Our Team: Guiding Innovation in Canine Health

Dr. Montgomery is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer for the AKC Canine Health Foundation.

She holds a PhD from the University of North Carolina and DVM from North Carolina State University, where she also completed an anatomic pathology residency. Her research spans infectious disease, cancer, therapeutics, vaccines, biodevices, and cell-based technologies. Dr. Montgomery has served on the CHF Scientific Review Committee and Board of Directors. She has professional and personal interests in translating state-of-the-art diagnostics and therapies to veterinary medicine.

Dogs have played a central role throughout Dr. Montgomery’s life. Her family got their first Cairn Terrier when she was in the fourth grade and she was hooked, attending the annual Chicago Dog Show and reading Dog Fancy magazine cover-to-cover each month. She continues to enjoy attending dog events and provides veterinary care for elite racing sled dogs. She shares her home with Airedale Terriers, including a finished Champion.

Andrea Fiumefreddo is the Chief Operating Officer for the AKC Canine Health Foundation. She oversees the Foundation’s research and educational programs including grants application and review processes, programs strategies, and manages conferences and educational programs including the dissemination and communication of programs information to the Foundation’s many dedicated constituents. She is also responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Raleigh office.

Andrea received her undergraduate degree from Smith College and Master’s degree from UVA; she also earned a Certificate in Technology Leadership at UVA. Andrea brings a background in science, independent and collaborative research, and technology to her role at CHF. While at Duke University School of Medicine, Andrea was the Director of Operations for the Human Simulation Center – leading projects in medical simulation and education, working closely with MD’s and researchers.

Andrea enjoys being outdoors, spending time with family, and running. She shares much of her outdoor time with her dog Parker. Andrea and Parker are members of the National Association of Canine Scent Work, training together for canine nosework competitions.

Danielle Snyder is the Administrative Assistant at the AKC Canine Health Foundation.

Danielle received her Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Appalachian State University and has worked in customer service and administration for nearly 20 years. Her varied background includes working in veterinary medicine in roles spanning from the receptionist to the office manager, as a nursing and office assistant in human primary care, and more recently a program manager at the state’s non-profit medical society. She has been recognized for her superb communication and organizational skills, and her ability to think “outside of the box” to produce creative and unique solutions. She strives to make a valuable impact not only in the work she does but with the people she works with as well. Danielle’s passion for learning, growing, and working towards improving lives knows no bounds. Always willing and ready to acquire more knowledge, Danielle also got her Professional Coach certification from the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching in 2021.

Danielle lives in Raleigh with her tabby cat Dinah.

Fleming Samuels is the Director of Philanthropy at the AKC Canine Health Foundation.

Fleming has over 20 years of experience in marketing, non-profit management, and development. She comes to the AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) from the North Carolina Theatre and, prior to that work, The ArtsCenter in Carrboro. She has designed and implemented successful fundraising campaigns using data-driven historical giving and engagement analyses, unique and innovative marketing, and stakeholder collaboration.

Her success is due to her ability to communicate and work with donors to build and maintain relationships with the organizations she serves. She has worked for years in event management, building events that sustain organizations from peer-to-peer events to galas hosting 250 people.

Every organization Fleming has served has a great story to tell.  She specializes in listening to these stories and uses them to fuel enthusiasm and connection to the mission.  She looks forward to hearing your story.

Fleming lives in Chapel Hill with her family and her PBGV, Shirley.

Julie Nettifee, RVT, MS, VTS is the Scientific Program Specialist for the AKC Canine Health Foundation.

She holds a Master’s from North Carolina State University, a Bachelor’s from the University of Wisconsin Madison, and an Associate’s Degree in Animal Health Technology from the University of Minnesota, Waseca. Julie brings a background in veterinary medicine as a licensed veterinary technician with a specialty in neurology, as well as clinical research and instruction to her role at the CHF. While at North Carolina State University for more than 25 years, Julie was a research specialist in many areas of veterinary clinical studies including neurology, nutrition, oncology, avian and supported academic instruction in these areas as well, working closely with veterinary faculty in areas of collaborative research including comparative and translational studies. She continues to invest her time in opportunities to enhance animal health and is excited about supporting canine health advances through the AKC Canine Health Foundation.

A Minnesota Native, Julie enjoys travel and moved to North Carolina in 1994. She loves the outdoors, hiking, kayaking and spending time with her son and family. Julie also enjoys music and plays violin with a nonprofit orchestra in the Triangle region. She is also an active animal rescue and animal-assisted therapy volunteer. In 2020, she was named the American Humane Veterinary Nurse Hero.

Jennifer Wray is the Director of Finance at the AKC Canine Health Foundation (AKC CHF).

Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and has more than 15 years of nonprofit finance experience. She is passionate about helping mission-driven organizations succeed and is excited to combine her passion for nonprofit work with her love of dogs through her work with the AKC CHF.

Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys playing tennis, watching professional tournaments, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. She lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, with her two Schnoodles and a West Highland Terrier, who keep life fun and bring her endless joy.

Samantha Yglesias is the Grants & Database Specialist at the AKC Canine Heath Foundation. She oversees the Foundation’s database to maintain the safety and health of your data.

Samantha received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a double major in Philosophy from Virginia Tech and has over 10 years of experience in database management and customer service. She is published in the field of human-computer interaction for her work in couples’ argumentation across different technologies.  Her clients have praised the useability and clarity of her custom databases and reporting dashboards. Developing useful data-driven stories and quality-of-life automations is her passion.  She considers it a great privilege to contribute to the esteemed AKC Canine Health Foundation.

She builds spreadsheets for her fun and highly nerdy personal projects. She enjoys tabletop games like Dungeons & Dragons, crocheting stuffed animals, geo-caching with loved ones, and snuggling with a live Moose (her dog).