The Team Behind the Experience
We’re so grateful to the dedicated professionals who helped shape this year’s Annual Conference. Their time, insight, and expertise were instrumental in creating an agenda that reflects the needs, challenges, and aspirations of today’s animal welfare leaders.
Fundraising
Track Chair
Judy Hunter
VP of Philanthropy & Communications
Cleveland Animal Protective League
Joe Lisella, CAWA
Chief Executive Officer
Animal Protective Foundation
Communications & Marketing Track Chair
Beth Brookhouser, CAWA
VP of Marketing & Communications
SPCA Monterey County
Strategic Workforces Track Chair
Lily Yap, MBA
Executive Director
Stanislaus Animal Services Agency
Meshia Burrell
VP of People and Culture, Anti-Cruelty
Victoria Cowper, CAWA
Pawsabilities Consulting
Jordan Craig, CAWA
Community Initiatives Officer, Operation Kindness
Heather Dolson, CAWA
Vice President of Lifesaving Programs, Operation Kindness
Darlene Duggan
President, Anti-Cruelty
Sasha Elliott, CAWA
Director of Operations, Greenhill Humane Society
Dr. Josh Fisher, CAWA, MHA
Director, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control
Leilani Fratis
CEO, Placer SPCA
Alison Fotsch, CAWA
President & CEO, Wisconsin Humane Society
Sarah Hock
Executive Director, Joint Animal Services
Meredith Jones
Chief Community Initiatives Officer, Operation Kindness
Kelley Likes, CAWA, CFRE
President & CEO, Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region
Mark Neff
President & CEO, Forsyth Humane Society
Stacey Price, CAWA
Director of Development and Marketing, Dakin Humane Society
Howard Qualls
EVP & Chief People Officer, SPCA Tampa Bay
Renee Russell
Chief Operations Officer, Tulsa SPCA
Jessica Sale, CAWA
Sr. VP & COO, San Diego Humane Society
Dr. Edward Schettino, CAWA
President & CEO, Animal Rescue League of Boston
Tricia Sebes, CAWA
Northern Tier Shelter Initiative Senior Director, ASPCA
Jen Self-Aulgur, CAWA
Executive Director, Harbor Humane
Barbara Vass
Assistant Director and Lifesaving Programs Manager, Fort Bend County Animal Services
Elkie Wills
Director of Human Animal Support Services (HASS), Austin Pets Alive!
Stacey Zeitlin
VP, Community Impact, San Diego Humane Society
Get Involved: Join the 2026 Conference Committee
Want to help shape next year’s Annual Conference? Serving on the Conference Committee is a great way to contribute your expertise, expand your network, and help design a learning experience that meets the evolving needs of animal welfare professionals.
As a committee member, you’ll:
- Review and provide feedback on session proposals
- Recommend timely and relevant topics
- (Optionally) serve as a Speaker Buddy during the conference to support presenters onsite
Time commitment: A few virtual meetings and several hours of proposal review in Q1. Committees are formed in December.
Interested? Fill out this form and select “Annual Conference Committee” to be considered.