Meet Our Team

ARF has an amazing group of staff and volunteers. We could not do what we do without them! Thank you for loving animals as much as we do!

Doug White, Executive Director

Doug and his wife Kathy are founding board members of ARF having befriended ARF founder Terri Panszi in 1998. Doug served in the role of ARF Board President on two occasions. Doug’s most recent position was that of Senior Wealth Manager for First Merchants Private Wealth Advisors, Inc. He retired from that position after 23 years in September 2022 and joined the staff of ARF in October. Doug and Kathy, CFO of Muncie Power Products, live in Muncie, are both BSU graduates, and have six dogs. Doug also serves on numerous other not-for-profit boards in the community.

Nikki Kirby, General Manager of Operations

Nikki Kirby has been with ARF since May of 2001. She started as a volunteer while she was a student pursuing her biology degree from Ball State University. Once she graduated, she joined our staff, and is currently the general manager of operations at ARF. Nikki has worked at several vet clinics, and enjoys working at the ARF PAW Clinic on the days we have a veterinarian. She is passionate about shelter medicine and spay/neuter programs. Nikki Kirby and her husband have 6 dogs and 3 cats of their own (all rescues) and an almost teenage son who's favorite pet is their pug. Nikki enjoys training dogs, reading, concerts, and traveling in her spare time.

Debi Stephens, Business Administrator Supervisor

Debi started volunteering in early 2020 before the pandemic. And returned as soon as ARF opened again. She has fostered for ARF on many occasions- and became a foster failure with one! Debi has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration Human Resource Management. She oversees the business side of ARF along with the Director.

Melissa Sorrell, Catty Shack co-supervisor and adoption coordinator

Melissa started as a general volunteer back in 2018. She ended up in the Catty Shack due to seeing a great need. Melissa now helps oversee cat intakes, process cat adoption applications and adoptions, and facilitate the cat foster program. She works full time at Ball State University but ARF has become a great passion. She says it is very rewarding to save a sick or unwanted animal; help get it healthy and socialized; and help find it a forever home. She goes above and beyond helping cats in the community.

Jenny Burkett, Catty Shack co-supervisor and medical coordinator

Hi, I'm Jenny. I've been doing cat rescue for ARF for 11 years. I run ARF's Catty Shack. You can also find me at our PAW Clinic. I love shelter medicine, studying cat behavior, creating social media content for ARF, and making cat ladies cool!!