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Word on the Street, Rising Stars Edition: TyAnn Sumpter celebrates DeAndre Boatwright
September 21, 2026, The Association
In this special-edition Word on the Street series, animal welfare professionals sing the praises of the emerging leaders they nominated as 2026 Rising Stars
A stellar leader is someone who identifies, celebrates and cultivates the potential leadership qualities in others. We asked animal welfare leaders to do just that by nominating their organization’s emerging talent to our 2026 cohort of Rising Stars. This special-edition series is intended to spotlight the leadership qualities of both Rising Stars and the individuals—managers and mentors, as well as colleagues in the field—who nominated them. In this post, we’re sharing TyAnn Sumpter’s nomination of DeAndre Boatwright.
DeAndre Boatwright is an emerging leader who brings passion, creativity, and a forward-thinking approach to animal welfare. He consistently looks for new ways to engage his community, inspire support for his shelter, and create positive outcomes for both animals and the people they serve. His enthusiasm is contagious, and he leads by example, motivating those around him to think beyond traditional approaches.
One of DeAndre’s greatest strengths is his ability to improve shelter operations while finding creative ways to connect with the public. Whether through innovative programs, engaging events, or unique outreach efforts, he is always looking for opportunities to bring more people through the shelter’s doors and build stronger community support. His willingness to try new ideas and adapt to the needs of his community has helped expand engagement and increase awareness of the shelter’s mission.
DeAndre’s understands that successful animal welfare depends on strong community relationships and he works tirelessly to create those connections. His leadership potential, creative mindset, and dedication to advancing animal welfare make him a Rising Star
– TyAnn Sumpter, Executive Director, SPCA of Brazoria County
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