Dr. Julie Levy is a professor of Shelter Medicine at the University of Florida, where she focuses on the health and welfare of animals in shelters, feline infectious diseases, and humane alternatives for cat population control. She founded Operation Catnip, a nonprofit university-based community cat trap-neuter-return program that has spayed, neutered, and vaccinated more than 65,000 cats in Gainesville since 1998. In 2008, she co-founded Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program, and in 2014, she joined Dr. Kate Hurley to launch the Million Cat Challenge, a shelter-based campaign to save millions of cats in shelters across North America.

Art is currently the Director of Animal Services for the City of Garland. Since 2004, he has conducted hundreds of animal cruelty investigations. He is a Commissioned Peace Officer, recognized as an expert witness in the court of law, and proficient in creating tactical OPS plans for successful execution of search warrants. He’s gained broad animal welfare experience, including shelter operations, animal care and rehabilitation, animal placement, and public outreach. His collaboration with regional animal services organizations has provided a unique perspective of common problems and solutions in animal welfare. Art has earned numerous specialized certifications involving animal welfare & law enforcement. Some of his credentials include Basic ACO/THHS/TDSHS, Blood Sports Investigations/NYPD Humane Law Enforcement Division, NACHO Levels I & II, NACIS Levels I & II, Equine Investigations Levels I & II, Multiple Gang Training, Crisis Intervention Training, Large Animal Behavior and Handling, and Disaster Animal Response. His casework includes dogfighting, cockfighting, animal hoarding, and large-scale livestock and equine cruelty cases, many resulting in criminal convictions and incarceration of animal abusers.

Rory Adams utilizes feminist frameworks to honor the connection between people and animals. As a transgender person with an education in feminism, gender, and literature, Rory is most comfortable leading from the margins; working at the intersections of social justice and animal welfare to create equitable and inclusive change for people, animals, and the planet.

 Before joining PetSmart Charities, Rory worked for over 16 years in animal well-being at the local and national levels, including American Pets Alive and Maddie's Fund, where he created, developed, and implemented Maddie’s Apprenticeship and Fellowship programs.  Rory is passionate about ensuring all shelter animals are valued and given a chance at life. Rory’s areas of expertise include connecting people and pets, creating learning opportunities for the field, increasing community engagement, removing barriers to foster care and adoption, and teaching shelter directors and advocates how to access, understand, and utilize shelter data.

Rory believes that people are the solution to creating a world where animals and people thrive. Rory is committed to expanding programs that grow future leaders, heal injustices, facilitate the inclusion of historically marginalized people, and celebrate the love between people, animals, and our habitats.

Heidi Marston is comfortable getting into uncomfortable spaces. She has made an accomplished career and calling of solving complex problems related to socially vulnerable populations including people experiencing homelessness and military veterans. Merging her vast experience tackling systematic barriers to equity with a passion for animals promises to help make the world a better place for pets — and the people they love.

As Director of Pet Placement Initiatives, Heidi leads the team charged with managing a grant portfolio across the United States and Canada dedicated to helping pets find loving homes. This includes supporting the work of shelter and rescue partners across North America.

Prior to joining the PetSmart Charities team, Heidi served as Chief Executive Officer of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), a Joint Powers Authority for the City and County of Los Angeles, working alongside a staff of 600+ to combat homelessness in Los Angeles, the epicenter of the staggering crisis. She logged more than a decade working for the federal government, where she held varied roles including Special Assistant to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and Director of Community Engagement and Reintegration at the Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System.