Wisdom and Insights from 45 Trusted Leaders in Animal Welfare
A transformative book for anyone leading, working, or volunteering in the field of animal welfare.
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This book is a refreshing look at the people who have shaped animal welfare—leaders who are driven, imperfect, and deeply human. When I was just starting out, these figures felt almost larger‑than‑life, as if they existed on a level far above my own. It was easy to forget that they, too, began with uncertainty and small first steps. What this book does beautifully is reveal that every leader started somewhere, and that their influence grew over time through persistence, compassion, and learning. For anyone aspiring to lead or make a meaningful impact, these stories are a reminder that we are all just people choosing to do our best for animals and the people who love them.
- Jordan Craig, Chief Operating Officer of Operation Kindness Humane Society
What You’ll Discover Inside
Humane Perspectives: Leadership in Animal Welfare brings together 45 of the most respected leaders in animal protection, rescue, and shelter management. Edited by Cathy M. Rosenthal, CHES, with a foreword by Jim Tedford, CAWA, the book explores the evolving meaning of humane leadership — from compassion and ethics to resilience and innovation.
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Lessons from 45 pioneers in the field
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Real-world insights into shelter reform, community engagement, and collaboration
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Guidance for aspiring and current leaders in animal welfare
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Practical takeaways for humane organizations of every size
Featured Leaders
Raissa Allaire
Executive Director, Tree House Humane Society, Chicago, Illinois
Raissa Allaire has served as Executive Director of Tree House Humane Society since 2018, bringing more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience spanning social services, arts, and animal welfare. Under her guidance, Tree House has expanded its reach and resilience – launching the Tree House Veterinary Wellness Center, quadrupling financial reserves, eliminating organizational debt, and leading a bold rebrand to strengthen its connection with mission and community.
Her path to animal welfare was sparked by adopting two orange tabby cats – her family’s first pets – which inspired her to bring her skills in strategy, operations, and mission-driven storytelling into the service of animals. Prior to joining Tree House, she served as COO of a mid-sized social services organization, overseeing programs that annually served 20,000 Illinois families, and as Vice President/Chief of Staff at a Chicago-based museum.
Raissa is a recognized leader in organizational transformation, board development, and building cultures of trust and innovation. She has been selected for prestigious leadership initiatives, including the Allstate-Kellogg Greater Good Nonprofit Leadership Program and Bridgespan’s Leading for Impact. She currently serves on the board of The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement and previously co-chaired the Chicagoland Humane Coalition.
A lifelong learner, Raissa holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Chicago and is currently exploring how AI and emerging technologies can elevate social impact work. At home, she shares her life with her family and two orange tabbies, and finds joy in gardening, reading Harvard Business Review articles, and championing sustainability and wellbeing for those who care for animals.
Robert Bremer
Director, St. Tammany Parish Animal Services, Lacombe, Louisiana
Robert Bremer has worked in animal welfare for more than a decade, beginning his career in animal control and rising to become the Director of St. Tammany Parish Animal Services in 2021. A military veteran, Robert brings the discipline and adaptability of his service as a combat engineer into the often unpredictable world of animal sheltering. His leadership philosophy blends compassion, creativity, and candor with a deep commitment to culture change, both within shelters and in the communities they serve.
Under his leadership, St. Tammany Parish Animal Services has transformed from a space-based, high-intake system to a lifesaving model that emphasizes local adoptions, community trust, and staff empowerment. Robert is passionate about shifting the narrative around animal control from “enforcement” to “helping,” ensuring his team is seen for the compassion and dedication they bring to the job. He believes leadership is about building others up, and he is most proud of seeing members of his staff go on to lead shelters of their own.
Robert lives in the swamps of Lacombe, Louisiana, with his wife Ashley, daughters Grayce and Everly, and a motley crew of shelter dogs and cats.
Shafonda Davis Allen
Animal Protection Society of Durham, Durham, North Carolina
Shafonda Davis Allen has dedicated over two decades to promoting the well-being of animals and the communities that care for them. For more than 12 years, she served as Executive Director of the Animal Protection Society of Durham, guiding the organization through growth and challenges with an unwavering focus on lifesaving outcomes.
Shafonda began her career as an adoption counselor, driven by a deep love for animals. Through dedication, on-the-job learning, and continued education, she advanced into leadership roles – first as Shelter Director and ultimately as Executive Director. Along the way, she earned her Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) designation and became a respected voice in the field of animal welfare. Today, she serves on the Board of The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement and is a member of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, where she contributes her voice and perspective as one of the few BIPOC leaders in the animal welfare field. She previously served on the boards of the North Carolina Animal Federation and Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity.
Her leadership blends compassion with strategic vision. She is a strong advocate for community partnerships, volunteer engagement, and inclusive practices, believing that shelters thrive when they are deeply connected to the people they serve. In her own words, animal welfare is more than a career – it’s a lifestyle that demands resilience and the ability to find joy even in the most challenging moments.
A proud Durham native, Shafonda was educated in Durham County Public Schools and attended Durham Technical Community College. She credits her professional knowledge to years of hands-on experience and field-specific educational opportunities. Outside of work, she shares her life with her husband, two senior pets, four children, and three grandchildren, who bring her immense joy. And, as she likes to say, “tell no one, but I love kids as much as I love animals.”
Bonney Brown
President, Humane Network
Bonney Brown is the co-founder of Humane Network, a national consulting organization that helps animal welfare organizations and animal services agencies succeed with less stress. She also co-founded Options Veterinary Care, a nonprofit clinic in Reno, Nevada, and helped create the first online Animal Shelter Management Certificate Program through the University of the Pacific, where she teaches.
Bonney previously served as executive director of Nevada Humane Society, where she led an open-admission shelter with more than 16,000 animals annually and helped achieve a 94% communitywide save rate. She also held national leadership roles at Best Friends Animal Society and Alley Cat Allies, where she worked on lifesaving programs, communications, and advocacy.
An accomplished writer, Bonney has authored numerous articles on fundraising, marketing, and shelter management, and was a columnist for the Reno Gazette-Journal and Animal Sheltering Magazine. Between 2020 and 2022, Bonney co-hosted the Shelter Success Simplified podcast alongside Mark Robison.
Her work has earned multiple national honors, including the Maddie’s Fund Community Lifesaving Award, the Henry Bergh Leadership Award, and recognition as Shelter Director of the Year. She holds a BFA from Boston University.
Mike Arms
President & CEO, Helen Woodward Animal Center, Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Mike Arms is a pioneer in animal welfare whose vision and determination have saved the lives of millions of orphaned pets. He’s the creative force behind the International Pet Adopt-a-thon, Home 4 the Holidays, Remember Me Thursday, and Surf Dog Surf-a-Thon – campaigns that have inspired shelters and adopters around the globe.
His life’s mission began in the late 1960s while working for the ASPCA. Answering a call about an injured dog, Mike found not only a badly hurt puppy but also cruelty so shocking it changed him forever. As he bent to rescue the dog, he was attacked by onlookers who had been betting on how long the dog would survive. The dog, unable to walk, crawled to Mike’s side and licked him back to consciousness. Mike made a promise to God that day: if he lived, he would spend his life protecting animals. He’s kept that promise ever since.
After 20 years at North Shore Animal League, Mike became President of Helen Woodward Animal Center in 1999, where his leadership has transformed every program. Under his leadership, pet adoptions tripled, humane education now reaches over 15,000 children annually, and his Business of Saving Lives workshops, created by Mike and taught by the Center’s team leaders, have helped more than 600 organizations in 40 states and 20 countries learn how to find families for orphan pets, raise the funds to support their work, and use public relations and social media to build their brand. Mike is also a sought-after speaker, sharing his expertise at conferences, corporate events, and as a keynote presenter worldwide.
Mike’s work connects people and animals in extraordinary ways. His leadership blends creativity, compassion, and a fierce belief that when we work together, we can change the world for pets.
Kerri Burns
CEO, Santa Barbara Humane
Kerri Burns is a respected leader in the field of animal welfare with more than two decades of experience driving impact at local and national levels. She currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Santa Barbara Humane, where she oversees one of California’s oldest and most trusted animal organizations.
Before joining Santa Barbara Humane, Kerri served as Interim Executive Director at Tree House Humane Society in Chicago, and previously as President of the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando. She also held the role of Interim CEO and President of the Humane Society of Southern Arizona in Tucson.
Kerri’s leadership roots run deep. She led Animal Emergency Services Programs for the American Humane Association, where she coordinated disaster response for some of the nation’s most high-profile animal emergencies. She later advanced public-private collaboration as a charitable giving manager at PetSmart Charities®.
Highly regarded for her ability to build strong nonprofit partnerships and elevate community-based programs, Kerri has received several honors, including the American Humane Association’s Dennis White Award for her educational outreach and recognition as one of the Pacific Coast Business Times' Top 50 Women in Business.
Richard Avanzino
Former President of Maddie’s Fund® and the San Francisco SPCA
Widely recognized as the father of the no-kill movement, Rich Avanzino spent nearly four decades transforming animal welfare with bold ideas, visionary leadership, and unwavering compassion. His core belief – that all shelter pets deserve a loving home – redefined the role of shelters across America and helped elevate companion animals from property to family.
Avanzino served as President of the San Francisco SPCA from 1976 to 1999, rescuing the organization from financial ruin and pioneering a host of lifesaving innovations. He famously led the legal and legislative charge to save Sido, an elderly pet condemned in a will – a case that changed California law and redefined society’s view of animals as sentient beings, not property.
Under his leadership, San Francisco became the first major city in the U.S. to guarantee adoption for every healthy and treatable shelter pet. His groundbreaking programs in adoption, foster care, spay/neuter, and animal behavior became models for shelters nationwide. In 1998, he opened the Maddie’s® Pet Adoption Center, revolutionizing animal sheltering by replacing cages with cozy, home-like adoption suites – a standard now widely emulated.
In 1999, Avanzino joined Maddie’s Fund. As its President, he directed the foundation’s $300 million endowment to drive transformative change in U.S. shelters. He launched key initiatives including shelter medicine programs at top veterinary schools, high-volume adoption events, data-driven accountability systems, and grant programs that empowered local and national organizations to adopt the no-kill vision.
Avanzino’s influence extends well beyond institutional leadership. He is known for innovative programs like mobile spay/neuter clinics, community foster networks, humane volunteer programs, and media-savvy promotions (like "Bucks for Balls") that helped engage communities in lifesaving work.
He holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and a law degree from the University of California and remains a sought-after strategic advisor in animal welfare. Though retired from daily operations, he continues shaping the field as a mentor, speaker, and champion for accountability and compassion-driven action. In recognition of his contributions, he was named to Dog Fancy’s “45 People Who Have Changed the Dog World” and received the Assisi Award from the New Zealand Companion Animal Council.
Donna Casamento
CEO, IndyHumane,
Indianapolis, Indiana
Donna Casamento is a nationally recognized leader in animal welfare, known for her innovative approach to public-private partnerships and her success in building sustainable, lifesaving programs. She has served in senior leadership roles across the country, including CEO of Pet Helpers in Charleston, South Carolina, Executive Director of Palm Valley Animal Society in Edinburg, Texas, and Executive Director of the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri in Springfield, Missouri, where she helped increase the live release rate from 64% to 97%. As Chief Program Officer for Michelson Found Animals, she oversaw national initiatives including the Michelson Found Animals Microchip Registry and the Los Angeles-based Adopt & Shop program.
In 2022, Donna joined IndyHumane as Chief Executive Officer following a national search. A Midwest native, she brings decades of experience to support IndyHumane’s goals of increasing adoptions, expanding its Pet Resource Center to help keep pets with their families, and ensuring long-term financial sustainability. She is also a founding member of Operation Indy Animals and The Indiana Coalition of Animal Welfare Professionals, which promotes collaboration and shared learning across the state.
Donna has collaborated with animal welfare organizations in New York, Colorado, Florida, and the Carolinas, and has served on the boards of the South Carolina Animal Care and Control Association (SCACCA) and the South Carolina Legislative Association (SCLA).
She has two adult children, one in California and the other in Florida, and lives in Indianapolis with her three cats, Bigby, Mozart, and Atticus.
James Bias
CAWA, Executive Director, Connecticut Humane Society, Newington, Connecticut
James Bias, a vision-driven leader for more than four decades, has served as Executive Director of the Connecticut Humane Society since 2020. Working with the Board, staff, building committee, and design team, he oversaw the replacement and relocation of an aging pet resource center in Fairfield County. Opened in August 2025, the new Pet Resource Center offers sheltering, education, and community medical services focused on keeping pets and families together. Along with CHS’s Hartford County and New London County centers, the new campus strengthens the organization’s 138-year mission.
He served as President and CEO of the SPCA of Texas before coming to Connecticut. There, he oversaw the design, construction, and opening of a modern animal care center built to meet evolving community needs, while also managing the organization’s other facilities, three animal hospitals, mobile units, and public spay/neuter and wellness initiatives in partnership with multiple animal welfare organizations in Dallas.
Earlier in his career, as Executive Director of the San Antonio Humane Society in San Antonio, Texas, he spearheaded the development of a new state-of-the-art shelter that transformed the organization’s capacity to serve the community, expanding adoptions and humane education programs and improving its ability to respond to cruelty and hoarding cases.
Previously, James also served as Animal Services Manager for the City of Albuquerque and Executive Director of the Humane Society of North Texas in Fort Worth. His leadership skills have been honed through managing multi-site shelters and clinics, overseeing new facility construction, leading successful capital campaigns, advancing legislation, and expanding shelter operations, veterinary care, outreach, and education programs.
James is deeply committed to giving homeless pets a fresh start in Connecticut and helping families keep the pets they love – a dual focus that reflects his belief in building humane, resilient communities. He and his wife, Jennifer, share their home with two dogs, five cats, and several backyard chickens. In his spare time, he enjoys woodworking and hiking.
JULIE CASTLE
CEO, Best Friends Animal Society,
Kanab, Utah
Julie Castle has spent nearly three decades shaping the future of animal welfare. She joined Best Friends Animal Society in 1996 as employee #17 and now serves as CEO, leading the national movement to make every shelter and every community no-kill. Along the way, she has never been afraid to set bold goals and rally others to achieve them.
During her tenure as head of marketing, communications, and development, Julie helped drive a nearly 50% increase in fundraising, reaching an all-time annual revenue high of $130 million. More importantly, she positioned Best Friends as the first organization to publicly commit to taking the entire country to no-kill. Under her leadership as CEO, the U.S. shelter kill rate has dropped from 17 million pets per year in 2016 to fewer than 450,000 in 2024 – a transformation powered by what she calls “scaling optimism, not guilt.”
Julie is a champion for culture and innovation, believing that the best results come when staff feel empowered to lead with passion. That philosophy has earned Best Friends national recognition, including Top Workplace USA and Fast Company’s Most Innovative Company honors. She herself has been recognized by InStyle Magazine as one of “50 Badass Women” who “show up, speak up, and get things done,” and was featured on CNN’s Champions of Change in 2024.
Castle is a champion for culture and innovation, believing that the best results come when staff feel empowered to lead with passion. That philosophy has earned Best Friends national recognition, including Top Workplace USA and Fast Company’s Most Innovative Company honors. She herself has been recognized by InStyle Magazine as one of “50 Badass Women” who “show up, speak up, and get things done,” and was featured on CNN’s Champions of Change in 2024.
Today, Castle leads a team of nearly 1,000 employees with the same conviction she’s carried since the beginning: that a better world for animals is possible when people are inspired to believe --and bold enough to act.
She graduated summa cum laude from Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah, with a double major in history and political science and a minor in communications.
See All 45 Contributors
SPENCER CONOVER
Assistant Director
Pasco County Animal Services
Pasco County, Florida
Spencer Conover has dedicated his career to innovative, servant leadership in animal welfare, serving at some of the nation’s top organizations, including the Dumb Friends League (currently known as Humane Colorado) in Denver, Colorado, Best Friends Animal Society, the Humane Society of Utah in Murray, Utah, and Pasco County Animal Services in Land O’ Lakes, Florida, where he currently serves as Assistant Director. With a strong passion for leadership development, Spencer thrives when surrounded by progressive and proactive lifesaving professionals working to transform communities for people and pets.
Conover holds a Master of Interdisciplinary Studies (MIS) in Contemporary Animal Services Leadership and Leadership Studies. He is a Certified Public Manager (CPM) and a certified Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma process improvement. Throughout his career, he has led shelter operations teams across nearly every function of animal services, including animal control, adoptions, intake, customer care, foster care, volunteer management, education and outreach, transfer and rescue, and animal behavior. He is also a certified animal control officer and holds certifications in CPR, humane euthanasia, handling dangerous and fractious animals, and Florida State Animal Response Coalition’s (SARC) emergency animal handling.
In addition to his operational expertise, Conover is deeply engaged in advancing the field as a whole. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Florida Animal Protection and Advocacy
Association and is the President of the National Animal Care and Control Association. His professional passions include shelter operations, statistics, data-driven decision-making, and developing innovative, community-based programs that save lives and strengthen the human-animal bond.
JORDAN CRAIG
Chief Operating Officer
Operation Kindness
Carrollton, Texas
Jordan Craig is a changemaker in the animal welfare field, known for turning bold ideas into sustainable, lifesaving programs. As Chief Operating Officer at Operation Kindness in North Texas, she leads a powerhouse portfolio of initiatives that save more lives and strengthen shelter systems, building partnerships, mentoring local teams, delivering on-site and transport-based medical support, coordinating public services like vaccination clinics and surgeries, supporting emergency response efforts, and running an Adoption Center and Lifesaving Hub that keeps animals moving toward homes instead of languishing in kennels.
Before joining Operation Kindness, Craig served as Executive Director of Spay Neuter Network, overseeing programs in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and San Antonio, Texas. During her tenure, she significantly expanded the organization’s impact, opening a new clinic in San Antonio and launching a transport program there, building a new, expanded facility in Dallas, and strengthening regional collaborations to prevent shelter overcrowding and support underserved pet owners.
Craig’s leadership spans both nonprofit and government-run animal shelters, with a consistent focus on improving quality of life for animals and the people who care about them. Building on that foundation, her unique blend of hard data and hands-on compassion has driven innovative solutions that meet community needs in lasting ways. Today, she is a sought-after speaker at national and regional conferences, sharing her expertise on using data and automation to enhance operations, improve workflows, and dismantle systemic barriers to progress. She also serves on the board of Texas Unites, which produces the state’s largest animal welfare conference.
With a rare blend of operational precision, deep compassion, and strategic vision, Craig continues to shape more humane and effective systems of animal care across Texas and beyond.
TODD CRAMER
President
Rhode Island SPCA
Warwick, Rhode Island
Todd Cramer currently serves as President at the Rhode Island SPCA in Warwick, Rhode Island -the state's oldest and largest humane organization, where he leads the organization’s strategic initiatives to expand access to care, support pet retention, strengthen community partnerships, and perform Humane Law Enforcement across the state. In this role, he brings more than two decades of leadership experience in animal welfare, community engagement, and nonprofit management.
Prior to joining the RISPCA, Cramer was the Chief Operating Officer of the Potter League for Animals in Middletown, Rhode Island, where he led the daily operations and Human Resources activities across three locations, including the spay-and-neuter clinic, low-cost veterinary clinic, and animal care center. He has also led organizations in New York and New Jersey.
At the national level, Cramer served as Senior Program Manager of Adoptions at PetSmart Charities, where he developed and supported adoption programs nationwide. He also spent several years at the ASPCA as Director of Community Initiatives and served on the Field Investigations and Response teams, responding to large-scale cruelty cases and natural disasters across the country.
Cramer is a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA), holds bronze and silver certifications in CARE’s Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI) program, and is an AAWA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Ambassador. He is a popular speaker at national and regional conferences, including Best Friends National Conference and Humane Society of the United States’ (currently known as Humane World for Animals) Animal Care Expo. He has authored articles for Animal Sheltering Magazine on progressive topics, including open adoptions and pet-friendly housing.
Outside of his professional work, Cramer is an avid motorcyclist. He lives in rural Rhode Island with his two dogs, Ivan and Beverly, and two cats, Elsa and LB.
JES CYTRON
Director of Shelter Operations
East Bay SPCA
Oakland, California
Jes Cytron is an animal welfare leader with more than a decade of experience in both limited- and open-admission shelters in Colorado. Starting as a kennel technician in 2013, Cytron worked their way up through nearly every role in animal care, adoptions, foster management, and shelter operations before moving into senior leadership. Formerly serving as Director of Shelter Behavior and Veterinary Services at Humane Colorado (formerly Dumb Friends League) in Denver, Colorado, Cytron oversaw five managers and 75 team members, guiding programs for behavior, veterinary services, transfer, and foster care.
Cytron is known for their expertise in pathway planning for behaviorally complex shelter animals, their commitment to healthy leadership practices, and their belief that animal welfare is as much about supporting people as it is about saving pets. A Certified Animal Welfare Administrator since 2023, Cytron approaches leadership with curiosity, humility, and radical candor. She is currently the Director of Shelter Operations of the East Bay SPCA in Oakland, California.
Outside of work, they enjoy cooking competition shows, arts and crafts, and relaxing with their partner and as many chihuahuas and pit bulls as possible. They currently have one of each at home and foster many others.
DENISE DEISLER
Chief Executive Officer
Jacksonville Humane Society
Jacksonville, Florida
Denise Deisler has spent her career transforming communities through lifesaving animal welfare work. She joined the Jacksonville Humane Society (JHS) in 2011, where, as CEO, she immediately forged key partnerships, increased revenue while reducing expenses, and launched innovative programs, including a kitten nursery, a community resource center, and a renewed focus on shelter transfers. These initiatives saved more than 1,000 additional lives in her first year alone. Under her leadership, Jacksonville became one of the largest U.S. cities to achieve a 90+% live release rate, sustaining that milestone for five of the last six years.
Deisler also led the $15 million campaign to rebuild JHS after a devastating 2007 fire, overseeing the design and construction of a new 44,000-square-foot shelter that opened in November 2017. Beyond Jacksonville, she founded Florida Leaders in Lifesaving, an inclusive coalition dedicated to increasing lifesaving across the state.
Her earlier leadership roles include serving as Executive Director of the Humane Society of Manatee County, where she helped end trap-and-kill policies for community cats and guided the county toward a no-kill plan, and as Chief Operating Officer of the Richmond SPCA in Richmond, Virginia, where, where she played a key role in transforming Richmond’s approach to animal homelessness.
Recognized nationally for her leadership, Deisler was named a Maddie’s Fund Hero in 2018, received the Best Friends Animal Society National Advancement Award in 2019, and the Best Friends Lifetime Achievement Award in 2025. She serves on leadership committees for organizations including Petco Love, Purina, Best Friends Animal Society, and American Pets Alive. A sought-after trainer and consultant, she shares her expertise on no-kill strategies, board development, and community engagement nationwide.
Deisler lives with her husband, Bernie, her granddaughter Emma, their dogs, Yogi and Shelli, and their cat, Purrl.
RICK DUCHARME
President
RLD Consulting Group
Jacksonville, Florida
Rick DuCharme is a nationally recognized leader in animal welfare, known for bringing business discipline and bold vision to lifesaving work. After a career in the heavy equipment industry, DuCharme channeled his skills and passion into volunteering on the Mayor’s Task Force for Animal Control in Jacksonville, Florida. There, he became a driving force in the city’s transformation to one of the nation’s first large no-kill communities.
In 2002, DuCharme founded First Coast No More Homeless Pets (FCNMHP) in Jacksonville, Florida, a nonprofit dedicated to ending the killing of dogs and cats in Duval County and beyond. As CEO, he grew FCNMHP into a $10+ million organization serving a 10,000-square-mile area across two states. The organization operated two large safety-net hospitals, employing more than 165 staff (including 20+ veterinarians) and performing over 22,000 targeted spay/neuter surgeries annually. DuCharme ensured targeted spay/neuter remained a priority, while also expanding into a regional pet food bank, and launching SNR programs and Mega Adoption Events. These efforts, particularly his pioneering Feral Freedom shelter-based TNR program, reduced shelter intake by more than 50% and feline euthanasia to record lows, inspiring similar models nationwide.
DuCharme also co-founded Target Zero, helping dozens of communities increase their live-release rates, and Community Cat Clinics in metro Atlanta, Georgia, offering, offering affordable feline care to expand access to services.
Today, through RLD Consulting Services, DuCharme works with animal welfare organizations, veterinary clinics, and mission-driven for-profits across the country to expand access to care, launch and scale spay/neuter programs, and build sustainable operations. His consulting specialties include feasibility studies, strategic planning, implementation, and sustainability.
From building mega-adoption events to designing community cat programs now replicated nationwide, DuCharme’s career reflects a single, unwavering mission: to create practical, scalable solutions that save more animals’ lives.
ED DUVIN
Former Nonprofit Leader, Publisher of
Animalines, and the Author of the 1989
essay “In the Name of Mercy”
Ed Duvin, retired publisher, nonprofit leader, and foundational influencer of the no-kill movement, is perhaps best known for his role as the publisher of Animalines, an influential newsletter that ran from 1987 to 1991 and became a platform for bold, thought-provoking commentary on animal welfare. His groundbreaking 1989 essay “In
the Name of Mercy” challenged the field to rethink its reliance on euthanasia in shelters, urging outcome-based approaches, community education, and a full commitment to the lives of companion animals. The essay sparked national discussion and influenced a generation of leaders, advocates, and policymakers.
Over a four-decade career, Duvin consulted for numerous social justice organizations, bringing the same blend of ethical vision and strategic discipline that defined his animal welfare work. He served as associate director of In Defense of Animals and as Executive Director of both the Center for Respect of Life and Environment and Building Caring Communities. Duvin also founded Project ZERO and Walking the Walk initiatives dedicated to raising ethical, strategic, and managerial standards in the humane community. He has worked with national and international organizations, mentored emerging leaders, and contributed extensively to dialogue on how movements evolve and succeed.
Duvin’s broader writing, such as “Speciesism: Alive and Well” (1990), pressed the movement toward measurable results, rigorous performance standards, and uncompromising moral clarity. His essays are frequently cited by advocates and historians of the no-kill era, and his later reflections connect civil rights and anti-poverty advocacy to animal protection, underscoring a lifelong concern for justice and organizational excellence.
Today, Duvin’s work remains a touchstone for leaders seeking to align history, management discipline, and ethical purpose, the triad many credit with moving shelters toward humane, data-driven systems that save lives.
TRACY ELLIOTT
Executive Director
Asheville Humane Society
Asheville, North Carolina
Tracy Elliott, MNA, Executive Director of the Asheville Humane Society in Asheville, North Carolina, has dedicated more than four decades to the Social Sector, including 22 years as a nonprofit CEO. His leadership journey has spanned education, banking, HIV/AIDS services, youth development, and animal welfare ― guided by a personal mission that views the Social Sector as the “privilege of serving others” through cooperative action to solve the world’s problems, our country’s challenges, and our communities’ needs.
Elliott earned his Bachelor of Arts from Harvard University and his Master of Nonprofit Administration, magna cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business. He has since led organizations through crisis and transformation, earning recognition for building cultures of humane leadership, strengthening organizational systems, and advancing missions with urgency. His CEO roles have included The Anti-Cruelty Society in Chicago, Illinois, AID Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia, and College Mentors for Kids and The Damien Center, both in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Through his practice, T. Elliott Social Impact, he mentors leaders and boards across the country, helping them optimize their impact, align people with purpose, and adopt an abundance mindset.
Elliott’s leadership has been recognized by governors, national organizations, and community groups alike. Honors include the Sagamore of the Wabash Award, Indiana’s highest honor for exceptional contributions to one’s fellow citizens, and numerous community leadership awards, including 50 Top LGBTQIA+ Leaders in Atlanta by Phoenix Magazine, Building Bridges of Understanding Award by the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus, and the Distinguished Service Award from the Emmett Till Foundation in Chicago.
Throughout his career, Elliott has sought to banish scarcity thinking, inspire collaboration, and prepare organizations to thrive. Today, at Asheville Humane Society and beyond, he continues to champion humane leadership and organizational vitality.
JOE ELMORE
President & CEO
Charleston Animal Society
Charleston, South Carolina
Joe Elmore joined Charleston Animal Society in Charleston, South Carolina, as its CEO in 2012. He brought 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, spanning nine states and three international posts, to an organization in turmoil. He stabilized operations, led it to become a national model for lifesaving success and built the first no-kill community in the Deep South. He guided the shelter to becoming South Carolina’s top-rated nonprofit for 14 consecutive years. And, in February 2023, he led Charleston Animal Society’s VAX-A-PALOOZA campaign, which set a Guinness World Record for the most pledges received for a pet vaccination campaign in 24 hours, collecting 2,226 pledges and breaking the previous record of 1,867.
Having served as CEO of five nonprofit organizations and COO of a national nonprofit, Elmore has devoted his life to defending and caring for the most vulnerable ― abused children, at-risk youth, disaster victims, casualties of war, victims of HIV/AIDS, and abused or unwanted animals. Academically trained in engineering, he has applied problem-solving skills to social challenges, specializing in crisis management and organizational turnarounds, always leading with integrity, discipline, and a focus on results.
Elmore has been recognized by the Governors of Washington and the U.S. Virgin Islands, received the American Red Cross Tiffany Award for Management Excellence, and was awarded the U.S. Department of Defense Medal for his service in America’s first Persian Gulf Conflict. In 2015, he was named one of nine national Maddie’s Heroes in its inaugural class for inspirational and innovative leadership.
By investing in people, strengthening systems, and fostering trust, Elmore has built an enduring foundation at Charleston Animal Society ― one that continues to serve as a model for animal welfare organizations nationwide.
Elmore shares his home with his companion, Boo, a puppy mill survivor rescued by Charleston Animal Society’s lifesaving team.
JOSHUA A. FISHER
Director of Animal Services
City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County
Charlotte, North Carolina
Josh Fisher, Ph.D., is a nationally respected leader in animal welfare with over two decades experience, spanning private practice, corporate veterinary care, public health, and healthcare administration, with advanced training in informatics (the use of data and technology to improve health outcomes). He currently serves as Director of Animal Services for the City of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Services in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he leads innovative efforts to protect public health, reunite pets and people, and build humane, sustainable communities.
With a diverse educational background in population medicine, veterinary sciences, and public health, Dr. Fisher is known for bridging disciplines to solve complex animal welfare challenges. His leadership has helped transform systems through intake reduction strategies, advanced marketing and placement models, and strategic long-term planning. A passionate advocate for professional development, he invests heavily in the next generation of animal welfare leaders through mentorship, continued education, and cutting-edge research.
Dr. Fisher is the immediate past president of the National Animal Care & Control Association, serves on the Managing Executive Committee of the Human Animal Support Services Project, and is secretary/treasurer of the Academic & Practice-Based Research Section of the North Carolina Public Health Association.
His achievements include a Ph.D. in veterinary science, certification as a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator, Certified Customer Experience Executive (CXE), and completion of the Best Friends Executive Leadership Program.
Throughout his career, Dr. Fisher has remained committed to improving outcomes for both animals and the communities they live in ― always focused on helping both ends of the leash.
INGA FRICKE
Executive Director
McKamey Animal Center
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Inga Fricke, J.D., discovered her path to animal welfare leadership after several years as an
environmental attorney, when volunteering in shelters and wildlife rehabilitation revealed where her true passion lay. She gained hands-on experience with the Wyandot County Humane Society and Loudoun County Animal Care and Control before joining the Humane Society of the
United States in 2010 (currently known as the Humane World for Animals). There, she played a key role in supporting animal welfare professionals nationwide, helping launch Spayathon™ for Puerto Rico and contributing to widely used best-practice resources, including Adopters Welcome.
After leaving HSUS, Fricke became Director of Community Initiatives at Humane Pennsylvania, where
she continued building programs that expanded access to care and strengthened community
engagement. Today, she serves as Executive Director of the McKamey Animal Center in Chattanooga,
Tennessee, leading with a focus on innovation, collaboration, and sustainability.
Fricke also lends her expertise at the national level, serving on the boards of the National Animal
Control Association, the Animal Care and Control Association of Tennessee, and the Access to
Veterinary Care Coalition. She is also an adjunct professor in Canisius University’s Anthrozoology Department, where she helps prepare the next generation of leaders in the field.
JONATHAN GARY
Director
San Antonio Animal Care Services
San Antonio, Texas
Jon Gary is a seasoned animal welfare leader with more than 25 years of experience transforming municipal sheltering. In late 2024, he relocated with his wife, two of their four children, and three dogs to become Director of Animal Care Services (ACS) in San Antonio, Texas, a move he embraced as both a personal and professional challenge following decades of success in Oklahoma City.
Gary’s career began in 1999 with what was meant to be a temporary kennel-cleaning job at the Oklahoma City Animal Shelter. Within six months, he was promoted to shelter supervisor, eventually rising to Superintendent (the equivalent of Director). Under his leadership, Oklahoma City saw major improvements in animal welfare, including a citywide free spay/neuter program that reduced shelter intake by nearly 9,000 animals annually and a community cat program that increased the feline live-release rate to over 90%.
In San Antonio, Gary oversees the city’s core animal welfare operations, including enforcing ordinances, protecting public health and safety, expanding placement and retention programs, and fostering partnerships to strengthen the human-animal bond. He is certified as an animal cruelty investigator through the University of Missouri’s National Animal Cruelty Investigations School, holds shelter operations certification from the American Humane Association, has a Pets for Life training accreditation from Humane World for Animals (formerly the Humane Society of the United States), and is a graduate of the Best Friends Executive Leadership Certification Program.
A lifelong advocate for staff well-being and animal welfare, Gary values building strong teams that create lasting change. Outside of work, he enjoys unwinding over a game of pool and spending time with his family and three dogs.
NICHOLAS GILMAN
Executive Director
Second Chance Humane Society
Ridgway, Colorado
Nicholas Gilman has dedicated more than four decades to advancing animal welfare at the local, national, and international levels. His career began in animal shelters, where he worked in nearly every role, from direct animal care to executive director, giving him a deep understanding of both frontline challenges and organizational leadership. Over the years, he expanded his work to include national disaster relief, cruelty investigations, consulting, and shelter design.
Gilman worked for the Humane Society of the United States (currently known as Humane World for Animals) and the American Humane Association, where he served as Director of Animal Programs. A recognized voice in the field, he has been featured on the NBC Today Show, CBS This Morning, and National Public Radio, and has authored numerous articles in humane trade publications. He has also presented hundreds of workshops on sheltering and animal protection issues across the United States and abroad, and was a founding board member of the National Federation of Humane Societies.
In 2006, Gilman founded Humane Logic, a consulting firm dedicated to strengthening nonprofit animal organizations through strategic planning, interim leadership, board development, and organizational review. His contributions have been honored with the Dennis J. White Award for Excellence in Instruction and Training from the American Humane Association and the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the Wisconsin Federation of Humane Societies.
Today, Gilman serves as Executive Director of Second Chance Humane Society in Ridgway and Telluride, Colorado, where he continues to apply his lifetime of experience to improve the lives of animals and the people who care for them.
JASON GLUCK
Chief Lifesaving Officer and CEO
Furry Friends Humane
Jupiter, Florida
Jason Gluck’s journey from powerhouse media executive to trailblazing animal welfare leader spans two vastly different industries ― both profoundly shaped by his visionary influence.
In his early career, Gluck managed some of the world’s most high-profile entertainers, playing a pivotal role in the development and global launch of Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus. His work not only propelled Miley into international stardom but also transformed the franchise into one of Disney’s most successful and award-winning properties. He also discovered pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter during a global talent search, which helped launch her career and cement his reputation for identifying and cultivating breakout stars. Gluck’s work in entertainment earned recognition from The Webby Awards, Popstar!, and The Davey Awards, underscoring his talent for precision, planning, and innovation in fast-paced, high-stakes environments.
Today, Gluck channels that same visionary energy into animal welfare as Chief Lifesaving Officer & CEO of Furry Friends Humane in Jupiter, Florida. Drawing on the lessons of strategy, relationship-building, crisis management, and storytelling honed in the entertainment industry, he has transformed Furry Friends into a nationally prominent organization. Under his leadership, Furry Friends has expanded lifesaving programs, strengthened partnerships with other shelters, and established a reputation for excellence and compassion in animal care.
Gluck has also been nationally recognized for his impact on the sheltering field. He was honored with the Shelter Hero Leadership
Award from the Bissell Pet Foundation and PetSmart Charities, which celebrates the strength, determination, and compassion of leaders who consistently go above and beyond for animals in need. Known for his relentless creativity, energy, and optimism, Gluck continues to shape the future of animal welfare, leading with the same precision and vision that once built entertainment empires ― now dedicated to giving animals the second chances they deserve.
BONNIE HILL
Grants Mgr., Empowerment Foundation
Founder, Spay Neuter Network
Crandall, Texas
Bonnie Hill is an accomplished leader with a proven track record of creating impactful programs to address critical animal welfare issues. Her decades-long background in medical sales equipped her with the strategic and operational skills that proved invaluable when she recognized the urgent need to address pet overpopulation in her community and committed herself to solving it.
In 2004, Hill founded an organization now known as Spay Neuter Network, a nonprofit focused on reducing pet overpopulation by providing affordable veterinary services in Kaufman County, Texas, and served as its executive director for more than 14 years. What began as a small bi-weekly mobile clinic quickly grew under her leadership into a nationally recognized organization that today serves the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and San Antonio, Texas. SNN delivers critical care to underserved pet owners through spay-neuter clinics, mobile clinics, and a transport program that increases access to veterinary services in high-need communities.
Hill’s results-driven approach and ability to manage complex projects were key to building SNN from the ground up. She successfully secured multimillion-dollar funding, maintained high standards of care, and fostered strong relationships with donors, public officials, and community partners. Her unique ability to translate private-sector skills into nonprofit impact enabled her to create innovative solutions that expanded access to care and improved the lives of both animals and their families.
Today, Hill continues her legacy as Grants Manager at the Empowerment Foundation, where she supports initiatives aligned with her lifelong commitment to creating healthier, more compassionate communities.
SARAH HOCK
Executive Director
Joint Animal Services
Olympia, Washington
Sarah Hock, MNS, is the Executive Director of Joint Animal Services in Olympia, Washington, where she oversees animal sheltering, field services, and community outreach for multiple jurisdictions. With over 20 years’ experience in the animal welfare field, she brings extensive expertise in executive leadership, program development, strategic planning, capital campaigns, municipal and field services, and organizational development.
A trailblazer in the field, Hock was among the first in the nation to earn an Executive Leadership Certificate through a collaboration between Best Friends Animal Society and Southern Utah University. Her leadership extends well beyond her own organization. She currently serves as President of the Washington Federation for Animal Care and Control Agencies and was recently elected to the Board of Directors for the National Animal Care and Control Association (NACA).
Hock is a strong advocate for professional development and industry growth, working to raise standards, promote best practices in field response, create positive outcomes for animals, and
implement proactive community programming that keeps pets and people together. She prioritizes the safety and well-being of animal welfare professionals while fostering a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and professionalization across the field.
Hock holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and a Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Studies (MNS) from Arizona State University. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys gardening, traveling, and spending time with her family, which includes five cats and a lively flock of chickens.
ED JAMISON
Chief Executive Officer
Operation Kindness
Carrollton, Texas
Ed Jamison brings a deep belief that animal welfare is as much about people as it is about pets. Under his leadership as CEO of Operation Kindness since March 2021, he has expanded the organization’s reach through innovative programs, including community initiatives, shelter partnerships, interstate transport, and animal cruelty forensics. In addition, Jamison oversees a medical wing, neonatal kitten nursery, and pet food pantry ― all designed to remove barriers to care and save more lives.
Before joining Operation Kindness, Jamison served as Director of Dallas Animal Services (DAS), one of the largest and most complex municipal shelters in the country. When he arrived in 2017, Dallas was in the spotlight for its loose dog problem. Jamison was tasked with tackling public safety while improving positive outcomes for animals. He launched the “Dallas 90” campaign to create a community where all people and animals are safe, respected, and supported ― no small feat, given the annual intake of over 39,000 dogs and cats.
Jamison’s roots in animal welfare go back to the early 2000s in Cleveland, Ohio, where he redefined the role of animal control as Chief Animal Control Officer. His trademarked City Dogs Cleveland® adoption and volunteer programs still thrive today and have been replicated nationwide.
In addition to leading Operation Kindness, Jamison serves as Vice President of the National Animal Care & Control Association and sits on the boards of the Association of Animal Welfare Advancement and Shelter Animals Count. At home, life is full ― and furry ― with his dogs Gurble and Esme, a lively clowder of cats, a goldfish, three cows, six donkeys, nine goats, and a handful of loved dogs and cats.
ELLEN JEFFERSON
President & CEO
Austin Pets Alive! & American Pets Alive!
Austin, Texas (Photo: Stacy Berg)
Ellen Jefferson, D.V.M., President & CEO of Austin Pets Alive & American Pets Alive!, is a pioneering leader whose mission has reshaped animal welfare nationally. After earning her veterinary degree in 1997, she founded EmanciPET two years later ― a low-cost spay/neuter clinic ― to combat Austin’s high shelter euthanasia rates. In 2008, she took the helm of Austin Pets Alive! (APA!), previously a grassroots volunteer group, and led the charge to make Austin the largest no-kill city in the United States. Under her leadership, APA! has saved over 120,000 animals regionally, achieving a live-release rate of more than 95%.
In 2010, Dr. Jefferson launched American Pets Alive! (AmPA!), extending APA!’s lifesaving programs nationwide and providing training to hundreds of animal welfare professionals. In 2020, she spearheaded the Human Animal Support Services (HASS) initiative, a groundbreaking model supporting the human-animal bond, now adopted by over 400 organizations across the U.S. and Canada.
Her influence extends beyond program-building: Dr. Jefferson is actively engaged in shaping national policy and strategy through the Executive Team of the HASS Project, the Pedigree Foundation Shelter Advisory Council, and the Mars State of Pet Homelessness Index Board. Among her accolades are being the inaugural recipient of the Avanzino Leadership Award and receiving the Maddie’s Fund Inaugural Hero Award. In recognition of her profound impact on animals and the community, the City of Austin declared November 5 “Ellen Jefferson Day” in 2016.
A national thought leader, Dr. Jefferson continues pursuing systems-level change in sheltering through data-driven strategies and humane innovation.
GINA KNEPP
Senior Specialist of Outreach & Engagement
Petco Love
San Antonio, Texas
Gina Knepp is a nationally recognized leader in animal welfare, currently serving as Senior Specialist of Outreach & Engagement at Petco Love. She leads the expansion of Petco Love Lost, a tech-driven platform helping reunite lost pets with their families faster and more often.
Previously, Knepp spent five years at Michelson Found Animals, where she helped spark a national movement to modernize the recovery of lost pets. Her journey began at Front Street Animal Shelter in Sacramento, California, where she transformed a high-intake municipal shelter into a model of community engagement and innovation.
Knepp is a sought-after expert in shelter operations, volunteer engagement, and customer service. Before entering animal welfare, she managed 911 and 311 services for the City of Sacramento ― an experience that continues to inform her leadership. With a rare blend of grit, heart, and vision, Knepp is transforming the way communities care.
BRYAN KORTIS
National Programs Director
Neighborhood Cats
New York and Hawaii
Bryan Kortis, JD, is a pioneering leader in humane community cat management, whose work has helped transform how cities nationwide approach TNR. As co-founder and National Programs Director for Neighborhood Cats, Bryan established one of America’s most effective community cat organizations. Since starting his TNR work in 1999, he has personally trapped thousands of cats, first on Manhattan’s Upper West Side and more recently during the aftermath of wildfires in Maui, helping shape best practices and policy acceptance.
From 2010 through 2015, Kortis served as grants manager at PetSmart Charities, overseeing millions in funding for TNR and community cat initiatives. He has authored and co-authored several cornerstone publications, including the Neighborhood Cats TNR Handbook, Community TNR: Tactics & Tools, and The Return-to-Field Handbook. He also regularly presents workshops and advanced webinars on strategic, targeted TNR implementation as well as on advocacy, trapping techniques, and community cat care.
Many other ground-level innovations in TNR have been developed by Kortis and Neighborhood Cats. They were the first to introduce the concept of mass trapping (the TNR of an entire colony at once), as well as using traps to hold and care for TNR cats. With Tomahawk Live Trap, they co-designed the first commercially available drop trap, as well as a host of other popular trapping equipment.
Kortis’ multifaceted experience, as a former attorney turned cat advocate, gives him unique insight into creating effective nonprofit-government partnerships. He continues to support Neighborhood Cats’ programs in New York City, New Jersey, and Hawai’i, while providing consultation and training to municipalities, shelters, and grassroots groups seeking durable, data-driven community cat solutions.
SUSANA DELLA MADDALENA
Senior Advisor, Strategic Partnerships
Best Friends Animal Society
Arizona
Susana (Sue) Della Maddalena, MBA, has dedicated her career to building partnerships, programs, and organizations that change the lives of animals and the people who care for them. Currently serving as Senior Advisor, Strategic Partnerships for Best Friends Animal Society, Della Maddalena draws on decades of leadership experience in animal welfare, including ten years as Executive Director of PetSmart Charities.
During her time at PetSmart Charities, Della Maddalena oversaw transformative growth in the organization’s fundraising and grantmaking capacity, helping to expand programs that funded shelters, spay/neuter initiatives, and adoption events nationwide. She later served as CEO and President of Central Oklahoma Humane Society in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and as Executive Director of Altered Tails, a high-volume spay/neuter organization in Arizona that significantly reduced shelter intake and euthanasia rates in Maricopa County.
Della Maddalena is also a cancer survivor whose personal resilience has deepened her understanding of perseverance, empathy, and the value of creating lasting impact. She holds an MBA (master of business administration degree) from Thunderbird School of Global Management and brings a strategic, results-driven approach to every role she undertakes.
Whether guiding national initiatives or strengthening local programs, Della Maddalena’s leadership is defined by her ability to see possibilities others might overlook ― and to inspire teams, partners, and communities to work together for the animals who need them most.
LAURA MALONEY
Strategic Consultant and Nonprofit Leader
Former CEO of the Louisiana SPCA
New Orleans, Louisiana
Laura Maloney is a leadership and team coach with nearly three decades of executive experience spanning animal welfare, wildlife conservation, and nonprofit management. She is best known for her tenure as CEO of the Louisiana SPCA, where she led the organization before, during, and after Hurricane Katrina. In the aftermath of the storm, with the shelter destroyed and her staff displaced, Maloney played a critical leadership role in one of the most complex animal rescue and recovery efforts in U.S. history. Her ability to rally staff, volunteers, and national organizations in the face of chaos and to share leadership has become a defining example of leadership in crisis.
Following Katrina, Maloney expanded her leadership footprint nationally and globally. She served as Chief Operating Officer of The Humane Society of the United States (currently known as Humane World for Animals), overseeing key operational areas, including five accredited wildlife and equine centers across the U.S., as well as animal rescue. She later served as Chief Operating Officer of Panthera, a conservation organization working in more than 47 countries to protect wild cats and their habitats. Across these roles, she became recognized for balancing strategic vision with operational execution, collaborating with teams who managed challenging logistics while navigating complex cultural and political landscapes.
Today, as a strategic consultant and nonprofit leader, Maloney partners with executives, boards, and staff across sectors to strengthen organizational health, cultivate adaptive leadership, and drive overall effectiveness. She brings a unique blend of lived crisis experience, national and global perspective, and a deeply human-centered approach to every engagement. Her work is grounded in the belief that leaders set the tone, but culture lives in every corner of an organization ― and when people feel seen, supported, and trusted, they are empowered to achieve extraordinary results.
NANCY MAY
President and Chief Operating Officer
San Antonio Humane Society
San Antonio, Texas
Nancy May is the President and CEO of the San Antonio Humane Society (SAHS) in San Antonio, Texas, a position she has held since 2012. With a deep commitment to animal welfare and community engagement, May has guided the organization through years of growth, innovation, and increased impact. Under her leadership, SAHS has strengthened its programs, achieved fiscal stability, and adopted a donor-centered approach that prioritizes meaningful relationships and philanthropy.
Before becoming CEO, May served as Planned Gifts and Donor Relations Officer for SAHS, building lasting connections with supporters and raising awareness about legacy giving. Her earlier career spans more than three decades in banking and wealth management, including senior leadership roles at Broadway National Bank, U.S. Trust, and Bexar County National Bank, where she specialized in managing trusts, foundations, and estate relationships.
A proud graduate of Texas State University with a degree in Education and Mathematics, May is also a Certified Trust Financial Advisor. She is a respected community leader, serving on numerous boards, including The Genevieve and Ward Orsinger Foundation, The Charles Baumberger Endowment, The Science Mill, and ABODE. Her work has earned her several accolades, including the San Antonio Business Journal’s Women’s Leadership Award and the North Star Award from the San Antonio Women’s Chamber of Commerce.
ESTHER MECHLER
Founder, SPAY/USA
Founder, United Spay Alliance
Maine
Esther Mechler has been at the forefront of humane strategies to reduce pet overpopulation for more than three decades. Armed with degrees in Psychology and Education from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, and the University of Rochester in New York, Esther initially advanced her career in guidance counseling and law school admissions. But in 1990, driven by witnessing the plight of adoptable cats at her local shelter, she pivoted her career entirely, founding SPAY/USA, a pioneering program that brought together veterinarians and clinics nationwide to make affordable, accessible spay/neuter services easier for pet owners to find.
Within three years, SPAY/USA grew into a national network of more than 8,000 affordable clinics and programs, which eventually became part of the North Shore Animal League. In the early 2000s,
grassroots leaders across the country inspired her to expand beyond referral networks toward engagement. In 2015, Mechler founded United Spay Alliance, a nonprofit organization with a mission to ensure every cat and dog has a chance for a loving home.
Mechler is also the driving force behind Feline Fix by Five, an influential campaign launched in the late 1990s that advocates spay/neuter by five months of age. This initiative has since garnered broad endorsements from leading veterinary organizations, including the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association, American Association of Feline Practitioners, and Association of Shelter Veterinarians, as well as numerous state veterinary associations.
As founder of both Spay/USA and United Spay Alliance, Mechler’s leadership has shaped both policy and community education. She continues to lend her voice and expertise to initiatives that reshape how animal welfare is practiced, ensuring that compassion is rooted in impactful, scalable action.
SHELLY MOORE
President and CEO
The Humane Society of Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
Shelly Moore is a visionary leader whose four-decade career in animal welfare has transformed communities, elevated organizations, and inspired a new generation of leaders. As President & CEO of the Humane Society of Charlotte (HSC) in Charlotte, North Carolina, she is known not only for her strategic mind and relentless energy but also for leading with heart, humor, and humanity.
Before joining HSC, Moore served as CEO of Asheville Humane Society in Asheville, North Carolina, for ten years and held leadership roles at the Humane Society of Washington County in Hagerstown, Maryland, and Humane World for Animals (formerly The Humane Society of the United States). Her experience spans shelter operations, governance, capital campaigns, and nonprofit management. At every step, she has championed innovation, collaboration, and a people-centered approach to animal welfare.
At HSC, Moore led a successful multimillion-dollar capital campaign and the development of a new state-of-the-art Animal Resource Center. Her leadership has expanded services, deepened community partnerships, and positioned the organization as a vital resource for both pets and people in the Charlotte region. Her colleagues describe her as a rare blend of strength and empathy, transparency and wit. She creates a culture where people feel heard, celebrated, and empowered to lead.
Moore holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maryland and is a graduate of the Johns Hopkins Nonprofit Management Program. She is a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) and has served on several national boards, including the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement and the National Federation of Humane Societies. She was also appointed to the National Companion Animal Advisory Committee by the Humane Society of the United States (currently known as the Humane World for Animals).
When she’s not leading in the nonprofit world, Moore is likely planning her next travel adventure, getting happily lost in an art museum, or hunting down the best food and wine in a new city. A
lifelong lover of culture and creativity, she finds joy in the unexpected moments that come with exploring the world. At home, she’s kept on her toes by her three dogs ― Sergio, Joey, and Rita ― a lively crew with big personalities and zero respect for personal space. They keep her grounded and very entertained.
CAROL MOULTON
Former Assistant Director of American Humane and Manager of Charitable Giving, PetSmart Charities
Asheville, North Carolina
Carol Moulton is a nationally respected leader in the animal welfare field with more than 40 years of experience in program development, communications, fundraising, and grantmaking. She began her career in 1976 as Publications Editor at The Humane Society of the United States (now known as The Humane World for Animals) and went on to hold leadership roles at the American Humane Association (AHA) where she developed groundbreaking initiatives in shelter medicine, early-age spay/neuter, and data-driven adoption strategies.
During her tenure as Assistant Director for AHA’s Animal Protection Division, Moulton was instrumental in launching the first continuing education programs for shelter veterinarians, helping establish the National Association of Shelter Veterinarians and shelter medicine as a recognized specialty. She also co-founded the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy, leading research that redefined how shelters approach pet relinquishment and retention.
Moulton later served as the Manager of Charitable Giving for PetSmart Charities, where she managed over four million in annual grant giving, created new funding categories to support high-volume spay/neuter clinics, and participated in two national forums addressing critical adoption and population issues.
With a Master of Arts in Communication from the University of Denver, she has worked with dozens of national organizations throughout her career, including the ASPCA, Morris Animal Foundation, and The Delta Society, leaving a lasting impact on humane program strategy, grant writing, and fundraising across the animal welfare field.
JERRICA OWEN
Chief Executive Officer
National Animal Care & Control Association
California
Jerrica Owen is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA), where she champions professionalism, progressive policies, and national standards for the animal services field. Owen joined NACA in 2021 as Director of Partnerships and Programs and was quickly promoted to Executive Director, a testament to her passion, leadership, and extensive experience in the field.
With a Bachelor of Science in Health Science from California State University, she has spent more than 20 years in animal welfare, serving in roles that span field operations, shelter management, emergency response, and strategic initiatives.
Owen previously served as Director of Strategic Initiatives at San Diego Humane Society, where she helped lead organizational strategy, staff engagement, and emergency response. These included deployments during some of the country’s most devastating disasters, where she supported both tactical and shelter operations for domestic animals, wildlife, and equines.
Owen is a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator and holds additional certifications in Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Modern Human Resource Management, Organizational Leadership, and Mental Health First Aid. Her career has been defined by her ability to turn big-picture ideas into practical, real-world solutions that benefit animals, field officers, shelter teams, and the communities they serve. She is recognized for her dynamic leadership style, inclusive approach to industry engagement, and commitment to providing accessible resources for animal care and control professionals nationwide.
Based in California, Owen is a proud wife ― and mother to human, furry, and shelled family members. She is also a certified USA Jump Rope Judge.
MARC PERALTA
Chief Program Officer
Best Friends Humane Society
Rhode Island
Marc Peralta, MBA, brings together many of Best Friends’ programs and aligns all things related to the organization’s direct lifesaving work as Chief Program Officer for Best Friends Animal Society. He also focuses on developing the knowledge and capabilities of individuals and more than 4,000 partner organizations nationwide, helping communities everywhere take practical, sustainable steps toward saving more lives.
Peralta’s path into animal welfare began nearly 20 years ago when he left work as an independent music promoter to become an Animal Care Attendant at the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region in Colorado Springs, Colorado. From those early hands-on days, he moved into leadership roles across the country, including Animal Care Manager at Nevada Humane Society, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer ― and later interim CEO ― at the Pennsylvania SPCA in Philadelphia, and served on the board of directors for the Animal Care and Control Team of Philadelphia.
Peralta joined Best Friends in 2012 as the executive director in Los Angeles, leading the city’s lifesaving centers and the NKLA (No Kill Los Angeles) coalition for five years during a critical period in the city’s shelter history. Today, his leadership spans Best Friends’ network of programs, partnerships, and initiatives, ensuring teams have the tools, data, and collaborative support they need to make an impact.
Peralta holds an executive MBA from Brown University and IE University (Madrid, Spain), and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Colorado. In 2017, Peralta co-founded Vintage Pet Rescue, a nonprofit in Rhode Island that is an adoption agency and sanctuary for senior, special needs, and geriatric pets.
BRAD SHEAR
Chief Executive Officer
Potter League for Animals
Warwick, Rhode Island
Brad Shear has spent more than 30 years transforming animal welfare organizations into thriving, forward-thinking community resources, combining strategic vision with a hands-on commitment to improving the lives of both pets and people. As Chief Executive Officer of the Potter League for Animals in Middleton, Rhode Island, Shear has expanded the organization’s programs, strengthened statewide partnerships, and acquired the state’s largest spay and neuter clinic, ensuring more pets and people receive the care they deserve.
Shear is a recognized leader in the field and a regular speaker at regional and national conferences. He has served as Board Chair for the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement, chaired its Best Practices and Emerging Trends Committee, and contributed to its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. He also serves on the Hill’s Pet Nutrition Shelter Advisory Council, the board of the New England Federation of Humane Societies, and the advisory committee for Supporting People and Animal Relationships for Change (SPARC).
Throughout his career, from managing shelters in New York City and Boulder to founding the New York State Animal Protection Federation, Shear has focused on building strong, sustainable systems that improve outcomes for animals and the people who care for them. His work has earned numerous accolades, including the Badge of Honor from the Albany County District Attorney’s Office, the President’s Medal from Excelsior College, the Community Hero Award from Unity House of Troy, and the Changemaker Organization of the Year Award from CARE, a global humanitarian organization, in 2023.
Originally from New York City, Shear holds a degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder and now lives in Peace Dale, Rhode Island, with his wife, two children, one dog, and two cats. He continues to lend his expertise to national and regional boards, mentoring the next generation of animal welfare leaders.
KATHERINE MCGOWAN SHENAR
Executive Vice President
The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement
Port Townsend, Washington
Katherine McGowan Shenar is a transformative leader in animal welfare, currently serving as Executive Vice President of The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement. With more than three decades of experience, she champions innovation, collaboration, and professional development for animal welfare leaders nationwide. Her expertise spans executive leadership, organizational culture, coalition building, marketing, communications, and fundraising, making her a catalyst for progress across the profession. As the host of The Intake Podcast, Shenar facilitates thoughtful conversations on emerging trends and the real-world challenges animal welfare professionals face.
Her career began in media and advertising before she found her calling in 1996 as Director of Public Relations and Marketing at the Humane Society of Missouri in St. Louis, Missouri. Since then, she has held leadership roles with the Animal Protective Association of Missouri, the Humane Society of the United States (currently known as Humane World for Animals), Asheville Humane Society, and San Diego Humane Society.
Shenar is also the author of Coalition Building for Animal Care Organizations, a practical guide to uniting animal advocates through collaboration. She holds a Master of Arts in Media Communications and currently lives in Washington state with her husband, four dogs, and a cat. She remains deeply committed to advancing the field and welcomes connections on LinkedIn.
JIM TEDFORD
President and CEO
The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement
Tennessee
Jim Tedford joined The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement (formerly SAWA) as President & CEO in June 2015 ― a role he embraced as his “dream job.” But his connection to the organization runs much deeper. He has been a member for nearly 30 years and served as board chair more than 20 years ago.
With over 40 years of experience in the animal welfare field, Tedford has led sheltering organizations in New York, Louisiana, and Tennessee, and served as a regional director for The Humane Society of the United States (currently known as Humane World for Animals). Early in his career, he worked in what he fondly calls “tiny humane societies held together with duct tape and love.” He later applied his nonprofit expertise in direct-response marketing to support shelters and advocacy groups nationwide.
A sought-after speaker, Tedford frequently gives presentations on leadership, organizational strategy, data-driven practices, and shelter medicine. He holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and is a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator. Tedford and his wife, Ann, share their home with three energetic terriers, a rescued macaw, and Handsome Sam, an off-the-track thoroughbred. They love the outdoors and often retreat to nature with their travel trailer ― a peaceful contrast to the urgency of animal welfare, and a reminder of the deeper connections they work to protect every day.
JESS TOWNSEND
Executive Director
Midcoast Humane
Brunswick, Maine
Jess Townsend got her passion for animal welfare by volunteering with a cat rescue group, setting her on a path that would become her life’s work. With a master’s degree in policy, planning, and management from the University of Southern Maine, a degree in psychology and studio art from Providence College, and a background in graphic design and marketing, Jess brought a unique blend of skills that prepared her to turn that passion into a career serving pets in need and the people who love them.
Townsend began her journey in 2007 at the Maryland SPCA in Baltimore, Maryland, where she took her first professional steps into sheltering. In 2009, she joined the Washington Humane Society (now the Humane Rescue Alliance) in Washington, D.C., where she spent five years helping drive lifesaving innovation. It was here that she learned to manage staff and programs in a large urban shelter, balancing the complexities of people, pets, and resources.
Returning to New England, Townsend spent six years as Director of Operations at the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland in Westbrook, Maine. There she oversaw daily operations, guided the team through growth and change, and built systems that improved outcomes for both animals and people.
In 2021, Townsend became the Executive Director of Midcoast Humane in Brunswick, Maine, stepping into the role during a time of extraordinary challenges. She led the organization through a major building project, a staffing crisis, and a full-scale operational restructuring. Known for her hands-on leadership and strategic thinking, Townsend is deeply committed to building strong teams and creating shelter systems that are resilient and enduring.
Outside of the shelter, Townsend has two stepkids, four cats, two dogs, and a husband, and says, only partly kidding, that nothing else that needs to be fed or see any kind of doctor gets to live in her home. So, she took up gardening to help manage stress. She is now responsible for maintaining multiple gardens in her free time and is hatching plans to rewild the rest of her yard as a pollinator habitat.
MISTY VALENTA
Director of Animal Services
Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter
Williamson County, Texas
Misty Valenta is the Director of Animal Services at the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter (WCRAS), a nationally recognized open-admission shelter in Georgetown, Texas. Since stepping into the role in 2020, she has helped transform WCRAS into a collaborative, lifesaving model, prioritizing transparency, innovation, and a culture where both people and animals thrive. Valenta previously served for eight years as the Community Programs Coordinator, where she expanded the shelter’s foster, volunteer, and rescue partnerships while building out its fundraising, marketing, and outreach efforts.
With a background in development and communications at the Austin Humane Society in Austin, Texas, and early experience as an educator and events coordinator, Valenta brings a rare blend of creativity and operational savvy to her work. She has built bridges across departments and communities to increase engagement and improve outcomes for both animals and people.
In 2023, Valenta joined the Best Friends Animal Society’s National Strategic Council, helping shape the future of animal sheltering nationwide. She also serves as a board member for Fans of WCRAS and remains deeply connected to the community she serves. Valenta believes that true shelter leadership isn’t about standing apart; it’s about lifting others, creating space for ideas to grow, and recognizing that the next great leader might already be among us.
LEDY VANKAVAGE
Senior Legislative Attorney
Best Friends Animal Society
Ohio
Ledy VanKavage, Esq., is the Senior Legislative Attorney for Best Friends Animal Society, where she works to advance humane policies nationwide. A passionate advocate for animals since the 1980s, Ledy first entered the field after discovering her county was selling shelter pets for research ― a revelation that led her to co-found the Madison County Coalition to Stop Pound Seizure and later the Metro East Humane Society. Her grassroots beginnings shaped a career devoted to saving lives through collaboration, legal reform, and persistence.
Before joining Best Friends, VanKavage served as Senior Director of Legislation and Legal Training for the ASPCA, helping to spearhead the passage of more than 50 humane state laws during her tenure. She is a past chair of the American Bar Association’s Animal Law Committee and has co-authored the U.S. Department of Justice publication, The Problem of Dog-Related Incidents and Encounters. She also serves as an instructor for the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board.
VanKavage’s work has been recognized with numerous honors, including the American Bar Association’s Excellence in Animal Law Award, the Wallace Award from the Wallace the Pit Bull Foundation, and the Women in Government Relations’ Excellence in a State Campaign Award. She has been featured on MSNBC (formerly MSNBC), and NPR, and in Time, the Chicago Tribune, and The New York Times.
From grassroots activism to national policy, VanKavage’s career is defined by her unwavering belief that a small, determined group of people can change the world for animals ― and that true leadership is measured not only by victories won, but by the persistence to keep fighting until they are.
MIKE WHEELER
Director of Community Services
Cabot Animal Support Services
Cabot, Arkansas
Mike Wheeler has been the Director of Community Services in Cabot, Arkansas, since 2009, armed with a singular mission: advancing animal welfare and public safety through compassion-driven innovation. Under his leadership, the city’s open-admission animal shelter and animal control operations have become a model for emphasizing the human-animal bond and keeping families together.
Guided by his philosophy that supporting people helps pets thrive, Wheeler has developed numerous community programs that enhance the lives of both people and pets. These initiatives have significantly reduced shelter intake while maintaining one of the lowest euthanasia rates in the region. At the same time, his programs have provided care and resources to thousands of families, underscoring his conviction that healthy pets are essential to building humane and resilient communities.
Wheeler’s commitment to best practices and progressive animal services has earned him leadership roles on a national scale. He serves as President of the National Animal Care and Control Association (NACA), Treasurer and Past President of the Arkansas State Animal Control Association, and is a member of the Executive Management Committee for Human Animal Support Services (HASS). He also lends his expertise to numerous national advisory panels, shaping policy, training professionals, and guiding municipalities toward more effective and compassionate animal services.
Recognized internationally, Wheeler has shared his expertise at the Australian National Animal Welfare Conference (as Keynote Speaker), the Humane World for Animals Animal Care Expo (formerly sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States), the Best Friends Animal Society, and at state-level animal control and welfare associations nationwide.
Wheeler holds a master of business administration with a minor in public administration, as well as a degree in Criminal Justice. A lifelong learner inspired by leaders in both human and animal welfare, he continues to evolve community support strategies that strengthen the bond between people and pets.
What Others Are Saying
“Humane Perspectives: Leadership in Animal Welfare should be required reading for anyone interested in a leadership role -- whether volunteer or paid -- in the animal welfare field. The many lessons shared by experienced animal welfare leaders, and so thoughtfully compiled and edited by Cathy Rosenthal, offer valuable insights for those in leadership positions in any industry, nonprofit, or for-profit. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in thoughtful, compassionate leadership.”
“Humane Perspectives is filled with inspiration and practical advice for seasoned leaders as well as those new to the field. Each essay provides a fresh perspective, a wealth of wisdom, and proven strategies for succeeding and thriving in the field. I’ve worked in animal welfare for many years and found myself smiling in recognition as I read it, and feeling renewed energy for our important work. Whether you’re the executive director, chief operating officer, volunteer coordinator, or new to the field entirely, you’ll gain invaluable insights, ideas to improve your daily work, and the motivation to keep growing. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to make a substantial difference in the lives of animals and the people who care for them.”
“Animal welfare has transformed over the past twenty years, thanks in no small part to the dedicated leaders featured in these pages. Their hard-won insights and enduring wisdom will guide and inspire future generations working to advance this cause.”
“Humane Perspectives: Leadership in Animal Welfare should be required reading for anyone interested in a leadership role—whether volunteer or paid—in the animal welfare field. The many lessons shared by animal welfare leaders, thoughtfully compiled and edited by Cathy Rosenthal, offer valuable insights that extend well beyond animal welfare, resonating with leaders in both nonprofit and for-profit settings. I highly recommend this book!”
"Leadership in animal welfare is not about power — it’s about compassion in action....One story. One leader. One lesson at a time."
About the Editor
Cathy M. Rosenthal has spent more than 35 years in animal welfare, working at every level from local shelters to national organizations. Throughout her career, she has written thousands of grants and helped raise millions of dollars to support animals and the people who love them. With more than two decades of hands-on grant writing experience, she understands how to translate an organization’s mission into clear, compelling language that funders recognize and support. In addition to grant writing, she has led outreach initiatives, developed humane education programs, strengthened community partnerships, and guided strategic communications efforts that increase both funding and public trust.
As a consultant and trainer, Cathy helps animal welfare organizations secure funding, strengthen internal communication, and build trust with the communities they serve. She leads workshops on grant writing, customer service, reframing difficult conversations, and managing compassion fatigue—equipping teams with practical tools to navigate high-stress environments with professionalism and resilience. Her work focuses on real-world systems and strategies that improve culture, reduce conflict, and support sustainable impact.
Cathy is the author of Grant Writing Boot Camp for Animal Advocates and several children’s books that promote humane education and responsible pet care. As a syndicated columnist and children’s author, she bridges professional animal welfare expertise with everyday pet ownership, helping both adults and young readers better understand animals and the people who care for them.
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Written 1,000+ grants for animal welfare organizations
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Helped raise more than 15 million in funding to support lifesaving work
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Delivered national workshops on grant writing, customer service, and compassion fatigue, and media for over 35 years
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20+ years as a nationally syndicated pet columnist
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