Meet the Team
Craig Neilson - Co-Founder and Executive Director
For over 20 years, Craig has been fulfilling his mission of helping end pet overpopulation by spaying and neutering pets. His passion, drive, and humor brings everyone together to pass the gift, and have fun while doing so!
Rosaura Arriola - Co-Founder and Past President
Rosy dedicated the past 25 years to the rescue and adoption of street dogs in the City of Mexicali, B.C. Mexico. And, since 2005, she organized campaigns for the sterilization of dogs and cats, and to promote the training of Veterinarians in minimally invasive techniques to reduce the time and cost of surgeries and make them more accessible to the general population. Rosy passed away in 2023.
Dr. Marvin Mackie - Adviser
In 2005, Dr. W. Marvin Mackie of Animal Birth Control clinics in Southern California, demonstrated in a DVD called “QuickSpay”, his high-volume surgical pet sterilization techniques developed while operating low-cost spay/neuter clinics since 1976. He has now been a part of Spay Mexico for years sharing his technique with veterinarians worldwide.
Al Polit, CFA - Director & Vice President
Al is actively engaged in the investment management industry with close to 35 years in financial services and was most recently a Senior Portfolio Manager for non-U.S. equities at American Century Investments utilizing a deep-value approach. Prior to American Century, he was also with Lombardia Capital Partners, Deac Chase Global Value, and Brandes Investment Partners.
Dr. Yazmin Valdez Barrientos - President of the Board, Director
Dr. Yazmin graduated from the Universidad Autonoma de Baja California in 2005, and began participating in spay and neuter campaigns straight after. She has over 13 years of experience and has travelled the globe spaying and neutering animals. She is a clinic owner in Mexicali and has participated in over 150 spay and neuter campaigns worldwide.
Dr. Jose Ariel Felix Ortiz - Trainer and Veterinarian
Dr. Ariel has a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree (DVM), is a Spay Mexico and Spay Global Trainer: Dr. Ariel received his DVM from the Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, where he then specialized and received a doctorate degree in veterinary medicine, surgery, and zoonosis. He worked as the director of animal control in Hermosillo, Sonora, and has over ten years of experience in spay and neuter.
Dr. Blayra Maldonado Cabrera - Director of Academics & Medical Director
Graduated in 2009 with her DVM, she went on to receive her master’s degree in public health administration, and a diplomate in strategic administration and another one on veterinary medicine and surgery. She worked as an adviser on the direction of epidemiology in Mexico city for two years and as sub director of the animal control center in Hermosillo for three years. Currently she's getting a doctorate degree in institutional health; teaches at two universities in Sonora México, and has her own private clinic.
Dr. Nancy J Ruiz Reza - Trainer
Dr. Nancy graduated from the Universidad Autonoma de Baja California in 2011, and immediately became a part of Spay Mexico. She is specialized in spay and neuter surgeries, and small animal practice. She has spent most of her career supporting spay and neuter campaigns.
Dr. Cesar Tejeda Aguirre - Trainer and Adviser
Dr. Cesar graduated in 2007 as a DVM. He has his own practice in Ensenada, Mexico, and has been a part of the spay and neuter movement for over 15 years. He has worked endlessly throughout his career spaying and neutering animals and participating in campaigns worldwide. He is part of different organizations that help bring an end to pet overpopulation.
Dr. Joaquin Villaseñor - Adviser
Dr. Villaseñor became the executive director of Give Some Life Foundation when it was founded in 1998. His expertise is on the comprehensive vision of population control of dogs and cats. He worked as the director of the animal control center for three years in Rosarito Baja, California. He is currently working in rural areas of Baja, and surrounding islands, for different organizations. He is learning the serious impact that feral animals have on the environment and public health.
Paty Torres, Esq - Director, Assistant Secretary
Claudia Elena Pons Monreal - Social Media Coordinator
Claudia has been volunteering with Spay Mexico for over nine years. She help promote our spay and neuter campaigns and knows all things Facebook. She is an invaluable team member and we are so grateful for her work.
Our Team is supported by our wonderful Advisory Board!
Esther Mechler, Brunswick, ME USA -Marian’s Dream www.mariansdream.org
Dr. Jeff Young, Denver, CO, USA - Planned Pethood Plus, www.plannedpethoodplus.com
Dr. Tony Planned Pethood, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico www.facebook.com/antonio.r.perez.94
Marilu Encinas, Mexicali, Baja, Mexico
Dinah Drago, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Yucatan