CENTRAL POINT, OR – On April 25th during Dogs for Better Lives’ (DBL) quarterly National Board of Directors’ meeting, the board unanimously approved new member Michelle Farabaugh.
With this appointment, DBL’s national board has grown to 19 members. Outside of seven board of directors from across Oregon, the board includes members residing in eight other states across the country, including California (2), Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts (2), Minnesota, North Carolina (2), New York, and Washington (2).
Michelle Farabaugh and her Golden Retriever, Theo.
“The board of directors are pleased to welcome Michelle Farabaugh onto DBL’s National Board,” stated Board Chairman David Hollingsworth. “With her background in marketing and executive leadership, Michelle will quickly help to augment DBL’s national board and its growing presence in California.
Michelle Farabaugh grew up in western Pennsylvania and was lured to the west coast 25 years ago, where she currently splits her time between California and Southern Oregon.
“As DBL further advances its regional and national reach, community partnerships, volunteer and donor engagement, and client experience have been and will continue to be critical to our success and growth,” stated CEO Bryan Williams. “From committee participation to regional networking and advocacy, Michelle will play a crucial role in helping to further advance DBL as a national leader in the Assistance Dog world.”
Michelle Farabaugh
Michelle is an entrepreneurial-spirited, visionary executive whose nearly three decade career is hallmarked with CEO, Chief Marketing Officer, and Board of Director roles for iconic retail brands, including Sommsation, Harry & David, BevMo!, Smith & Hawken, West Marine, and PetSmart.
“You can see the health and well-being of people improve when they have the love and support of a service dog with them,” stated new board member Michelle Farabaugh. “I am honored to work with an organization focused on the well-being of their clients and the dogs that will improve their lives for years to come.”
Michelle was recognized as a Top Women in Retail in 2019 and one of San Francisco’s Most Influential Women in Business in 2016. She earned an MBA in entrepreneurship from the F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business, Babson.
First developing her love of dogs as a child, it wasn’t until Michelle, and her husband trained their current dog to be a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and completed Therapy Dog Training that she genuinely appreciated the impact a dog can have on a person’s life. Michelle’s team would repeatedly ask her to bring her golden retriever to work with her.
“I believe it is important to give back. Dogs for Better Lives’ values and their passion for dogs align well with my values and passions. I believe Dogs for Better Lives provides a valuable resource for several categories of people in need. DBL is making a positive impact and enhancing lives every day. I am honored to be a part of this growing organization.”
Michelle is an avid (and a wee bit competitive) sailboat-racing enthusiast with her husband, Ross. She also loves hiking and spending time outdoors with her golden retriever Theodore (Theo, lovingly referred to as Theodorable).
To learn more about DBL’s National Board of Directors and/or with inquiries in joining the board, visit… https://bit.ly/2BrQZfU. You can also visit DBL’s profile on cariclub to learn more.
