Making a Difference for Pets

Compassion. Care. Commitment. Community.

At A.D.O.P.T., we believe every pet deserves love, healing, and a second chance. As a trusted rescue in Naperville, we offer adoption services, affordable veterinary care, and pet training programs—all designed to help animals find and remain in loving homes.
Join us in building a brighter future for pets in need.

Meet The Team
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A Legacy of Love and Rescue in Naperville

Every pet deserves a second chance, and a place to call home

A.D.O.P.T. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that has been changing lives since 1989. Based in Naperville, we’ve helped more than 30,000 dogs and cats find loving, forever homes.

Every animal in our care has a story—some have been abandoned, others surrendered by families facing hardship, and many have been rescued from neglect or abuse. No matter what their past, each pet receives kindness, healing, and a fresh start at A.D.O.P.T.

Our commitment goes beyond adoption. We offer affordable veterinary care, training programs, and resources to help pets stay with the families who love them. Through community partnerships and education, we’re building a more compassionate world—one animal at a time.

A.D.O.P.T.’s Mission is to be

dedicated to rescue, compassionate care, and uniting pets with loving families—while inspiring kindness and humane treatment throughout our community.

A.D.O.P.T. Values

Guided by Compassion and Commitment

Responsible Intake

We follow a capacity-based care model, welcoming adoptable and treatable animals as space and resources allow. We prioritize pets from our local community and extend support beyond when it’s possible—always with the goal of providing quality care and positive outcomes for every animal we serve.

Exceptional Customer Care

We’re committed to creating a positive experience for everyone who walks through our doors. Whether you’re adopting, donating, or simply visiting, you’ll be met with kindness, respect, and professionalism.

Lifelong Support

Adoption is just the beginning. We’re committed to being a safety net for pets by offering support, resources, and guidance to help families stay together—and when that’s not possible, we’ll work with you to find the best and safest option for your pet.

Thoughtful Adoptions

We carefully match every animal with a loving, suitable home—because creating lasting bonds is the key to lifelong happiness for pets and their people.

Education & Advocacy

We stay informed on best practices in animal welfare and share that knowledge through community outreach, training programs, and strong partnerships. By educating and empowering pet owners, we promote responsible, compassionate care and build a more humane future for all animals.

Quality of Life

We are committed to each animal’s well-being, providing a high standard of care every step of the way. For those facing severe medical or behavioral challenges, we make compassionate, thoughtful decisions centered on their comfort, dignity, and best possible outcome.

Financial Integrity

We steward our resources with care, ensuring transparency, sustainability, and the greatest possible impact for the animals and community we serve.

Our Team

The People Behind A.D.O.O.T.

Board of Directors
Laura Nagelbach

Laura Nagelbach
President

Laura has been a dedicated A.D.O.P.T. volunteer since 2009, serving as an adoption counselor for many years and playing a key role in the organization's leadership. She has held multiple positions on the Board of Directors, including Vice President and President. a

Recently retired from Raymond James & Associates, where she worked since 2008, Laura brings a strong background in financial services and a deep commitment to animal welfare. She enjoys traveling with her husband, Andy, spending time with her two sons and extended family, and caring for her beloved dog, Rose—an A.D.O.P.T. alum and her constant companion.

“A.D.O.P.T. is very important to me. I respect the organization and its values. I place a high importance on the love of animals, teamwork, and building relationships both inside and outside the shelter.”

Laura has called Naperville home since 1997 and remains an active advocate for the mission and future of A.D.O.P.T.

Laura's Bio
David Eisinger

David Eisinger
Director

David has been a dedicated volunteer at A.D.O.P.T. since early 2022 and joined the Board of Directors later that year. He currently serves on the Finance Committee, bringing decades of financial expertise and a lifelong love for animals—especially cats. Though allergies in the family prevent him from having cats at home, David gets his “cat fix” by spending time with the felines at A.D.O.P.T.

David is a seasoned financial executive with more than 20 years in the financial services industry, including senior leadership roles at Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Company. He later transitioned to higher education, serving as Vice President for Finance and Administration at both Aurora University and Loras College before retiring in 2016.

David and his wife, Carol, have lived in Wheaton for over 40 years. They enjoy visiting their two adult children in Minneapolis and remain active in their local community.

David's Bio
Janet Trowbridge

Janet Trowbridge
Secretary

Janet joined the A.D.O.P.T. Board of Directors in September 2020 and brings with her a lifelong passion for animal welfare. She and her family have lived in Naperville and Lisle for over 31 years, where they raised their two children and fostered countless dogs and cats for rescue organizations across Northern Illinois.

A longtime A.D.O.P.T. volunteer, Janet has contributed in many ways—from fostering to hands-on support—and her family has adopted several beloved dogs from the shelter. Today, they share their home with two dogs and a cat who confidently rules the household.

Janet holds a B.A. in Political Science from Northwestern University, an M.A. in Writing from DePaul University, and an M.S. in Zoology from Miami University of Ohio. She recently retired from a 32-year career as a government policy analyst and now teaches at a local community college.

Active in her community, Janet has served on the Naperville Plan Commission, volunteered with the PTA, and held board roles with the Waubonsie Boys Lacrosse Team and Families Helping Families, a transitional housing program. Her background in fundraising, event planning, and civic engagement makes her a valued member of the A.D.O.P.T. board.

Janet's Bio
Trent Biederman

Trent Biederman
Treasurer

Trent is a Certified Public Accountant with over 20 years of experience in external and internal auditing, as well as corporate finance. He has worked across a variety of industries, with a strong focus on manufacturing.

Trent first joined the A.D.O.P.T. Board of Directors in 2016, serving as Treasurer for over four years. He returned to the Board at the end of 2022 and currently serves on the Finance Committee, where he continues to provide valuable oversight and financial expertise.

Trent lives in Aurora with his wife and two teenage daughters and remains committed to A.D.O.P.T.’s mission of compassion and care for animals in need.

Trent's Bio
Nancy Swantek

Nancy Swantek
Director

Nancy has dedicated her time and heart to animal welfare for over 21 years. Her journey began one Friday, shortly after the loss of her beloved dog, Lotto. Seeking healing, she started volunteering at a local shelter by walking dogs—but it quickly became clear that the needs extended far beyond daily walks. She found herself asking, How can I help more?

As the owner of a rapidly growing interior design business built from the ground up, Nancy realized she could channel the same creativity and determination into another passion: helping animals. She began organizing fundraisers and large-scale events, not only to raise critical funds but to increase awareness for animals in need.

Her deeper connection to shelter work began when she agreed to foster a litter of puppies "just for the weekend." That weekend turned into two months—and ultimately into years of fostering, learning, and loving. One of those puppies, Trevor, captured her heart and became a permanent member of the family. Now 15 years old, Trevor has since helped welcome and comfort many foster animals. Today, Nancy shares her home with three beloved dogs.

Through these experiences, Nancy has had the privilege of learning from dedicated professionals in animal care, fostering, and shelter operations. Her mission remains simple but unwavering: to create what is needed, to serve where she can, and to do everything possible to ensure that every cat and dog receives the love, care, and second chance they deserve on their path to a forever home.

Nancy's Bio
Jake

Jake Satterlee
Vice President

Jake is a Certified Public Accountant with over a decade of experience advising small to mid-sized businesses on financial strategy and planning. His journey with A.D.O.P.T. began as a hands-on volunteer, working closely with cats and assisting adopters in finding the perfect companion. In May 2024, Jake joined the A.D.O.P.T. Board of Directors, bringing his financial expertise to help strengthen the organization’s fiscal health and long-term sustainability.

Jake lives in Aurora with his wife and their four beloved cats—two of whom found their forever home through A.D.O.P.T. A passionate animal advocate, he also supports other nonprofit organizations and regularly fosters kittens in need of care.

Driven by compassion and commitment, Jake is dedicated to helping A.D.O.P.T. grow its impact and advance its mission of rescue, care, and adoption for animals in need.

Jake's Bio
Shelter Staff
Chris Yelle

Chris Yelle
Executive Director

Chris began her journey with A.D.O.P.T. in 2009 as a Veterinary Technician and quickly advanced to Medical Services Coordinator, where she oversaw the medical department and low-cost spay/neuter program. She played a key role in developing A.D.O.P.T.’s Low-Cost Vaccine Clinic and Compassionate Programs, expanding access to essential care for pets and their families.

Her leadership and dedication led to her promotion to Director of Operations and, in 2014, Executive Director. With nearly 30 years of experience in animal welfare, Chris has worked across the veterinary field, animal control, and sheltering—ultimately finding her true calling in improving the lives of homeless animals.

Chris has also served on the Illinois Animal Welfare Federation Board of Directors and remains a passionate advocate for humane education and responsible pet care. She lives in the western suburbs with her family and her beloved rescue pets: Meatball and Patty (Old English Bulldogs), Tito and Chito (Chihuahuas), and Maximus, a wide-eyed cat with lots of personality.

Chris's Bio
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Debra Narducci
Controller

Debra joined A.D.O.P.T. in 2022, bringing over 25 years of experience in corporate and nonprofit leadership. A seasoned executive, she has led cross-functional teams and driven growth through strategic financial management, workforce development, and operational efficiency. Her expertise spans finance, HR, IT, and organizational development, making her a valuable asset in aligning people strategies with business goals.

In addition to her professional role, Debra serves as a Board Commissioner for the Plainfield Park District, supporting community enrichment through financial oversight and strategic planning. Passionate about animals and the outdoors, she enjoys volunteering with local shelters and spending time in her garden.

Debra is widely recognized for her collaborative leadership style, commitment to mentoring, and ability to foster high-performing teams that deliver results.

Debra's Bio
Aleksa Martinovich

Aleksa Martinovich
Shelter Operations Manager

Aleksa first joined A.D.O.P.T. as a volunteer in 2018—and quickly realized she had found something special. What started as a few hours of giving back turned into a true calling, and she soon joined the team to make a bigger impact.

A lifelong animal lover, Aleksa is especially passionate about helping pets in need find safe, loving homes. She earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing and management from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and began her career in sales. But after spending her evenings at the shelter, she knew her heart belonged in animal welfare.

In 2015, Aleksa adopted her first dog, Stanley, from a shelter in Indiana. He was the spark that lit her path toward this work—and the reason she now helps others experience the joy of rescue.

Aleksa's Bio
Maddie Stirn

Maddie Stirn
Clinic Manager

Maddie serves as the Clinic Manager at A.D.O.P.T.'s Community Clinic, where she brings compassion, dedication, and years of hands-on experience to her role. She began her journey at A.D.O.P.T. about 4 years ago in animal care and quickly discovered her passion for veterinary services and animal welfare. That passion led her to transition into the clinic, where she now oversees day-to-day operations and ensures pets receive the quality care they deserve. Maddie shares her home with two beloved rescue cats, Sauerkraut and Cosmo, who inspire her commitment to helping animals in need every day.

Maddie's Bio
Kallie Horner

Kallie Horner
Development Coordinator

Kallie joined A.D.O.P.T. in 2023, bringing more than 15 years of experience in advocacy and sales—and a lifelong love of animals. She lives in the Northwest Suburbs with her husband, bonus son, and two extremely spoiled rescue dogs. Kallie’s heart has always been with animals (thanks to a childhood full of dogs), and now she gets to channel that passion into supporting shelter pets and the people who love them. Outside of work, you’ll find her swimming, getting involved in local causes, or out exploring nature with her dogs by her side.

Kallie's Bio
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Jeremy Judge
Facility and Animal Care Manager

Jeremy serves as the Facility and Animal Care Manager at A.D.O.P.T. His love for animals began in childhood, but it wasn’t until a few years ago that he fully committed to a career in animal welfare. Since then, he’s worked across the animal care industry—daycare, boarding, grooming—you name it. In 2023, Jeremy joined A.D.O.P.T. and found his calling in rescue, where his passion and purpose align to help animals in need.

Known for his problem-solving skills, Jeremy quickly stepped into the role of Facility Manager and is always ready when someone says, “Hey, I think this is broken.” As Animal Care Manager, he values the hands-on time with the shelter pets and takes pride in supporting the team to do their best work and build meaningful connections with animals and people alike.

Outside of work, Jeremy shares his home with his partner Emilie and their two dogs, Odin and Louie—an A.D.O.P.T. alum and proud foster fail. He enjoys hiking, video games, film trivia, and walking his dogs—while frequently trying to convince Emilie, “We really do need to adopt another shelter animal!”

Jeremy's Bio
Dr. Andrea Stauffenberg

Dr. Andrea Stauffenberg
Veterinarian

Dr. Andrea Stauffenberg is a dedicated veterinarian with a passion for animal care and community service. After graduating from Iowa State University’s Veterinary School in 2008, Dr. Stauffenberg spent nine years practicing as a general veterinarian in the Chicagoland area. In 2017, she joined ADOPT, where she became the Lead Veterinarian, performing numerous spay and neuter surgeries and playing a key role in the organization’s medical operations. After a brief hiatus to explore emergency medicine, Dr. Stauffenberg has returned to ADOPT full-time, continuing to serve and support the organization’s mission. Outside of work, she is married and a proud parent to two sons, with their youngest actively participating in Taekwondo. As a family, they love traveling and spending time outdoors. Dr. Stauffenberg’s family is a constant source of happiness, and they share their home with Bowser, a cat adopted from ADOPT, who brings joy and laughter to their daily lives.

Dr. Andrea's Bio
Dr. Christie Comm

Dr. Christie Comm
Veterinarian

Dr. Christie Comm was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, Dr. Comm discovered her love for animals and veterinary medicine early in life. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Illinois in 2005 and has dedicated her career to compassionate, community-centered care.

After spending 10 years in feline-only practice, Dr. Comm shifted her focus to in-home euthanasia services—offering comfort and dignity to families during some of their most difficult moments. Eventually, she found her true calling in wellness care for both dogs and cats, where she combines her deep knowledge with a heartfelt approach. She is passionate about preventative medicine and treats every client and pet with the same care she would give her own family.

Dr. Comm is excited to be part of A.D.O.P.T.’s mission and looks forward to expanding the quality care we provide to our community.

When she’s not at the clinic, Dr. Comm enjoys spending time with her son, Lucas, and their five cats. She also loves reading, traveling (she’s on a mission to visit all 50 states!), and exploring vegetarian cuisine.

Dr. Christie's Bio

Join Our Team and Make a Difference

Explore Our Job and Board Opportunities

Are you passionate about animal welfare and ready to use your skills to create real impact? A.D.O.P.T. is seeking dedicated team members to help guide our mission, grow our reach, and improve the lives of pets and the people who love them. Join us in shaping a more compassionate future—your voice can help lead the way.

Explore Opportunities