Meet the Conference Committee

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

Collaborative & Strategic Leadership Track Chair

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.