Officers and Staff

Timothy S. Midura, C.P.A., J.D., LL.M.

Timothy Midura is a licensed attorney and registered certified public accountant who brings more than 25 years of legal expertise to his role at the Brooks Institute.
 
He has served on a number of boards of non-profit and professional organizations.
 
Prior to entering private law practice, Mr. Midura was a member of the tax department of a “big four” public accounting firm. His expertise in complex fiduciary (business entity, estate, and trust) planning and administration; charitable gift facilitation and related not-profit organizations; and private foundation matters uniquely qualifies him for his role as President, Executive Director, and General Counsel of the Brooks Institute for Animal Rights Law & Policy, Inc.
 
Mr. Midura has researched, written, and presented in his legal areas of expertise. He pursues continuing education with a passion and is in a continuous ‘listening tour’ of the animal protection movement. Therefore, Mr. Midura maintains a vantage point and appreciation for cultivating premier educational and research resources.

Timothy may be contacted at TMidura@theBrooksInstitute.org.

Sarah Muñoz

As Director of Program Management, Sarah oversees a roster of initiatives, programs, and events for the Brooks Institute. Some current priorities include advancing the Institute’s research, an international 'listening tour' of conferences, building relationships, community, and collaborative partnerships. As well as, the Brooks Congress, interdisciplinary scholarly summits, BASCO (Brooks Animal Agency, Sentience, and Cognition Initiative), Animal Law Fundamentals, and animal law and scholarship advancement.

Sarah studied psychology at Northern Illinois University, in pursuit of a career bettering the lives of others and being a voice for the most vulnerable. It was through Pit Bull rescue/rehabilitation/rehoming volunteerism she realized her desire to advocate for nonhuman animals. 

Sarah has always had an affinity and heightened sensitivity towards nonhuman animals so the opportunity to combine her education, personal passion and professional experience at the Brooks Institute is true providence.

Sarah lives in the Chicago area with her family including her husband, three children, and cat, Buddy. Outside of work and family, she is passionate about fitness, health, and opportunities to advocate for, and volunteer with nonhuman animals. 

Sarah may be contacted at SMunoz@theBrooksInstitute.org

Amanda Yancey

Amanda Yancey is the Director of Program Management, Systems, and Research at the Brooks Institute.

She advances and supervises a multitude of programs, events, and initiatives. Amanda participates in collaborative projects with renowned animal protection professionals, conducts research, and manages aspects of nearly all Brooks Institute projects. She also oversees the building and implementation of dynamic technology initiatives. Some current projects include event management of the Brooks Congresses and interdisciplinary summits; supporting the Brooks Animal Agency, Sentience, and Cognition Initiative; advancing the Institute's research by participating in an international 'listening tour', attending conferences, and conferring with seasoned actors in the animal protection community; and furthering the Animal Law Fundamentals series.

Amanda’s previous experience was in the senior analytics division of a logistics firm, where some responsibilities included high-level reporting, implementing new worldwide operations systems, and assisting in principal stages of new global initiatives for business processes and system enhancements. When presented with the opportunity to align her professional experience with her personal passion for changing the world for animals, she could not turn away.

Amanda shares her home with her husband, two young children, two rescue dogs, and adopted cat. In her free time, she has volunteered for several years with her local animal shelter, fostered rescue dogs in her home, and has been an advisor and director on the board for the supporting nonprofit of her municipal animal shelter.

Amanda may be contacted at AYancey@theBrooksInstitute.org.

Amy Kagy

Amy graduated from Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies, where she co-founded the school’s animal rights club “ROAR” (Reaching Out for Animal Rights). While running the club, she learned how to plan events, research, and partner with community members to create change. Her experience at school paved the way for her career in animal rights.

Before joining the Brooks Institute’s team, Amy was the Pet Resources Coordinator at the Houston Humane Society where she helped create and build the Pet Resources department. Her primary focus was to help low-income families get access to free spay/neuter services and free food/supplies, with the goal of battling the animal overpopulation crisis and simultaneously preventing families from surrendering their pets to shelters due to financial insecurity.

As the Program and Administrative Coordinator at The Brooks Institute, Amy provides operational support across the entire organization. With an understanding of nonhuman animal sentience, she has a values-driven passion for streamlining projects and programs that will advance animal rights law and policy.

Originally from Kansas, Amy now resides in Chicagoland with her husband and their rescue dog, Zoey.

Amy can be reached at AKagy@theBrooksInstitute.org

Lauren Bowman

Lauren joins the Brooks Institute team with over 5 years of Marketing and Communications related experience. As Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Lauren will oversee the digital presence of The Brooks Institute as well as communications internally and externally.

In her previous roles, she served as a Creative Media Specialist working in public education and most recently, Marketing Manager working in the sports tourism industry. In her experience, Lauren gained vast amounts of knowledge about effective communication, event planning, and the importance of relationship building.

In Lauren’s free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and dog Ellie, golfing, and photography. Lauren has volunteered throughout many non-profit organizations over the past 10 years and is excited to combine her love for non-profit work and animals with her skills in Marketing and Communications.  

Lauren may be contacted at LBowman@theBrooksInstitute.org.

Jennie Trebelhorn

Jennie Trebelhorn is the Bookkeeper at the Brooks Institute.

As a dedicated and detail-oriented accounting professional, Jennie has been meeting the accounting needs of the hospitality industry for over ten years. Throughout those years, she has implemented and enhanced new Finance policies to strengthen accounting controls, developed and executed business plans, and worked closely with her colleagues to ensure financial goals were met and financial reports were accurately represented.

Jennie joined the Brooks Institute in November 2021 after being a stay-at-home mom for the past seven years. She is excited to rejoin the workforce and the fact that her past work experience and her love and belief in animal rights and protection coincide, makes this position a great fit for her. She hopes that what she is doing helps contributes to making a difference in the world of animal protection.

Jennie lives in the Chicagoland with her husband, two young children and adopted and beloved dog, Coco.  On her free time, she enjoys fitness, traveling and exploring new places.