Julie Burke is the Founder and Executive Director of NicaLove, a non-profit animal welfare organization dedicated to advocating for and protecting domestic and working animals in Nicaragua. Her deep connection with animals began in childhood, finding solace and purpose in their presence. Julie’s journey in Nicaragua started in 2012 after a vacation with her husband ignited a passion for aiding those in need, whether human or animal.
Julie’s path to founding NicaLove began with volunteering at a local orphanage with her daughters, Addie and Natalia. There, she met Belen, a spirited five-year-old girl who soon became part of Julie’s family through adoption. Julie then co-founded Double Play Gear, a program delivering used sports equipment to local children and schools. However, it was her encounter with a dog named Flaco that led to the creation of NicaLove.
Flaco, an emaciated stray dog from San Diego, Nicaragua, deeply moved Julie and inspired her commitment to improving animal welfare in the country. Flaco’s story and subsequent passing marked a pivotal moment, solidifying her dedication to reducing animal suffering in Nicaragua.
Today, Julie’s dedication to animal welfare knows no bounds. Through NicaLove, she continues to make a profound impact on the lives of hundreds of animals and the communities they live in. Her story serves as an inspiration to us all, reminding us of the difference one person can make in the world.
Karen Dendy Smith (Board Member) is the founder and Director of The Animal Communication Collective ® and is a professionally certified Soul Level Animal Communicator®, Soul Level Intuitive Coach®, and Pangu Shengong Qigong instructor and Pangu Shengong energy healer for animals and their people.
Karen is also a retired branding and marketing specialist and was a co-founder and Creative Director for her company, Kor Group, for 28 years. Karen has served on the board of the New England School for Acupuncture as Vice Chair and on the board of the American Institute for Graphic Arts (AIGA) and an event development chair.
With her intuitive and energy skills, Karen finds immense joy helping people build stronger connections and relationships with their animal families. She believes animals are compassionate and loving teachers and deserve our respect and gratitude. As a board member for NicaLove, Karen is excited to roll up her sleeves, work with Julie and the board to help support the incredible humans on the front line in Nicaragua, and help the animals heal and have a voice. She and her husband were adopted by their cats, Dia and Noche when they were six years old and they are now 12, living their best life, and telling Karen what to do!
Mary Johanna Brown (Board Member) is the Founder and President of Brown & Company Design, a strategic design firm, and Big Brown Books, a publishing company. An active community member, she has served on several state-wide boards and is the Founding Chair Emeritus of the New Hampshire Women’s Foundation. Mary Jo has traveled to Nicaragua with NicaLove and experienced Julie’s work firsthand. She was especially moved by the people she met, Julie’s deep connection to the community she serves, and how little resources can do such amazing good in the midst of deep poverty. Plus, she got to meet One-Eyed Jackie, a tiny stray kitten with a missing eye that was rescued during her stay. Her visit and experience encouraged her to join the board. Mary Jo loves cats, and she is photographed here with Oscar, who lived for 18 years and was always by her side. She now has two new black cats, a pair of bonded siblings named Thaxter & Bean.
Mimi Loureiro (Board Member) has been involved with animal and human welfare for most of her adult life (and likely earlier!) She is passionate about empowering those who do not or cannot speak for themselves; animals, children, the poor, the disabled, the elderly, and the list goes on. So much in our world is about power and she believes everyone deserves an advocate to help them be safe and live a life with as little suffering as possible.
Mimi is the owner of one of the first yoga studios on the seacoast, O2 Yoga, XOLO Kitchen, which helps businesses and families incorporate more plant-based options, and is on the faculty of Friends Forever International.
Mimi took her first trip to Nicaragua with Julie in early 2021 and she was immediately transformed from interested in what Julie was doing to incredibly passionate! It’s one
thing to hear about the work and see photos, but to be in the country and watch and assist Julie in action was incredible. Julie doesn’t stop finding ways to help animals and people alike in the community and does it with a sense of purpose and kindness.
Mimi has always been passionate about making her giving as direct as possible and there is no question in her mind that NicaLove is as direct as it gets. Straight up direct help, compassion and love given. She is proud to be on the board and part of this amazing and life changing organization.
Alyssa Duncan (Board Member) is a seacoast photographer specializing in capturing personalities, whether that is people or pets. She has done several pet portrait events through the years to help raise food and money for various animal welfare non-profits. Through these events she has come to adopt two dogs-Finn, a beagle in 2010 from the NHSPCA, and Lucy, a Doodle mix from Nicaragua in September of 2022.
Leslie Lawrence’s (Virtual Administrative Director) journey led her from a successful sales career to a life of passion and purpose in Central America. In 2019, she left Corporate America to embrace life on Ambergris Caye in Belize. In 2021, she became a Property Consultant and moved to Nicaragua in May to experience a new country. In early 2022, Leslie was promoted to Sales Director for ECI Development.
At the end of 2023, Leslie left her role to pursue contract opportunities that offered her greater control over her schedule. This flexibility allowed her to dedicate part of her time to NicaLove, focusing on her true passion for animal welfare. Leslie first joined NicaLove as a volunteer and frequent foster mom, roles that highlighted her commitment to improving the lives of animals.
Beyond her work with NicaLove, Leslie is a singer/songwriter, recently releasing her debut Christmas album. She is also working on a children’s book series featuring her rescued pets.
In her free time, she enjoys golf, horseback riding, and spending time with her rescue dogs, Lizzy Lu, Livvy Love, and Lucky Lee. Lucky Lee, a “foster fail,” became a beloved companion after working at a wellness clinic with NicaLove. Leslie’s life is a testament to pursuing one’s true calling and the joy of making meaningful connections with both people and animals.
Adrienne McCarthy is the owner of three small businesses in New Hampshire—Pure Barre Nashua, Pure Barre Bedford, and Boss Blow Dry Bar. A lifelong animal lover, Adrienne shares her home with two cherished rescued Havanese dogs, Margs and Duke. Her journey with NicaLove began when a friend introduced her to the organization. Captivated by the social media stories of rescued animals, Adrienne wanted to support the organizations efforts and attended a NicaLove fundraiser.
Driven by her passion to make a meaningful impact beyond her businesses, Adrienne quickly took action, hosting 2 Poochella fundraisers that deepened her commitment to NicaLove. Impressed by NicaLove life-saving work in Nicaragua, Adrienne joined the board in early 2024. She is now eagerly planning a trip to Nicaragua to volunteer at the shelter, further solidifying her role in the organization’s mission.
Senior Advisor
Dr. Joan Zofnass (Senior Advisor) wears two hats: she is a psychotherapist in private practice for over 40 years. She has held faculty positions at both colleges and hospitals teaching and lecturing on the individual, couple, and family therapy. She has also been a director of Human Resources for a small investment firm in New York City. Her love of nature is reflected in her work with her brother not only in developing and building a 10-mile hiking trail open to the public in New York but also their creating the Zofnass Program of Sustainability at Harvard University. Joan has served on the boards of the New England Wildlife Center, the Wild Bird Fund in New York City, volunteers with the Audubon Society, and is a preserve steward for The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire. She worked in Liberia to aid chimpanzees, spent time in Belize monitoring the health of manatees, and loves her work with NicaLove, helping to give the animals a better life. Pictured is Joan with her Nicaraguan dog Willow.