Laura Burton, Chair
Chair
Laura is a local government attorney and has lived in Hickory for 9 years. She sat on the board of the former Georgia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Gwinnett County and has two rescue dogs at home, the latest a stay-cation failure from HSCC.
Hope Brown
Vice Chair
Hope is a nationally registered paramedic and serves as the Logistics Officer for Catawba County EMS. She resides in Claremont with her husband, Shawn, and they have two chihuahuas and a bearded dragon.
Nina Scope
Board Secretary
serves as a Business Operations Manager in Charlotte. Nina has spent the last three years on the ground as a volunteer dog walker at HSCC, gaining first hand insight into the daily needs of shelter animals. This commitment to the cause is personal. She is the proud owner of Sunnie, a 14-year-old rescue pittie mix who serves as a daily reminder of the importance of the organization’s mission.
Chalsey Summerow
Board Treasurer
is a dedicated banking professional from Newton. She finds great pride in supporting animal welfare and community engagement initiatives. She is a wife and mother and strives to balance her career and family life with purpose and intention. As a proud doodle owner, her love for animals extends beyond advocacy into her everyday life. She also enjoys traveling and creating meaningful memories with her family whenever the opportunity presents.
Chris Boyles
works in sales management at Pepsi Cola of Hickory, NC. Chris and his wife Lauren moved to Hickory in 2020 and now have two young boys and a rescue dog Enzo.
Nancy White
is a retired business manager from Sheboygan, Wisconsin where she worked for the Kohler Company. She and her husband moved to Hickory from Wisconsin in 2019. Nancy has been a dedicated volunteer dog walker for 11 years, the last 7 at HSCC. Dogs are her passion. Nancy and her husband have rescued 8 dogs over the years, 3 are alums of HSCC. Nancy has been a board member since 2022.
Ben Jenkins
is the owner of Jenkins Funeral Home, Caring Cremations, and Family Pet Cremations and is a devoted pet parent who believes animals are family. His passion for animal welfare is inspired by his beloved dog, Oakley Jenkins—“Oakers”—a tennis-ball-loving, water-adoring sweetheart who filled his family’s life with unconditional love. In Oakley’s honor, Ben proudly serves on the board of HSCC, helping ensure every animal has the chance to be loved and protected.
Sarah Willis
has spent the last 20 years working for non-profits. She is a life-long animal lover. Sarah is a prior HSCC board member and had a pivotal role in organizing the fundraising for the HSCC’s Hope Fund. She also significantly contributed to the capital campaign for HSCC’s current facility. She has two pets from the HSCC—Buttons was rescued by the HSCC from a puppy mill shut down by county animal control and Belle was adopted after HSCC rescued her from a neglect situation.
