The RNR Board
Who We Are
Kimber Williams
Founder & President
The statuesque solid oak arena bears a sign that reads, “Doc’s Flurry Memorial Arena,” a standing testament to the Quarter Horse that was beside the founder of Robin’s Nest Rescue, Kimber R. Williams, from 1985 when Kimber was 8, Doc 5. They were forever companions; Doc crossed the rainbow bridge in 2008.
There began a lifelong devotion to the amazing animal-human bond. Kimber’s first “natural” rescue, at age five, was the baby sparrow Tweety. The first formal rescue was a Chihuahua mix, Lily Elizabeth Isabella Williams, from the San Diego Humane Society in 2010. Lily maintains her OG distinction at Robin’s Nest today. From there, the list is long. Currently, Robin’s Nest is home to 21 animals, from tiny Chihuahuas to the most recent additions, two African Sulcata Spurred Tortoises. When guests tour the stunning five-acre Robin’s Nest Ranch, the often-used word is “magical.”
A fifth generation country girl at heart, Kimber expanded her vision in 2021 with the purchase of the 5-acre parcel of land in San Diego County, combining her love for land and animals. A bit of a diamond-in-the-rough, the property nevertheless fit her long-time vision perfectly — she had "named" it seven years earlier (Robin is her middle name), always persisting toward the dream. She and the family now rescue farm animals in need, focusing largely on miniatures. Each addition brings a new and important story to light.
Upon earning her Juris Doctorate from the University of San Diego in 2008, Kimber held several positions that led to her passion for helping others fulfill their dream career in the legal world. A highly successful legal recruiter for top 100 law firms around the world, Kimber loves telling “people stories” and helping others write their next chapter. Robin’s Nest in Ramona is fast becoming a popular destination for guests, including international visitors. Their first major event, the Rockin’ Robin Music Fest & Fundraiser, marked it as a serious location for local music and arts.
CREDENTIALS:
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Founder and President, Robin’s Nest Rescue (2021-present)
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President, KimberCo Recruiting, Ltd. (2014-present)
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Member, Advisory Board, Women’s Transitional Living Center (2014-2016)
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Volunteer, Project Wildlife, San Diego Humane Society (2015-2017)
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Volunteer, Ride Your Horse Therapeutic Riding Program Inc (2015-2016)
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Member, Future Leaders of Our Community (2014-present)
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Director, Legal Recruiting, Marcum Search LLC (2013-2014)
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Juris Doctor, University of San Diego School of Law (2008)
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Law Clerk, San Diego District Attorney (2006-2008)
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Intern/Volunteer, California Innocence Project (2007)
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Law Clerk, Office of the City Attorney of San Diego (2006)
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Master of Science, University of Arizona, Justice Studies (2005)
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Bachelor of Arts, Occidental College (2000)
Nicholas Spear
Vice President
Nicholas Spear joined the Robin’s Nest family in late 2021, together with sons Xavier (8) and Apollo (5). Nick hails from Happy, Texas and served seven years in the U.S. Navy as a Corpsman. Navy Corpsmen specialize in medical care for military personnel, including administering aid in combat and humanitarian situations. He was embedded with Marine units (1st Light Armor Reconnaissance Battalion) during three tours in the Middle East and was awarded the Bronze Star, marking a heroic and meritorious deed performed in armed conflict. Nick shares a strong passion for helping those in need. After earning a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology and Master’s in Physician Assistant’s Studies, Nick is licensed with the American Academy of Physician Associates, an organization for clinicians who are dedicated to expanding access to care and transferring health and wellness through patient-centered, team-based medical practice. Currently, he is a P.A. practitioner at Palomar Urgent Care in Ramona and Poway. In his spare time, he enjoys off-roading in his Jeep and restoring classic cars.
Sue Williams
Founder & Secretary
On any given day, one might spot “Dr. Sue” buzzing around the ranch on her golf cart, Chihuahuas in tow; consulting on Zoom about a new project; or working on a chapter of her children’s book series. Dr. Sue earned her title as an accomplished and sought-after professor at Kansas State University — her most popular class was Study of Serial Murder! She has directed dozens of funded projects totaling more than $2.5 million. Both her professional and personal experiences add depth to her colorful passion for animals and their people.
Dr. Sue was inspired by her pioneer grandmother Annie Allen Carr, who at age 13 drove a horse-drawn wagon through heat and high water to settle in West Texas. Rural places and their abundance of animal life have always held Dr. Sue’s heart, so when daughter Kimber said “Let’s buy a ranch NOW,” it was a perfect turn toward what she calls her third chapter.
A sociologist and criminologist, Dr. Sue has always been a people person. She proudly avails her purple hair to strike up a conversation with all who are willing to learn about Robin’s Nest Rescue. It may be no surprise, then, that she is dedicated to education about connections, especially the magical animal-human bond. The forthcoming children’s books are based on the lives, lessons, and antics of the three original rescues, Lily, Alberto, and Julio — also known as the Three Chimigos. They teach us every day.
CREDENTIALS:
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Founder and Secretary, Robin’s Nest Rescue (2021-present)
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Professor Emeritus, Kansas State University (2022-present)
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Professor, Kansas State University (1997-2022)
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Selected Research: Our Town Our Kids, Rural Kansas (2018-2020); Hidden Harms (2020); Rural Places & Policing Procedural Justice (2017); Doing Time (2012-2020)
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Selected Awards: People Saving People (2020); National Faculty of the Year (2019); Operation ARC Award (2017); UPCEA National Teaching Excellence (2012); Educator of the year (2011); Excellence in Teaching (2008)
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50+ published works, including 3 books and 30 refereed articles
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PhD, Sociology, University of Connecticut (1997)
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Master of Arts, Sociology, Texas Tech University (1990)
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Bachelor of Arts, Sociology, Texas Tech University (1988)
Karin Marsicek
Treasurer & Program Manager
Karin often wears a t-shirt that reads “Easily distracted by goats!” When Karin is not busy with her many vet tech skills at Robin’s Nest Rescue, she is reading and talking about goats or building something for her future goats at the Ramona property she and husband Tom call home. In the meantime, their two rescue pups Sully and Fred keep them busy and entertained.
Karin has always had a passion for animals. After earning her BA in Cultural Anthropology she took a brief detour into the legal field in Santa Rosa, California, her hometown. But in 2006, Karin ventured down to San Diego to be closer to family and to pursue her dream of working with animals. She began work at the Pet Encounter Therapy Department at Helen Woodward Animal Center (HWAC); it was there her passion for an animal-centered career was confirmed. The next stop was Glenwood Springs, Colorado, where she earned her AAS degree in Veterinary Technology and also worked at the school farm and a local equine veterinary hospital. Karin passed the California and National boards and became a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) in 2010.
Karin has accrued an outstanding line of experience with numerous types of animals. During her Colorado stay, Karin worked with farm animals including goats, cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, and llamas, as well as wildlife such as bald eagles, golden eagles, mountain lions, and bear cubs. Later, in Karin’s work at a Rancho Bernardo clinic, she gained further experience with a host of exotic animals, including Fennec fox, opossums, and hedgehogs. After almost 12 years, Karin left the clinic world and ventured on to a new chapter.
It is hard to describe the fortune that brought Karin’s skills and the need at Robin’s Nest together; a word that emerges often is “magic.” From a simple social media post, Karin came to Kimber and Sue in October 2022 and has hardly left since. She wears many “hats” on the ranch, but the most important is her knowledge, skill, and deep devotion to the animals in her care. It is, indeed, another component to the enchantment of Robin’s Nest Rescue.
CREDENTIALS:
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Animal Care Specialist and Program Director, Robin’s Nest Rescue (2022-present)
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California Registered Veterinary Technician (2010-present)
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AAS Veterinary Technology, Colorado Mountain College (2010)
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Externship, mixed animal practice, Glenwood Springs Veterinary Clinic (2010)
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Volunteer, World Vets Spay & Neuter Clinic, San Juan, Nicaragua (2010)
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Pet Encounter Therapy Assistant, Helen Woodward Animal Center (2006-2008)
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Manager/RVT, Companion Care Veterinary Hospital (2010-2022)
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Bachelor of Arts, Cultural Anthropology, University of California, Los Angeles (1995)
Lionel Murphy
Former Board Member
Lionel Murphy first came to Robin’s Nest Ranch in 2022 as a participant in an equine clinic hosted by Kimber and instructed by Szilvia Bartha. The subject matter? Mounted Archery! Lionel and his skilled Thoroughbred mare Princess soon became a star of the event. With this introduction, together with Lionel’s vast and diverse range of experience, Kimber had no hesitation in asking him to join as the first at-large member of the Board of Directors of Robin’s Nest Rescue.
Lionel Murphy served 23 years with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office where he recently retired as full-time supervisor for Riverside Sheriff’s Mounted Enforcement Detail. During his tenure with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, he worked at a multitude of assignments including patrol, school resource officer, undercover drug operations, burglary and robbery suppression, field training officer, motorcycle enforcement officer, court deputy, hostage negotiator, public information officer, leadership educator, and patrol sergeant.
Lionel proudly served his country as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force, deploying to Iraq in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
He has earned degrees in Social and Behavioral Studies, Workforce Education and Development, and now holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership.
CREDENTIALS:
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Public Administration Doctorate, California Baptist University (ongoing)
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Academy Instructor Certification Course (AICC), San Bernardino Sheriff Department (2020 - present)
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International Public Safety Leadership & Ethics Institute (IPSLEI) Facilitator Certificate of Completion (2020)
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Member, California Teachers Association (CTA), (2020-present)
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Member, California Association of Hostage Negotiators (CAHN) (2018-present)
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POST Supervisory Orientation Certificate of Completion (awarded 2017)
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U. S. Air Force (2000-2008)
Renee Resko
Member at Large
Renee is a graduate of University of San Diego with a Master’s in Instructional Leadership from National University. She has worked in the non-profit world of fund raising for over 30 years and most recently has served as the Vice President of Development for Helen Woodward Animal Center. In this capacity she oversees all aspects of fund raising for the Center’s $20 million plus budget, manages their planned giving program, and oversees Public Relations, Graphics, and the Resale Shop. Renee has spoken at conferences around the world sharing best practices for fund raising with other animal organizations in Estonia, Australia, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Romania. She volunteers as the Marketing Chair of Soroptomist North County and Poway Chapter’s Celebration of Courage event, serves on the Development Committee for Rescue Ranch in North Carolina, and is a foster cat mom and event volunteer for Rescue House.
Shelley Savage
Member at Large
Shelley moved to Ramona, California in 2008. She married her loving partner of 15 years in February 2022. Previously she lived in San Diego after joining her fiancé, and subsequently divorced husband, in
immigrating to the US in 1980.
Shelley was born in the county of Lincolnshire, England. At the age of 10 yrs., her father relocated the family to Kuwait during one of his many overseas assignments. Those were among the most memorable, impressionable and formative years of her life, during which she attended a private American school and made friends with children of a variety of nationalities and cultures, learning state-mandated basic Arabic in the process.
Furthering her education in the UK, she attended De Aston school in Market Rasen, and Lincoln College of Technology, later part of the University of Lincoln. Shelley’s career included a 15-year stint with Neiman Marcus, rising from PBX operator to Public Relations and Special Events manager, and assistant store manager. In that time, she developed events and fundraisers in support of many major San Diego non-profits including San Diego Symphony, San Diego Opera, The Olde Globe, The Whittier Institute for Juvenile Diabetes at Scripps Hospital and countless others. During this time, she served as a co-president of The Fashion Group, Inc.’s local chapter, and was a member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).
In 1997, she joined the San Diego Historical Society as Marketing Director, promoting four member museums, including two historic houses, and The Costume Council, one among seven auxiliaries. A
major responsibility was the Society’s annual fundraiser, the Designer Showcase, featuring historic home tours of significant local buildings interpreted in sympathetic furnishings to modern standards by San Diego interior and guest designers. The event partnered with KUSI-TV and San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles magazine to which its May issue was devoted. Additionally, she created the popular Ghosts and Gravestones trolley tours attraction with Old Town Trolley.
Laid off from the precariously funded non-profit sector, Shelley switched to the flourishing field of technology. Initially she accepted a temporary part-time position with a defense and technology
contractor. Ultimately she was employed on a full time basis, remaining with the small business for 15 years, until leaving for another position. Regrettably, the onset of the COVID pandemic coincided with her new role, and circumstances prompted her into an early retirement.
Shelley is extensively traveled throughout Europe and the Middle East.
She has many years of experience as a professional and community service volunteer. Currently she is a registered Disaster Service Worker and an active member of the San Diego Central-CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) team.
Currently, acting as booking manager/promoter for Dirty Confetti country music band occupies her time, along with a myriad of projects and passions.
Shelley is a naturalized U.S. citizen.