Keeping the Momentum Through DEI: Virtual Dialogue Space for Animal Welfare Professionals

In today’s increasingly challenging social and political landscape, animal welfare professionals committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) face growing resistance and systemic pushback. Join us in a guided virtual space to share thoughts, emotions, and resources as we navigate growing anti-DEI challenges. This session is for leaders seeking community and solidarity during this time. 

This conversation will not be recorded, and registration is limited to 25 Animal Welfare Profesional members of The Association. There will be a waitlist.

This space will be facilitated by The Association's DEI Ambassadors.

Choose one of two sessions:

• Tuesday June 17, 12pm - 1pm ET
• Wednesday July 9, 3pm - 4pm ET

Did you know introverted leaders often deliver better results than extroverted leaders do? That the most spectacularly creative people tend to be introverts? That breakthrough ideas are more likely to emerge in solitude than in team settings? One of the greatest challenges in any organization is unlocking the full potential of its people. Yet when it comes to introverts—who make up one-third to one-half of the workforce—our leadership approach often asks them to behave like extroverts. The result? A costly loss of talent and energy. In her best-selling book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, Susan Cain reveals how introverts think, lead, and innovate in ways that are vital to the success of modern organizations. She explores essential questions: - How can we design workplaces where the best ideas—not just the loudest voices rise to the top? - In what ways do introverts and extroverts differ in problem-solving and risk-taking? - What can introverts teach us about creativity?   Backed by original research and the latest in neuroscience and psychology, Susan offers a powerful new lens on leadership, hiring, team dynamics, and innovation.

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

Join Susan Cain for a special conversation with Jim Tedford, CAWA, CEO of The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement, followed by an interactive Q&A. 

Then, for 25 minutes, connect in small breakout groups to explore how to apply Susan’s insights in your workplace—whether you're working with introverts, extroverts, or everyone in between.

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

Event Pricing

As a member of The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement, this event is free—our gift to you as part of your member benefits.  

• Animal Welfare Professional Member – Free
• Student Member – Free
• Learning Non-Member - $20
• Industry Partner Member - $40
• Industry Partner – Non-Member - $60

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)

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

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.

Low-cost registration fees for the Spring 2025 have been made possible thanks to the generosity of our sponsors.

Learn More

Check back in 2026 for another Leadership Accelerator course.

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

Review 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.

Download The Association's DEI 2024 Survey analysis report

To learn more about the survey results and how to apply them in your organization, 

• Watch the recording of this session:  Assessing the State of DEI in Animal Welfare: Where do we go from here? (01-29-25)
  
  
• Read about 6 detailed findings from the report

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)

Tag! You’re Home! Reunification of Pet Cats with Their Owners Using A Community Engagement Approach: A Community Case Report

This session describes an innovative approach to improving Return to Owner (RTO) rates for stray cats, the "Tag! You’re Home!" (TYH) program developed by Loudoun County Animal Services. Participants will learn how the TYHP reduced shelter intake and maintained comparable RTO rates for adult cats by empowering finders to return un-microchipped, healthy cats to their neighborhoods. Attendees will gain insights into the program's structure, key outcomes, and actionable strategies to implement similar programs in their own shelters.

By the end of this session, participants will:

• Understand the current challenges in RTO rates for stray cats and how neighborhood recovery plays a key role.
• Learn the operational components of the TYHP and how it helped reduce shelter admissions while supporting successful returns.
• Be equipped with practical tools and guidelines to apply or adapt similar strategies in their own shelters to improve RTO rates.
• Consider new approaches to managing stray cats, which may involve more community engagement and less reliance on shelter intake.
• Attendees will leave the session with a deeper understanding of how programs like TYHP can benefit both shelter operations and animal welfare outcomes, potentially leading to more efficient shelter practices and higher RTO rates.

Registrants have access to the published research article about the TYH program.

This session was originally presented at The ASPCA-AAWA Research Forum 2024.

This webinar recording is part of the Innovation Bank. The Innovation Bank is a collection of bright ideas, innovative programs, and research that your organization can use for inspiration.