Susan Hakes Kaufmann has been active in animal welfare and rescue for more than 15 years. She is currently Fix'em KC board secretary. In December 2022, she will step into the role as board president for Friends of KCK Animal Services. She is also active in Kansas state-level animal advocacy with HSUS as well as a supporter of Rainbow Meadows Equine Rescue. 

Susan most recently managed the cat program for Melissa's Second Chances, a shelter located in Shawnee, Kansas. She founded and administered the KCK Pet Help Program, which provided financial assistance for spay-neuter for owned pets in Kansas City, Kansas. The program also funded trap-neuter/spay-return for thousands of community cats in KCK. In addition, she helped lead the amazing team that successfully advocated for the repeal of the breed ban in KCK.

Susan is blessed to serve The University of Kansas Health System as Corporate Communications director. She is also an avid equestrian and shows in hunter-jumper events as well as skis every chance she gets. Susan and her husband, Scott, are pet parents to a motley crew of dogs and cats as well as active foster parents for several area rescues and shelters. They are also scuba divers and travelers.