I'm Hayley Lemery, a devoted storyteller with a deep passion for animal rescue. I’m excited to share my journey and form a community of like-minded people! Here's a bit more about me:

📝 Yearbook Kid Turned Reporter

When I started high school, my dad told me that if I wasn’t going to do a sport, I needed to do an extracurricular where I could have that similar sense of community. He said “Do Yearbook! I wish I did that in high school!” So I did. I would’ve never imagined that this elective would spark my future desired career. I held the role of Underclass and Clubs Editor during my sophomore and junior years and became Editor-in-Chief my senior year.

👩🏼‍🎓 Scholarly Endeavors

Following my yearbook days, I went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Florida Gulf Coast University. During my senior year, I served as the Assignment and Features Editor of Eagle News, FGCU’s student-led newspaper. Graduation prompted deep self-reflection about my career path and I recognized the potential of my passion for storytelling. I decided to channel my storytelling abilities into the nonprofit sector, where I could actively contribute to making the world a better place. Because of this, I am now pursuing a Master of Arts in Mass Communication with a concentration in Public Interest Communication at the University of Florida.

🏙️ The Windy City

After living in Florida for 18 years, I decided to pack up my belongings and move across the U.S. to Chicago, Illinois. I now call the Windy City my home! There’s an abundance of opportunities packed into this city, and I’m excited about where it will lead me.

🐈 Animal Rescue Runs in the Family

My grandfather and uncle are veterinarians, so I feel like it’s in my blood to want to save animals. I began volunteering at an animal rescue during my undergraduate degree, which led me to a summer job at a local cat cafe. That summer was one of the most joyful, enlightening, and affirming periods of my life. That’s when I knew I wanted to be involved in animal rescue. I currently serve as an Administrative Coordinator at Paws and Claws Cat Rescue, where I’m a ‘jack of all trades.’ I am responsible for creating and implementing marketing strategies via social media and writing impact stories for our website. I assist in planning fundraising events, oversee volunteers during their shifts, and do data entry and management. Additionally, I manage a Facebook group for our members and contribute content for our social media platforms, which includes Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. I'm committed to leveraging the power of compelling stories to generate crucial support for our feline residents!