PLEASANTON, California—January 8, 2021— Valley Humane Society (VHS) today announced the appointment
of Sandra “Sandy” Gardiner as Chair of its Board of Directors. Ms. Gardiner, who joined VHS in 2018, succeeds
Gina Piper.
“It has been a great honor serving as Chair of Valley Humane Society,” said Ms. Piper, who has held the role since
2018. “I am incredibly proud of our accomplishments over the past four years. Adoptions have increased by nearly
30%, and the creation of a veterinary medical team allows us to now spay and neuter Valley Humane’s adoptable
animals ourselves. I am confident in Sandy’s leadership and the future of the organization as we continue to grow
and serve our community.”
Ms. Gardiner has served as Executive Committee Officer on Valley Humane Society’s Board of Directors since
January 2019. She holds the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Pulse Biosciences,
Inc. a bioelectric medicine company located in Hayward. Ms. Gardiner also serves as a member of the board of
directors of Lucira Health, a medical technology company focused on innovative infectious disease test kits,
receiving the first FDA authorization for Covid-19 at-home self-testing. Ms. Gardiner has extensive career
experience in the fields of medical devices, biotechnology, diagnostics, and specialty pharmaceuticals, with publicly
traded entities as well as privately held firms. A resident of Pleasanton since 1991, Ms. Gardiner is a lifelong animal
lover who focuses her spare time volunteering in a variety of community or special needs programs related to
animals.
“I’m deeply grateful to Gina for her vision, dedication, and passion,” remarked Executive Director Melanie Sadek.
“She has created and led a board of directors who are equally passionate about the organization and their fiduciary
responsibility, which has evolved Valley Humane into one of the most impactful nonprofits in our community.
Gina epitomizes our values and mission, and though this isn’t truly goodbye, her influence and positive energy on
the Board will be sincerely missed.”
Valley Humane Society also welcomes Penelope Tamm to its Board of Directors. Ms. Tamm is a licensed MFT who
recently retired from the City of Pleasanton after serving the community for more than 30 years. In her position,
she worked with the Pleasanton Unified School District and Pleasanton Downtown Associated to support a variety
of community events. Ms. Tamm believes that animals enhance our lives and complete our families, and cares for
two rescue dogs of her own.
Valley Humane Society’s Board of Directors is comprised of well-respected Tri-Valley professionals and animal
lovers. In addition to incoming Chair Sandy Gardiner, the Executive Committee includes Officer Brian Joyce, Vice
President of Global Tax and Treasurer at Net App; Treasurer Clyde Ogata, Managing Tax Counsel for Chevron
Corporation; and Secretary Joe Streng, Director of Employee Communications at Robert Half.
For complete information about the organization’s leadership, please visit valleyhumane.org/aboutvhs/board-ofdirectors.