Our Team

Hanna ekstrom, dvm

Executive Director and Founder
Dr. Hanna has been a veterinarian for over 25 years. She graduated with honors from Cornell in 1992, and has worked in private practice ever since. In the past she has worked providing veterinary care in underserved countries, however now she's turning her focus towards our local community - Seattle. She hopes that providing veterinary care to vulnerable populations can provide a framework that allows us to not only build our community, but to unify Seattle.

rachele raj

Operations and Program Manager
Rachele's involvement with animal welfare started at an early age when she became a volunteer at PAWS animal shelter starting at age 14. She later became an employee at the shelter and spay and neuter clinic while also running her own dog training business teaching at local animal shelters. After working alongside Dr. Hanna with At Home Vet, Rachele took a hiatus from companion animals and became a foster parent and advocate for homeless children and youth who aged out of the foster care system. After attending the University of Washington's Fundraising Management program, she has again joined forces with Dr. Ekstrom and the team at Seattle Veterinary Outreach, combining her love of animals with her passion for connecting others with helping the underserved human population of Seattle.

Nevin Kalaf

Patient Relations Coordinator
Nevin graduated from the University of Washington in 2018 with a degree in Biochemistry. He has been with Seattle Veterinary Outreach since its first clinic in December 2018, and has continued to support weekly clinics. On the side, he manages and runs Symbiosis Laboratory Education, an educational outreach organization that has a goal of making basic research techniques accessible to underprivileged students.

Isabella Kominsky

Veterinary Assistant
Isabella Kominski earned a degree in Biology from University of Washington in 2018. She has worked at veterinary clinics from age 14 and is especially passionate about working with non-profit organizations. Isabella hopes to become a veterinarian and found a non-profit of her own one day.

Cholette Ness, LVT

Veterinary Nurse
Cholette is a licensed veterinary nurse. She has over 23 years’ experience working with cats, dogs, birds, exotics, farm animals and wildlife. She travels with the ASPCA and does relief work at local veterinary clinics. She's recently found "home" working with Seattle Veterinary Outreach (SVO). Cholette is passionate about working with local homeless communities and their pets.

Stephanie Sivertson

Intake Coordinator
As with many people, Stephanie’s love of animals started with her first dog, Princess. She has volunteered in the rescue community for 5 years. She is a dog mom to 3 dogs, one of which is from Egypt and is a tri-pod. In addition to her love of travel, Stephanie strives to help all those in need within the community.

DEE POWERS

Lived Experience Advisor
Dee Powers is a street-level advocate and activist heavily invested in helping educate the public on the experiences of living life outdoors. They have six years of lived experience as a vehicle resident and have gained their expertise from living and working amidst the vulnerable populations that our organization serves.

Cathrine Wheeler, MD, FACP

Board Member
Captain John F. Hayes, Jr. is a 38-year veteran of the Seattle Police Department, encompassing a diverse range of responsibilities and experience, most recently as Captain of the Audit, Research, & Policy Section. Captain Hayes is a graduate of the University of Washington, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Welfare and Women’s Studies and a Master’s Degree in Social Work. Captain Hayes has served as an advisor, instructor, facilitator and guest presenter for the Washington State Bar Association, The King County Bar Association, Seattle University, University of Washington, numerous schools, churches and organizations within the community. He has trained thousands of people, both locally and nationally, in the areas of family and youth intervention services, gang violence, youth truancy and more specifically, in working with high-risk juvenile populations. In 2011 Captain Hayes was recognized as the first recipient of the University of Washington’s Department of Gender, Women & Sexuality Distinguished Alumni award. Captain Hayes holds, with pride, his distinction as being one of the founding members of the Seattle Veterinary Outreach.

Jessica Lowery, BSN, RN-BC

Chief of Nursing
Jessica Lowery graduated from Seattle university in 2006 with her Bachelors of Nursing degree and has since worked closely with the houseless and other underrepresented groups at both Tacoma General Hospital and Harborview Medical Center. Her experience ranges from acute to intensive care and everything in between. Believing that healthcare is a right, not a privilege, Jessica has recently refocused from inpatient care to providing patient care at point of need, with a goal of reducing the barriers vulnerable people face in accessing high-quality healthcare services.