Our Board

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Meet our Board
Lindsey Rankin – President
Lindsey was re-elected to the Grand Strand Humane Society Board of Directors in November 2022 and re-elected board President in November 2023. She and her family have always had a passion for animals and have adopted numerous rescues. From pound puppies to “found dogs” to their current GSHS alumni Tortie & Moonshine (the cats) and newest members, the amazing dogs Nova & Bear (a foster fail) their house is always filled with 4 legged family members.

Lindsey is originally from Winnsboro, South Carolina. She graduated from The University of South Carolina where she studied advertising and marketing. In 2002, Lindsey joined Fred Allen & Associates in Columbia where she worked as a lobbyist at the South Carolina State House. While in Columbia she found the love of volunteer work at a no-kill rescue and adoption facility, Pets Inc. and while volunteering there fell in love with her first cat, Cooper. In 2011, Lindsey married Luke Rankin and moved to Myrtle Beach. Luke and Lindsey have two children, Luke Jr. and Hollings.

Terri Brobst – Vice President
Terri was re-elected to the board in November 2021 and re-elected as Vice President in 2022.  Since 2013 Terri has been both a volunteer and employee, serving as the Volunteer/Event Coordinator for GSHS. She began her association with GSHS in 2013 photographing kitties and starting our cat socialization program known as the Kitty Rehab Team. Her leadership experience includes owning a business for 10 years and 22 years of working in television and video production. Currently she takes care of humans as a Cat Scan/X-Ray Technologist, but her true passion is for the welfare of homeless animals in her community.

Terri has had a lifelong passion for our furry friends and has six cats of her own, four of which are GSHS alumni! She is very excited about her new role at Grand Strand Humane Society and the opportunity to serve alongside their amazing team of employees, volunteers, clinical staff and veterinarians.

 

Melissa Downs-High – Treasurer
Melissa, “Mel” as she is known to most, was invited to join the Grand Strand Humane Society Board of Directors and appointed treasurer in December 2021. She was re-elected as treasurer in November 2023. Mel was one of the original employees of South Atlantic Bank when the bank opened in November 2007.  She has been the Controller for over 14 years. She brings over 20 years of banking and 30 years of accounting experience to her post.  She graduated from Augusta University with a bachelor’s in accounting.  While she loves accounting, the true love of her life is her husband, Darrell.  Originally a Georgia peach, she has resided in the Myrtle Beach area for over 23 years.  She is an avid runner and loves to travel the world.  She is also a lover of animals. She currently has an adopted superstar from GSHS – the infamous Scarlet ‘JoJo’ Johansson, along with another rescue, the equally famous, Rhiana.

 

Kara Keith – Secretary
Kara was invited to join the board in June 2021 and appointed Secretary in November 2021. She was re-elected as Secretary in November 2023. She has already made her mark with her legal knowledge in helping us navigate some tough questions and most recently issues and review of contracts regarding our new property to build our new shelter. She moved to Myrtle Beach in 2014 and practices real estate and transaction law at The Bellamy Law Firm.  She has had dogs her whole life and is an all-around lover of animals.  She is excited to support the shelter and to work alongside the GSHS staff and volunteers who maintain such a vital part of our community.

 

Amy Wingard – Director
Amy was invited to join the Board of Directors for Grand Strand Humane Society in October 2020. She was re-elected in November 2023. She has been a volunteer since 2009 using her event planning background for fundraising as well as helping redesign their website and growing their social media platforms.  She has loved animals her entire life and is very glad to have found an outlet for her passion.

Amy was born and raised in Myrtle Beach and moved to New York City in 1988 returning in 2008. While living in New York City she worked in the tour and travel industry specializing in corporate meeting and event planning. She has also created websites for the Grand Strand Humane Society  Capital Campaign and 3 other local nonprofits. Wild Things Freedom Center, Saint Frances Animal Center and Nana’s Hope House. It’s a creative way for her to give back to her community and especially the nonprofit sector.

Libby Swad – Director
Libby was appointed to the Board of Directors of Grand Strand Humane Society by Myrtle Beach City Council in February 2021. She retired as a middle school teacher after twenty years of service and has been a veterinary technician for five years. She served on the South Carolina State Board of Education for four years and is the former owner of three Diet Centers located in Myrtle Beach, Ocean Drive and Surfside. She was also the president of the Humane Society of Cherokee County for 10 years.
She has been married to her husband, Sam, for 35 years and they have one daughter and three grandchildren with another little one on the way. Myrtle Beach has been their permanent home since 2018.

Should you have any questions, comments or concerns and wish to contact the Board of Directors at Grand Strand Humane Society you may do so by  submitting an email using this contact form.

The Board of Directors at Grand Strand Humane Society is always seeking new members that have a deep love for animals and animal welfare. Members will need to attend monthly board meetings and on occasion attend specially called meetings. Members will also be required to assist with fundraising including a pledge to participate in our Capital Campaign,  event donations and attend fundraising events. Most importantly members must follow and perpetuate the mission statement set forth by Grand Strand Humane Society.

To apply, please click on the link below to download and print out the Prospective Board Member application. It should be filled out in its entirety and forwarded via email to the Board of Directors at GSHSboard@grandstrandhumanesociety.com.

GSHS Board Application