Midwest Animal Sheltering Conference
2024 Speakers.
Midwest Animal Sheltering Conference takes great pride in hosting a lineup of speakers who represent diverse perspectives and embody progressive ideals. Our commitment to fostering inclusivity and promoting innovative thinking has led us to curate a speaker roster that spans a wide range of backgrounds, expertise, and experiences.
You can expect to engage with thought leaders who are at the forefront of their field, driving positive change and challenging conventional norms. These speakers will share their insights, knowledge, and groundbreaking ideas, inspiring attendees to embrace new ways of thinking and working.
By bringing together voices from various walks of life, we aim to create an environment where attendees can learn, connect, and collaborate in a spirit of openness and respect. We firmly believe that a diverse and progressive conference not only enriches our collective understanding but also empowers individuals to drive meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.
Sarah Aguilar
Sarah Aguilar recently joined Austin Pets Alive! as the Senior Director of Operations. Her animal welfare history includes roles with Greater Good Charities where the #StayHomeAndFoster movement generated nearly 100,000 foster applicants across the nation; with Pima Animal Care in Tucson, AZ where she developed processes and systems that catapulted the open admission municipal shelter to a 92% live release rate; and in Ventura, CA, where she managed their first formal foster program, placing nearly 3000 animals into foster homes annually, and tripling the number of cats adopted through partner pet stores and offsite events. Her experience as the Training General Manager for a national restaurant chain, combined with degrees in business management and accounting, has enabled Sarah to bring a unique customer service and systemic, data-driven approach, to lifesaving.
Heather Duncan
Heather is the Sales Team Manager at Shelterluv. Heather has worked at tech companies for seven years and volunteered at animal shelters in her spare time. She’s guided hundreds of rescues and shelters across the country through their software evaluations, helping them to determine how to best manage their daily operations and community programs in a new system.
Carlee Fiddes
Carlee Fiddes has grown up in animal shelters, she started volunteering as a young kid and was always drawn to animals. It took a bit longer for her career path to catch up to her heart, but after receiving a Bachelors of Animal Science and Industry from Kansas State, she started moving her career field back towards small animals with an Associates degree in Veterinary Technology from Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Nebraska. After working as a licensed veterinary technician in private veterinary practice for 7 years, (and volunteering at local shelters and fostering hundreds of animals) Carlee admitted her calling and applied to a new Animal Shelter Management Master's Program at Colorado State University and she hasn't looked back. With the education she received through the Master's Program and the medical experience she had working in veterinary medicine. Carlee seen both sides of the Private Practice vs. shelter/rescue world and is ready to offer perspectives that can improve relationships particularly for smaller organizations without the ability to employ an in house veterinarian.
Jill Henke
Jill Henke has been working and volunteering in animal welfare since 2006, fostering over 500 dogs (mostly bully breeds) and cats. Jill quit her corporate sales career in 2017 and began her career at Gateway Pet Guardians (GPG) in 2017. Jill currently serves as the director of operations at GPG, which is the largest pet resource center in the St. Louis region. Jill oversees all animal care; fostering, adoptions, and intake; and diversion and community programming. Jill is passionate about implementing progressive programming with a focus on reducing unnecessary euthanasia and increasing programming aimed at keeping pets with their people. On a personal note, Jill is passionate about social justice issues, cheesy reality dating shows, and anything related to brunching. Jill has three dogs of her own, Gus, Bessie, and Howie, as well as two cats, Jada and Lincoln.
Jakie Hernandez
Jakie Hernandez served as a manager of operations for the Best Friends national shelter embed program prior to her new adventure with Nebraska Humane Society in Omaha, NE. Hailing from the small South Texas border town of Laredo, Jakie's upbringing was steeped in the culture of animal rescue, with a household that routinely took in street dogs in need. This early exposure instilled in Jakie a profound sense of responsibility toward animal welfare. With a career spanning over 18 years in animal shelters across Texas and Canada, Jakie's professional journey has been marked by a steadfast commitment to saving lives. A turning point occurred over a decade ago while working at one of South Texas' shelters with a low save rate, where Jakie encountered Best Friends and its goal to achieve a no-kill nation. This encounter sparked a deep-seated determination to contribute to this transformative cause. Jakie's passion for shelter medicine and community engagement propels her work forward. As a native Spanish speaker, she is dedicated to empowering and educating her community on the significance of animal welfare and preserving the bond between families and their pets. Outside of her professional endeavors, Jakie treasures moments spent with her two children and beloved pets, and she embraces new adventures with enthusiasm and openness.
April Huntsman
April Huntsman, CAWA, serves as Senior Director of Animal Welfare at Adopt a Pet and Rehome by Adopt a Pet, the nation’s largest self-supported rehoming service. Her credits include implementing sustainable social enterprise models, developing at-risk animal population programs, administering life-saving community partnerships, and gathering important data insights and research surrounding adoption trends and online searches. She is currently developing how shelters can best utilize AI to maximize their animal well-being initiatives. April has been in the animal welfare industry for over 20 years and has worked for both local and national animal welfare organizations including Maricopa County Animal Care & Control, Salt Lake County Animal Services, Best Friends Animal Society, and Michelson Found Animals Foundation. April lives in Utah with her husband John, and is the proud pack mom of two senior dogs.
Jo Jarred, DVM
Dr. Jo Jarred graduated in 2017 from North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine with a focus in Zoological Medicine. After working in private practice for three years with a large exotic animal case load, Dr. Jarred transitioned to shelter medicine but maintained her interest in non-traditional species and continues to advocate for and educate others on their welfare in a shelter setting. Dr. Jarred completed her Masters in Shelter Medicine through the University of Florida in 2023, and is now an adjunct professor in the UF Shelter Medicine Program designing and teaching a course on the care of non-traditional species in a shelter setting. Dr. Jarred also maintains a strong interest in shelter operations and extending progressive animal shelter practices to all species.
Gina Knepp
Gina Knepp is the National Shelter Engagement Director for the Michelson Found Animals Foundation. She is the pioneer of developing return to home programs and engaging animal sheltering organizations in finding innovative ways of reuniting lost animals with their families. Gina’s background includes managing the Front Street Animal Shelter in Sacramento, California. Her experience leading a municipal, open intake, high volume shelter adds to her passion for helping lost animals get back home where they belong. Her current work with Michelson Philanthropies has offered the opportunity to work with shelters across the country, improving reunification efforts. Additionally, Gina offers training expertise in Customer Service for animal welfare professionals, along with creating vibrant volunteer programs, leadership and change management. Gina is currently on the board of the Bitterroot Humane Association, the board of Animal Grant Makers and on the Executive Committee of Human Animal Support Services (HASS) with American Pets Alive, launching national animal shelter reform. Gina lives in Hamilton, Montana with her husband Chris, two dogs, Lucy & Rex, her cat, Kit, 18 deer and 80 turkeys.
Savannah McDonald
Savannah Rigley McDonald is Co-Executive Director of the Belleville Area Humane Society. She spent the first six years of her animal welfare career as a board member for St Louis Feral Cat Outreach, an all volunteer TNR organization. From 2019 - 2021, she served as Community Outreach Coordinator for the Animal Protective Association of Missouri, bringing necessary services to under resourced pets in St Louis county. She has raised millions of dollars for philanthropic causes in Greater St Louis as part of her work on boards such as Pound Pals Cat Aid and the Young Friends of Arch City Defenders. She is passionate about board development, effective altruism, and community-centric fundraising. She is more fun than those passions suggest.
Sydney Mollentine
Sydney is a dedicated animal welfare expert with over 21 years of invaluable experience in the field, specializing in animal sheltering, animal behavior and animal medicine. With her extensive background, she has honed her skills in implementing groundbreaking programs aimed at reducing the length of stay for animals, enhancing the quality of care within the shelter environment, and breaking down barriers to adoption through open communication strategies. Sydney's unwavering compassion for animals fuels her commitment to improving the lives of both animals and people within her community. She firmly believes that each organization is a unique micro ecosystem, but she advocates for positive change by encouraging teams to engage in crucial conversations about their mission regularly and discussing how they can collectively better the lives of both the pets and the people they serve in the city on a daily basis. Under her leadership, The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City has exemplified how teamwork, dedication, and a shared vision can bring about positive transformations in the lives of animals and the community they serve. From the average length of stay being around 250 days it is now under 15 days for dogs and 17 for cats. Change and improvements are possible with slight shifts in perspectives!
Abbie Moore
Abbie Moore is an expert in the weirdly specific area of technology for animal welfare. Currently, she is the COO of Petco Love, overseeing digital innovation in the lost-and-found pet arena, an area of great passion for her. Previously, Abbie was a leader at Adopt-a-Pet.com for 18 years, holding positions from Chief Product Officer to COO to CEO. She also created Rehome, the leading peer-to-peer pet adoption platform. She serves as an advisor on several animal welfare boards and committees and is a mentor at CPO Accelerator, a program that helps product leaders in the technology space get to the C-suite. Abbie lives in Claremont, California with her husband, 16-year-old daughter, and dogs Bob and Shecky.
James Oppenheimer
James Oppenheimer is the Executive Director of the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society, an open admission shelter that provides a safe haven to over 8,000 animals a year. Originally from England, James has been in the US for 24 years, spending the past 15 in Sioux Falls. Prior to running the Humane Society, James was the Director of Business Operations and a Staff Coach at Dakota Alliance Soccer Club. James's philosophy of putting people first, treating them with respect, and leading by example led to success both on and off the field. As a coach James has led teams to victory in several national events, priding himself on the way teams he coached played with determination and class. Off the field, he put policies and procedures in place to make Dakota Alliance a professionally run club that is financially stable, treating both players and staff with dignity. In January 2023, James traded soccer balls for fur balls and became the Executive Director of the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society. James has created a culture of positivity and transparency. This led to a 35% increase in adoptions in his first year, and a 22% drop in euthanasia. In his spare time, James enjoys spending time kicking a soccer ball around with his daughter Gemma's, rock climbing with his son Henry, and even squeezes in an occasional date with his wife, Marisa.
Mady O'Reilly
Mady O'Reilly is the Development Manager for the Metro East Humane Society in Edwardsville, IL. Armed with an academic background in creative writing and mass communications from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Mady discovered her passion for animal welfare 7 years ago as a volunteer and has since turned her love for words and wagging tails into a rewarding career in nonprofit development and marketing. Known for her infectious enthusiasm, Mady's innovative approach to connection with community has significantly boosted the organization’s impact, both locally and nationally. When she's not busy turning a fundraiser into a must-attend event or creating viral content with elevated branding, you can find her at home with her partner Jonathan, surrounded by her many thrifted treasures including their two dogs, Dewey and Vivian.
Heather Owen
Heather Owen is the co-founder of One Tail at a Time and currently runs the Chicago branch. OTAT has two sister organizations in Portland, Oregon and West Texas. OTAT's mission revolves around high volume rescuing from vulnerable shelters and helping to keep pets in their homes through community advocacy work. Heather has a law degree from Chicago Kent College of Law and worked in litigation until 2015 when she retired to work full time in animal welfare.
Jackie Roach
Jackie is a seasoned business leader with decades of experience in retail and e-commerce and a deep passion for enhancing both human and animal lives. While her professional background is rooted in business, Jackie's volunteer experience as an adoption counselor at the Nebraska Humane Society sparked her commitment to animal welfare. In 2010, she co-founded Taysia Blue Rescue, a volunteer-based rescue for Siberian Huskies, which successfully partners with shelters in several states. Currently, Jackie leads Best Friends' strategic partnership efforts in Northwest Arkansas. She began her journey with Best Friends spearheading the reimagination of sheltering at and building the Best Friends Pet Resource Center. Her work has been instrumental in the region in building a stronger, more collaborative animal welfare community, focusing on saving and transforming the lives of pets and the people who love them.
Stacy Rogers
Stacy Rogers is the Midwest & Great Plains Regional Director for Best Friends Animal Society. In this role, she leads a team that consults with shelters across 15 states to optimize lifesaving and achieve the goal of No Kill 2025. Prior to Best Friends, she was the Executive Director at Almost Home Humane Society in Indiana.
Anne Schmidt
Anne Schmidt is the Executive Director of Metro East Humane Society in Edwardsville and Highland, Illinois. Anne’s academic background in organizational communication (BA) and public administration and policy (MPA) contributed to her success in helping guide government officials to achieve No Kill and maximizing partnerships to increase lifesaving. Her collaborative and innovative efforts with local animal control facilities and rescue groups have been featured at the National Best Friends Animal Society Conference and contributed to her holding positions on the board of directors for the Illinois Animal Welfare Federation, Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee and Coalition for Pet Progress as a committee member. When Anne isn’t on the phone or putting out a fire, she can be found at a soccer field watching her son play or at the vet spending money on her angry cat named Biggie or her beast of a dog named Zeke.
Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt joined Nebraska Humane Society (NHS) in March 2018 serving in a new role as vice president of business operations. In that role, she oversaw the daily operations of the NHS community-facing programs. In May 2021, she was promoted to the role of vice president of shelter operations, where she continues to oversee those programs as well as all other operational aspects of NHS, including animal welfare, support and enrichment, medical, and facilities. Sara holds a master’s degree in social work. She has more than 16 years of leadership experience in behavioral health that focused on quality improvement and compliance with accreditation and other regulatory standards that ensured best practices in that field. This foundation in social work, along with six years of experience in animal welfare, has equipped her with invaluable insights into addressing systemic issues and advocating for marginalized populations, both human and animals alike. She has honed her skills in optimizing organizational processes, streamlining workflows, and implementing best practices to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of animal welfare initiatives. Sara’s goal in shaping the landscape of animal welfare is to provide strategic leadership and an innovative approach through spearheading initiatives to improve animal shelter operations, enhance processes to reduce barriers, and implement evidence-based practices to ensure the highest standards of care for animals in need while also focusing on creating a collaborative, engaged partnership with the community. When working with her teams and other stakeholders, Sara emphasizes the importance of collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and continuous improvement. She is committed to harnessing her diverse skill set to continue creating impactful change for animals and communities alike.
Monica Tarant
Monica Tarant is the Chief Innovation Officer with the Give Them Ten Movement and is helping create cat caring communities across the country. A decade before anyone had heard of such a thing, she cut her teeth founding a trap-neuter-return organization in rural Illinois and pioneered one of the nation's first and largest working cat programs. In 2012, her move to Texas helped Austin achieve a citywide 98% live release rate for cats. Monica then spent years as an instructor for the Maddie’s Fund Lifesaving Academy, teaching shelters best practices and innovative programs, advancing research in shelter medicine, and progressing public policy as a City of Austin Animal Advisory Commissioner. Monica is a frequent speaker and advisor on creative solutions for every cat, progressive community cat programming, transformative shelter leadership, and creating strategic visions for impactful, sustainable organizations.
Sarah Tolley
Sarah Tolley has been doing specifically animal welfare social media for six years now, working for both her local shelter (Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association) and Best Friends Animal Society as their National Social Media Manager. She specializes in highly engaging content and strategies to increase audiences. Sarah has a degree in animal Nutrition from West Virginia University. She's a West Virginia native and still calls the mountains home with her husband, two dogs, five cats, and a steady stream of foster cats who are blind or visually impaired.
Tim Yeaglin
Tim's decade-long journey into animal welfare began by volunteering his master photographer skills to take pictures of the adoptable cats and dogs at various Kansas City area animal shelters. His love for shelters and their work led him to take a marketing position at a local shelter. He became the director of operations at a fledgling shelter and helped restructure it one department at a time. Tim is particularly good at teaching shelter dogs household manners for their adoptive homes. He is passionate about reducing the fear, anxiety, and stress of all animals and loves to strengthen the human-animal bond.
Schedule
Clear your schedule, and join your colleagues from all over the Midwest to learn and network! See the full conference schedule here.
Speakers
Expert speakers are traveling from across the country to present at MASC! See the full line-up here!
Travel
Travel around Columbia is easy and affordable! Find hotel, flight, and parking details here.
“We enjoyed all of the things we learned. We made new friends. Great event for animal people to meet and be educated.”
— MASC 2019 Conference Attendee