Board of Directors

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Susan Hamil 

Board Chairman

 

  • Registered Veterinary Technician
  • Bachelor of Science, Louisiana State University
  • Master of Science, California State University Fullerton
  • Meritorious Service Award recipient, American Bloodhound Club (2003)
  • Pedigree Volunteer of the Year Award (2007)
  • President’s Award recipient, Canine Health Foundation (2023)

Susan Hamil is the current Chairman of the Board for Blue Bell, and has served many roles during her long history of leading our organization. She met our founder, Bertha Yergat, in 1980 when she was managing Canyon Animal Hospital. An accomplished Registered Veterinary Technician and cat lover, she and her husband, John Hamil, DVM, became involved with Blue Bell when Bertha designated them as original Board members. In addition to her passion for felines, Susan is heavily involved in canine health organizations, serving in various positions: Board Member of the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, Executive Committee of the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation, Past Chair of Orange County Animal Shelter Advisory Board, and Former President of the American Bloodhound Club. She received the Pedigree Volunteer of the Year Award in 2007 for her volunteer service during Hurricane Katrina. In 1978 Susan made history as co-founder of the first breed-specific rescue group in the United States, Bloodhounds West Rescue.

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Bonnie Lutz  

Board Member

 

  • Attorney, Klinedinst PC
  • BS University of Massachusetts
  • JD California Western School of Law
  • Advisor State Humane Association of California
  • Chair Animal Law Committee of the Tort Trial and Insurance Section of the American Bar Association
  • Advisor National Canine Research Council
  • Former President, American Veterinary Medical Law Association
  • Law Practice Focus on the Representation of Veterinarians Before the California Veterinary Medical Board and the Performance of General Legal Services for Private Humane Societies and SPCAS
  • Publisher of Numerous Articles in the Pulse, California Veterinarian and Veterinary Economics
  • Orange County Bar Association
A smiling woman with short gray hair wearing a blue top and a patterned scarf.

Linda Markland  

Board Member

 

  •  Veterinary Relations Specialist for Nationwide Pet, Peoria, AZ
  • Pacific Veterinary Conference Committee - Chair for Practice Management Tract
  • NAVTA CE Committee Member
  • Cats in Need Volunteer
  • One of the Founding Members of the Orange County Zoological Society
  • Orange Coast College Graduate
  • Recipient of Numerous Awards, Including CVMA Outstanding RVT in Non-private Practice (2012), SCVMA Paraprofessional of the Year Award (2015), VHMA President's Award (2016), Special Recognition Award From WVC (2017), Nationwide Bravo Award (2018)
Lydea in the Blue Bell garden

Lydea Swit

Board Member

 

Lydea Swit serves on the Board of Directors for Blue Bell Foundation for Cats, where she combines her passion for animal welfare with a background in project management, strategic planning, and community engagement. Professionally, Lydea spent six years as a senior project manager in the virtual events industry, leading complex, high-profile programs for Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations. Her experience managing cross-functional teams, building strong client relationships, and overseeing large-scale initiatives brings valuable organizational and strategic expertise to Blue Bell. Outside of Blue Bell, Lydea is a certified Pilates instructor and enjoys paddleboarding and traveling. She has also been a dedicated Blue Bell volunteer for several years, giving her a firsthand understanding of Blue Bell's mission, the cats in its care, and the incredible work made possible by its staff, volunteers, and supporters. Lydea is passionate about ensuring Blue Bell continues to thrive for generations to come. She is particularly interested in advancing long-term sustainability through fundraising, planned giving initiatives, and helping secure the resources needed to provide exceptional lifelong care for senior cats.

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Dr. Kristian Krause, DVM, DABVP (Feline)

Board Member

 

Bio coming soon!

Board Advisors

A smiling man with glasses and a mustache against a brick wall background.

Jeff Zakaryan

Strategic Planning Advisor

 

  • Founder, Global Strategies Management Consulting and CEO Coaching Practice
  • Graduate, USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism
  • Founder, Leadership Mentoring Program
  • Project Manager, Purr-fect Shelter Project, San Clemente