Meet The Team
Indra Lahiri
Founder
Indra Lahiri, PhD, MSEd is an organizational psychologist certified in Traumatic Stress Studies. With decades of experience working with Fortune 50 companies, Indra has addressed challenges related to trauma, resilience, diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging, offering her a unique perspective on human growth and change.
Since founding Indraloka Animal Sanctuary in 2005, Indra has led as Executive Director, where she has had the opportunity to observe the ways in which the beloved animals at Indraloka helped hurting humans heal, learn, and grow. She realized early on that we humans need the animals even more than they need us– and that if we let them be who they truly are– free from farms and cages and threats of death and living as equal loved ones together with humans– they save us over and over again.
Indra’s extensive studies in Western psychology and Eastern spiritual thought have informed her decades-long journey from a traumatized child to an adult who transcended her trauma. She is now committed to helping others on their healing journeys. As the author of “Journal to Wholeness: Transcending Trauma,” Indra is grateful for the opportunity to dedicate her life to helping traumatized animals (including humans) rediscover joy, love, and trust.
The sanctuary is not named after Indra, but rather she is named after the Hindu God Indra who created Indraloka (Sanskrit name for the heaven for the Gods).
Leslie Interlandi, DVM
Director, Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Leslie Interlandi joined Indraloka in June 2022 to spearhead the sanctuary’s new veterinary clinic. As a Shelter Medicine specialist, Leslie brings the ideal skillset to diagnose, treat and care for problems specific to shelter animals as well as experience in general veterinary medicine. Leslie also holds Fear Free Veterinary Certification, a methodology that enables vets to reduce fear, anxiety and stress in animal patients, making vet care safer and more enjoyable for all involved.
Leslie has performed a wide range of surgeries and procedures, including spays and neutering, hernia repairs, tooth extractions and limb amputations. She has experience in treating diverse pathologies and has worked with numerous species, including equines, cows, goats, sheep, fowl, pigs, dogs and cats. After more than 25 years in her first career as a health analytics and marketing consultant, Leslie is now in a position to pursue her passion. Through practicing Shelter Medicine, Leslie is treating animals who have been abused, abandoned, injured and neglected—the animals who need her most.
Melissa Resnick, DVM, MPH, DACVPM
Veterinarian
Dr. Melissa Resnick, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, is a shelter medicine expert and public health veterinarian with over two decades of experience improving the lives of animals and their communities.
A graduate of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and the University of Texas School of Public Health, Dr. Resnick has held leadership roles in major animal welfare organizations, including serving as Medical Director at Morris Animal Refuge and Shelter Veterinarian at the Animal Care and Control Team of Philadelphia. Board-certified in Veterinary Preventive Medicine, she has trained veterinary students and fellows, led epidemiological research, and developed innovative protocols in infectious disease management and humane sheltering practices. Dr. Resnick brings a deep commitment to community outreach, population medicine, and compassionate care.
Robin Olson
Director of Development
Robin joined Indraloka in July of 2020. She has been raising funds professionally for 20 years. Prior to working at Indraloka, Robin has worked for several children’s charities including Junior Achievement and Make-A-Wish. She holds an Executive MBA from St. Joseph’s University, and two bachelor’s degrees from Saint Louis University as well as a certificate of Fundraising Management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University.
Robin is originally from St. Louis, Missouri where she met her husband of 20 years. They live in Hatfield, PA with their 4 children. Robin is passionate about taking care of the planet and all who dwell on it, finding ways we can thrive together in harmony.
Sarah Thornton
Director of Education
Sarah Thornton, MMEd, started volunteering at Indraloka in 2014 with animal care and events and has served as Director of Education since 2018. She taught music in the Sullivan County School District for 20 years and still performs in numerous ensembles playing clarinet. Sarah is a Starr Commonwealth Certified Trauma and Resilience Specialist in Education (CTRS-E) and served on her 7-12 grade SAP (Student Assistance Program) Team after completing certification through the Commonwealth of PA Student Assistance Program for grades K-12. Sarah has also completed annual suicide prevention training, annual mandated reporter training, Stop the Bleed and annual School Safety Training.
Sarah previously served as a youth sports and yoga instructor, basketball coach for elementary and junior high school girls, youth and adult running club mentor, chiropractic assistant, and a camp counselor and camp supervisor at Warminster Parks and Recreation for 7 years. She holds a BM in Music Education from Susquehanna University and an MM in Music Education from Ithaca College.
Sarah can most often be found playing with goats or snuggling pigs, and is a free-spirit dedicated to instilling joy and kindness in those around her through mindful listening, energy healing, music, and the power of unconditional love.
Sam Watts
Office Manager
Sam joined Indraloka in October 2022. Prior to moving back home to Northeast Pennsylvania, Sam spent several years living in New York City after obtaining her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts & graduating Magna Cum Laude from the Pratt Institute of Art in 2011.
Sam has always had a passion for supporting local communities & contributing to the growth & sustainability of hyper-local economies. She has spent the past 12 years working in business administration & graphic design– providing small businesses, startup companies, and individuals with a variety of administrative and design support.
Sam is also passionate about promoting self-sustainability in an increasingly connected world, and has spent nearly a decade learning, teaching and promoting the importance of organic non-GMO heirloom gardening practices, food preservation techniques, seed saving, beekeeping, and the restoration of native plant species.
Sam and her husband enjoy living a quiet life in the beautiful Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania, alongside their 6 rescued dogs and cats.
Ryan Wenck
Director, Animal Care and Facilities
Ryan Wenck, Animal Care and Facilities Manager, joined the team in 2021. Ryan organizes and leads the staff of Caregivers, Caregiver Assistants, Facilities Specialists, and volunteers on site. In his role, Ryan has worked with individuals with disabilities, teenagers, and leaders from many outside organizations.
He holds a Master of Management & Leadership, Public Administration from East Stroudsburg University and a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication from Kutztown University. Ryan has dedicated his time and energy to a variety of campaigns and has also been a personal trainer since 2014. Ryan shares, “What I find most rewarding about working here is saving animals from what may be in many cases a short, terrifying existence, and instead providing for them the opportunity to experience love and enjoyment. Also, working alongside other people who feel as strongly as I do about these animals is a great feeling.”
photo coming soon
Shawn Jennings
Facilities Assistant Manager
Outreach
Brody Edsell
Development and Operations Assistant
Brody joined Indraloka in January of 2024. He graduated from Arcadia University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science and worked in a variety of related roles since then, eventually gravitating towards Indraloka because of his love for animals and his alignment with the organization’s mission.
Between his technical expertise and his experience in public-facing roles, he’s able to contribute a multitude of services to the team and serve as a first point of contact for anyone reaching out to the sanctuary. In his downtime, he enjoys improving at an array of solitary hobbies like music, gaming, and writing, but he also makes sure to carve out time to get outdoors for occasional visits to local nature trails. Those who know him would describe him as a laid-back and easygoing person who tries his best to have an ethical output on the world and inspire positive change.
photo coming soon
NEPA Rescue Veterinary Clinic
- Caroline Chronowski, Veterinary Receptionist
- Alexa Graham, Veterinary Technician
- Sailym Jones, Veterinary Assistant
- Julie May, Veterinary Assistant
- Melody Perez, Veterinary Assistant
- Kaitlyn White, Veterinary Clinic Coordinator
photo coming soon
Animal CareGivers
- Anna Acculto
- Jayna Barreto
- Krista Dietrich
- Stephanie Bowers
- Diana Griffith
- Emily LaBar
photo coming soon
Animal CareGiver Assistants
- Mya Harrity
- Shelley Kresge
- Molly McAndrew
- Savannah Plotkin
- Zack Rundell