Meet the Team!
Anjali Ranadive
(President & Founder)
Anjali is the founder of Jaws and Paws, she established the foundation in 2013 while she was pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Marine Science with a focus in Conservation at U.C. Berkeley. Her vision was to create a community of like-minded women and girls who shared her passion for animal welfare and conservation. As a vegan activist and environmentalist, Anjali's lifelong love for animals drove her to intern and volunteer at various wildlife rescues, animal shelters, and notable organizations such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium, where she received the Paul Walker Ocean Leadership Award in 2015 for her accomplishments in shark conservation.
Anjali's compassion for animals was further ignited when she rescued a wolf-dog from an animal shelter in Sacramento. This experience made her aware of the alarming rate at which wolves or wolf-dogs are abandoned at shelters and euthanized. The Jaws and Paws team sprang into action, rescuing wolf dogs from shelters, abuse, neglect, or rehoming situations, and providing permanent sanctuary for them. Today, Jaws and Paws is home to 20 wolf dogs and is dedicated to continuing its work in rescue and conservation, while unifying women who champion for wildlife.
Reena Hachme
(Director of Operations)
Reena joined Jaws and Paws as the Director of Operations in 2022. With a degree in Marketing and Communications, Reena has already put her skills to work in promoting wolf conservation. She plans to leverage her expertise to create initiatives that will generate support and awareness for this critical cause.
Prior to joining our team, Reena volunteered on a variety of environmental projects, including coastal projects abroad to remove plastic from the ocean to conserve our sea life and tree planting initiatives to slow the crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. Through these experiences, Reena developed a strong commitment to protecting our planet and its inhabitants. Now, as Director of Operations for Jaws and Paws, her focus lies in creating a loving sanctuary for all the wolf dogs and is committed to ensuring that these magnificent animals receive the care and support they deserve.
Jill Lute
(Director of Animal Behavior)
Jill Lute has over 30 years of experience promoting animal welfare and is currently the Director of Animal Behavior for Jaws and Paws. Her passion for nature and wildlife started at a young age and evolved into a career advocating for responsible captive animal husbandry. She promotes natural habitats, enrichment programs, and animal training to increase safety and reduce stress during veterinary care. Jill is also dedicated to educating the public about saving horses and co-existing with wildlife.
Jill's journey started as a veterinary technician, then she supervised staff and volunteers at a local animal sanctuary, worked with elephants at PAWS, and volunteered with NorCal Bats. She was selected to be part of a specialized state committee, the Captive Wild Animal Protection Coalition, to address issues surrounding the captive wildlife trade. Jill also served as a board member for Sacramento Wildlife Care, The California Foundation of Birds of Prey, and the Folsom Fire Safe Council.
As the National Director for Emergency Animal Rescue at Red Rover, Jill responded to disasters and traveled to multiple wildland fires and hurricane Katrina. Now at Jaws and Paws, she oversees the well-being of the animals, manages staff and volunteers, and continues her lifelong passion for improving captive animals' lives.
Brittany Halley
(Wolf Dog Specialist)
Brittany is a dedicated individual with an unwavering passion for animal welfare. With a commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of animals, she is currently lead Wolf Dog Specialist at Jaws and Paws. Her primary goal revolves around creating an environment in which every wolf dog under her care is enveloped in affection, security, and the opportunity to thrive. Brittany finds joy in witnessing the gradual connection formed with the wolf dogs.
Beyond her work at Jaws and Paws, Brittany is also a realtor. She loves sunsets, gardening, reading, old American cars with a good rumble, and above all, the cherished bonds shared within her family.
Sofia Hughes
(Wolf Dog Specialist)
Sofia is one of our dedicated wolf-dog caretakers here at Jaws and Paws. Her specialty lies in the attentive care of larger canines. Her passion for this ignited when she rescued her own reactive GSD puppy, named Blue, three years back. She has worked hard and embarked on a journey to unveil to Blue that the world holds far less fear than he once believed.
Presently, Sofia's central objective revolves around extending that same transformative experience of love and care to other misunderstood and fearful animals in need.
Crystal Ochoa
(Vice-President of Animal Behavior)
Crystal became Vice-President of Animal Behavior for Jaws and Paws at the end of 2019, when the wolf-dog sanctuary was established. She studied Animal Behavior and Psychology at California State University of Northridge. She spent her childhood volunteering at the humane society and local zoo in Akron, Ohio where she grew up.
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree, she worked at other animal sanctuaries such as the Eco-Station in Culver City as a wildlife educator and caretaker. While with the Eco-Station she taught programs to educate children on conservation, environmental preservation, and ecology. Crystal aims to utilize her psychology degree by adding another dimension to Jaws and Paws; ‘animal therapy’ which involves interactive healing.
Katelyn Kwake
(Rescue Coordinator)
Katelyn has been working at Jaws and Paws since the end of 2019 when she began volunteering at the non-profit. During her time here, she has assisted in multiple wolf-dog rescues and helped to provide them with a safe, healthy, and secure environment. Katelyn is currently a Conservation and Wildlife Coordinator at Jaws and Paws and plays a vital role in the organization’s efforts to raise awareness about the importance of wolf conservation.
Katelyn graduated cum laude from California State University, Northridge with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Management. She plans on using her unique skillset obtained from her education to help coordinate fundraising events and manage the business aspects of the sanctuary. Aside from her love of animals, she also has a deep passion for music. Before pivoting into the animal conservation world, Katelyn worked in music publishing and spent her free time writing music.
