Meet Our Team
Administrative Team
Kimberley Gorman, Executive Director
Kimberley has called Bainbridge Island home for more than 20 years, building a life rooted in community, service, and a deep love of animals. She most recently served as the Executive Director of a nonprofit in Jefferson County, bringing thoughtful leadership and a strong commitment to making a difference in mental health. Prior to that role, Kim dedicated over 15 years to Hyla School. She is also an attorney, combining analytical insight with compassion and integrity in her professional life.
Creativity and curiosity shape much of Kim’s world outside of work. She has a keen eye for photography, loves experimenting in the kitchen, practices and teaches yoga, and finds joy in travel—especially visits to her family home in the peaceful countryside of Rideau Lakes in Ontario, Canada.
Animals have always been at the center of Kim’s life. From Airedales and Akitas to Labradors and Retrievers, she has shared her home and heart with many beloved dogs (and cats) over the years. Today, she, her husband, and UW daughter are happily kept company by SoGnar, their spirited rescue Akbash/Kangal, and rescue kitties, Storm Trooper and Darth Vader, continuing a lifelong bond with loyal companions.
Shaine Schramling, Director of Finances & Operations
Shaine Schramling joined West Sound PAWS in September 2023 as the new Director of Finance & Operations. Shaine was previously with Kitsap Community Foundation where she served for nearly eleven years as Funds & Grants Officer. She is deeply committed to the nonprofit sector, having devoted nearly all her career to nonprofits.
Shaine and her family have lived in Kitsap County for over 28 years. She and her husband have two college age students, and a house full of adopted fur babies – including Leo and Stevie Nicks, both adopted from West Sound PAWS.
Hannah Kinchen, Program Manager
Hannah started her career with West Sound PAWS in 2017 as an Animal Care Technician, responsible for the daily feeding and care for cats at our Kingston Adoption Center.
As of January 2021, Hannah has served as Program Manager, overseeing our community programs and services. She is excited to broaden her career in animal welfare by helping pets and their people in our community in new ways, including our veterinary assistance program, where she will be helping low-income applicants receive help with the vet care they need.
Hannah lives in Bremerton with her two precious cats, Bagheera and Mochi, who were adopted from West Sound PAWS.
Heather Minton, Outreach & Development Manager
Heather started her journey with Paws as a volunteer in 2021. The amazing work of this small, but mighty organization ignited a commitment to service in the community for her. As a self-described crazy cat person, she is thrilled to be on this team with other passionate professionals.
In her downtime she reads (constantly), cooks (but sometimes eats cereal for dinner), and does laundry (it never ends). She and her family live on Bainbridge Island with two fluffy cats (Winston Furchill & Kiki Lorraine) who have more fur than brain cells.
Nicole Daring, Adoptions & Volunteer Coordinator
Born and raised in Northern Illinois, her soft spot for cats started as a child. Her love grew exponentially when she stumbled upon a stray kitten that was incredibly sick. Thankfully her parents allowed her to help get the kitten care he needed. Her love for cats has never ceased. In 2008 she adopted two sweet sisters, Venus and Sassafras, from West Sound PAWS . However she had to say goodbye and see them off and over the rainbow bridge in recent years. Needing to heal her heart and give cats love, Nicole finally fulfilled a long-time dream and began volunteering at PAWS in September 2023. She has found working with kitties and getting to know them and their unique personalities, watching them flourish and get adopted has been one of the most rewarding adventures she’s been on yet!
Animal Welfare Team
Claudia Hepburn, Animal Welfare Manager
Claudia comes to West Sound PAWS after working as a Licensed Veterinary Technician in King and Kitsap County for more than 20 years. Earning a DVM degree from Universidad Austral de Chile, she relocated to the United States in 1998.
Claudia lives on beautiful North Kitsap with her husband and their cats: Bertu and Ra. She enjoys taking walks, knitting, reading and petting cats… all cats!
As Animal Welfare Manager, Claudia focuses on improving the health and well-being of all animals that West Sound PAWS supports, as well as promoting knowledge of animal relationships and care with their human partners.
Jann Clare, Kingston Manager
Jann started with West Sound PAWS as an adoptive parent of her fur baby “Morty” in 2019. Then she volunteered at Kingston as an Adoption Counselor and Animal Care Volunteer. In 2021 she was hired as an Animal Care Technician, responsible for the daily feeding and care of all the cats at the Kingston Adoption Center. Around that time, she also adopted another Kingston PAWS kitty, “Pablo.” Pablo, like Morty, is a uniquely marked Tuxedo. They look and act like brothers, they are inseparable.
Jann has a MA degree in education and is a retired teacher. She spent 30 years in the public school system, teaching K-12 art, elementary education, and Montessori pre-school and Kindergarten. She is a professional artist who enjoys watercolor painting and has donated pet portraits to the West Sound PAWS Annual Gala. Jann lives in Kingston with her two cats.
Chris Gilchrist, Cattery Manager
Chris has spent more than 25 years in the veterinary field as both a veterinary assistant and technician, including the past nine years with PAWS. Along the way, she’s proudly become a “foster failure” many times — a testament to her deep love for animals.
At our sanctuary, Chris is truly the heart of the cattery. She leads our dedicated team of staff and volunteers, while also shaping the welcoming, compassionate environment that makes our space feel safe and comforting for both cats and the people who love them.
Devin Gilchrist, Cattery Team
Devin has been part of the PAWS cattery team since 2023. He brings both compassion and dedication to every shift. He first connected with PAWS as a foster, and it was during that time that he met his now-beloved cat, Prudence. After fostering Prudence for several months, Devin officially adopted her. Devin recently branched out to work in our Kingston center. Devin’s versatility is one of the many reasons we are happy to have him on our team.
Ocean Foster, Cattery Team
A veterinary assistant by training, Ocean joined West Sound PAWS over a year ago and works primarily in our cattery. With a special passion for connecting with “spicy” cats and fostering tiny kittens, she brings patience, empathy, and deep respect for each cat’s unique journey. Ocean has a strong appreciation for the socialization and behavioral needs of cats who have experienced trauma and is dedicated to helping them feel safe, understood, and confident as they move toward their forever homes.