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Word on the Street with Shannon Wells
June 23, 2025, The Association
“We have important conversations about making this work sustainable—not just a stepping stone where people burn out and move on, but a long-term, rewarding career path…”
We asked the Executive Director of Lawrence Humane Society what motivated her to join The Association, and here’s what she had to say about her favorite data-driven resource.
What I really appreciate about The Association is that its resources are designed to elevate people in leadership roles. That’s what sets it apart from other national organizations—not that there aren’t great resources elsewhere, but these really feel geared toward helping professionals not just survive, but thrive.
One example I love is the Compensation & Benefits Study. That’s been huge for us. Our board has always shared the goal of elevating pay, and while we can look at what’s happening in our immediate community, we don’t have other animal shelters in Douglas County to compare ourselves to. So we need data that gives us a broader view. Resources like this survey have helped us have those important conversations about making this work sustainable—not just a stepping stone where people burn out and move on, but a long-term, rewarding career path.
– Shannon Wells, Executive Director, Lawrence Humane Society
P.S. The biannual Compensation and Benefits Study is currently underway, so now is a great time to take advantage of this resource so you, too, can get that bigger picture that Wells is talking about. When you complete at least 80% of your data set before the June 30 deadline, you’ll get free access to the data and endless customizable reports.
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The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement is a cohort of leaders on a mission to champion, advance, and unify the animal welfare profession.
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