Did you know introverted leaders often deliver better results than extroverted leaders do? That the most spectacularly creative people tend to be introverts? That the most innovative thinking happens alone and not in teams? One of the central challenges of any business is to bring out the best in its employees. Yet when it comes to introverts—who make up a third to a half of the workforce—our leadership strategy mainly consists of asking them to act like extroverts. This is a serious waste of talent and energy. In her best-selling book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, Susan Cain shows us that introverts think and work in ways that are crucial to the survival of today’s organizations. How can you structure your organization so that the best ideas—rather than those of the most vocal and assertive people—dominate? How do introverts and extroverts solve problems and evaluate risk differently? What do introverts know about creativity that the rest of us should learn? Drawing on her original research and the latest in neuroscience and psychology, Susan will radically change your view of the best ways to develop leaders, manage teams, make smart hires, and stimulate innovation.

12 noon - 1:30 pm ET, Thursday, June 12: 

Join Susan in a special conversation with Jim Tedford, CAWA, CEO of The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement. There will be time for Q&A. 

Then talk with your peers in small breakout rooms about ways to apply Susan's teachings to your workplace. Discuss and brainstorm how to bring out the best in your employees—be they introverts or extroverts. Don't miss this unique 90-minute event!

Note: the recording of Susan and Jim's conversation will only be available through July 12, 2025.

This session, both live and the recording, has been approved for:

• 1 Certified Animal Welfare Administrator continuing education credit 
• 1 NACA CE
• 1 CE towards ACO CE requirements per Ch. 829 of the Texas Health and Safety Code by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)

Implementing change can be difficult work. And you are not in it alone. Join an interactive opportunity to brainstorm and commiserate with other leaders who are working towards sustainable change.

This interactive workshop will equip leaders with tools to respond to common pitfalls that occur when implementing inclusive practices and sustaining culture change efforts. Participants will share stories and develop an action plan to respond to roadblocks and resistance.

Plan to keep your microphone unmuted and your webcam on so that you can fully engage.

Faciliator:  Jasmin Robinson, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives, The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement

This discussion is the final part in a three-part Making Sustainable Change Series which addresses the mindset leaders need to affect change. The series includes a webinar, a roundtable discussion, and an interactive clinic. While you don't have to attend each session in the series, participants who commit to the entire series will benefit the most.

You must participate in either the webinar or the roundtable to attend The Clinic!

Webinar: How to Make Meaningful Culture Changes, Wednesday, March 12, 3pm-4pm ET

The Roundtable: Navigating Resistance and Strengthening Community, Tuesday, April 22, 3pm-4pm ET

This live session has been approved for:

• 1 Certified Animal Welfare Administrator continuing education credit 
• 1 NACA CE

This roundtable discussion explores the realities of helping animal welfare organizations make progress toward their equity and inclusion goals, despite roadblocks and resistance. Learn from industry leaders as they share:

• Experiences creating long-term change at their organizations
• Challenges and successes they faced while addressing inequities in the workplace
• Lessons learned

Panelists:

• Todd Cramer, CAWA, Chief Operating Officer, Potter League for Animals
• Meredith Jones, Chief Community Initiatives Officer, Operation Kindness
• Jennifer Toussaint, Chief of Animal Control, Arlington County Animal Control / Animal Welfare League of Arlington
• Facilitator: Jasmin Robinson, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives, The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement

This discussion is the second part in a three-part Making Sustainable Change Series which addresses the mindset leaders need to affect change. The series includes a webinar, a roundtable discussion, and an interactive clinic. While you don't have to attend each session in the series, participants who commit to the entire series will benefit the most.

This session, both live and the recording, has been approved for:

• 1 Certified Animal Welfare Administrator continuing education credit 
• 1 NACA CE

This online learning series addresses the mindset leaders need to affect change. The three-part series led by Jasmin Robinson, The Association's Director of DEI Initiatives, includes a webinar, a roundtable discussion, and an interactive clinic.

The series includes:

Webinar: How to Make Meaningful Culture Changes, Wednesday, March 12, 3pm-4pm ET

The Roundtable: Navigating Resistance and Strengthening Community, Tuesday, April 22, 3pm-4pm ET

The Clinic: Steps to Building Change Coalitions, Wednesday, May 14, 3pm-4pm ET  -- must participate in either the webinar or the roundtable to attend The Clinic!

While you don't have to attend each session in the series, participants who commit to the entire series will benefit the most.

As animal welfare leaders, you are no strangers to advocating for the rights of the vulnerable and may often find yourselves at odds with the powers that be. To build an inclusive, just animal welfare profession, we must regroup and identify actionable steps to keep the momentum going. 

This interactive session will highlight how attempts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion, including the recent executive orders, can affect animal welfare professionals. You will leave with concrete strategies to continue fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion during uncertain times. This session is designed for leaders who remain committed to creating an inclusive animal welfare profession. 

 In this webinar, we will: 

• Review the current state of diversity, equity, and inclusion in animal welfare
• Highlight strategies to respond to resistance and backlash
• Share resources to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion during uncertain times

Presenters:

• Maria Morukian, President, MSM Global Consulting
• Jasmin Robinson, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives, The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement

This session, both live and the recording, has been approved for:

• 1 Certified Animal Welfare Administrator continuing education credit 
• 1 NACA CE

View our DEI Resource Library found on our main site.

Discover all of our DEI learning opportunities.

The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement is committed to action on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in animal welfare and we want you with us on this journey. As part of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Commitment to Action, The Association will continue offering resources and learning opportunities designed to further the eradication of systemic discrimination and racism in animal welfare.

We thank The Life of Riley at Spring Point for their support of The Association's DEI initiatives.

Gain skills for navigating challenging conversations around DEI and get practice presenting to colleagues. This program includes a 3-day in-person training and online coaching. 

All participants will enjoy full scholarships, including travel and accommodations.

2024 training cohorts:

• April 9-11 (Atlanta, GA)        FULL
• June 5-7 (Denver, CO)           FULL
• September 4-6 (Phoenix, AZ) FULL

Check back for 2025 Ambassador cohort opportunities.

Participants in this four-part workshop series, designed for individuals in leadership roles, will explore why and how to advance DEI at their organization.

Session Dates:  March 24, April 21, May 19 & June 16 - Mondays, 3-5 pm ET

Low-cost registration fees have been made possible thanks to the generosity of our sponsors.

Learn More

Check out The Association’s DEI Pride Store, where your purchase of tees and hoodies helps to support our Conference Scholarship Fund.

Curious about the Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) Exam? 

Watch a recording of a Q&A with the program administrator and four CAWAs. Questions asked included eligibility to studying tips to why the CAWA credential is a boon to your career ambitions. Learn about the new Beta exam.

This 50-minute conversation will help you decide if the CAWA credential is right for you. Recorded 3-13-25.

Still have questions after watching? Visit the CAWA webpages or email Valerie Sheppard at learning@theaawa.org.

Leaders of animal welfare organizations often face complex challenges, especially trailblazers trying to make sustainable and meaningful culture changes to address the needs of increasingly diverse staff and communities.

Meaningful change requires the courage to explore and challenge beliefs and assumptions that hinder progress toward our goals. This webinar is for leaders ready to reimagine possibilities for equity and inclusion in the workplace. Participants will examine the mental roadblocks that hinder progress and explore the tools needed to champion organizational transformation.

Presenters:

• Maria Morukian, President, MSM Global Consulting
• Jasmin Robinson, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives, The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement

This webinar in the first part in a three-part Making Sustainable Change Series which addresses the mindset leaders need to affect change. The series includes a webinar, a roundtable discussion, and an interactive clinic. While you don't have to attend each session in the series, participants who commit to the entire series will benefit the most.

his session, both live and the recording, has been approved for:

• 1 Certified Animal Welfare Administrator continuing education credit 
• 1 NACA CE
• 1 CE towards ACO CE requirements per Ch. 829 of the Texas Health and Safety Code by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)

Leaders from the DEI Council of The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement will share results from the 2024 animal welfare survey on diversity, equity, and inclusion in our profession. The survey data provides insights into where the animal welfare industry has made progress since the original 2021 DEI survey and offers recommendations to further address systemic discrimination and racism in animal welfare. The panel will focus on what’s next in this important work and identify paths for animal welfare professionals to strengthen their DEI journey. 

Panelists:

• Maria Morukian, MSM Global Consulting
• Jasmin Robinson, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives, The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement
• Zimife Umeh, MSM Global Consulting

We thank Adopt a Pet for generously sponsoring the DEI survey.

This session, both live and the recording, has been approved for:

• 1 Certified Animal Welfare Administrator continuing education credit 
• 1 NACA CE
• 1 CE towards ACO CE requirements per Ch. 829 of the Texas Health and Safety Code by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)

A comprehensive transition plan is a hallmark of a well-led, well-managed organization that is focused on its mission and the best interests of its staff, volunteers and community. 

Learn how to create and maintain an effective succession plan from Gary LaBranche, the author of The Association CEO Succession Toolkit, the first published book focused solely on planning for, managing through and completing an association CEO transition and succession -- and the book The Association's CEO, Jim Tedford, used when he wrote his own succession plan. 

Learning Objectives

Following this webinar, participants will be able to:

• List some of the historical and trend data about leader tenure, transition, and search
• Outline three types of transitions and six common transition scenarios
• Discuss key elements of a Transition and Continuity Plan
• Summarize the roles of an organization’s staff, board, general counsel, auditors, insurance agents, and others play in the transition process
• Describe the relationship of succession to strategy

This webinar is especially intended for CEOs, board members, and HR leadership who need to understand how to develop and maintain a transition and continuity plan.

This webinar has been pre-approved for:

• 1 Certified Animal Welfare Administrator continuing education credit
• 1 NACA CE
• 1 CE towards ACO CE requirements per Ch. 829 of the Texas Health and Safety Code by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)