DEI Council

About Our Council

The DEI Council began in 2019 as a working group, and has grown to include 20 leaders plus volunteers to serve on the Council at large and its subcommittees. Our work is centered around findings from the 2021 Animal Welfare Report and The Association’s diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic plan. The DEI Council members represent different cultural backgrounds, expertise, and leadership roles.

Meet our 2024 Council

  • Aiko Okamoto, CAWA, Chief Administrative Officer, Humane Society of Charlotte
  • Chaya Hirsch, Spay/Neuter Veterinarian, Kentucky Humane
  • Jace Huggins, VP & Chief of Humane Law Enforcement, San Diego Humane Society
  • Jena Valdez, Chief Medical Officer, San Francisco SPCA
  • Karla Gimae Pan, Senior Director of Lifesaving, Blue Ridge Humane
  • Miguel Sheets, Director of IT, The Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County
  • Rachel Levine, Director of People Development, Dumb Friends League
  • Sam Wolbert, President/CEO, Animal Welfare League of Arlington
  • Cole Wakefield, Executive Director, Good Shepherd Humane Society
  • Sarah Javier, MPPA, President/CEO, Animal Protective Association of Missouri
  • Wonderland Dawson, Talent Development Specialist, The Humane Society of the United States
  • BJ Andersen, CAWA, Director of Volunteer Engagement, Oregon Humane Society
  • Rachel Villaseñor, Pets for Life Coordinator, The Anti-Cruelty Society
  • Dr. Roberta Westbrook, Chief Medical Welfare and Animal Office, Houston SPCA
  • Lily Yap, Shelter Manager, Grand Prairie Animal Services
  • Jessica Umunnabuike, PHR, Sr. Talent & Diversity Specialist, San Diego Humane Society & SPCA
  • Hanna Lentz, Executive Director, Supporting People and Animal Relationships for Change (SPARC)
  • Christina Avila, Animal Control Supervisor, City of Perris Animal Control
  • Aubrey Daniels, HR Manager, Pasado’s Safe Haven

We are accepting applications for The Association’s DEI Council through February 28, 2025.

APPLY FOR THE DEI COUNCIL
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