Sarah Carroll, President
Sarah is from Nova Scotia, Canada but has lived in the U.S. since 2006 and has called Carrboro home for the past 12 years. Her lifelong love of animals and belief in giving back to her community drew her to IAR, where she has found deep fulfillment helping animals and the people who care for them. Since she began volunteering in 2019, Sarah has fostered cats, led the cat adoption coordinator team, and served on the board of directors. Professionally, she holds MSc and PhD degrees in industrial-organizational psychology and works as Vice President of Research and Psychometrics at a not-for-profit healthcare organization. Sarah and her family share their home with two beloved cats: Chester, who was brought in as a stray, and Thomas, an IAR foster fail.
Sheila Kellogg, Treasurer
Sheila, originally from Michigan, earned a business degree from Central Michigan University before moving to North Carolina in 1988. Sheila brings 25 years of experience at SECU, where she has worked in roles spanning retail delivery, deposit services, property valuation, loan administration, and application development. A passionate advocate for community cats, Sheila began volunteering with Operation Catnip in 2020 and has since helped trap, neuter, vaccinate, and return over 350 cats in the Raleigh area. A devoted cat mom, she currently lives with two tuxedo cats, Sammy and Lollipop. Sheila joined the IAR Board of Directors in 2025.
Miriam Markfield, Secretary
Miriam adopted two cats from IAR and subsequently became a volunteer. She has volunteered in many different capacities over the years, has served on the Board of Directors since 2011 and currently serves as Secretary of the board. Miriam earned her bachelor’s degree from Furman University and her juris doctorate from Duke University School of Law. She lives in Carrboro and practices in Durham.
Mary Dow, Director
Mary, who is originally from England, is a leader of both the Cat Foster Team and the Feral Cat Team, has been a volunteer for 12 years and a Board Member since 2014. Prior to volunteering for IAR, Mary was the co-founder and a board member of a cat refuge in Chatham County and acted as the volunteer coordinator for eight years. During her time with IAR Mary managed the signature fundraising event, the Painted Chair Auction, for a number of years and is always the leading fundraiser for the Great Human Race. Mary’s key interest is in helping the animals, she has adopted out hundreds of cats and kittens, and she has extensive contacts with foster parents, donors and adopters.
Betty Nicholson, Director
Betty was originally invited to join the IAR email team by a friend who was already a volunteer. She received her undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and her MBA from Duke University. She has worked at two of the “Big 4” accounting firms, including 15 years in London and New York. She now works for a leading financial services firm. She joined the Board of Directors in 2022.