Animal Caretakers Impact Fund was founded by people who understand the realities of animal care—because they've lived them.
Our founder, Dr. Lindsay Brown, is a veterinarian who saw firsthand the toll the profession takes on those who dedicate their lives to it. She started ACIF to address a gap she experienced herself: supporting the humans behind animal welfare. Our board brings together expertise in veterinary medicine, business, education, and nonprofit leadership—united by a shared commitment to the people who care for animals.
Lindsay J. Brown
DVM, PhD – President, Founder, Executive Director
Dr. Brown received her master’s degree and doctorate in infectious disease epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. After consulting for a global epidemiology/health outcome research firm, Dr. Brown transitioned to data science positions in health tech companies in the San Francisco Bay area. Seeking change, and given her lifelong love of animals, she decided to use her background in public health and understanding of medical research to pursue a doctorate in veterinary medicine at Colorado State University. Upon completion of this degree, she went into clinical practice and experienced the many challenges of being a veterinarian firsthand. Deciding her background was best utilized to improve the plights of animals and those who care for them, she created this philanthropy.
Thomas E. Brown
DPT - Vice President
Dr. Brown received his doctorate in physical therapy from the University of California San Francisco. While in private practice, he pursued continuing education in companion animal physical therapy, broadening his expertise to alleviate pain in humans and animals. He left the physical therapy field to assist with his family’s car dealership, helping lead the business to become number one in the country in sales. He has since returned to physical therapy and is working with non-profits in the Salt Lake City, UT and Driggs, ID areas. He looks forward to contributing his business knowledge and care for animals to this philanthropy.
Cindy Durtschi
PHD - Secretary and Treasurer
Dr. Durtschi is a professor emeritus for the School of Accountancy and MIS at Depaul University. Professor Durtschi’s teaching and research focused on forensic and governmental/not-for-profit accounting. She has published research in the top accounting journals as well as winning national awards and recognition from the American Accounting Association for her original teaching cases. Her cases have been used in universities across the world. While at DePaul University, she created and directed a master’s degree in Accounting and Auditing Services that combined Forensic accounting and Data Analytics. She continues to be active since retirement working as a Gamemaker and game writer for TrueUp, a producer of accounting educational games. She is excited to lend her deep expertise in accounting and non-profits to this charity.
