Jim Tedford accepted his dream job when he joined The Association as President & CEO in 2015. He has been a member for more than 30 years and served as our Board Chairman some twenty years ago. Jim has been in the animal welfare movement for more than 40 years, having served as CEO for sheltering organizations in New York, Louisiana, and Tennessee, was a regional director for The Humane Society of the United States, and spent six years providing direct response marketing services to animal welfare organizations.

Raissa Allaire is the Chief Executive Officer of Tree House Humane Society, where she leads innovative efforts to expand access to veterinary care, strengthen feline welfare, and advance the organization’s vision of a world where every cat thrives. She also serves as Board Chair of the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement and is passionate about building partnerships, advancing practical solutions, and exploring human-centered AI to improve the lives of cats and the people who care for them.

For nearly two decades, Sharon Harvey has served as President & CEO of the Cleveland Animal Protective League. Under her leadership, the Cleveland APL has expanded beyond traditional animal sheltering to develop innovative programs addressing the root causes of pet homelessness, including access to veterinary care and spay/neuter services, community pet wellness, housing insecurity, and support for pet owners living in underserved areas of Cleveland. She has championed progressive advances in humane law enforcement, animal sheltering, and the level of care provided to shelter animals, while advocating for humane public policy, collaboration, and sustainable solutions that improve the lives of both animals and people. A recognized leader in animal welfare, Sharon is committed to advancing the field through a shared sense of purpose, even when that requires engaging in difficult conversations, and to supporting the next generation of animal welfare leaders.