Our Team
Photo by The Dogist
Chrissy Beckles,
Founder & President
My name is Chrissy Beckles and I am fighting so these dogs do not have to. And I mean that literally, not figuratively. I am a champion amateur boxer who fights to make a difference for these pups. I first visited Puerto Rico in 2007 with my husband. We love dogs and were horrified at what we encountered; countless beaches full of stray dogs who sometimes resort to chewing rocks because they are so hungry. It broke our hearts. I did some research and found a couple of rescue groups working in Puerto Rico and began volunteering and donating to them. We adopted our second sato, Boom Boom, from a horrific situation in the Arecibo shelter in 2008. She inspired me to leave my career behind and move to Puerto Rico to rescue full time the following year. In 2011, The Sato Project was born.
Our Team on the Ground in Puerto Rico
We have a wonderful team in Puerto Rico. They care for, socialize, and pour unlimited love over our rescued pups, and regularly work through the wee hours of the night to prepare our dogs for their early flights out of San Juan. You will hear their names in our social media posts, but here is your chance to learn more about the people who are in the trenches every day doing the challenging but always rewarding work of rescuing dogs.
SARAI CRUZ NEGRÓN
PR Operations director & vetting COORDINATOR
Every dog we rescue passes through the loving arms of Sarai. Sarai is our Vetting Coordinator and runs every element of our PR team operations. This often means overseeing the care and extensive vetting protocols for over 100 dogs at once! Sarai is also in charge of our Spay/Neuter Community Voucher Program and spearheads every Operation Sato.
Dr. Gustavo Brito
Candelero Animal Hospital
Dr. Brito graduated from Kansas State University School of Veterinary Medicine and is the founder and owner of Candelero Animal Hospital. Candelero has been a part of the Humacao community for over 30 years and is a valued veterinary partner of The Sato Project. Dr. Brito and his staff help care for our dogs every day until they are ready for their forever homes.
Samuel D. Prieto Pulido,
Beach Rescue Coordinator/Photography Assistant
Samuel is an agronomist (Animal Scientist) who works for the Servicio de Extension Agricola of the University of Puerto Rico. He joined our team in May 2019 when he rescued and fostered three puppies who became part of our program. Little did he know, that was only the beginning. In addition to fostering, Samuel is now our Beach Rescue Coordinator, helps out during our Spayathon and Vaccination clinics, transports, and steps in as a photography assistant whenever needed. He is inspired by giving a second chance to dogs who don’t have someone to protect them and demonstrating to them that not all humans are inhumane. He loves being a part of The Sato Project because he is constantly reminded that there are more good people out there with the same goals and that together, we can save more lives.
Natalia Rivera
Beach Rescue Coordinator/Photography Assistant
Natalia found out about The Sato Project in 2019 when she rescued three puppies and reached out to us to help find them homes. Starting with those puppies, she became a dedicated foster family for many more satos in need. From there, her involvement with our team continued to grow because she wanted to help make a difference to her island and give every dog the life it deserves. Natalia is now a member of our rescue team and helps patrol Dead Dog Beach every day to monitor for any newly abandoned dogs. She also helps our satos find their new homes by taking beautiful pictures of them that show their true colors and personalities. Additionally, she helps during our Spayathon and Vaccination Clinics, and at transports. Her favorite part of her work with us is seeing all her fosters in their new homes. When not devoting time to our satos, she is an agronomist (Animal Scientist) for the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez.
edgardo torres Supervisor, Vet Tech and Trainer at Sanctuary by the sato project
Edgardo is in charge of all operations related to the care of our dogs and has a strong decision-making role in ensuring that all are cared for to the best extent possible. He directly oversees all techs and caregivers, and provides guidance on how the facility is developed and maintained. Edgardo is highly knowledgeable in veterinary care.
edwin cruz
property manager at Sanctuary by the sato project
Edwin plays a crucial role at Sanctuary. He makes sure that its physical environment is always well-tended to, in good repair, and is safe for all dogs and staff. He ensures all functions at the property are operating as efficiently as possible. Edwin tends to always have a buddy by his side (such as Pancho, pictured above!)
Michell Negron
Vet tech/Foster Assistant at
Sanctuary by the sato project
Michell is a dedicated and passionate member of the TSP team. She is in charge of giving the right medications and treatments to all of our satos at Sanctuary by The Sato Project. She trains new staff members and knows how Sanctuary runs from head to toe. Michell takes amazing pictures and videos of our satos to help them find their forever homes. She is also a foster assistant and in charge of foster/in-cabin kits.
Mariel Ramirez
KENNEL ATTENDANT at Sanctuary by the sato project
Mariel first joined our team as a volunteer, volunteering at our community vaccine clinics. From there, she became more involved and joined our Sanctuary team. Mariel nurtures many of the satos that come into our program. She helps create a comfortable environment so that they can thrive. She engages them with enrichment and prepares each dog for their Freedom Fight. Mariel takes photos and videos of the satos to get them adopted into loving homes.
ALIYAH Baez
Vet tech at Sanctuary by the sato project
Aliyah is in charge of making sure all dogs are in good physical condition. She makes sure that they are ready for their Freedom Flights to the Northeast. She assists with taking photos and videos of them to help them find forever families.
ALEYSHKA MIRANDA
KENNEL ATTENDANT at Sanctuary by the sato project
Aleyshka has the very important job of Kennel Attendant, who feeds all of our dogs and enriches them in activities such as exercise and play. She also ensures that all kennels are kept clean, bathes each sato and attends to other basic grooming needs. She assists with taking photos and videos of the dogs in our care.
Nanya Peña
kennel attendant at Sanctuary by the sato project
Nanya most recently joined our team as Kennel Attendant. She has a background in dog grooming and grooms each sato so they can have their picture perfect moment! She assists with taking photos and videos of the dogs in our care.
Our Team in New York
Once our dogs take their ‘Freedom Flights’ to the mainland, they are in the hands of our wonderful team on the East Coast and elsewhere. They oversee The Sato Project’s administration and make sure that every single one of our satos finds the home of their dreams for the rest of their lives.
Luanne Czesak
DIRECTOR OF Operations
As a long-time and committed volunteer for The Sato Project, Luanne officially joined the team as Operations Manager in 2020, following a successful 25-year corporate career in operations, finance, and human resources. Inspired by her work as a volunteer with foster families, assisting transport operations and on-the-ground work at Spayathon in Puerto Rico, Luanne made the transition to full-time employee to further her commitment to rescue and find forever homes for the dogs of Puerto Rico. Luanne’s family has adopted five satos, and she continues to be energized by every transport that brings another dog into the loving arms of their new families.
Simone norman
communications manager
By night, Simone is a writer and performer, but by day, it’s all about the dogs. Her sato/foster fail named Chicken is her best friend and the light of her life. She joined the team in 2023.
Eden russo
Development Manager
Eden and her family were longtime fosters for The Sato Project before she officially joined the development team. She has an extensive background in the fine arts and is passionate about working in the nonprofit world. Eden has two satos, Jade and Benny. Her favorite parts of the job are being surrounded by people and donors who love dogs, meeting new satos, and witnessing our dogs being united with their forever families.
Alessandra Migliore
ADOPTION & FOSTER Coordinator
Alessandra was born in Puerto Rico and now lives in New Jersey. She always loved dogs, and when it came time to adopt one of her own, she discovered The Sato Project, a nonprofit that rescues satos for her home island. Alessandra adopted her first sato, CC, in 2019 and quickly fell in love with her and the organization. She began volunteering at transports in NY/NJ and processing adoption applications. She even traveled to Puerto Rico to help load for a transport. Alessandra added another sato, Yogi, from The Sato Project in 2021. She officially joined the team in 2022.
HARRY berberian
development director
Harry is a huge animal lover and a longtime friend to The Sato Project. Before joining the team, he volunteered at several Spayathons in Puerto Rico and even helped transport rescued dogs. Contact Harry to explore ways to get involved with The Sato Project.
Our Sato Superheroes
The Sato Project is incredibly lucky to have so many volunteers who donate their time, effort, and resources to our satos. Our life-saving work would not be possible without them. Rain or shine, hurricanes or tropical storms, these are our core heroes who go above and beyond to make a difference in our satos’ lives every day.
Elba Cruz
all around superhero
Whether on the East Coast for a Freedom Flight arrival or in Puerto Rico for our Spayathon clinics, Elba can always be counted on to jump in wherever needed. In addition to Freedom Flights and Spayathons, she volunteers as a transporter (driving new satos to their forever homes, vet appointments, and more), a sato foster mom, at special events, and even often steps in to be a photographer.
VANESSA BONANNO
FOSTER COORDINATOR IN PUERTO RICO
Vanessa is passionate about helping others. Professionally, she pursues justice in the courtroom as an attorney, but during her free time, she is passionate about improving the lives of satos in Puerto Rico. She volunteered during Spayathon in 2019, and soon after became a foster for The Sato Project. She feels that fostering changed her life completely. Now she is the Foster Coordinator in Puerto Rico, helping more satos adjust to a new life of comfort and love from people as they wait to fly to their forever homes.
MARISA SCALI
ALL-AROUND SUPERHERO
Marisa met Chrissy Beckles during a boxing match at Gleason’s Gym to raise money for The Sato Project. Shortly after, she adopted her first sato, Sugar. Then she started fostering and continued to get more and more involved until she became an active member of the team. She now also volunteers at Freedom Flight arrivals and has volunteered in Puerto Rico for the Spayathon clinics.
EMILY THOMAS
FOSTER COORDINATOR in the Northeast
Emily has always had a love for dogs and a consistent need to learn about different breeds, traits, health, and well-being. She has owned dogs her whole adult life and currently has two.
Throughout the years, she’s been involved in training dogs with social issues and aggression. Her own pups are therapy certified and participated in the Canine Good Citizen with the American Kennel Club. She has also helped local pups find loving homes when they were displaced.
She adopted a sato in 1999 who lived for 15 years. She was the best pup and she knew she wanted to help more like her. This is reason she became involved with The Sato Project first as a foster and now as the Foster Coordinator.
KRISTIN O’BRIEN
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
Kristin learned about the plight of PR’s satos after she adopted her own sato from a shelter partner. Ever since, she jumped right in to help in any way possible, even stepping up to help coordinate other volunteers. Kristin also helps out at Freedom Flights, special events, with building partners and sponsors, and has traveled to Puerto Rico for every single Spayathon clinic.
Our Board of Directors
President and Founder
Christina Beckles
Vice President
Tracy Warren
Secretary and Treasurer
Devin Shanahan
Director
Bobby Beckles
Director
Gannon McMorrow
Director
Annya Ramirez
The Sato Project's Conflict of Interest Policy: Board members and staff notify all board members of any perceived or potential conflicts of interest and abstain from voting on any issues where a conflict of interest has been determined to exist.
