in the mountains. Her enormous passion for travel took her all over the world for her work as a pilot, but also for fun. In 2020, she organized all the logistical and technical aspects of the “skiing for pigs challenge,” a 1,000-km ski trip across the Alps from west to east, in which she herself participated. Eleonora puts her travel knowledge and logistical experience to work for Animals Heroes so that even the most difficult areas can be reached in the most challenging conditions. In her own words, “if you want to get there, I’ll get you there.”

She studied biology at the University of Helsinki and is currently attending the Animal Law program at Åbo Akademi University. These academic studies have given her a deep understanding of the importance of animal welfare and the various challenges facing animals around the world. For more than 10 years, Carina has also been a voice for wolves in Finland. Her work on wolves has given her a unique perspective into the complex relationships between humans and animals, and the importance of finding sustainable solutions that benefit all parties involved. In addition to her academic achievements, Carina has also founded two animal welfare organizations in Finland. These experiences have taught her the importance of cooperation, empathy and perseverance in helping animals in need. During the war in Ukraine, Carina was the lead organizer of an organization that provided 200,000 kg of food and medical supplies to dogs and cats in Ukraine for a total value of more than €1 million. This experience gave her insight into the challenges of providing assistance to animals in crisis, and the importance of well-coordinated action to make a real impact. During this project, she got to know Esther, who was responsible for coordinating the Finnish shipments to Ukraine from the Netherlands. Personally, Carina is a proud dog owner and lives in eastern Finland, surrounded by the beauty of nature and a lake. This lifestyle has given her a tremendous appreciation for the value of animals in our lives and a strong desire to ensure that all animals are treated with the respect and care they deserve. Carina feels honored to be part of the Animal Heroes team to and engage as Manager Finland to work together to make a difference in the lives of animals in need anywhere in the world.

she can be found
as a kite surfing instructor in Vlieland in The Netherlands. While working in Sicily, she found a stray dog that was badly injured. His paw had to be amputated and Yolanda decided to take “Lucky” home after the surgery. Lucky became her best friend and from that moment Yolanda decided to help animals in need. No mission is too tough and no land too far for Yolanda, a real level-headed power woman who gets things done and is someone who animals in need can always count on.

and four-legged friends.
Coming from a family that has generations of history in aviation and that adopts and takes care of homeless animals, Lucas is following family tradition and is now working in aviation and has decided to help those who can’t help themselves by joining the Animal Heroes team.

the Italian national synchronized swimming team. After graduating in Economics, she dedicated herself to a career as a Manager in companies operating in various sectors. After years in stimulating and rewarding, but also very demanding, international contexts, she moved to the seaside in Southern Italy (Salento), dedicating herself to her family and starting a small hospitality and wellness business. The new context pushed her to spend a good part of her free time helping needy dogs and cats, also participating in the creation of a local association to protect and assist stray dogs. She is proud to be able to collaborate with Animal Heroes because she shares its objectives, appreciates the effectiveness of its interventions and admires the spirit and concreteness of the people who are part of it.

but executing them turned out to be not so simple. When she reached high school, she faced a difficult choice: should she pursue her childhood passion or broaden her horizons with a more extensive and creative career path? Jennifer opted for the latter. After completing three creative courses in the graphic marketing industry, she gained valuable experience as an allround marketeer. Despite this deliberate choice, the passion of young Jennifer never completely faded away. So when, during a conversation at a birthday party, she came into contact with Animal Heroes and Mony, all the pieces of the puzzle suddenly fell into place. Marketing in combination with her old love, animals. Was it pure coincidence, or was it always meant to be? “Sometimes, when you truly love something, opportunities come your way on their own.”

given her for her birth, and who kept her company for 15 years, hopping on her shoulder when he came out of his colorful cage, which always had the door open. Only many years later did Arno arrive, her first dog, who gave her new eyes through which to view the world: despite having a degree in International and Diplomatic Sciences, after traveling for a long time, she decided to return to live in her mountain town, opening a shop selling ‘cruelty-free made in Italy’ products and dedicating herself to the family hotel. At Animal Heroes Francesca is part of the event team for our annual Animal Heroes Run in Italy and is also part of the sponsoring team for Animal Heroes.

for as long as he can remember and has had a very clear idea of the career he wanted. While other kids were watching cartoons, he was watching documentaries on National Geographic and Animal Planet. One of his childhood heroes was the late Steve Irwin, may he rest in peace. Rifaat’s lifelong obsession with animals led him to study veterinary science, becoming the second generation of veterinarians in his family. With this, he is following in the footsteps of his grandfather, who was one of the first veterinarians in Palestine. Growing up, Rifaat didn’t have the resources or the means to help animals in need, which is one of the reasons he joined Animal Heroes. By being part of Animal Heroes he is helping to build a culture of saving stray animals in Palestine, piece by piece.

at An-Najah National University in Palestine. Since childhood, he has had a deep love and empathy for animals, which inspired him to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. His passion for helping animals led him to join Animal Heroes, where he is actively involved in treating animals in the Jenin area and making a positive impact on their lives. He is dedicated to improving the welfare of animals and using his knowledge and skills to provide better care. He is motivated to continue growing in this field and to contribute to Animal Heroes’ mission of making a difference in the lives of animals.

He attended high school in Humanities and is now
studying for a Bachelor’s degree in Visual Media and Cinematography. The reason he chose this course is his passion for videography, video editing, and cinematography. During his free time, Elton plays soccer and practices singing, but he also loves listening to music and playing the keyboard and guitar. He learned about the Animal Heroes organization through his father, Eleonora, and Esther. When he first heard about Animal Heroes, he was pleasantly surprised: it was the first time he had learned about an organization that, in case of wars or natural disasters, is dedicated to rescuing animals. Elton loves animals, and at home, he has a cat and a dog. He can’t wait to be helpful, learn, and work as a volunteer with Animal Heroes!

and now the Netherlands.
Growing up surrounded by all types of animals, Kathrin developed a deep love for them. One of her first memories is of her dog Schnuffi, one of her first furry companions, along with her cat Mautzi. Caring for a variety of animals from an early age instilled in her a deep love and respect for every living being. Kathrin has an extensive background in Marketing Communications, digital marketing, and project management. In November 2024, she discovered Animal Heroes on LinkedIn and was immediately drawn to their mission of helping animals in emergencies. “I felt it was a good moment to give back, using my skills and experience to contribute to a greater cause with a diverse team of like-minded, enthusiastic people.” Kathrin lives in Amsterdam with her cats, Bonnie and Clydie Jr. With her versatile background, she is responsible for MarCom and develops content for social media, while working on various projects to strengthen Animal Heroes’ communication and outreach efforts.

ever since she can remember, in fact – is love and care for animals.
Growing up, she lived with dogs and cats from the age of 9 and brought home many animals in need throughout the years. She now lives in Amsterdam with her partner and two cats, Alaska and Rio, who were both happy to leave the stray life in Athens behind them. Working with Animal Heroes feels like a great way to combine her love for animals and people with her diverse marketing communications skills.

Raised in a home full of dogs and cats,
she began volunteering in shelters early on and now runs her own dog walking and pet sitting service. With a diverse background in natural sciences, GIS, and hands-on animal care — combined with growing expertise in digital marketing and social media — Liliana creates content that tells meaningful stories, builds trust, and emotionally connects with animal lovers around the world. As a Volunteer Social Media Specialist, she aims to use her passion for storytelling meaningful causes to help bring visibility to powerful rescue and aid missions and the brave people behind them.

to touring with DJs, creative photography, and livestreams.
Originally from St. Maarten, she started volunteering at her local vet clinic at 15 and has always had a deep love for animals. Now based near the beach in The Hague, she’s a proud plant-mom, music lover, and runs a podcast studio. Kristen supports the Animal Heroes social media team with storytelling and technical production. For her, it’s a way to give back, helping bring relief to animals displaced by war and those who care for them.

for building meaningful digital experiences that connect people and purpose.
He has worked across the intersection of technology, marketing, and automation – creating data-driven systems, user-focused websites, and AI-powered tools that simplify complex workflows. As a lifelong animal lover, volunteering for Animal Heroes allows him to use his technical expertise to support a cause that aligns with his values: helping those who help animals in crisis. With a strong background in web development, performance optimization, and system integrations, László focuses on creating a seamless, impactful online presence for Animal Heroes – one that inspires empathy, trust, and action. Outside of his professional projects, he enjoys exploring new technologies, refining efficient systems, and spending quiet time with his wife and their dog, Yuki.

Volunteering with the “Animal Heroes” organization, Dr. Hosam plays a pivotal role in providing essential medical treatment and leading continuous feeding campaigns for stray and injured animals across Gaza. Through his tireless field operations, he strives to alleviate the suffering of vulnerable animals and promote veterinary care under the most challenging circumstances.

management and User Experience (Research) to strengthen the digital presence and connect with our fans. A lifelong love for animals is what brought her to the team, and it continues to guide her work every day.

Annemiek has cared for animals for as long as she can remember. She was the kid who rushed injured street animals to the vet and raised money for animal organizations.

With a background in UXR and digital marketing, Annemiek focuses on creating intuitive online experiences. Whether refining site structure, improving user journeys, or developing strategies to reach new audiences, she is committed to helping Animal Heroes grow, thrive, and reach more people who share the same compassion for animals.

and supporting meaningful causes. Through her professional and volunteer marketing work, she’s seen how powerful storytelling can be in helping people understand, connect with, and support those in need.

As a proud cat mom, she is passionate about animal welfare, volunteering, and advocating for fair and compassionate treatment of both people and animals. Hannah has previously organised fundraisers to support animals in need and believes that small acts of kindness can create meaningful change.

Although her path eventually led elsewhere, Hannah dreamed of becoming a veterinarian as a child, a passion that still shapes the work she does today.

horses were always part of her life and her love for animals was therefore instilled in her from a very young age. From the age of twelve, she volunteered at a local vet’s surgery and regularly brought animals in need home to look after them. That commitment has remained with her ever since. Natural disasters, the horrors of war and their consequences for both people and animals are also matters close to her heart.
After more than fifteen years of a successful career in marketing and business development at large organisations, Miriam decided to put her experience to use for a cause that is truly close to her heart. She studied Communication and Information Sciences and Strategic Marketing and, together with her Egyptian partner, runs a small kitesurfing travel agency specialising in trips to Egypt.
Miriam divides her time between the Netherlands and Egypt and loves to travel. It is precisely whilst abroad that she regularly sees at first hand just how many animals depend on people standing up for them. At Animal Heroes, she can combine her professional experience with her greatest passion: helping animals who cannot help themselves.

in two things: animals and aviation.
Aviation became her career and Marijs moved to live and work in Portugal. But the passion for animals remained. Marijs volunteered to help neglected dogs and cats in Portugal, supported several animal shelters and regularly walked shelter dogs. Even during holidays, she makes detours to contribute to animal welfare. Marijs departed to Lisbon alone, and 15 years later she moved back to the Netherlands with her partner, her son and her dog Josh. Besides being a Board member, Marijs is also responsible for safety and security during missions and has been with Animal Heroes since its conception.