7246 E. Harry's Rd.
Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone: 231-846-8293
Email: greatlakeshumane@gmail.com

Board of Directors

Linda Gottwald

Executive Director

Linda Gottwald is the founder of Great Lakes Humane Society and has had a passion for animals ever since she read “Beautiful Joe” as a little girl. She has been awarded the Albert Schweitzer Community Service Award for her volunteer work with the Chicago Anti-Cruelty Society. Linda writes “Once Upon a Shelter”, a column for the Grand Traverse Insider newspaper. Linda is also the author of “Once Upon a Shelter”, a book chronicling her work with abandoned animals. Linda has a doctorate degree in family medicine from Rush University and works as a nurse practitioner at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City. A strong animal advocate, Linda is a member of PETA and the Animal Legal Defense Fund. Linda lives on a 10 acre farm outside of Traverse City with her dog, Tootie, her cats, Rose Marie and Chumley, and the various residents of Great Lakes Humane Society.


Veronica Jordan

Board Member

Veronica Jordan is a graduate of the University of California School of Law at Davis. She holds a B.A. and Master’s degree from the University of California at Berkeley. A native of San Jose, CA, Veronica volunteers with a TNR group transporting feral cats and pets of low-income people to local shelters for spay/neutering. She has served on the board since its inception.


Steffanie Audel

Board Member

Steffanie Audel has a love of books and animals. She is a school librarian and handles the Great Lakes Humane Society Facebook page. Steffanie also facilitates transfers to our shelter from across country and even around the world!