The Association Blog

Fifty-seven emerging leaders lighting the way forward for animal welfare.

Last month, The Association’s President & CEO, Jim Tedford, encouraged leaders in the field to bring their rising stars along to The Annual Conference in Atlanta this November. “I’m writing today not just to invite you to The Annual Conference—but to ask you to help shape the future of animal welfare,” wrote Tedford. “I’m inviting you to bring your best and brightest, your most promising along with you.”

We were once again inspired by the nominations that poured in—stories of emerging leaders who are driving change, elevating teams, and modeling the compassion that defines our profession. Together, these 57 honorees represent a constellation of talent that’s lighting the path forward for animal welfare.

Meet the 2025 Rising Stars*

• Lee Allen, Good Shepherd Humane Society
• Jay Ballard, Southern Pines Animal Shelter
• Sarah Billigmeier, The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City
• Julia Bonsell, The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County
• Taniesha Bracken, Riverdale Animal Shelter
• Aleah Brady, Columbus Humane
• Emily Brewer, Humane Society of Charlotte
• Julie Brooks, Lucky Dog Animal Rescue
• Shiny Caldwell, Marin Humane
• Emmanuelle Chicandard, San Diego Humane Society
• Bilynda Cole, Roanoke Valley SPCA
• Stacey Cole, Animal Rescue League of Berks County, Inc.
• Christie Daluge, MN SNAP
• Erin Dams, Roanoke Valley SPCA
• Kaitlyn Daniels, Paws for A Cause Vet Care
• Dre Davis, Southern Pines Animal Shelter
• Brett DeWester, NOCO Humane
• Meghan Dillmore, Humane Society of Boulder Valley
• Caitlin Donnelly, Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society
• Brittany Eslary, Paws for A Cause Vet Care (Formerly Spay Illinois)
• Keri Fennell, Marin Humane
• Jamison Fetzer, SPCA Tampa Bay
• Anastassia Flores, Humane Society Silicon Valley
• Joanna Fortin, Animal Welfare League of Alexandria
• Kaitlyn Gallemore, Good Shepherd Humane Society
• Alicia Hargrove, Operation Kindness
• Robin Harisis, Lollypop Farm, The Humane Soc. of Greater Roch.
• Jeff Holmes, Animal Protective Association of Missouri
• Lisa Johns, HSPPR
• Coraleigh Jones, Wenatchee Valley Humane Society
• Katie Jordan, Tree House Humane Society
• Jasmine Jutras, Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society
• Zoie Keast, HSPPR
• Shea Killgore, Rutherford County Paws
• Michael Macaranas, The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County
• Josh Marcotte, Humane Society Silicon Valley
• Amanda Myers, NOCO Humane
• Crystal Myers, Rutherford County Paws
• Kate O’Dwyer, Animal Protective Association of Missouri
• Mackenzie Osbaugh, Humane Colorado
• Kristen Petty, Bailing Out Benji
• Tessa Pine, Riverdale Animal Shelter
• Kim Powell, Maricopa County Animal Care & Control
• Kim Priest, Triad SPCA
• Angela Ramiro, SF SPCA
• Jenifer Reed, Human Animal Support Services
• Sarah Rivera, Animal Rescue League of Berks County, Inc.
• Tamra Schmitz, Placer SPCA
• Courtney Schroyer, Toledo Humane Society
• Sarah Sheek, SPCA of Texas
• Rebecca Smith, San Diego Humane Society
• Caitlin Vanderpool, Wenatchee Valley Humane Society
• Megan Winters-Field, Harbor Humane Society
• Rebecca Woodward, SPCA of Texas
• Rachel Yarger, Bailing Out Benji
• Erica Ylitalo, Susquehanna SPCA
• Judy Zane, Humane Colorado

*Last updated 10/21/25.

Congratulations to each of the leaders named here—and to the mentors who saw their potential and chose to lift it up.

Leaders, if there’s someone on your team who shines bright, there’s still time to recognize them. You have through Monday, October 27 to nominate your Rising Star and receive 50% off that nominee’s registration to The Annual Conference (November 4-6, 2025). Submit your nomination here.

Let’s continue to celebrate the next generation of leadership—because the future of animal welfare is already here, and it’s brilliant.

Learn More About These Emerging Leaders

Megan Winters-Field, Harbor Humane Society
Meghan Dillmore, Humane Society of Boulder Valley
Angela Ramiro, San Francisco SPCA
Coraleigh Jones, Wenatchee Valley Humane Society
Erica Ylitalo, Susquehanna SPCA
Alicia Hargrove, Spay Neuter Network
Dre Davis & Ja’Donnesha Ballard, Southern Pines Animal Shelter