About us

Founded by a group of experienced and passionate women in 2025, Bay Area Pug Project was born from a shared love of pugs and a desire to build a strong, informed community around the breed. We believe that true rescue goes beyond saving dogs; it means educating the public, advocating for responsible ownership, and collaborating with other groups for maximum impact.

We’re dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming pugs across the country and beyond, while supporting brachycephalic breed enthusiasts and owners with resources and guidance to promote better care, improved health outcomes, and happier lives for these amazing dogs.

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Board of Directors

  • Kim Johnston

    CO-CHAIR, FOUNDER

    After 30 years as a neonatal ICU nurse, Kim has dedicated her life to caring for the most vulnerable, from bottle-baby kittens during the pandemic to pugs in need since 2021. With a special place in her heart for animals needing extra TLC, she shares her home with two pugs, another dog, a cat, and always room for a foster (or five).

  • Elizabeth Orpina

    CO-CHAIR, FOUNDER

    A Bay Area native working in nonprofit consulting, Elizabeth brings her professional background and passion for storytelling and relationship building to animal rescue. She’s been involved in animal rescue since 2012, fostering kittens, volunteering for the nation’s first cat cafe, and then transitioning to pug rescue after adopting in 2023.

  • Kate Hultin-Schott

    TREASURER, FOUNDER

    A Bay Area native and leader in nonprofit consulting, Kate is a Certified Public Accountant who helps organizations build sustainable operations and expand their impact. A lifelong pug lover, she shares her home with two rescue dogs and is passionate about helping nonprofits focus less on operations and more on their mission.

  • Jennifer Poole

    SECRETARY

    Jennifer adopted her first pug, Sid, during her two decades in London, UK, and has been a breed advocate ever since. After a career in telecommunications, she relocated to the Bay Area with her family and now gives back through various local volunteer roles, including serving facilities across the Bay Area with Rex, her registered therapy pug.

Board Advisors

Shann Ikezawa, DVM

VETERINARY ADVISOR

As the lead veterinarian at Walnut Creek Veterinary Hospital, Dr. Ikezawa brings decades of experience in general practice, urgent care, and surgery. A UC Davis graduate with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1997, she has a special interest in brachycephalic breeds and their unique medical needs.

Casey Hultin              

LEGAL ADVISOR

Casey is a trial partner at Morgan & Morgan specializing in personal injury law, with a BA from UCLA and a JD from UC Berkeley. She and her husband reside in Oakland, CA and share three rescue pugs and have spent years volunteering and fostering in their local community.