Sarah Javier has been leading the Animal Protective Association of Missouri since 2016, which means she’s spent the better part of a decade solving complicated problems, raising millions of dollars, and resisting the urge to ask everyone she meets, “So…have you considered adopting?” She serves on national and regional animal welfare boards and has been recognized as a St. Louis Business Journal Most Influential Business Woman, a St. Louis Titan 100 honoree, and a recipient of the University of Missouri-St. Louis Distinguished Alumni Award, but her favorite professional title continues to be a “matchmaker for pets and people.” If you ask her about nonprofit leadership, community impact, or pets, be prepared to stay a while.
Sarah McLachlan Doesn’t Need More Royalties From Your Marketing
October 28, 2026
1:50 pm - 2:50 pm |
For the record, we have nothing against Sarah McLachlan. Surely, she is a wonderful person. And she clearly cares about animals. So do we! But we also happen to believe that animals don’t just need to be rescued. They also bring joy. Like, real, actual, beneficial joy. And we think humans are more likely to respond to an enthusiastic invitation than a heavy guilt trip.
This engaging session explores how bold, playful, and purpose-driven communication can capture attention, reduce compassion fatigue, and inspire meaningful engagement without sacrificing ethics or impact. Co-presented by organizational leadership from the Animal Protective Association of Missouri (APA) and the creative team from Darling Brand Makery who are behind the work, this session shares practical frameworks and real-world insights for using joy, humor, and creativity to advance animal welfare in thoughtful and effective ways.
Speakers
Sarah Javier
President & CEO, Animal Protective Association of Missouri (APA)
Jake Edinger
Creative Director/Founder, Darling Brand Marketing
Jake Edinger is a writer who loves when ideas make a difference. For APA Adoption Center, his work has earned creative acclaim, international attention and most importantly, pet adoptions. His dog Arlo–a graduate of the APA transfer program–was unanimously voted best dog by his son’s fifth grade lunch table. A proud dad, Jake and his family enjoy roadtrips, bleacher seats, yard games, recitals and any adventure, planned or unplanned. His St. Louis-based agency, Darling Brand Makery, proudly serves animal welfare brands, healthcare organizations, tourism and telecom clients from coast to coast.