SOAR Initiative
Our Team
Executive Director
Angela Hopson
Angela founded SOAR & runs most of the show. She may be the first person to contact you or meet you on outreach.
Board of Directors
Jennifer King
Jennifer is a practicing attorney who has constantly worked to defend and protect the rights of the voiceless. She primarily works with the Alaska Army National Guard and has served the United States Army in Afghanistan. She also currently provides legal advice and support to survivors of human trafficking in Myanmar through her work with the organization Unchartered International, and in Indiana she represents the best interests of children in abuse and neglect cases as a Contract Attorney. When she learned about SOAR, she immediately jumped in to volunteer on outreach and offering her skills as an attorney to help some of our clients with legal issues. She advocates strongly for SOAR and its work in our community and is a regular financial donor to the organization as well.
Mary Gamache
Mary has been with Community Health Network since 1987 in a variety of finance and leadership roles and is currently the Vice President of the Community Health Network Third Party Administrator. Mary graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in Accounting in May of 1984 and passed the CPA exam later that year. She has a daughter named Lauren, who is very active in both Choice and Band Booster organizations for her high school. Mary and Lauren are strong supporters of SOAR, having donated, fostered, and adopted. They currently have 12 dogs, 3 cats, 2 goats, 1 horse, and 1 bearded dragon. (But that could change at any moment!)
Fletcher White
Fletcher is the Vergil K. Stoelting Professor of Anesthesia at the Indiana University School of Medicine and a Research Scientist at the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis. Dr. White is an internationally-recognized expert in the field of pre-clinical and clinical chronic pain and is funded by both private and public foundations, the State of Indiana, and the National Institutes of Health. Beyond his laboratory research, he is also known as an active participant in training scientists and is a strong supporter of local, state, and national STEM programs. Fletcher and his spouse, Sabine, have made Indianapolis their home for ten years and are the proud parents of two adult rescue cattle dogs, Jasper and Haden.
Minette Valentine-Karmara
Minette currently serves as Training Coordinator with ICESA. She attended the University of Indianapolis where she received her Bachelor of Art in Psychology and Bachelor of Science in Political Science with a minor in Nonprofit Management. She went on to attain her Masters in Mental Health Counseling and her Law Degree from Loyola University School of Law in Chicago, Illinois. She has worked in Foster Care agencies serving in various roles such as Licensing Coordinator, Quality Assurance Manager, and Regional Manager. Minette has years of experience working with youths and families with severe trauma and mental illness. She has also served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate in Marion County, advocating for abused and neglected children. She has written policies that have been implemented by the Juvenile Courts for homeless youths. Prior to joining ICESA, she served as Region 1 Coalition Coordinator with the Indiana Trafficking Victims Assistance Program, providing education to communities, service providers, law enforcement, educators, healthcare professionals, youth, and many more on the importance of recognizing and reporting human trafficking. In addition, she provided referral and case management for cases involving youth who were 21 and under and experience human trafficking. Minette is passionate about creating trauma-informed spaces for marginalized communities and promoting healing and resilience with survivors (particularly those of color). She is also the founder of Pearls of Wisdom International, which is an organization focusing on educating and empowering girls who are survivors of sexual exploitation as well as providing mental health education for the community. Apart from these, she is also a Conflict Management/Resolution Specialist and Motivational Interviewer. She puts this into practice by serving as a Domestic Mediator.
Samantha Grimes
Samantha is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC). She works as a crisis clinician at Eskenazi Hospital ER. She works one on one with situations where the SOAR services have helped those with severe mental illness, experiencing homelessness, addiction struggles, and medical crisis. She loves helping SOAR because of the positive impact it has on people. She believes SOAR truly helps individuals stay connected with their pets while getting access to the services they need to improve their quality of life. Over the years, she has previously shown her support as a team member on outreach and she is a monthly donor to support the SOAR mission.
Holly Irwin, MD
Holly is an emergency physician and pediatrician currently finishing her residency in training at the IU School of Medicine. She first learned about SOAR after caring for a patient who was very ill but nearly refused admission to the hospital because she had no one to help feed her cats. Several months passed before she crossed paths with SOAR again, this time when her best friend started volunteering with the organization. Holly decided to join her and has been involved now for almost two years. She has helped with outreach and fostered several dogs for SOAR clients. She lives in Indianapolis with three dogs (one of them is a rescue from SOAR!) and one very tolerant cat.
Leslie Brooks, DVM, MPH
Leslie graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine in 2012. She moved to Indianapolis after graduation and, in her search for volunteer and meaningful work within veterinary medicine outside of her clinic work, she came across SOAR. She has been working in a volunteer capacity ever since to help with SOAR's development and growth. Leslie does street outreach, helps with SOAR's Human-Animal Health Fairs, does grant writing, helps with our website, and strongly advocates for SOAR and SOAR's clients in our community and within the veterinary community. She was drawn to SOAR by their dedication to giving a voice to the voiceless.
Jae Tobias, DVM
Jae is a veterinarian and is currently enrolled in surgical residency training at VCA hospital in Fishers, IN. She received her veterinary training from the University of Florida and moved to Indiana for advanced veterinary training. Along her journey, Jae has eagerly volunteered her time to help those in need. From participating in wellness clinics for low income individuals while in veterinary school to working with the local shelter during the last few years, Jae has always been passionate about helping people help their loved ones despite their available resources. Jae joined SOAR as a opportunity to continue to reach out to the community and assist people who care for their pets. She is excited to be a part of the team!
Jae has a very full household with three dogs, two cats, a kid, and a fiancee. Life is always exciting in her home.