Our Board of Directors
Jen Simmons, MBA, MPH
Founder & President
Jen is an Atlanta native, public health entrepreneur, and the proud wife of Warren and rescue Mom to Cooper the Pittie (13), Hank Williams the Beagle (12), and Goldie the Supermutt (10)! Being Mom to her babies—some have described her as a "helicopter" dog Mom—is her greatest joy in life!
Jen is the Founder and Board President of Bella’s Blessings whose name honors her pittie baby over the Rainbow Bridge, Bella. Jen also owns a public health consulting company focused on helping programs move from award to outcomes through strong program management and strategy.
For more than 12 years, Jen and Warren (below) have volunteered in Atlanta’s pet welfare community through fostering (including foster-fails!), supporting shelters and rescues, and helping bring free veterinary events to Atlanta. When she’s not working on community projects, she enjoys running 5Ks, ’80s music, Braves games, concerts, making custom perfumes, and (proudly!) worshiping at the altar of Stevie Nicks. Bella’s Blessings is the culmination of years of volunteer work in the Atlanta rescue community and her deep love for pets.
Warren Simmons
Vice President
Hailing from Charleston and relocating to Atlanta to attend Georgia Tech, Warren never lost his love of the ocean. He’s the proud husband of Jen (above!) and rescue dad to Cooper, Hank Williams, and Goldie—and when he’s not on land, you’ll likely find him saltwater fishing which is a passion of his!
Warren is the President/Owner of a commercial construction company, and he played a hands-on role in bringing Bella’s Blessings to life by designing our Pet Blessing Boxes—while his team generously donates their time to build them.
A dedicated public servant, Warren is in his fourth year serving on Doraville City Council, where he has championed animal welfare initiatives including a litter registry, a ban on transient pet sales, no-cost TNR services for Doraville residents, and an incredibly successful partnership with LifeLine Animal Project to bring the Healthy Pets DeKalb clinic to the City (which has resulted in vaccinating and microchipping over 4,000 pets in 3 years!). In any free time that remains, you’ll find Warren visiting his son at Ole Miss or cheering on the Braves.
Yvette Pinnell-Prussing
Vice President of Partnerships and Outreach
Yvette grew up with 8 dogs, a handful of cats, and the occasional hamster, ferret, and fish in the Metro Atlanta area. She is the rescue mom to Scarlett and Violet who steal her heart each and every day (both pittie mixes, 47.6% and 43.1% respectively) and the wife of Keith, a researcher of science-y things.
She first volunteered with a rescue group as well as fostered in 2004. Her first foster was an immediate “foster fail”, and she’s no longer allowed to foster, according to her husband. She is always finding other ways to support shelters, rescues, and animals in need, which is what drew her to Bella’s Blessings, and joining the Board.
Andi Ray
Secretary
Andi grew up in Middle Georgia and has called Doraville home for the past six years. Professionally, she works in post-production within the fashion industry, supporting multiple high-end brands.
As Secretary of our Board, she brings organization, clear communication, and a deep commitment to supporting the mission of Bella's Blessings. Her commitment to pets is no surprise, as she shares her home with two gentle giants, Piper and Lola. Both were adopted through rescue organizations including Atlanta Humane Society and Pawprint Pack.
Andi and her husband are passionate about animal welfare and have fostered and volunteered with several groups, including Atlanta Humane Society, Pawprint Pack, LifeLine Animal Project and Southern Cross German Shepherd Rescue.
Outside of work and volunteering, Andi enjoys spending time outdoors, especially hiking and backpacking.
Taylor Barrows
Treasurer
By day, Taylor navigates the ever-evolving world of mortgage financing, helping families secure funding for a place to call home. She stays closely connected to the community, whether getting lost in the galleries at the High Museum or fueling the creative pulse of Alpharetta’s arts and culture scene. For Taylor, a city isn’t just a place you live, it’s something you actively help shape, creating a vibe that makes it feel like home.
That love for community is shared with her husband Derek and their dog Tommy…who also answers to Tom, Tomsicle, Thomas, or Tomzzz, depending on his mood and haircut. They also carry the memory of their beloved mutt Tito, a rescue from the Atlanta Humane Society. His spirit continues to inspire their love for animals and their commitment to helping families care for the pets who mean just as much to them as their own.