About Us | Wagaroo

At Wagaroo…

We are inspired by the transformative power of bringing pets into people’s lives…and people to pets.

We believe in responsible dog matching, ownership, and acquisition.

We are committed to showcasing the healthiest, cutest pups from Wagaroo-approved families & organizations in your area.

We are a team of fun humans with years of dog experience and a desire to create a healthier, happier marketplace for matching dogs and people.

We will make your pup-finding process full of smiles & wags!

Our Team

Elena Battles
Founder & CEO

I’ve been working for animals since 1999, the year I found Trini, the wonderbeagle. I started in adoptions and customer service, and then moved to administrator roles. I received my MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business in 2004. My most recent role was Chief Operating Officer at Humane Society Silicon Valley. I left HSSV in 2011 to spend more time at home with my family. Trini was my muse for 17 years until she passed away in 2014. Her memory lives on through the work we do at Wagaroo. Today I live with 2 two-legged kids, Nora the shepherd mix, and HSSV alum cat, Theo. I’m inspired by all the people who want to open their home and their heart to a pet, and by animals who are lost and without a home, but who never give up hope that their forever family will find them.

Christine Exley
Cofounder & Chief of Research

I love dogs, and I love volunteering at animal shelters where I meet so many dogs that inspire me. For me, my biggest inspiration is a small brindle pit with an unshakable love for life. Before finding her forever home, she spent 30 days in a cramped cage where she could barely turn but still managed a near constant wagging of her tail. For over the past 8 years, Pepper’s tail has yet to stop wagging from my family’s prime couch spot. She is both an ambassador for her breed and for all dogs in need of homes. When not hanging out with shelter dogs, I am working on my PhD in Economics at Stanford, with a focus on studying how to better encourage prosocial behavior. In regards to both economics and Wagaroo, I believe in testing everything, and then pursuing what works and changing what does not.

Brooke Hilyard White

VP of Community Relations & Customer Experience

I love animals. After working in the hospitality industry for over 25 years in hotel development and management, I thought it time to help in the world, where I could, using the skills I had learned. Maybe the things I love to do: management, talking to people, helping animals and my love for family & friends, could help others. I started this endeavor in 2006 by volunteering for Humane Society Silicon Valley (where incidentally, I met Elena!). I pestered and stalked HSSV until a job was created for me (lucky, I know)! As a Manager at HSSV, I saw daily just what a pet can do for someone’s life, health and well-being. Fueled by gratitude for my pugs, Leonard and Oda Mae and Fufu, I was confident that I could show & share with others this unconditional love with our four-legged counterparts. I now get to spread the word about Wagaroo and help to find good dogs, good homes. Yay!