People and Pets Belong Together

Dr. Gary K. Michelson is the founder and co-chair, with his wife Alya, of Michelson Philanthropies, which includes the Michelson Medical Research Foundation, Michelson Found Animals Foundation, Michelson 20MM Foundation, and the Michelson Center for Public Policy.

He is a Board Certified Orthopedic Spinal Surgeon and a Diplomate of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Disappointed with the low success rates and unreliability of spinal surgical procedures he witnessed as a young surgeon, he spent decades developing new implants, procedures, and the instruments required to carry out those procedures. These breakthroughs made spinal surgery less invasive and far more effective.

He is the most prolific individual inventor in the history of medicine and is the sole named inventor of nearly 1,000 patents throughout the world. He is a member of the National Academy of Inventors and was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2011.

Dr. Michelson is a vigorous advocate for philanthropic and public investment in biomedical research and convergence in scientific discovery. Together with Alya, he is donating $120 million to UCLA for the California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy, which he chairs. He previously donated $50 million to the University of Southern California to establish the Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience and construct Michelson Hall, the largest academic building on the USC campus. Among other honors, he is a recipient of the Albert B. Sabin Humanitarian Award for innovations that enabled millions to live healthier, more productive lives, the Honor for Healthcare Research from the Paralyzed Veterans of America, and the Humanitarian Award from The Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics

In 2016, the Michelsons signed The Giving Pledge, a campaign launched by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett that encourages the wealthiest individuals and families to contribute the majority of their fortune to philanthropic causes.

Born and raised in the Soviet Union, Alya Michelson launched her journalism career after earning her degree from Moscow State University. She worked in a position as a military correspondent and reported on major events like the Kursk submarine disaster and the Beslan school siege. With a master’s in economics from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Alya quickly rose to prominence in government, serving as spokesperson for the Vice-Speaker of the Russian State Duma and leading the media department for a ruling political party, United Russia.

In 2012, Alya relocated to the U.S., joining her husband, Dr. Gary Michelson, in managing family philanthropic organizations. As co-chair of Michelson Philanthropies, she drives global initiatives focused on fairness and positive change. Alya is also an accomplished musician and Grammy-winning singer-songwriter. She is known for her evolving musical style, which seamlessly blends elements of inspiration, pop, and dance, resulting in a sound that is both distinctive and mesmerizing.

Alya speaks multiple languages. She resides in Los Angeles with her family and balances philanthropy, the arts, and her passion for international collaboration.

Phillip J. Kim has been a key leader within the Michelson Philanthropies ecosystem since 2009, most recently serving as CEO of the Michelson 20MM Foundation and Managing Director of Michelson Impact Ventures, prior to his appointment as Executive Director.

Phillip brings nearly two decades of experience in nonprofit management, venture capitalism, and philanthropy, overseeing organizational growth, operational alignment, and strategic execution at Michelson Philanthropies. Under his leadership, cross-foundation collaboration has flourished, resulting in innovative initiatives that bridge sectors and disciplines. He is deeply committed to advancing Dr. Michelson’s vision of using philanthropy as a catalyst for systemic change.

Jennifer Pimentel Naitaki is the Vice President, Programs and Strategic Initiatives at Michelson Found Animals. Jennifer applies her first-hand experience in the human and animal wellbeing space leading several key initiatives, including the Pet-Inclusive Housing Initiative, the Better Neighbor Project, and MFA’s Spay and Neuter Initiative. Jennifer works closely with the CEO of MFA to advance MFA’s organizational priorities, working towards the vision that everyone has access to the joy of pets, no matter their socioeconomic status.

Before returning to MFA for a second stint, she was the Executive Director of a national animal welfare organization, evidencing her adeptness in strategy, operations, grantmaking, advocacy, and leading teams toward creative solutions to complex challenges.

Pets: Jennifer lives in Long Beach, CA with her husband and 4 rescue cats, Toad, Lexie, Rocket, and Diego.

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As the Program Director for the Pet-Inclusive Housing Initiative (PIHI) at Michelson Found Animals Foundation, Ross and his team use research to inform programs that build bridges between the pet and housing communities and promote the development of pet-inclusive housing opportunities across the United States. A research professional for more than twenty years, Ross has worked in the pet care area for the past decade. Prior to joining Michelson, Ross led research and innovation teams for Banfield Pet Hospital and Kinship, both part of Mars Petcare.

Ross recently earned a master’s degree in Public Policy with an emphasis in social policy from Oregon State University, where he also worked in the Oregon State Policy Analysis Lab. Additionally, Ross holds an MBA from Northwestern University and a BS in Business Administration from the University of California, Berkeley.

Pets: Ross’s family includes a frequently evolving number of pets, but currently there are two dogs – Wilson, an experienced 12-year old Great Pyrenees/cattle mix, and Stevie Nicks a highly energetic 2-year old Vizsla – and three sweet cats that have all found their own ways of keeping the dogs in check – Nalaroo, Griffin, and Meeko. Pets have always been a central part of family and we are thankful for the joy they bring to our lives.

Jana Brennan is the Program Manager of the Michelson Found Animals Spay and Neuter Initiative, focused on increasing the capacity for spay and neuter and veterinary care. A life-long animal advocate, she has over a decade of animal welfare experience and has volunteered with many rescue groups in Los Angeles since moving from Chicago in 2004. Jana’s first job in high school was in a veterinary clinic. While she ultimately realized that veterinary medicine wasn’t the career path for her, her role at MFA has brought her story full circle, utilizing her compassion and knowledge to increase access to affordable veterinary care for pet families.

Pets: Jana’s family recently had to say goodbye to their beloved shepherd mix, Charlie, after 15 wonderful years. An adorable, tiny Staffy-mix named Mini then entered their lives as a foster, and quickly became a foster fail. The boss of the house is a chubby orange cat named Cindy, who was adopted from a senior neighbor who could no longer care for her. The Brennan kids are becoming rescue advocates and love their furry fam!

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Becky Cyr is the Senior Program Manager of the Michelson Prize & Grants (MPG), an innovative scientific research program whose goal is to develop one or more nonsurgical sterilization methods for dogs and cats. She works closely with grantees, research partners, and a board of scientific advisors to develop and fund cutting-edge projects that will one day completely change how we think about and manage spay and neuter. Becky’s lifelong love for companion animals led her to join Michelson Found Animals in 2012 – and the pet-friendly nature of the Found Animals office led her to adopt her first dog, Gustavo (Gus) Barksdale that same year.

Pets: Becky’s soul dog Gus crossed the rainbow bridge in 2022 after many devoted years by her side. In June 2025, she welcomed a new companion to her life: Alfie, a sweet senior chihuahua adopted from Muttville in San Francisco. Though he’s only just joined the family, Alfie has already made himself at home as a gentle, respectful coworker and a perfect partner for leisurely walks.

Victoria Piar serves as the Senior Program Manager for the Better Neighbor Project at the Michelson Found Animals Foundation. In this role, she and her team focus on supporting pet owners in Los Angeles by connecting them with resources to help mitigate the increasingly high cost of pet ownership. Joining the foundation in 2020, shortly after the inception of the Better Neighbor Project, Victoria has spearheaded the program’s growth, resulting in thousands of pets receiving free and basic preventative care each year.

Her over 10 years of experience in the nonprofit sector have enabled her to thrive in positions that involve developing and implementing programs that rely on building connections and fostering relationships. She aims to continue this spirit of collaboration to support pet owners and contribute to the Better Neighbor Project’s ongoing growth and impact.

Pets: Victoria’s family is filled with fun and energy, thanks to her two adorable pups, both under three years old, who have complementary yet opposite personalities. Junebug, a mischievous and playful Jindo mix with the curliest tail, came into her life after adopting her from a South Korean rescue. Just a year later, her family expanded unexpectedly when she was introduced to Hercules, a sweet and snuggly pit bull terrier mix, through the Better Neighbor Project. After fostering Hercules, it quickly became clear that he was meant to stay and become a permanent member of the family.

Junebug and Hercules quickly became the best of friends, with Junebug taking on the role of leader and Hercules as her little shadow. They spend their days wrestling, sunbathing, and getting into trouble. This dynamic duo has developed a strong bond that brings immense joy, enhancing each other’s lives and the lives of everyone around them.