Board of Directors
Mrs. Margie Wiley
President of the Board
Margie Wiley has been an active member of the Suffolk Humane Society for over six years. She lives in Chuckatuck with her husband, Mark, and their Labrador Retriever, Tonka. Professionally she is a partner at Freedom Street Partners and serves on many community boards throughout the Hampton Roads Region.
Mrs. Sara Johnston
Past President of the Board | Director of Membership & Development
Sara Johnston is the founder and CEO of InDigiMar, Inc., a Hampton Roads-based online marketing agency, specializing in web platform development and inbound marketing since 2010. Sara has over 20 years of software development and marketing experience working with organizations such as Jefferson Labs, The American Civil War Museum, and the University of Connecticut. As the lead digital marketing strategist for InDigiMar, Sara has developed strategic online marketing programs in web design, web development, search engine optimization, pay per click advertising, and inbound marketing campaigns for B2B and B2C small businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, and institutions of higher learning. Sara has worked to build, grow, and implement marketing strategies that have led to new business development for multiple organizations. Sara is also heavily involved in local community initiatives including citywide revitalization projects and workforce development collaborations between local colleges and city government. Sara is a Board Member of the Suffolk YMCA, a Suffolk Rotarian, and holds board positions for the local Humane Society.
Mrs. Jackie Cherry
Treasurer of the Board
Originally from Hampton, Jackie has made her home in Suffolk for the past forty years although much of that time was spent commuting out of state.
Jackie joined the staff of the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts in 2006 prior to its opening as the Director of Corporate Sponsorship and Events. She was soon promoted to General Manager where she served until 2011 when she became Executive Director/CEO. She has served on many projects promoting the advancement of educational opportunities for our youth and the quality of life for our citizens here in Hampton Roads. Jackie also served as President for the Suffolk Rotary Club and past board member.
Prior to joining the SCCA, she held senior positions within the Telecom industry for 25 years. Responsibilities included retention, regional operations, sales, service, and site selection. Highlights include manager of New Business Ventures for AT&T Corp. Headquarters, N.J. identifying and developing programs to provide additional sources of revenue, market identification, and implementations. Mrs. Cherry’s last ten years in the industry served as Regional VP of Sales for the N.E.major/key accounts.
Jackie has retired after 12 years with the Center and is enjoying being home in Chuckatuck with her husband, friends, and all her four-legged family members.
Ms. Susan Walton
Secretary of the Board
Susan was born in Richmond, Virginia, but raised throughout the United States as the daughter of an Army Officer. She received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and her Law Degree from George Mason University, where she played NCAA Division I basketball and was team captain her senior year. Before becoming an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Suffolk in 2000, she was a former Chief Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in Campbell County for seven years. Susan prosecutes violent and non-violent offenders, is assigned to the gang task force unit, but focuses much of her attention to the prosecution of animal cruelty cases. In 2012, Susan was recognized as one of the nation’s Top Ten Animal Defenders by the Animal Legal Defense Fund. Susan is also an instructor for the Virginia Association of Commonwealth’s Attorneys. Susan has run numerous marathons, including the 100th running of the Boston Marathon. She coaches youth basketball, baseball, is a college soccer official, but especially likes to spend time with her family, which includes two cats, Boo and Maggie.
Mrs. Sarah Tatum
Board Member
Immigrated from Germany and raised in Jacksonville, FL Sarah and her husband, Scott, relocated to Suffolk in 2019. Sarah runs a virtual accounting firm focused on small business accounting. She has always been an advocate for animal welfare and has volunteered with the humane society in the office since early 2020. In the last year, Sarah & Scott have opened their home to SHS foster kittens. When she is not working or volunteering, she is spending time with Scott and their furry family. They have a Great Dane, Moose, and a Schipperke, Tucker as well as three cats Jack, Cinnamon, and Pepper who was their first SHS foster (fail). Sarah’s goals while on the board are to expand the SHS foster program and design more events to engage and educate the community. It is her mission to ensure that SHS has the volunteer and economic capital needed to see every dog and cat to adoption.
Mr. Anthony Piglowski Jr.
Board Member
Anthony is a Wealth Advisor and Client Relationship Manager at Freedom Street Partners, a wealth advisory firm based in the Hampton Roads area. Prior to joining Freedom Street, Anthony was an Assistant Vice President and Private Banker at Old Point National Bank in Virginia Beach.
Anthony was born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania. He would attend Mercyhurst University in his hometown where he would earn a bachelors degree in finance. Anthony and his wife currently reside in Suffolk, Virginia with their three cats Aurora, Leia, and Nala, as well as their boxer puppy, Bo.
Anthony takes great pride in being an active member of his community as he serves on several local boards and committees including the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, The United Way African American Leadership Society, CBDX Young Professionals, and The St. Jude Hampton Roads Walk/Run Committee.
Donna Maria Colby
Board Member
Donna Maria Colby is a PhD candidate at Regent University and will graduate in May 2024 with a doctorate in Communication. Donna Maria earned her master’s degree in Organizational Communication from Murray State University in Kentucky and is a published author. She is trained in LEAN Six Sigma, Crucial Conversations, Situational Leadership I & II, DiSC, and MBTI.
Donna Maria has more than 20 years of nonprofit management experience in fundraising, government affairs, lobbying, marketing, and volunteer recruitment & retention. She has led large teams of staff and volunteers, including for the nation’s largest voluntary health organization, the American Cancer Society. Her national fundraising experience includes the Red Dress for Women Campaign and Relay for Life.
Her volunteer experience includes the American Cancer Society Road to Recovery transportation program, Americorps, 4-H, forensics coaching, leadership trainings for local church vestry members, eucharistic ministry, the bereavement committee at her church, and Norfolk Public Library’s Tales to Tails program through Therapy Dogs International. Donna Maria is a twice-commissioned Kentucky Colonel, the highest title of honor bestowed by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky for her noteworthy volunteer accomplishments and outstanding service to the community, state, and nation. She was awarded 2016 Adjunct Professor of the Year by Tidewater Community College.
Donna Maria and her husband Keith share their home with three furry family members. Brady is a 16-year-old rescue dog, and Banksy and Tiger are a bonded pair of feline brothers adopted from the Suffolk Humane Society.
Mrs. Kerri Shallcross
Executive Director
Kerri Shallcross was born and raised in the Hampton Roads area. She moved to Suffolk in 2011 with her husband Jeremy and kids, both 2 and 4 legged. She has been active with Suffolk Humane Society for many years, helping with events including Paws for the Arts and Mutt strut. Kerri has always had a love and connection with animals. Her hopes are that one day all animals will have a wonderful and loving home.
