Lauren Lipsey is the Vice President of Community Programs with the Humane Rescue Alliance, where she drives the strategic direction of the foster, volunteer, humane education, and community cat programs, in addition to expanding the organization’s community outreach program called Help Out Partner and Engage (HOPE). She is the project administrator for the DC Cat Count, a collaboration between animal welfare organizations and wildlife scientists that endeavors to count the number of cats in Washington, D.C. in order to support practical, humane solutions to conflicts between cats, wildlife, and people in our communities. She joined HRA’s legacy organization, the Washington Humane Society, as the Director of Rehoming in 2014 and has been in her current position since early 2017. Prior to joining HRA, Lauren worked at the Humane Society of the United States, the Smithsonian Institution, and other animal welfare organizations.

Brad Shear is the Chief Executive Officer of the Potter League for Animals in Rhode Island, and is one of three Certified Animal Welfare Administrators (CAWA) in the state. During his tenure, Brad has expanded existing programs and created new partnerships, including acquiring the state's largest spay and neuter clinic and the state's largest full-service non-profit veterinary clinic. In addition to his work at the Potter League, Brad has served as board chair of The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement, chaired their Best Practices and Emerging Trends Committee, and serves on their Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee. He also serves on the Hill's Pet Nutrition Shelter Advisory Council and the New England Federation of Humane Societies' advisory committee.