Sarah Javier is the President & CEO of the Animal Protective Association (APA) of Missouri, where she has led the organization since 2016. Under her leadership, the APA has more than doubled in size, expanded programs and services that now support approximately 15,000 pets each year, and is leading the development of APA North, an innovative campus that will expand access to veterinary care, pet support services, and adoption resources in a historically marginalized region of St. Louis. Sarah is a passionate advocate for creating inclusive organizations and communities. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Association of Animal Welfare Advancement and is part of the DEI Council where she helps advance equity within the animal welfare profession while fostering leadership, collaboration, and belonging across the sector. Sarah believes that inclusive leadership is not simply about representation, but about creating cultures where every person feels valued, heard, and empowered to contribute.