Board of Directors
MONISHA SETH
PRESIDENT
Monisha is an internal medicine physician serving as the Medical Director for Strategy and Experience for AdventHealth, Central Florida Division South. She and her husband Anthony founded Franklin's Friends in 2003 after adopting their first dog Franklin from the SPCA of Central Florida. They are now the proud parents of 3 rescued hounds - Winston, Lincoln, and Jolene. She is pictured here with Franklin - who inspired all the important work Franklin's Friends has done to support local animal welfare.
ANTHONY DOUGLAS
VICE PRESIDENT
Anthony cofounded Franklin’s Friends with his wife, Monisha, having no clue as to where this journey would take him. He’s a retired physician, lifelong student, and founder of NextLevel Health Advocates. Anthony also aims to make the Central Florida community stronger through human and animal relationships. A lover of the hound, he continues to be challenged by these dogs and their ability to take over his life — and yet, he wouldn’t have it any other way.
MICHELE BUTLER
SECRETARY
Michele is a retired insurance professional who now runs multiple online businesses, including Happy Pawz Studio on Etsy, where she channels her creativity, entrepreneurial spirit and passion for pets into unique products for animal lovers. Michele and her husband Steve began volunteering with Franklin’s Friends in 2006, and since that time have rescued four longhaired dachshunds. Her current furry family members, Cami and Penny, are a constant source of joy in her daily life and inspire many of the designs at Happy Pawz Studio.
SHELLY SPRAGUE
TREASURER
Shelley is a former Radiation Therapist and Cardiology Practice Manager, who has over 23 years working with the public in both a clinical and corporate environment. She grew up on a farm in Canada, and was always rescuing stray animals. Since moving to Florida, Shelley has rescued two boxers, Pasha and Nemo, and has been supporting Franklin’s Friends since 2006. Shelley shares her home with her husband, Amr, and she’s a proud mom of two children, her tiny Goldendoodle, Cuddles, and tiny Bernadoodle, Arya.
TONY CAPITANO
DIRECTOR
As a financial consultant at Fairwinds Credit Union, Tony’s passion is to help clients save for retirement. His wealth of financial background and love for animals makes him a vital member of the Franklin’s Friends board of directors. He and his wife Nicole both share a love of dogs. As a lifelong animal lover, Tony rescued a Greyhound as a young boy and was a fur dad to a high-energy Boxer named Dexter.
STEVE BUTLER
DIRECTOR
Steve is the Director of Customer Success at CCC Intelligent Solutions. His consulting and leadership experience in a corporate environment help to guide and facilitate Franklin's Friends’ business decisions. Steve and his wife Michele are both animal lovers, passionate about little dogs with big hearts. They’re blessed to be able to share their lives with their two dachshunds, Cami and Penny.
CRYSTAL LEROY
DIRECTOR
Crystal got involved in the Pre-Vet Society and started volunteering with Franklin’s Friends during her time at University of Central Florida (UCF). She also obtained a degree in Veterinary Medicine from Lincoln Memorial University College (LMUC) and now works with students helping to vet shelter dogs so they can be rescued. Crystal enjoys traveling and volunteers her time performing spay and neuter campaigns to help with overpopulation. Her furry family includes her rescued beagle Alfred and rescued cats Darwin and Finch.
KIM FREEMAN
DIRECTOR
Kim is a Certified Project Manager and has worked as a Sr. Contract Analyst for Duke Energy since 2014. The company encourages its employees to participate in community service initiatives, which is how she became involved with Franklin's Friends. Kim started out as a lead volunteer with a team of Duke Energy employees and has become an integral part of our annual fundraisers, with HOWL-O-WEEN being one of her favorites! She comes from a family of animal lovers, has always had pets, and can’t imagine her life without one. Kim is currently “owned” by three sweet, funny, and crazy rescue dogs, Biscotti, Kannoli, and Rusty.
