ACHS Staff
Angela Marx, Executive Director
Angela has worked for non-profit organizations for over 20 years and has volunteered with animal rescue groups for almost as long. Her passion is working on implementing programs that prevent the homelessness of cats and dogs in our area. She is critical in coordinating our foster and adoption programs and works hard to increase the capacity and growth of our spay/neuter clinics. In her free time, she likes to travel far and wide with her husband and hang out with her 3 dogs and 5 cats.
Athens County Humane Society Board Members (listed alphabetically)
Paul Benedict, President
Paul has been a board member since 2017 and board president since 2018. Ironically, Paul is allergic to cats, but from time to time, some snuggles from a friends’ kitty are worth itchy eyes and a runny nose. Paul and his family (wife and 2 kids) are proud dog parents to Thunder, Lucy, and Maggie. They want more dogs. Two kids are plenty, thanks! Paul’s day job is an entrepreneurship professor at Ohio University and director of its Center for Entrepreneurship.
Christine Delamatre, Treasurer
Bio coming soon
Lydia Giesige
Lydia began volunteering with ACHS as an undergrad student at Ohio University and recently joined the board in 2022. Her primary focuses are further developing the Spay/Neuter Clinic and providing support to the foster program. When she is not spending time with her two foster fail cats and spoiled dog, Lydia enjoys DIY-ing new projects, cooking, and visiting with friends and family. Lydia is currently a vet student at Ohio State and looks forward to serving the Athens community in her future career.
Ally Hughes
Ally joined the board in 2023. She lives in Nelsonville with her husband, Dan, and their six furry children. She is very passionate about giving disabled animals and senior animals a second chance. She is an assistant professor at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine in the department of Primary Care. Her field of research is diabetes, disability, and health policy.
Victoria LaPoe
Victoria lives in Albany with her partner, Ben, and their two children. Their home includes re-released colonies of more than 30 cats. They are also fur-parents to multiple inside dog, cats and fish. Ben and Victoria are designing- with their oldest child, Dominic, a cat video game to benefit ACHS. Victoria is an OU E.W. Scripps School of Journalism professor in News and Strategic Communication and a lifetime member of the Indigenous Journalists Association. She hopes to help ACHS in public relations, fundraising and trap-neuter-release.
Karen Wright
Karen is retired from a long career in health care management. She and her husband, Scott, have what they call a “hobby farm” outside Athens. Karen’s avocation is serving the Athens County Humane Society in whatever capacity that is most helpful. Karen is also a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.