A New Conversation

Next to my front door there is a large, bright yellow poster that says  “work hard and be nice to people”. It resonates with me everyday.  I’ve been fortunate to be part of animal well-being and sheltering organizations across the U.S, doing everything from mucking barns to adoptions to behavior. I spent a decade focused on dog and cat programs around the globe, supporting local projects and helping develop workshops for communities to define and implement their own solutions. In 2016, I co-founded Impact by Design, a consulting firm for animal welfare, conservation, and environment organizations. My focus was on facilitation, planning, training design, and business operations. The organization continues to thrive today. 

Along the way I earned a Bachelor’s in English with Honors in Writing from University of Michigan, a Master’s in Animals and Public Policy from Tufts University, and a Global MBA from IE University in Madrid, Spain. Today I bring all of these experiences together as the Executive Director of SPARC,  supporting a mission close to my heart. 

I currently live in Maryland with my husband, two lively kids, two dogs, a cat who fancies himself a dog, and the occasional foster rabbits. 

Abigail Smith serves as the Executive Director of the Animal Welfare Society in Kennebunk, Maine. Since her arrival in 2015, Abigail opened the first, and still only, full-service nonprofit veterinary clinic in the state. She currently serves as the Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Maine Federation of Humane Societies, on the Board of Directors of the New England Federation of Humane Societies, and as the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement’s representative for the Northeast Region.

Prior to moving back to New England, Abigail served as the Chief Animal Services Officer for the City of Austin and Travis County, Texas. While there, Smith successfully completed and transitioned Austin Animal Services to the new Austin Animal Center, was a leading member of Capitol Area Shelter Hub group for response to local and statewide disaster events and, on behalf of the City of Austin, received the 2013 Maddie’s Fund Lifesaving Award.

Prior to her time in Austin, Abigail was the Executive Director of the Tompkins County SPCA in Ithaca, New York. While in Ithaca, Abigail implemented a comprehensive shelter medicine and behavior program in partnership with Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program and was a founding member and Vice President of the New York State Animal Protection Federation. Abigail went to New York after serving as the Director of Development at the New Hampshire SPCA and before that as the Executive Director of the Sexual Violence Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Alison Fotsch Kleibor is the President & CEO of the Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) and has been with the organization since 2007. Prior to stepping into the CEO role, Alison held the position of Executive Vice President, supporting the people & culture, communications, development, and shelter operations functions of the organization. She has served also as the Vice President of Animal Sheltering, Racine Campus Director, Client Services Manager, and Senior Adoption Counselor.

She is a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA), a member of the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement (AAWA), and a board member of Shelter Animals Count (SAC). Alison has a MS from Alverno College, a BS from Marquette University, and a graduate certificate in shelter medicine from the University of Florida. In addition to obtaining a master’s degree in Veterinary Medical Sciences with a concentration in Shelter Medicine from the University of Florida, Alison has attended animal cruelty investigation training as well as animal control and humane officer trainings. Alison is driven by a desire for continuous learning, and a passion for growing and developing skilled leaders. She leads with a people-centered philosophy that acknowledges we can have the greatest impact for animals by believing in and partnering with the people who love them.

Amanda Arrington is the Vice President of Access to Care at the Humane Society of the United States overseeing the Pets for Life (PFL) and Rural Area Veterinary Services (RAVS) programs. Amanda previously served as a lobbyist and North Carolina State Director for HSUS. Amanda guides a social justice-driven approach to create equity in and access to pet resources and information for people in underserved communities. Under her leadership the PFL and RAVS programs are implemented in over 60 markets across the country and are working to make companion animal welfare a more just and inclusive movement.

Amanda is also the founder and Executive Director of Beyond Fences, a non-profit based in Durham, NC. The organization builds trust and relationships in communities by providing no-fee pet services and support for people living in underserved areas. Amanda currently serves as co-chair of The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement’s DEI committee and received the prestigious American Veterinary Medical Association Humane Award in 2018.

Brad Shear is the Chief Executive Officer of the Potter League for Animals in Rhode Island. Brad is one of three Certified Animal Welfare Administrators (CAWA) in the state. During his tenure, Brad has expanded existing programs and created new partnerships, including acquiring the state's largest spay and neuter clinic and the state's largest full-service non-profit veterinary clinic. Brad is a frequent speaker at regional and national animal welfare conferences.

In addition to his work at the Potter League, Brad has served as board chair of the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement, chaired their Best Practices and Emerging Trends Committee, and serves on their Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee. Brad also serves on the Hill's Pet Nutrition Shelter Advisory Council and the New England Federation of Humane Societies' advisory committee.

Before leading the Potter League, Brad served ten years as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society in New York's Capital Region. During that time, Brad founded the New York State Animal Protection Federation, where he served as Board President for seven years. He also served on the Community Works of New York State Board and was chair of the Tech Valley Non-profit Business Council.

In 2013, Brad received the Badge of Honor Award from the Albany County District Attorney's Office, and in 2016, he received the President's Medal from Excelsior College. In 2017 he received the Community Hero Award from Unity House of Troy. In 2018 Brad was named a "Man Who Makes a Difference" by the Women's Resource Center in Newport, Rhode Island.

Before his time in Albany, Brad was the Director of Operations for the Atlanta Humane Society. During that time, he served on the advisory committee of the Georgia Governor's Domestic

Violence Fatality Review Board. Previously Brad managed the Brooklyn Shelter for New York City Animal Care and Control.

Brad began his animal welfare career at the Humane Society of Boulder Valley in Colorado. He managed animal shelter and animal control programs, was a commissioned cruelty investigator, and served as the Boulder County Animal Response Team director.

Brad was born and raised in New York City, received his bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and currently lives in Peace Dale, Rhode Island, with his wife, two children, one dog, and three cats.

Jan McHugh-Smith, CAWA, is the CEO of the Humane Society of Boulder Valley, a Socially Conscious Shelter that houses 5500 animals annually. In addition to adoptions and lost & found services, the organization offers public veterinary care, behavior and training expertise, and a robust safety net program. Passionate about keeping people and pets together, Jan’s experience over the past 39 years includes being President & CEO of the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region, San Francisco SPCA President, and Eagle County Animal Control Director. Jan is the past Chair of Shelter Animals Count, the Association for the Advancement of Animal Welfare, and the CATalyst Council.

Jan is an avid mountain biker, birder, paddleboarder, and certified yoga instructor. She enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and three dogs.

Jill Tucker is a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator and has served as the CEO of the California Animal Welfare Association (CalAnimals) since March of 2019. CalAnimals has undergone tremendous growth under her leadership and the organization now represents and supports more than 260 animal shelters, animal control agencies, and other animal welfare organizations in the state of California and beyond. Jill has been involved in the field of animal welfare since 2002 where her strong leadership skills have enabled her to facilitate growth, collaboration, and financial turnarounds, while maximizing impact for the animals.

Her previous roles included serving as the Executive Director of Woods Humane Society in San Luis Obispo, CA, where she led a facility expansion, a merger with the North County Humane Society in Atascadero, and the opening of the county’s first public spay and neuter clinic.

Prior to that, she served as the Executive Director at the Santa Maria Valley Humane Society, where she spearheaded rapid growth and the completion of the organization’s multi-million-dollar campaign for its new, larger shelter.

Ms. Tucker holds a BS in Business Administration, has worked as a consultant for the Humane Society of the United States and the Vermont Humane Federation to build a statewide animal cruelty response system, and previously acted as Executive Director of the Addison County Humane Society in Middlebury, Vermont.

Kate Meghji serves as the Vice President of Animal Welfare for the Humane Rescue Alliance in Washington D.C. At the Humane Rescue Alliance, we honor more than 150 years of commitment to protecting animals, supporting families, and advocating for positive change to create a world where all animals can thrive. HRA serves as a national leader and local champion for all animals. With a people-focused, community-based approach, we treat every animal as an individual and emphasize specialized care for both animals and their families. Through our five campuses in the District of Columbia and New Jersey, we are the largest animal services provider in our region – touching the lives of tens of thousands of animals annually through direct rescue, care, and community-based services.

Kate has nearly 2 decades of experience in the field of animal care and sheltering. She served as CEO for the Humane Society of Vero Beach in Florida, the executive director of the Lawrence Humane Society in Kansas and was previously the executive director of Sinai Temple in Champaign Illinois, and shelter manager for the Champaign County Humane Society. Meghji holds an M.B.A. from University of Illinois in Urbana and a B.S. in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from Evergreen State College in Washington.

Lisa has served as the Executive Director for the New Hampshire SPCA since 1994. She has served two terms as President, Legislative Chair and currently serves as an Advisor for the NH Federation of Humane Organizations. She was a recent presenter at the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement Annual Conference, HSUS Animal Care Expo and has served on their Companion Animal Advisory Council. She has served on the PetSmart Charities Thought Leader Round Table 2016 and 2018.

Lisa recently was presented with a Commendation for Outstanding Service from Governor Christopher Sununu for her leadership and years of service to the NHSPCA, having been an advocate for stronger laws to protect animals and for her efforts to further animal welfare in NH. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of New Hampshire and a Masters in Organization and Management from Antioch New England Graduate School.

Mike Keiley has been working in animal welfare since 1994. He currently works as the Director of Adoption Centers and Programs for the MSPCA-Angell. In this role he oversees the programs and operations of the MSPCA-Angell’s four adoption centers, three community clinics, a robust community outreach program that is present in six key cities, the Equine and Farm Animal Program and New England’s largest relocation program. Combined these programs help positively impact over 30,000 animals annually.

Mike also serves as the board chair for Shelter Animals Count, a national organization focused on the collection of data from the animal welfare field. Mike also served as a board member of the New England Federation of Humane Societies, an organization that provides information and education to the New England animal welfare field, for nearly 20 years. He also currently serves as a trustee for the John T. and Jane A. Wiederhold Foundation, a granting organization for the animal welfare, land preservation and higher education fields.