The Association Blog

These 57 emerging leaders are lighting the way forward for animal welfare

Last month, The Association’s President & CEO, Jim Tedford, asked leaders in the field to help build the future of animal welfare at The Annual Conference in Atlanta this November. “I’m not just inviting you to the conference,” said Tedford, “but inviting you to help shape our future by bringing your best and brightest, your most promising, along with you.”

And the nominations poured in—stories of emerging leaders who are driving change, elevating teams, and modeling the compassion that defines our profession. We are thrilled to list them all here, as together these 57 honorees represent a constellation of talent that’s lighting the way 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, Spay Neuter Network
• 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

Leaders, there’s still time to recognize the emerging leaders on your team. You have through Monday, October 27, to nominate your Rising Star and receive 50% off that nominee’s registration to The Annual Conference on November 4-6, 2025.

Nominate your Rising Star here.

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
Kaitlyn Gallemore & Lee Allen, Good Shepherd Humane Society