I had the pleasure of meeting Tylin about 2 years ago through her work with CARE STL. We gave her a tour of the shelter and one of the things I first noticed was her empathy and compassion for helping others--in this case, it was the animal shelter--but she cared about the entirety of the shelter system, the employees/volunteers, rescue in general, and how to better help the community. She was genuinely engaged. It felt good to be with someone who made you feel good to be around.

She was the keynote speaker at the 2024 CARE STL gala, and I was especially struck by her words. She spoke from the heart about the need to have a permanent home for the homeless animals and the importance of love and kindness in everything we do. Her passion was palpable. She also shared relatable experiences that made the talk more meaningful because of that compassion and empathy for others. It wasn't just that she was giving a speech. It felt like she was simply talking to the room about challenges and how to overcome them.

I had the pleasure of sitting at her table that night. I found her presence to be incredibly calming and kind. She listens when you speak and provides supportive insight even in general conversations.

We have developed a friendship over the years, and I'm grateful for that. She is that person who always has a kind and supportive word. Her faith is certainly an important piece of who she is, and she demonstrates that through her actions.

I feel lucky that I had the opportunity to not only meet her, but to hear her speak. It was clear from the responses in the room that others felt the same way.

- Lisa Newlin CARE STL