Tracy Elliott is President/CEO of The Anti-Cruelty Society in Chicago. This is his 20th year leading social sector/NFP organizations, his second in the Animal Welfare field. He was previously executive director at Asheville Humane Society. He spent 13 years in the banking field. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Harvard University and a Masters in Nonprofit Management from the University of Notre Dame. 

Named among the top 30 most influential I-O Psychologists, TEDx Speaker, and featured in Forbes, Dr. Rob McKenna is the founder of WiLD Leaders, Inc. and The WiLD Foundation, and creator of the WiLD Toolkit. His research and coaching with leaders across corporate, not-for-profit and university settings has given him insight into the real and gritty experience of leaders. His clients have included the Boeing Company, Microsoft, Heineken, Foster Farms, the United Way, Alaska Airlines, and Children’s Hospital. He also previously served as the Chair of Industrial-Organizational Psychology at Seattle Pacific University.

He is the author of numerous articles and chapters on leadership character, calling, effectiveness, and leadership under pressure. His latest book, Composed: The Heart and Science of Leading Under Pressure, focuses on the specific strategies leaders can use to stay true to themselves and connected to others when it matters most. 

Nothing gets Dr. Daniel Hallak more excited than the opportunity to build authentic relationships and intentionally develop leaders. As the Chief Commercial Officer at WiLD Leaders, Daniel drives strategic commercial initiatives, and other operations, product development, and marketing efforts that support the development of whole leaders. He is known for bringing energy and thoughtful research-based practices that actually make a difference.

Before WiLD, he spent over a decade developing whole leaders in business, academic, and not-for-profit settings. He’s run his own coaching practice and has had experiences as a recruiter at Microsoft, a Career Management Consultant at Right Management Consultants, and in a leadership development role at Slalom - an award-winning consulting firm. He’s also served as a coach, professor, and advisor at three higher education institutions. Daniel has spoken at countless events, conferences, and professional associations. He earned his Ph.D. and M.A. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Seattle Pacific University.

Jack Flinchum is a doctoral candidate in the Organizational Science program at UNC Charlotte, working under the direction of Dr. Steven Rogelberg. He also serves as an Associate Director of the Shelter Employee Engagement and Development Survey (SeeDS). SeeDS uses an online assessment tool—tailored specifically to the animal welfare industry—to help private and public shelters run better by surveying employees and providing evidenced-based recommendations.

His research investigates workplace meetings in attempt to better understand how organizations can leverage meetings as way to increase their health, well-being, and effectiveness. Today, he will be discussing a focal component of meetings—communication—and how organizations, including those in animal welfare, can establish effective internal communication across all levels of the organization.

Natalie Wilde is a doctoral student in the Organizational Science program at UNC Charlotte and an Associate Director of the Shelter Employee Engagement and Development Survey (SeeDS), under the direction of Dr. Steven Rogelberg. SeeDS is an online assessment tool—tailored specifically to the animal welfare industry—to help private and public shelters run better by surveying employees and providing evidenced-based recommendations. Natalie’s research centers on diversity, equity, and inclusion—specifically on the early job search and hiring experiences of diverse job applicants.

Brian August is the Chief Operating Officer of the Oregon Humane Society.  Before joining OHS, Brian spent nearly two decades as a strategy and operations leader in industries ranging from aerospace to wine and consumer products. At OHS, Brian focuses on growth and development at all levels in the organization and has helped build a team that is highly regarded for its operational and strategic leadership.  He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Emory University, a Masters of Business Administration from Carnegie Mellon University, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh.  He is a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) and serves on the Board of Directors as Treasurer for Shelter Animals Count.

Alison Kleibor is the Vice President of Animal Sheltering for the Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS). Alison has been with WHS since 2007 and has held a variety of positions. As the VP of Animal Sheltering, Alison oversees all animal care, client services, foster, veterinary support, and transfer functions for the organization’s five sheltering locations.  In addition to obtaining a Master’s degree in Veterinary Medical Sciences with a Concentration in Shelter Medicine from the University of Florida, Alison has attended animal cruelty investigation training as well as animal control and humane officer trainings.  She is a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA). Alison has an MS from Alverno College, a BS from Marquette University, and a graduate certificate from the University of Florida.

Anne Reed is president and CEO of the Wisconsin Humane Society.  Before joining WHS, Anne spent almost three decades as a corporate litigator in Milwaukee. Founded in 1879, the Wisconsin Humane Society is Wisconsin’s oldest, largest, and most recognized animal welfare organization. WHS helped to pioneer the idea that every animal available for adoption in a shelter could be free of time limits, taking as long as needed to be adopted. WHS has also led the field in exploring the strength that can be gained from bringing separate organizations together.  WHS is now the primary animal welfare organization in five Wisconsin counties, serving one third of Wisconsin’s animals and families and dedicated to making a difference for animals and the people who love them. 

Anne serves on the board of directors of The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement and also serves on the board of directors of Shelter Animals Count, a national database initiative.  She was named to the “Women of Influence” list by the Milwaukee Business Journal in 2015.

Tom Erb is one of the most highly sought-after national speakers in staffing and recruiting, presenting to a variety of organizations including the American Staffing Association, National Association of Personnel Services, Ohio HR Conference, and dozens of others. Tom is the author of Winning the Staffing Sales Game and currently writes the monthly Recruiting Today column for ASA’s Staffing Success magazine. HR Examiner named Tom one of the Top 25 Online Influencers in Staffing.

Katherine Shenar is the executive vice president for The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement. She has 30 years of experience in animal welfare, including serving as CEO for two animal welfare organizations and holding leadership roles with four others. Katherine became a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) in 2020.