Jeffrey Beri founder No Dogs Left Behind founded No Dogs Left Behind, after successfully leading a historic rescue effort in 2016, which culminated in the transport of 121 Yulin slaughterhouse survivors from Asia, to their forever homes in the United States. Jeff Beri, along with his team, spent eight months on the ground in East Asia rehabilitating, medically treating and socializing the dogs, developing effective shelter operation protocols, and establishing a vaccination and microchipping program as part of his work as a dog rescue leader. Through allied partnership, this historic rescue accomplished what no one had ever done before: executing a full-scale rescue operation from slaughterhouse to final transport, with the largest number of dogs that had ever been attempted, all within an eight-month period.
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Mary Gascon serves as a member of the Board of Directors for No Dogs Left Behind, where she contributes her expertise in operations, executive support, and strategic coordination to help advance the organization’s mission. With a diverse professional background spanning healthcare, education, and nonprofit leadership, Mary has built a reputation as a highly organized and solutions-oriented professional. Her experience with organizations such as Omnicell has strengthened her skills in project management, stakeholder communication, and process optimization. Passionate about making a difference, Mary is dedicated to supporting initiatives that drive positive change and improve outcomes for both organizations and the communities they serve.
Karen Beck brings decades of leadership, operational excellence, and a deep commitment to people and community to the Board of Directors. With an extensive background supporting senior executives and managing complex operations at organizations including RBC Capital Markets, McKesson Canada, RBC Private Counsel, The Home Depot Canada, and American Express Canada, Karen is known for her integrity, discretion, and ability to keep large, fast-moving organizations running smoothly. Throughout her career, Karen has built a reputation for bringing people together, leading with empathy, and ensuring that every detail is handled with care and accountability. Her experience managing high-level teams, coordinating large-scale initiatives, and supporting critical decision-making translates directly into helping the organization operate with transparency and efficiency. Driven by a genuine love for animals, Karen is passionate about supporting rescue efforts that give vulnerable dogs a second chance. She is deeply committed to ensuring that every resource is used responsibly, helping to maximize the impact of every donation and supporting the mission to provide safety, care, and hope to animals in need.
Debra is a seasoned marketing strategist and digital pioneer with a career spanning over 30 years. Her professional journey is defined by a rare duality: a high-level mastery of luxury brand storytelling and a groundbreaking approach to digital community building.
Career Highlights
Dillon A. De Benedetto brings a powerful combination of professional expertise and deep compassion for animals to the Board of Directors. As Director of Anti-Fraud Technology at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, he is dedicated to protecting systems and ensuring accountability—skills he now channels into advancing the mission of animal rescue. With a background spanning leadership roles at Agricultural Bank of China, Exiger, and FIS, Dillon brings a strong commitment to transparency, ethical practices, and responsible stewardship of resources—ensuring that every donation makes the greatest possible impact. Driven by a genuine passion for protecting vulnerable animals, Dillon is proud to support lifesaving efforts that give dogs a second chance. He believes in building a future where compassion and accountability go hand in hand, and where every animal is given the opportunity to live a safe and loved life.
Derek Stone brings over four decades of global experience in canine training, security operations, and leadership to the Board of Directors, along with a deep respect for the bond between humans and dogs. A United Kingdom Government–accredited K9 trainer, Derek has dedicated his career to working alongside dogs in some of the most demanding environments, ensuring both operational excellence and the highest standards of care. His career includes leadership roles supporting international security operations and humanitarian efforts, including work with organizations such as United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism and GardaWorld, as well as serving with Kabul Small Animal Rescue, where he played a key role in the protection and evacuation of vulnerable animals during crisis conditions. Derek’s lifelong commitment to canine welfare extends far beyond training—he is deeply passionate about ensuring that every dog, whether working or rescued, is treated with dignity, compassion, and respect. He is proud to support the organization’s mission to give dogs a second chance, bringing both his expertise and his heart to helping animals find safety, care, and a better future.
