Founders & Staff
MEET THE FOUNDERS
Ilaria Borghese, MS, MA, OT
CEO & Co-Founder
Ilaria obtained her MS in Neuroscience from the University of Connecticut. She was Clinical Coordinator for the Brain Research Center–Children’s Hospital in Washington, DC, dealing with treatments for children with Autism. She continued her studies at Yale University School of Medicine and published several articles in peer-reviewed medical journals.
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Maria Denzer
COO & Co-Founder
Maria earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and began her career working with several retail and computer software and hardware companies. She later joined Thera-Paw, Inc., where she served as General Manager from 2006 to 2023.
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Deb Fabricatore
Production Coordinator
Deb is a retired special education teacher with a MA in Social Work and a MA in Counseling and Guidance. She has served on multiple nonprofit boards, focusing on environmental causes, women’s health, education, and disability advocacy. Her work with Veterinarians International and as a co-founder of EverythingALS showcases her commitment to impactful change. Currently, she holds the position of Production Coordinator for STAAR and serves as Director of Development for Hark-ALS. Deb is recognized as a highly effective advocate, fundraiser and event planner, committed to making a difference across various sectors.
Jill Fox
Director of Engagement
Jill is an experienced marketing professional with a passion for helping animals. Since graduating from Monmouth University with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Marketing, she has amassed over twenty five years of experience in marketing communications.
While working in marketing management for corporate companies, Jill started a marketing communications consulting business to share her proven skills with small businesses in need of support. Jill creates custom-tailored marketing plans for small businesses of all kinds to meet their unique goals. Read more
Vanessa Roberts
Marketing Manager
Growing up in New York City, Vanessa pursued her passion for global business at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), where she studied International Trade and Marketing. With over a decade of experience in digital advertising, she honed her skills in business development and client services before taking a well-deserved break to focus on her family. She then transitioned to real estate, working for five years at a boutique agency in beautiful Morris County, NJ. Now, she leverages her diverse experience in the pet rehabilitation industry, fueled by her love for animals and a commitment to ongoing learning and personal growth.
Lena Shore
Web Development
Lena is a full-time freelancer specializing in web development, graphic design, and illustration, and she has plenty of opinions on how to improve your project.
Growing up as an only child and a Navy brat, Lena entertained herself by playing with bugs and catching lizards. She moved around a lot, read a lot, drew a lot, and made little clay sculptures. From a young age, she always said she wanted to be an artist. Her mother taught her how to type, paint, crochet, cook, and sew her own Barbie clothes. Meanwhile, her dad involved her in projects around the garage, sparking her love for tools. Today, she has a basement full of them, though she admits to feeling a bit guilty for not using them more often. Read more