Our Board
Sylvan Schwab, Founder and President
Sylvan grew up in Chicago and graduated from the University of Illinois. He arrived in Maui in 1977, fell in love with the island, and soon after met Suzie, the woman who would become his wife and his life's partner. When Suzie was diagnosed with terminal kidney cancer, Sylvan noticed that caring for an injured bird seemed to give her something medicine couldn't, so he started bringing home more animals in need.
Suzie recovered, and what began as an act of love gradually grew into the East Maui Animal Refuge (EMAR), nicknamed the "Boo Boo Zoo," because every animal arrives with an injury or hardship. After Suzie passed away in 2018, Sylvan continued the work they built together.
Adele Holcolm, Secretary
Adele has served as board secretary since 2019. She grew up in Chicago. Adele devotes a considerable amount of time caring for rescued baby sheep, deer and goats brought to East Maui Animal Refuge.
Andrea Werner-Gillum, Treasurer
(See staff section.)
Marsha Kelly, Vice Present, is a Drama & Speech Instructor with Seabury Hall, a private college preparatory school on Maui. Appreciating the importance of exposure to animals in childhood education, every year Marsha leads a group of Seabury students to visit the East Maui Animal Refuge.
Barbara Coda, MD, is a Yale-trained anesthesiologist. As a volunteer with the East Maui Animal Refuge, the consistent initiative she has shown over the years has made her a role model and led to her recognition as a County Volunteer Hero in 2023.
Photo from gofundme.org
Photo from Maui High School
Lacey Brandt is the founding President of Maui Bird Rescue. She came to Maui pursuing her marine science career in 2013. The need for help rescuing birds fell into her lap almost immediately and by chance. After leaving Maui to attain her graduate degree abroad, she returned to the island with the same passion for animals and began building extensive community collaborations to create resources for the care of birds in need. She teaches marine science at a local school, where she leads by example to teach compassion for animals and humans, and tolerance for differences in cultures and animal welfare, in a gentle, proactive way.
Dennis Burns founded Valley Isle Animal Rescue in 2011 and is a long-time volunteer with the East Maui Animal Refuge.
