Pets Lifeline adds two well-known locals to development team

Pets Lifeline (PLL) has announced the addition of an experienced Development Team, with Jody Purdom as Development Director and Mary Serafini as Events and Marketing Coordinator. 

The “Dynamic Duo Development Team” will take fundraising for the Animal Resource Center into its next phase of growth, said CEO Nancy King.

As Development Director, Purdom is now responsible for developing, managing, and executing PLL’s fund development and public relations plan. Bringing experience as Sponsorship Director for the Sonoma International Film Festival and as Grants Administrator for the Mental Insight Foundation to the position, Purdom has tremendous experience working in the nonprofit sector. 

Previously, Purdom also worked for Sonoma Media, the Sonoma Valley Sun, and Charles Pinot Publishing, among others. 

Well-connected within the community, Purdom will build on her resources to execute PLL’s fund development plan. A strong believer in and advocate for animals in need, King said, Purdom feels strongly about the vital role development plays in furthering PLL’s mission to protect and improve the lives of cats and dogs in need in Sonoma Valley. She lives in Sonoma with Remy, her 12-year-old rescue Standard Poodle.

Serafini brings more than 30 years of professional experience to the job, beginning her career in film editing and post-production at Industrial, Light and Magic in San Rafael and San Francisco’s visual effects film facility, The Orphanage. A Sonoma local, Serafini honed her event management skills while involved with the Sonoma Jazz Festival as well as with the Sonoma International Film Festival. 

Widely known throughout town, Serafini owned and operated Sonoma Valley Music from 2005 to 2014 with her husband, Gerard Serafini, and continues to coordinate music for Sonoma’s Tuesday Night Farmers Market held weekly in the Plaza all summer long. A long-time supporter and repeat adopter of many cats from PLL, Serafini is excited about her new role managing events both large and small as well as managing all marketing including social media. 

King said that Serafini will help expand PLL’s reach in the community, helping it grow in both scope and services delivered.

 “I am so fortunate to be working with these two resolute and experienced Sonomans at Pets Lifeline,” King said. “They have worked as a team on a variety of projects through the years and this dynamic duo will be invaluable to the growth and expansion of the organization.

 Pets Lifeline is a private, non-profit organization, dependent on donations and program revenue and does not receive government funds or support from national organizations. For over 38 years Pets Lifeline has been dedicated to protecting and improving the lives of cats and dogs in need in Sonoma Valley through sheltering and adoption, humane education, and community programs.