the stray who adopted her, Rusty.
Elizabeth Isley | Donor Relations Coordinator
Elizabeth Isley | Donor Relations Coordinator
Elizabeth Isley | Donor Relations Coordinator
Elizabeth is a native of Norfolk, VA. She graduated from Oglethorpe University and graduate
studies at Georgia Tech and Xavier University, and lived in Cincinnati and Pittsburgh until coming full-circle back to Norfolk. After running a successful marketing and advertising consulting firm with her sister in Virginia Beach and raising 4 chil
Elizabeth is a native of Norfolk, VA. She graduated from Oglethorpe University and graduate
studies at Georgia Tech and Xavier University, and lived in Cincinnati and Pittsburgh until coming full-circle back to Norfolk. After running a successful marketing and advertising consulting firm with her sister in Virginia Beach and raising 4 children, Elizabeth made the decision to move to Charlottesville in 1993 with her son Benjamin and became his full-time caregiver. Elizabeth joined CAT as an emergency foster in 2020. However, it was short-lived, as foster failure struck when her son decided Sassy the cat had already found her home. Elizabeth has also served as a volunteer, board member, and consultant to groups such as the United Way, ARC, and the NAACP. In retirement, she continues to be an advocate for students and adults with disabilities.
Jen Steele | FOSTER COORDINATOR
Elizabeth Isley | Donor Relations Coordinator
Elizabeth Isley | Donor Relations Coordinator
Jen, originally from New Mexico, is an experienced accounting professional with a BA from the University of North Texas. She recently relocated from Texas to Virginia and works at the Legal Aid Justice Center, where she brings her accounting skills to support the organization’s mission of providing legal assistance to underserved communit
Jen, originally from New Mexico, is an experienced accounting professional with a BA from the University of North Texas. She recently relocated from Texas to Virginia and works at the Legal Aid Justice Center, where she brings her accounting skills to support the organization’s mission of providing legal assistance to underserved communities. Outside of her professional work, Jen is an avid animal advocate with a special focus on neonatal kittens. Having fostered countless newborn kittens in need and served as a skilled cat trapper, Jen has a deep commitment to animal welfare. Her hands-on experience caring for vulnerable animals has led her to join CAT as their new Foster Coordinator. In this role, Jen is excited to help manage foster homes, coordinate rescues, and ensure that kittens and cats in need receive the care and attention they deserve.
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