Torie Guilliot Roberts is a lifelong resident of Youngsville, Louisiana, and a second-generation animal advocate carrying forward her family’s legacy of hands-on care, resilience, and service to community. She is the Founder and President of Because of Brucey, a 501(c)(3) neonatal rescue, ICU, and animal welfare organization dedicated to saving the most medically fragile animals—particularly neonatal kittens and critical care cases that would otherwise have no chance at survival. The organization is named in honor of Brucey, a tiny kitten whose fight for life exposed a critical and often overlooked gap in regional animal welfare: the lack of specialized, round-the-clock neonatal ICU care. What began as a single rescue effort has since grown—through veterinary collaboration, community trust, and relentless hands-on leadership—into one of Acadiana’s most vital lifesaving resources for neonatal and critical-care animals. Torie’s path to nonprofit leadership is uniquely rooted at the intersection of creativity, medicine, and grit. For more than 15 years, she built a successful career as a professional stylist and makeup artist while simultaneously pursuing nursing education. By her third year of nursing school, demand for her expertise in neonatal kitten care had accelerated so rapidly that it reshaped her life’s direction entirely. Her medical training, paired with deep compassion and an intuitive understanding of critical care, positioned her to build a neonatal ICU rescue model few regions possess—earning the frequent refrain from colleagues and veterinarians alike: “Veterinarian is probably what she should have been all along.” Under Torie’s leadership, Because of Brucey has evolved into a 24/7 neonatal ICU and foster-based medical network providing advanced diagnostics, intensive stabilization, and complex case management. The organization now serves as a referral and support hub for shelters, rescues, and community caregivers across South Louisiana, while also expanding capacity for disaster response and emergency animal care. Torie leads alongside a highly engaged, veterinarian-directed board and medical advisory team—ensuring that lifesaving decisions are grounded in both clinical excellence and ethical care. Her leadership philosophy is defined by compassionate accountability and collaborative systems-building. Torie fosters a culture where veterinarians, volunteers, foster caregivers, and youth advocates are empowered contributors to mission success. She is particularly committed to long-term sustainability—building infrastructure, protocols, and partnerships that allow lifesaving work to continue even in high-stress, high-volume emergency conditions. Beyond rescue operations, Torie has made education and youth engagement a cornerstone of the organization’s impact. Through community outreach and youth-led initiatives such as Kitty Quenchers, Because of Brucey promotes responsible pet ownership, early intervention, and awareness of neonatal medical needs—cultivating the next generation of animal welfare leaders while strengthening community resilience. With deep gratitude for the supporters, veterinarians, and partners who sustain this mission, Torie remains focused on expanding Because of Brucey’s reach and capacity. Her vision is clear: a future where no animal is denied care due to age, fragility, or circumstance—and where every tiny life is given a fighting chance.

Alan Roberts is a seasoned operations leader, safety-focused supervisor, and lifelong animal advocate whose professional background brings critical infrastructure, accountability, and scale to Because of Brucey. As Co-Founder and Vice President, Alan plays a central role in translating lifesaving rescue work into a sustainable, well-governed organization capable of operating under high-risk, high-pressure conditions. With more than 15 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, Alan has served in senior field supervision, quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC), operations management, and customer relations roles across the Gulf Coast, Permian Basin, Eagle Ford, and offshore environments. He has led large, on-call teams, overseen complex field operations, managed safety compliance, conducted audits, handled invoicing and reporting, and ensured strict adherence to procedural and regulatory standards—often in 24/7 operational settings where failure was not an option. Alan’s expertise includes workforce supervision, incident prevention, logistics, inventory management, purchasing, billing, and financial oversight. As a former business owner and construction partner, he also managed daily accounts payable and receivable, sales, invoicing, material procurement, and crew operations. His background in safety training, hazard mitigation, emergency preparedness, and compliance directly informs Because of Brucey’s ICU operations, disaster readiness, and organizational risk management. In his role at Because of Brucey, Alan provides operational leadership, infrastructure planning, and long-term strategic support—ensuring that Torie Guilliot Roberts’ nearly 20 years of hands-on neonatal rescue expertise is supported by strong systems, clear protocols, and sustainable growth planning. He is deeply invested in building an organization that can withstand crisis, expand responsibly, and remain accountable to both its mission and the community it serves. A proud father and grandfather, Alan is personally committed to the belief that animals deserve dignity, care, and protection—especially when they are most vulnerable. Together, Alan and Torie have built Because of Brucey on the principle that compassion must be matched with structure, and that lifesaving work requires both heart and operational excellence.

Jordan Speyrer is a Lafayette native, community connector, and dedicated advocate for animal welfare whose leadership bridges grassroots action and mission-driven outreach at Because of Brucey. As a Founding Circle Member and Community Engagement Coordinator, Jordan plays a vital role in strengthening relationships with supporters, partners, volunteers, and the broader community. For more than five years, Jordan and her daughter Linden have traveled extensively across the country by van—immersed in nature, community, and service. Along that journey, Jordan developed a deep commitment to helping the most vulnerable among us, particularly neonatal kittens who face overwhelming odds without specialized care. That shared passion ultimately aligned with the mission of Because of Brucey, where Jordan found a home for both her advocacy and hands-on involvement. Jordan brings a unique perspective shaped by lived experience, relationship-building, and storytelling. She works closely with leadership to amplify public engagement, education, and community trust—ensuring that supporters understand not only what the organization does, but why it matters. Her approach centers on authenticity, accessibility, and inclusion, helping transform concern into action. Beyond outreach, Jordan is deeply committed to modeling compassion, service, and leadership for the next generation. Through her work alongside her daughter, she helps demonstrate that meaningful change happens when families, communities, and organizations work together with shared purpose. Jordan believes that strong communities protect their most vulnerable—and that every life, no matter how small, deserves to be seen, valued, and supported.

Linden Speyrer is a 12-year-old youth leader, animal advocate, and the heart behind Because of Brucey’s next generation of changemakers. Born on Earth Day, Linden has always felt a deep connection to animals and the natural world. From an early age, she knew she wanted to be an animal rescuer—and at just nine years old, that dream became a mission. After witnessing the devastating neonatal kitten crisis in South Louisiana, Linden committed herself to helping the most fragile lives—newborn kittens who would not survive without intensive, round-the-clock care. Her journey took a defining turn when she connected with founder Torie Guilliot Roberts during a phone call that neither could have known would change their lives. The bond was immediate, rooted in shared purpose and unwavering compassion. Today, Linden proudly serves as Youth Ambassador, Honorary Board Advisor, and Founding Circle Member of Because of Brucey. She works side by side with her mother and the rescue team—actively participating in neonatal care, including bottle-feeding and daily support for critical patients. Linden is also a natural organizer and leader, regularly planning and leading fundraising efforts that directly support lifesaving programs. Over the past five years, Linden has traveled nearly half the country, learning from communities, nature, and service along the way. She is also the founder of Kitty Quenchers, a youth-powered lemonade stand initiative that raises funds for spay/neuter efforts, supports local caregivers, and inspires other children to get involved in rescue and advocacy. Through compassion, action, and leadership beyond her years, Linden is living proof that you are never too young to change the world—and that the future of animal welfare is already in capable hands.

Dr. Katie Habetz, DVM, is a respected practicing veterinarian, animal welfare advocate, and proud Louisiana native. A graduate of the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Habetz practices at English Animal Clinic and serves as a Board Member of the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association (LVMA), contributing to the advancement of veterinary standards and professional leadership statewide. Dr. Habetz has been integral to Because of Brucey since its very beginning. She is the veterinarian who helped founder Torie Guilliot Roberts fight for the life of Brucey—the neonatal kitten whose struggle ultimately inspired the creation of the organization. From that defining moment forward, Dr. Habetz has remained a steadfast believer in the mission and a trusted medical voice behind its growth. Known for her clinical judgment and compassionate approach, Dr. Habetz has consistently advocated for thoughtful, aggressive care in cases where fragile neonates are often deemed unsalvageable. As a Veterinary Advisor and Board Member, she helps guide medical protocols, supports 24/7 neonatal ICU operations, and ensures that lifesaving decisions are grounded in both sound medicine and ethical responsibility. Through her leadership, countless kittens—and the systems built to protect those yet to come—have been given the opportunity to survive, heal, and thrive.

Dr. Lindsay Trahan Theriot, DVM, is the Veterinarian of Record for Because of Brucey, providing primary medical oversight and regulatory accountability for the organization’s neonatal ICU and critical care operations. A practicing Louisiana-based veterinarian, Dr. Theriot brings extensive clinical experience in companion animal medicine and complex medical case management. In her role as Veterinarian of Record, Dr. Theriot is responsible for medical supervision, protocol oversight, and compliance with veterinary standards of care—ensuring that all clinical operations are conducted ethically, safely, and in alignment with state and professional regulations. Her leadership anchors the organization’s veterinarian-directed rescue model and reinforces its commitment to medical integrity. As a Board Member and Veterinary Advisor, Dr. Theriot also contributes to strategic medical planning, policy development, and case review, offering a systems-minded perspective that balances patient welfare with responsible resource use. She works collaboratively with fellow veterinary leaders to support evidence-based decision-making across ICU, foster, and emergency response settings. Dr. Theriot’s involvement provides critical continuity, accountability, and clinical depth—helping ensure that Because of Brucey delivers high-quality, sustainable lifesaving care to the region’s most vulnerable animals while maintaining the highest standards of veterinary governance.

Dr. Maggie Placer, DVM, is a licensed veterinarian, leader in feline medicine, and the founder of Placer Veterinary Care, a mobile veterinary practice providing accessible, compassionate care throughout Acadiana. She also serves as Staff Veterinarian for the EveryCat Health Foundation, an internationally recognized organization advancing feline health research and education. Dr. Placer’s relationship with Because of Brucey began in crisis—while attempting to save a paralyzed mother cat who had just given birth. Recognizing that the newborn kittens required immediate, around-the-clock neonatal support, she reached out to Because of Brucey for help. That collaboration marked the beginning of a deeply integrated partnership. As the neonatal team stabilized the kittens, Dr. Placer and Torie Guilliot Roberts worked collaboratively to investigate the underlying cause of the mother’s condition, consulting advanced resources—including LSU specialists—to pursue answers and lifesaving outcomes. The experience forged a bond grounded in medical rigor, persistence, and shared values. Today, Dr. Placer serves as Veterinary Medical Director, overseeing ICU protocols, guiding complex medical decision-making, and shaping a rescue model that integrates clinical excellence with empathy and access. Her mobile practice remains a critical extension of the organization’s reach—bringing care directly to animals and communities that traditional systems often miss.

Jay Fontenot is a seasoned insurance professional and leadership advisor with more than 21 years of experience in risk management, financial protection, and benefits strategy. Based in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Jay brings deep expertise in helping individuals, families, and organizations protect what matters most—income stability, long-term security, and resilience in the face of unexpected events. Jay currently serves as an Agency Leader with Combined Insurance, a Chubb company, where he leads teams focused on voluntary benefits and financial protection solutions. Throughout his career, he has held senior sales and leadership roles with nationally recognized firms including Allstate, AssuredPartners, and Southern Insurance Brokers, building a comprehensive background across personal, commercial, life, health, and supplemental insurance. In addition to serving clients, Jay is deeply committed to mentorship and leadership development. He is passionate about guiding professionals into meaningful careers in the insurance and benefits industry, emphasizing integrity, service, and long-term impact. His ability to translate complex financial concepts into practical, accessible guidance makes him a trusted advisor to both individuals and organizations. As a Board Member of Because of Brucey, Jay provides strategic insight into financial risk mitigation, organizational resilience, and sustainability planning. His perspective strengthens the organization’s governance by ensuring that growth, emergency operations, and long-term planning are supported by sound risk management and financial safeguards. Jay’s leadership reinforces Because of Brucey’s commitment to building not just a compassionate mission—but a stable, durable organization positioned to serve the community responsibly for years to come.