May 7, 2020
Michelle Fifield is our Board Vice President. Michelle is the managing partner of The Ad Agency, Charleston and has been in the marketing and advertising industry for over 28 years. After serving as Director of Sales with a major media and entertainment entity, Michelle began working directly with locally owned businesses creating marketing and advertising strategies.
A University of South Carolina graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Michelle also obtained a Masters of Education in 1991. She is also a graduate of both the Leadership Columbia and Leadership Charleston Chamber of Commerce programs. Michelle is passionate about giving back to the community and serves on numerous civic and charitable organizations: Palmetto Military Support Group Board Member (Secretary 2015-2017, President 2017-2019); Joint Base Charleston Honorary Commander Program 2011-2013; JBC Advisory Council 2014; Charleston Metro Chamber Total Resource Campaign Vice Chair and Ambassador; Special Olympics of The Lowcountry Volunteer Board Member, Marketing Chair; North Charleston Business Expo Planning Committee; Charleston Leaders Board of Directors, Secretary; Communities in Schools Chocolate Affair Planning Committee, Marketing Chair; Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary Board Member.
Michelle lives in Stono Ferry Plantation, Hollywood, SC with her husband Rob and their dogs Gracie Kelly and Tupelo Honey.
Jul 19, 2018
John Gratiot is our Board President. John retired from Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire after 28 years, as Assoc. VP for Facilities. He received his BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Vermont. He grew up in Woodstock, Vermont, and moved to the Charleston area in 2010 after retirement, for the wonderful weather and year-round golf. John spent 24 years on the Board of Trustees for a small co-ed prep school in New York State serving at various times as chair of the facilities and finance committees as well as a member of the development committee. John and his wife Kathy, a Hallie Hill volunteer, have owned many rescue dogs and love to help provide the opportunity for others to share that joy.
Jul 12, 2018
Helen Bradham’s career in animal welfare started in her early years when she began bringing stray animals home, and has essentially never stopped. Helen established Hallie Hill in 1988 creating a safe-haven capable of caring for over 200 animals at any one time. Helen attended Converse College, but graduated from USC with a bachelor’s degree in English. She lives on Folly Beach with her seven dogs and one cat from Hallie Hill. She is very proud of her three children: Elizabeth, Margaret, and John. When not rescuing animals, Helen enjoys renovation projects and reading about Nikola Tesla.
Sep 12, 2015
Pat is a native South Carolinian and graduate of the University of South Carolina in 1985. He is married to his wonderful wife, Becky. They have three sons ranging in age from 27 to 11. Pat founded a medical staffing company in Houston, TX in 1977, which he subsequently sold in 1988. Since that time Pat has been a local real estate investor who also owns and operates the Links at Stono Ferry, as well as the Plantation Golf Course at Edisto. He and Becky are proud owners of their dog, Spike.
Aug 22, 2015
LaDon Wallis, DVM relocated to Charleston several years after she graduated from the University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine in 2004. She wanted to become a veterinarian since the age of five, and remembers interviewing her family vet when she was ten years of age. Her profession affords her the ability to educate and influence people and care for animals that many consider family. She also has a passion to preserve and protect the environment and Lowcountry habitats. She considers Charleston one of the most beautiful places and takes every opportunity to enjoy the outdoors with her husband, whether it be hiking, paddling, or photography.
She was recently appointed to the State of South Carolina Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to represent the First Congressional District. She is excited to further her profession in this capacity, as well as serve on the Board of Directors for Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary.
Jul 19, 2015
John Byrnes is our Board Treasurer. John and his wife, Judith, live in Aiken with their two rescue dogs: Cooper and Max. Both John and Jude have been active supporters and volunteers at Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary since 2015, and are regularly on property most Sunday afternoons, when they are in town. John and Jude practice (and teach) the ancient healing art of Jin Shin Jyutsu. This art is applicable to animals as well as humans and they are only two of twelve certified instructors, worldwide, of Jin Shin Jyutsu for your Animal Companions. In addition to their private practice, they have worked closely with several rescues and sanctuaries including Hallie Hill, LEARN Horse Rescue, Pet Helpers, and Alaqua Animal Refuge in Freeport, Florida. They are passionate about sharing and teaching this gentle healing heart to pet owners, shelter workers, and volunteers. John first moved to the Charleston area in 2006 and has enjoyed a varied career over the years that has included managing several fine dining restaurants in the New York area, seven years of portfolio and investment management at Capital Counsel LLC, five years of private club management at the Daniel Island Club, and five years as a project manager for a privately held software company. He is currently a self-employed Management/Financial Consultant and has recently joined the executive team at VUniverse as the CFO. John is an active member of St. Stephen’s Church in Charleston, and has served on the Vestry, Finance, and Buildings and Grounds Committees.
