Our Leadership Team:

A multi-national team of volunteers, united by one mission: giving every dog a chance at a better life. The leadership of Hope 4 La Pawz in the U.S. and Amigos de 4 Patas in Mexico reflects this shared commitment. Each member serves as a volunteer, uniting passion and expertise to ensure that donor support goes directly to rescuing, caring for, and rehoming dogs in La Paz.

Charlene Angelo, President

Charlene has been dedicated to rescuing and rehoming dogs in La Paz for more than a decade. What began in 2011 with her and her husband taking in strays quickly grew into something larger: a vision for community-based rescue that relied on foster homes instead of overcrowded shelters.

With the support of fellow animal lovers, that vision became Amigos de 4 Patas in Mexico, and later Hope 4 La Pawz, a U.S. 501(c)(3) charity created to expand adoptions and connect with donors abroad. Together, the two organizations not only help abandoned dogs find homes but also provide food, veterinary care, and preventive medicine to local rescuers.

Most recently, Charlene helped launch the Bienestar program, offering free spay/neuter and vaccines to local pets—tackling the root causes of abandonment and overpopulation.

Charlene is proud to serve, but she insists the real success belongs to the rescuers, fosters, volunteers, and donors who make the mission possible. The dogs are our purpose, but the people are our strength.

Irene Phillips, Secretary

Irene leads our adoption team and plays a vital role in making sure rescued dogs find safe, loving homes. She oversees both intake and adoptions, carefully managing the process so that each match is successful—allowing us to welcome in more dogs who need help and keep our rescue efforts moving forward.

With a professional background in telecommunications and real estate, Irene brings sharp organizational skills and an eye for detail to her volunteer work. She also uses her gift for copywriting to craft engaging profiles that showcase each dog’s personality to potential adopters.

Beyond her leadership role, Irene is a hands-on rescuer herself. Over the past decade, she has personally rescued and placed more than 40 dogs into forever homes. Her dedication ensures that every dog, from intake to adoption day, gets the best chance possible at a new life.

Michelle McCormick, Treasurer

Meet Michelle, the treasurer for both Hope 4 La Pawz and Amigos de 4 Patas. Michelle has been actively engaged in animal rescue and welfare in the La Paz area since 2011. Over the years, she has assumed various roles, demonstrating her commitment to the cause. One notable contribution includes her involvement in transporting adopted dogs to their new homes in the US and Canada.

A true utility player, Michelle is ever-ready to pitch in wherever needed. Whether it’s coordinating dog food orders for the pups in the program, capturing heartwarming photos of dogs, or playing a vital role in organizing and executing fundraising events, Michelle’s dedication knows no bounds.

Having recently retired from a remarkable 32-year career at Microsoft, Michelle has transitioned to living in La Paz almost full-time. Now, as a valued member of the leadership team at Hope 4 La Pawz/ Amigo de 4 Patas, she serves as a board member and actively contributes to shaping and realizing the organization’s mission and vision.

Maria Jose, Vice President of Amigos de 4 Patas

María José, Vice President of Amigos de 4 Patas, and her husband Mauricio are the heart and soul of our rescue work in La Paz. Originally from Mexico City, María José has called La Paz home for nearly 20 years, and together with Mauricio, she brings unmatched dedication to every part of our mission.

You’ll find them at the clinic each Thursday, ensuring dogs receive the care they need, and on the road transporting dogs to their forever homes. Some of their journeys stretch more than 1,100 miles—delivering as many as 14 dogs at a time—yet every pup receives individual attention, comfort, and care along the way. And true to their hearts, they often can’t resist picking up strays they find on the return trip.

Beyond hands-on rescue, María José and Mauricio are tireless ambassadors, sharing the mission of Amigos de 4 Patas through local radio, television, and social media to inspire community support and promote responsible pet ownership.

Their compassion, endurance, and leadership make them indispensable to our work. Together, María José and Mauricio embody the spirit of rescue—turning second chances into new beginnings, one dog at a time.

Dhorea Ryon, Foreign Relations Communications Director

Originally from British Columbia, Canada, Dhorea has called La Paz home for more than 20 years and is a true pioneer of rescue in the city. She founded Baja Dogs La Paz AC, one of the first successful shelters, and launched a groundbreaking transportation program that connected rescued dogs in La Paz with adopters and shelters across the U.S. and Canada.

Her leadership also extended to mobile sterilization campaigns and school programs that taught the next generation about responsible pet care—initiatives that continue to shape rescue work today.

Now a board member of Amigos de 4 Patas, Dhorea shares her experience to guide and strengthen our programs. Her vision and dedication laid the foundation for much of what we do, and her legacy continues to inspire our growth. At home, she’s still surrounded by her beloved rescues—three “Mexican purebreds” adopted right from the streets of La Paz.

We are deeply grateful for Dhorea’s tireless compassion and the path she has paved for rescue in La Paz.

Rosa Cruz Guzman, Advisory Board Member

Rosa has called La Paz home for the past 12 years, and for the last five, she has been deeply committed to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming dogs and cats in need. Her passion for animals began in childhood while caring for her grandparents’ farm animals, where she learned that every creature deserves love, care, and respect.

When adoptions in La Paz became increasingly difficult, Rosa connected with Amigos de 4 Patas and found a community of like-minded rescuers. Since then, she has become an invaluable part of the team—helping with socialization, transport, clinic support, home visits, and fundraising events.

Rosa currently shares her home with 10 rescued dogs and 4 cats, each one a reminder of why she continues this work. Her dedication, compassion, and tireless efforts make her an essential part of our mission to give more animals a chance at a better life.