At Shiva Foundation, we believe it takes compassion, dedication, and teamwork to create a kinder world for community animals. Our team is made up of passionate individuals who bring unique skills, experiences, and heart to everything we do.
Tila Narendra Eddings – Founder & President
Tila had a career in biotech engineering before choosing to dedicate her life fully to animal welfare. Her lifelong passion for animals and years of rescue work inspired her to start Shiva Foundation in honor of her beloved cat, Shiva.
While her love extends to all animals, the Foundation’s mission focuses on improving the lives of community cats through medical care, TNR programs, and advocacy. Tila now leads the organization’s programs, partnerships, and strategy, ensuring the Foundation stays true to its vision of creating a kinder world for community cats.
Jennifer Reda – Director of Business Development
Jennifer Reda brings nearly 30 years of community roots in Chattanooga and a diverse professional background to her role as Director of Business Development at the Shiva Foundation.
With degrees in Early Childhood Education and Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Jennifer has worked as an educator, trauma therapist, and for the past six years as a Tony Robbins Results Coach and Business Results Trainer, helping individuals and organizations build strategies for lasting growth and success.
A lifelong pet owner and passionate advocate for compassionate animal welfare, Jennifer is committed to strengthening the Shiva Foundation’s impact by building meaningful partnerships, expanding community engagement, and developing effective services that support volunteers, veterinary partners, adopters, and the cats and kittens we serve.
Outside of the Shiva Foundation, Jennifer continues her work as a Tony Robbins Results Coach while developing her own venture focused on creating meaningful personal transformation. She enjoys spending time with her family and beloved pets and finds inspiration in Chattanooga’s natural beauty
Abigail Wheeler – Executive Director
Abigail serves as the Executive Director for Shiva Foundation, where she supports community cats and the people who care for them through education, advocacy, and hands-on assistance.
Originally from California, she moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee, in January 2022 and immediately began for cats in her community through colony care, rescue efforts, and Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) work.
With a background in veterinary clinics, shelters, and animal control, Abigail brings hands-on experience in supporting animals in need and connecting individuals with the resources to create humane, lasting solutions. She has assisted in coordinating large-scale TNR efforts and continues to support ongoing rescue work within her community.
Abigail is passionate about reducing suffering, supporting caregivers, and building strong community connections to create meaningful change. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, cats, and dog.
Roxanne West Addison – Vice President
Roxanne has built her career in digital marketing, with a focus on helping mission-driven organizations grow and connect with their communities. After moving into a neighborhood full of community cat colonies, she saw both the love neighbors had for them and the heartbreaking gaps in care due to costs.
Around the same time, she stumbled across Shiva Foundation while trying to get help for a community cat, and the fit was instant. When she’s not working or volunteering, you’ll find Roxanne outside, traveling, tending her plants, hanging out with her cat, or practicing martial arts.
Beverly Jankura – Treasurer
Becky relocated from Marietta, GA to Hixson, TN in 1982 to manage the pet department at Richway, where she raised the standards of care for small animals and fish and earned multiple company awards with her team. She later built a career in financial management and now works at a federal credit union overseeing member accounts and financial performance.
In 2024, Becky encountered a feral cat and her five kittens near her workplace. After fostering them, she adopted the mother cat, who is now a cherished companion alongside her two older cats. This experience deepened her dedication to community cats and inspired her to join Shiva Foundation.
Outside of work, Becky enjoys exploring nature on her e bike and spending summer weekends boating on Lake Chickamauga. As Treasurer, she is committed to ensuring the Foundation’s resources are managed effectively to improve the lives of cats and kittens in need.
Hersh Patel – Board Secretary
Hersh moved to Chattanooga in 2007 and quickly made it his home. For more than a decade, he has served as a mathematics professor at Chattanooga State, where his passion for teaching and mentorship shines through. Beyond the classroom, Hersh is deeply committed to environmental sustainability and community service. He even started a volunteer group with his students and friends to clean litter along the Riverwalk, helping protect the local wildlife.
Hersh’s love for animals began in childhood, when he cared for stray dogs and cows. In 2023, he rescued a mother cat and her kittens, ultimately adopting four of them. That experience deepened his commitment to community cats and led him to Shiva Foundation, where his compassion now supports our mission.
In his personal life, Hersh describes himself as a quiet soul. When not teaching, he enjoys spending time with his cats, his neighbor’s dog, and a close circle of friends. He is also an avid soccer player, a hiker, and someone who believes in making the world better “one small step at a time.”
Chantel Brankshire – Community Cat Support Manager
Chantel is a lifelong cat guardian who feels honored to have been “chosen” time and again by the mysterious cat distribution system. With a special heart for the less fortunate kitties, she is deeply passionate about ending the cycle of overpopulation and ensuring that neighborhood street cats find the safety and care they deserve.
Her home is often filled with the playful chaos of rescued kittens and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Dedicated to serving those who care for community cats, Chantel works to connect caretakers with resources, raise awareness, and spread hope that every cat’s story can turn toward a brighter chapter.
Outside of rescue, Chantel is a nature lover and a devoted mom of two. She hopes to inspire her children to always look out for those in need. For her, the perfect evening includes a good book, endless cups of tea, and a lap full of purring cats.