Board of Directors

  • A woman walking on a suburban street with three white fluffy dogs, smiling, wearing black athletic clothes, with green trees and houses in the background.

    Kristina Knutson

    Founder and Executive Director | Minneapolis, MN

    After a decade in the nonprofit sector, Kristina decided to turn her passion for Nordic breed dogs into her main hustle. Dog mom of 5, she enjoys pack hikes, dog grooming, visiting hospitals and other venues as a Pet Therapy team with one of her Samoyeds, and working towards her goal of health and wellness for dogs and humans alike!

  • A woman with blonde hair sitting on a beige couch behind a large white dog with fluffy fur and dark eyes.

    Hailie Pelka-Ferderer

    Member at Large | Brunswick, Ohio

    A fellow Nordic dog lover, Hailie has been a Samoyed rescue volunteer since 2024. Dog mom of 3 beautiful Samoyeds, she is passionate about proper nutrition and behavior modification for rescues. Hailie works in higher education and is a skilled communicator, bringing expertise to her role with NR+R.

  • A woman with glasses smiling and taking a selfie with a large, fluffy white dog, likely a Samoyed, indoors near a lamp and a framed painting on the wall.

    Cathy Bickerton

    Member at Large | Minneapolis, MN

    After spending more than a decade supporting family caregivers, Cathy found her calling in rescuing and caring for special needs Nordic breed dogs. Her days are now filled with love, patience, and laughter thanks to her three Samoyeds - each with their own quirks and challenges, both behavioral and physical.