Conference Speakers - AAWA Conference

Raissa Allaire

Executive Director, Tree House Humane Society

Raissa Allaire joined Tree House Humane Society in May, 2018. Raissa has been a nonprofit leader for the past 20 years, including as COO of a social services organization and as a vice president/Chief of Staff for a Chicago museum. Raissa is also a member of the board of The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement.

Jessica Arias, CAWA

Animal Services Director, Burlington Animal Services

Jessica Arias, CAWA, is Animal Services Director at Burlington Animal Services in North Carolina. She was recognized as one of Triad Business Journal's 40 under 40 for her work in Burlington, which included achieving and sustaining high levels of pet lifesaving and community support and spearheading a successful public-private partnership in the construction of a state-of-the-art Pet Adoption and Resource Center. Jessica holds a BA in conflict analysis and resolution from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and is pursuing an MPA at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Jessica is a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA).

Christina Avila, PhD

Animal Control Supervisor, City of Perris

Dr. Christina Avila has twenty-three years of experience in the animal welfare field, including veterinary, shelter, and animal control settings as an officer and supervisor. Dr. Avila recently received a doctorate in business administration from Walden University. Her dissertation was on strategies to retain newly hired veterinarians.

Patrick Barry

Media Relations Manager, Byrne PR

Patrick Barry leads media relations for St. Louis-based BYRNE PR. Throughout his career he has worked with a wide variety of animal-centric organizations including animal shelters, bird sanctuaries, Purina Community Affairs, and the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales. He has managed and consulted on proactive and reactive media relations for not-for-profit organizations as well as Fortune 500 companies. Patrick is a member of the board for APA Missouri.

Emily Berger, MSW

Employer Services Liaison, Denver Economic Development and Opportunity

Emily Berger is an Employer Services Liaison within Denver Economic Development and Opportunity with a focus on building pipelines to employment for the city’s priority populations. In this role, Emily supports industry workforce needs by connecting and collaborating with businesses as well as industry partners. With a background in social work, she has been in workforce development with both youth and adults for over 10 years.

Dr. Becca Boronat, MV, CAWA

Veterinarian, Best Friends Animal Society

Becca Boronat is a multicultural shelter veterinarian with licenses in SC, NM, and TX, currently working with Best Friends Animal Society, and serving on the board of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians. Becca has over 20 years in the field, including a significant tenure at the Charleston Animal Society. Becca holds certifications as an animal control officer, animal cruelty investigator, and Certified Animal Welfare Administrator.

Kristi Brooks

Director of Operations, Cat Adoption Team

Kristi Brooks is the director of operations for Cat Adoption Team (CAT). Kristi got her start in animal welfare in 2002 as a foster volunteer at CAT. She became the organization’s first paid kitten foster coordinator three years later. During her tenure at CAT, Kristi has helped develop the foster program into a nationally recognized model, Fostering 4 Rock Stars (F4RS).

Kim Brown, CAWA

COO, APA Missouri

Kim Brown is a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) and has been working in animal welfare for 14 years. She volunteered as a foster for 6 years prior to working in the field and continues to foster. Kim has a MA in Nonprofit Administration and a BA in Human Resource Management. She also spent eight years in the US Army Reserves as a Combat Medic.

Leah Craig Chumbley

Executive Director, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue

Leah Craig Chumbley has worked in the nonprofit sector since 2009, driven by a desire to decrease suffering and increase joy in the world. Her many years of animal welfare experience include positions in fundraising, marketing, communications, events, administration and leadership. Leah Craig holds a degree in Communications with minors in Animal Science and Nonprofit Studies.

Mark Cushing, JD

Founder & CEO, Animal Policy Group

A long-time political strategist, government regulatory advisor, corporate executive and former litigator, Mark focuses his advocacy practice on providing high-level strategic advice and services to clients with needs at any level of government, and organizations in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Since 2004, Mark has specialized in animal health, animal welfare, veterinary and veterinary educational issues and accreditation. He is an Honors graduate with distinction from Stanford University and the Willamette University College of Law.

Cait Daly, CAWA

CEO, SPCA Serving Erie County

Cait Daly has been working in animal welfare for 15 years across three states and five organizations. Cait's work passions are helping people and animals, organizational efficiency, enthusiasm, and transparent communication. Cait uses those passions to continuously improve operations at the SPCA Serving Erie County, as well as in her capacity as a New York State animal shelter consultant. Cait is a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA).

Jen Frazier

Founder and CEO, Firefly Partners

Jen Frazier is a lifetime advocate for gender equity and reproductive rights–causes that have motivated her personally and professionally and the founder and driving force behind Firefly Partners. In 2007, Jen began building her own dream team of tech and digital strategists with the same dedication to progressive causes, and Firefly was born.

Tori Fugate

Director of Communications, Shelter Animals Count

As Chief Communications Officer for KC Pet Project, Tori Fugate oversaw all marketing, events, web management, social media, retail sales, education initiatives, and media relations, including print, radio, and television appearances on a local and national level. Tori recently became the Director of Communications for Shelter Animals Count. She is a co-leader of the National Animal Care and Control Association Marketing and Communications Committee.

Ayesha Ganguly

Director of Development and Community Outreach, Amphibian Stage

Ayesha Ganguly serves as the Director of Development and Community Outreach at the nonprofit arts organization Amphibia Stage. She is also a founding member and board vice-chair for Transform 1012, a reparative justice and adaptive re-use project, transforming the former Ku Klux Klan headquarters in Fort Worth into the Fred Rouse Center for Arts and Healing. Her work in the last 2 decades has extensively focused on youth leadership, human rights, and civic engagement

Alisa Gray

President & CEO, Kentucky Humane Society

Alisa Gray is the President and CEO of the Kentucky Humane Society (KHS). In her 16 years within animal welfare, Alisa has held multiple positions in development, public relations, management, client services, volunteer and education, animal care and shelter operations. Most recently, she has led the Development and PR Teams at KHS with an over 240% increase in philanthropy. She has bachelor’s degrees in psychology and integrated strategic communications from the University of Kentucky.

Mike Greenberg, DVM

Co-founder, Veterinary Care Accessibility Project

Dr. Mike Greenberg is a veterinarian who works to improve animal welfare through clinical practice, pet health technology, and applied research. He co-founded the Veterinary Care Accessibility Project, a nonprofit creating tools for data-driven decisions to improve access to care. He currently works in animal shelters and accessible care clinics across the Gulf South and Texas.

Phil Gwoke

CEO, BridgeWorks

Around BridgeWorks HQ, CEO Phil Gwoke is known as the motivator and the historian. Before becoming an internationally recognized speaker, he pursued his passion for helping people be their best selves as a high school teacher, college admissions professional, marketing coordinator, corporate trainer, and even small business owner. He has maintained strong ties to his local community as a mentor and consultant to young entrepreneurs, and he brings his diverse background and skill set to the BridgeWorks team.

Tom Hayashi, MS Ed, PhD, CFRE

Chief Capacity Building Officer, Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership

Dr. Tom Hayashi is the Chief Capacity Building Officer for the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership. He is a Certified Fundraising Executive with over 27 years leading resource development strategies in partnership with key stakeholders for a variety of mission focused organizations with annual operating budgets of $3.5M to $50M per year.

Stacie Haynes

Executive Director, Susquehanna SPCA

Stacie Haynes is the Executive Director at the Susquehanna SPCA in Cooperstown, NY. She is also the current President of the New York State Animal Protection Federation.

Dan Heath

Author

Dan Heath is the #1 New York Times bestselling author (or co-author) of five beloved business books: Switch, Made to Stick, Decisive, The Power of Moments, and Upstream. His books have been translated into 33 languages and have sold over 4 million copies worldwide. His writing honors include: One of the best nonfiction books of the year, according to Amazon. One of the best audiobooks of the year, according to Apple. And the OWL award for Best Business Book of the Year. Dan hosts a podcast called: “What It’s Like to Be.” In every episode, he interviews someone from a different profession: a mystery novelist, a couples therapist, a rancher, and more. It landed on Apple’s ranking of the Top 50 Society & Culture podcasts. He has an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA from the University of Texas at Austin.

Sarah Javier

CEO, Animal Protective Association (APA) of Missouri

With over two decades of impactful leadership, since 2016 Sarah has led the APA to achieve remarkable strides in advancing its mission, doubling its size, and expanding its reach to serve over 10,000 pets annually across two locations. Sarah is deeply committed to fostering inclusivity and equity in both her organization and the broader community; she serves as a DEI Ambassador and is a member of The Association’s DEI Council, driving initiatives to ensure diverse representation and equitable practices in animal welfare.

Meredith Jones

Chief Community Initiatives Officer, Operation Kindness

Meredith Jones has an extensive background in grassroots advocacy and activism, leadership experience with nationally-renowned animal welfare organizations, and has fought passionately for equal access for underserved pets and their people throughout her career. As the Chief Community Initiatives Officer for Operation Kindness, Meredith strives to implement community programs that provide accessible, compassionate, and nonjudgmental assistance.

Shaunessy Jones

Director of Pet Services, Pasado's Safe Haven

Shaunessy Jones joined Pasado’s Safe Haven as their Director of Pet Services in March of 2022 after 20+ years as a successful fundraiser. Shaunessy is a strategic and visionary director who builds intentional partnerships with other HQHVSN clinics and organizations who serve the most vulnerable and marginalized, ensuring that income-qualified families and their pets have access to affordable veterinary care.

Erin Katribe, DVM

Director of National Veterinary Programs, Best Friends Animal Society

Dr. Erin Katribe is the Director of National Veterinary Programs for Best Friends Animal Society, where she oversees the National Shelter Medicine team providing shelter medicine consultations and support to shelters across the country. She achieved diplomate status through the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in Shelter Medicine Practice in 2023, and she currently serves on the boards of directors of The Association of Shelter Veterinarians and Open Door Veterinary Collective.

Kelley Likes, CAWA

President & CEO, Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region

Kelley Likes is the President and CEO at the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region and has 15 years of fundraising experience, is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), and Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA). Since joining HSPPR in 2017, the philanthropy program has grown extensively, incorporating the Marketing/Communications and Volunteer Services teams and increasing fundraising revenues by more than 150%.

Joe Lisella, CAWA

Executive Director, Animal Protective Foundation

Joe Lisella has been the Executive Director of The Animal Protective Foundation (APF) in Glenville, NY since October 2021. In addition to the shelter, the APF is also the region’s largest public provider of spay/neuter surgery. Prior to joining the APF, Joe began his career in animal welfare at Marin Humane as the development director for nearly nine years. Joe is a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA).

Sarah Mantovani, DVM

Field Medicine Veterinarian, RAVS

Dr. Sarah Mantovani completed her DVM degree at UC Davis and her Master's in Shelter Medicine through the University of Florida. She was a shelter vet for seven years and has recently joined the HSUS Rural Area Veterinary Services group as a field medicine veterinarian.

Mary Meredith

Senior Vice President and Director of Digital Innovation, Avalon

Mary Meredith has over twenty years of integrated direct marketing experience with an extensive portfolio of regional, national, and international clients on both the non- and for-profit sides of the aisle. As Senior Vice President and Director of Digital Innovation at Avalon, Mary leads Avalon’s best-in-class digital team in creating experiences that ignite loyalty, drive engagement, and maximize revenue.

Christi Monk-Andrews, PhD

Executive Coach

Dr. Christi Monk-Andrews is a distinguished Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Consultant, with over 25 years of expertise in Organizational Development, Change Management, and Conflict Resolution. She uniquely combines Emotional Intelligence and the Core Values System in her methodology, advocating for a deeper understanding of differences to foster cultural shifts and improve performance. Dr. Christi's approach has established her as a key figure in creating safe spaces for candid conversations, helping individuals and organizations to enhance connectedness and minimize conflicts.

Larisa Nagelberg, PMP

Director, Strategic Initiatives & Mission Advancement, Toronto Humane Society 

Larisa Nagelberg is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with an Honours BA in Environmental Geography & Human Geography from the University of Toronto. With a decade of experience at Toronto Humane Society, she has excelled in diverse operational roles, including Animal Care, Adoptions, Foster, and Transport. Looking ahead, Larisa is driven to utilize project management strategies to implement initiatives that align with and propel our mission.

Augusta O’Reilly, LCSW, VSW

Veterinary LCSW, VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine - Teaching Hospital

Augusta O’Reilly works as a Veterinary Licensed Clinical Social Worker at VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine, Teaching Hospital. In her role she focuses on supporting families that are experiencing caregiver burnout, pet related grief, and other emotional stress related to their non-human family member. She is an advocate for trauma informed care, supporting mental health of animal care professionals and a One Health approach in all the work she supports. In the past she has provided services to animal welfare organizations, animal clinics and other programs looking to support the human-animal bond and mental health.

Libby Post

Executive Director, New York State Animal Protection Federation

Libby Post is the Executive Director of the New York State Animal Protection Federation (NYSAPF). The Federation represents all of New York’s animal shelters, humane societies, SPCAs, and a growing number of rescues at the State Capitol. In 2024, Libby marks her tenth year with the Federation.

Lori Redmon

Equine Director, Kentucky Humane Society

Lori Redmon is the Equine Director for the Kentucky Humane Society (KHS) where she previously served as the President & CEO for 19 years. She has 34 years of experience in the animal welfare industry and launched the Equine C.A.R.E. program at KHS in 2015. She is a past board member of the board of directors for The Association of Animal Welfare Advancement and is certified in Equine Assisted Learning through the Equine Experiential Education Association.

Jennifer Scarlett, DVM

Chief Executive Officer, San Francisco SPCA

Dr. Jennifer Scarlett has spearheaded transformative programs, including shelter coalitions in California’s Central Valley, veterinary outreach to under-resourced neighborhoods, and the Shelter PALS legal service. Under her leadership, the SF SPCA has significantly advanced animal welfare, enhancing lifesaving capacity and addressing pet-health inequity in San Francisco while assisting shelters statewide. With 20 years of veterinary experience, Dr. Scarlett holds a DVM from Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.

Rebecca Shapalis

Vice President, Avalon

Rebecca Shapalis is a Vice President at Avalon Consulting Group, where she has been helping clients grow their programs using expert fundraising strategies since 2014. Her extensive experience, deep knowledge, and wide range of skills are instrumental in helping Avalon’s clients control costs and increase revenues. Rebecca is a leader in the direct marketing industry and longtime board member of the Direct Marketing Association of Washington.

Melanie Sobel

Director, Denver Animal Protection

Melanie Sobel has been working in open-admission government animal shelters since 2000 and is the Director of Denver Animal Protection. Prior to this, she was the General Manager of the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter, Director of Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission, Director of the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter and Director of Program Services and Public Relations for City of Chicago Animal Care and Control. She has served as President of the California Animal Control Directors Association, Vice-President of the California Animal Welfare Association and as a Board member on the Illinois Animal Welfare Federation, Texas Federation of Humane Societies and Wisconsin Federated Humane Societies.

Lauren Sracic

Director of Fundraising Campaigns, Humane Rescue Alliance

Lauren Sracic is the Director of Fundraising Campaigns at the Humane Rescue Alliance in Washington, DC. With a passion for philanthropy and a love for animals, she orchestrates impactful fundraising initiatives to support the organization's mission of rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming pets in need. Through her strategic leadership, Lauren harnesses the power of community engagement to make a tangible difference in the lives of animals and their human companions.

Jim Tedford, CAWA

President & CEO, The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement

Jim Tedford accepted his dream job when he joined The Association as President & CEO in June of 2015. But Jim is no stranger to the organization. He has been a member for nearly 30 years and served as our Board Chairman some twenty years ago. Jim has been actively engaged in the animal welfare movement for more than 37 years having served as CEO for animal sheltering organizations in New York, Louisiana and Tennessee. He served as a regional director for The Humane Society of the United States and then spent six years providing direct response marketing services to animal welfare organizations. Jim presents frequently at national and regional conferences on various animal welfare issues, organizational development and not-for-profit management. Jim is a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA).

Frank Velásquez, Jr.

Founder, 4 Da Hood

Storyteller Extraordinaire and Social Justice Warrior, Frank Velásquez Jr., with an unshakeable belief in racial and gender equity, connects us through our stories weaving a beautiful tapestry of our communities. As Founder of 4 Da Hood and the Ascending Leaders in Color program, he’s forging paths for peeps of color to lead with authenticity, courage, and joy! Because for Frank, advancing equity isn’t just a job – it’s a movement towards building generational wealth for communities of color to thrive.

Gary Ware

Founder / Break Through Play

Gary Ware, founder of Breakthrough Play and author of the influential book, Playful Rebellion: Maximize Workplace Success Through The Power of Play, is a standout corporate facilitator and keynote speaker with over 20 years in the business arena. Partnering with top-tier companies like SAP and Intuit, Gary excels in employing improv and playful methodologies to enhance team creativity, confidence, and collaboration. Beyond his workshops and speaking engagements, Gary enjoys magic and adventures with his family. Recently, he was celebrated as one of the Top 25 Emerging Culture Creators by Culture Amp in the category The Future of Work.

Roberta Westbrook, DVM

Chief Animal Welfare & Medical Officer, Houston SPCA

Dr. Roberta received her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. As an adjunct professor at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biological Sciences, Dr. Westbrook co-teaches an elective course and facilitates the 4th year, 2-week clinical rotation in Shelter Medicine. She serves her community as the 2024 President of the Harris County Veterinary Medical Association, and is a proud board member of The Association of Animal Welfare Advancement.

Destinee Wright

Operations Development Supervisor, Grand Prairie Animal Services

What started as a passion for wild and domesticated animals has turned into twelve years of expertise in animal services and care, establishing policies, and developing unconventional approaches to traditional challenges. With a bachelor's degree in animal science and the current pursuit of a master's in public administration, Destinee Wright combines her love and knowledge of animals with serving the community that cares for them. Experience in all roles, from Animal Services Officer to Manager, has given her the confidence to navigate the role of servant leader to a team of passionate and resolute individuals and the community.

Lily Yap

Division Manager / Grand Prairie Animal Services

Building on experience from over a decade in animal sheltering and knowledge of corporate business fundamentals gained from one of the top 10 professional MBA programs in the nation, Lily Yap is an animal welfare professional committed to creating teams that will bring the nation to a future in which animals and the families that love them thrive together. In her role as Division Manager with Grand Prairie Animal Services, she brings her background in municipal shelter operations and special life-saving programs to support an extraordinary team in serving a community of over 200,000 with both onsite and offsite operations. Lily is a member of the board of The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement.