President – Stephanie Woodrow
From her first Schipperke at age four, Stephanie has loved this wonderful breed. She is currently mom to puppy Trix, who is enjoying conformation and Fast CAT. Stephanie has served two terms as CSC president and served as CSC Corresponding Secretary from 2020-2022. She has served as Chair and Co-Chair of CSC’s Fast CAT trials since its inception in 2021 and editor of The Schip Scoop since 2019. Also a SCA member, Stephanie is Editor of SCA’s Schipps Log and Regional Clubs Chair.
Vice President – Cathy Thistle
As a Schipperke lover for 50 years, Cathy has been active in many aspects of the breed. As the proud home of Foxnoir Schipperkes, she has produced show-quality pups since the mid-1980s, many earning various AKC titles. Cathy is well-known in the show ring and continues to exhibit regionally and nationally. When she’s not running her dog grooming business, Cathy is being entertained by her current pack of four, ages two to seven years. She is a SCA Board member and active member of the Salisbury Maryland Kennel Club and is a SCA Board Member.
Treasurer and Corresponding Secretary – Carol Burnett
A CSC member for more than two decades, she has served as Treasurer since 2008 and became Lead Correspondent of The Schip Scoop in 2015 before her “promotion” to Contributing Editor in 2019. Carol has also jumped in to serve as Interim Secretary and webmaster for six years. In addition, she has hosted a SchipNic at her home for more than a decade and has been making the raffle baskets to benefit Schipperke rescue for several years. Carol is the proud owner of 11-year-old Scout, who she adopted in February 2022.
Recording Secretary – Mary Beth Nielsen
To say Mary Beth was born into a Schipperke family is an understatement. Her parents, the late Don and Mary Nielsen, were founding members of CSC. In fact, Mary Beth attended her first CSC event at just a few months old. Growing up with Midwatch Schipperkes, she was surrounded by two to three litters annually, giving her a lifetime of experience, compassion, and knowledge. Today, Rue serves as her Velcro Schipperke. When she manages to pull herself away from Rue, Mary Beth works as a director of book editing and design for an education association.
Board Member – Donathon Kesner
Donathon joined CSC shortly after welcoming his Schipperke, Cricket, in March 2024. He shares his home with a lively menagerie that includes an Australian Shepherd, a Miniature American Shepherd, two miniature horses, two tree frogs, and a very patient husband who graciously supports his animal-filled adventures. A native of the Potomac Highlands of West Virginia, Donathon teaches eighth grade special education, but he’ll tell you it’s really just to keep his dogs in the lifestyle they demand.
Board Member – Chris Born
Seven Schipperkes have owned Chris since 2005, and she never wants another breed. Piet was her first and her heart dog. Then came Sailor and they were inseparable, and then Pepi. She currently owns Rose, Jean Luc, Oliver, and Bonny. Chris is from south central Pennsylvania, majored in journalism at Penn State, and has worked for the Department of Defense for 36 years as a public affairs specialist. She owns a sailboat with a friend and is an avid photographer, focusing mostly on nature and travel.
Board Member – Ruta Slepetys
As a child, Ruta was intrigued by Schipperkes after seeing one in a dog breed book. She met her first Schip around 1997 and soon got her first (Skippy). Skippy could sing and dance and when she passed away, Ruta adopted rescues Samba (sadly passed in August 2019) and Zorro (joined his love Samba in May 2023). Zorro and Ruta met and joined CSC at the 2019 SchipNic, and learned of the Schipperke Rescue Net, who brought them Fox. Last year, she brought home Reese! Ruta has served on the Board for two years and looks forward to continuing to be part of the CSC community.
Board Member – Wanda Singhass
Wanda was first charmed by Schipperkes when she got her first one, Cinderella, in the 1990s. She started off as a Scoop subscriber before joining CSC about 20 years ago. In 2014 she became a board member and currently is the administrator of the CSC Facebook page. Wanda and her pups are staples at CSC events, especially SchipNics. She currently has one Schip, her rescue, Lady, as well as an honorary Schipperke, d.o.g.
Board Member – Lisa Nipp
Lisa joined CSC in fall 2020 after adopting her first Schipperke, Milo. A lifelong “cat person,” Lisa had wanted a Schip for 20 years, following the results of AKC’s “Find Your Perfect Dog” online quiz, which described the Schipperke as “the most cat-like of dogs.” Milo, a rescue from the Bayou in Louisiana, has overcome fear aggression to become a sweet little guy! His best friends are his cat-sisters, Nutmeg and Blackberry. He enjoys kayaking, traveling on airplanes, and stealing pizza slices at SchipNics. Lisa is a longtime Canine Training Association member, where Milo takes weekly agility classes. She has been on the CSC Board for two years.
