Meet the Board

In addition to our wonderful staff and volunteers, our Board of Directors dedicates its time and expertise to ensure the shelter honors its mission to find loving, forever homes for abused and unwanted pets.

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Eric Hoss, President

Hello! It’s an honor to be part of an important group like the Humane Society of Central Illinois! I have been a resident of Bloomington-Normal most of my life graduating from Normal Community High School and receiving my bachelor’s degree and MBA from Illinois State University. I am currently a Technology Director at State Farm Corporate HQ in Bloomington.

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Cara Nelson, Vice President

I am a lifelong pet lover and longtime support of the Humane Society.  I adopted my first pet from the HSCI in 1996 and my most recent dog (Homie!) in October of this past year.

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I have been a part of the special events planning group for the past 10 years and recently joined the board in 2024.  I am passionate about taking care of all animals (big/small/indoor/outdoor) and was ecstatic to be asked to be a part of the board. 
The HSCI will always be near and dear to my heart, and I look forward to serving them as well as the pet community. 
A middle-aged man with short, light brown hair and light skin, standing indoors. He is wearing a navy blue suit, a light blue dress shirt, and a red striped tie. Behind him is a white door with a small circular sticker and a wooden plaque mounted on the wall.

Pamela Sweetwood, Secretary

Caring for pets has been lifelong core value of mine so I truly want the best for HSCI.  I adopt only senior or special needs pets.  As an adult, I have been graced with 21 cats living with me over the years.  Currently I have Daphne who is 20 along with my boyfriend’s two cats.   In April 2024, we became first time dog parents to an 8 year old beagle.

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I have lived in Normal since enrolling at ISU as a college student   I recently retired from Heartland Community College.   Now my focus is on volunteering once again to some phenomenal local non-profits.
I was involved with HSCI from 1996-2009 previously.   I began in the cat room and with fundraising.   When I joined the board, I oversaw fundraising, grants, spay/neuter outreach and operations/staffing.  One huge undertaking was our move from Gill Street to Kay’s Drive.  
Since returning to the board in 2024, my focus is on the communications and fundraising committees.  I hope to contribute to its success.
I look forward to HSCI being the place to adopt.  We have wonderful pets who deserve the best in life.
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Robin Ambrose

I am new to HSCI and excited for an opportunity to give back to my community! The staff at HSCI work very hard to ensure pets are loved,  cared for and placed in their forever homes. Helping to improve HSCI will allow us to continue to make those connections possible.

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Erin Jensen

I joined the HSCI board in January 2025 and am honored to contribute to an organization dedicated to animal well-being. Having called Bloomington/Normal home since the age of four, I deeply value being part of this community. 

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Caring for animals has been a lifelong passion, and I am grateful for the opportunity to support animals in need through this meaningful work.
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Ken Kasprzak

My involvement with HSCI goes back to the Gill Street days but has gotten more active over the past couple of years. As a member of the board, my main goal is to support our amazing staff and volunteers and help to drive the vision that they have for our shelter.

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Dedicating my efforts to the memory of the fur babies who have blessed my life, I will work hard to ensure that every abused and unwanted pet will be loved and cared for until we can find them their loving and forever homes.