Trailblazer Honorees

At Humane World for Animals, we are committed to cultivating diverse emerging leaders. The Trailblazers in Animal Welfare Award is available to those working and volunteering in animal welfare.

The Trailblazer in Animal Welfare Award recognizes the unsung heroes in animal protection who are breaking barriers and forging new paths toward a more equitable and inclusive animal protection movement. The Trailblazers in Animal Welfare Award recipients are animal welfare professionals who represent, work alongside and serve historically marginalized and underserved communities to provide equitable access to animal care support services.

This award is designed to recognize individuals from around the country who have demonstrated a passion for protecting animals while increasing the representation of racial and ethnic minorities, women, men, LGBTQ+ people and people with disabilities, to ensure all underrepresented groups at all levels of the animal welfare movement are welcome at Animal Care Expo. The Trailblazer Award includes on-site recognition and a grant to attend Expo, including full conference registration, hotel and flight. All are welcome to apply. Learn about the past Trailblazer honorees.

2026 Spark Award winner

Jasmine Crisp

Love For Animals Outreach, Georgia

[At] Love for Animals Outreach, we know that our communities are under served, WE CAN'T CONTROL OUTCOMES, BUT WE CAN CONTROL HOW WE SHOW UP AND TRY. Our mission focuses on outreach and education programming, providing resources that give both the pet and the parent room to grow and learn.

2026 Trailblazer Honorees

Alliana "Alli" Hull

Yucaipa Animal Placement Society, California

I advance equity in animal welfare by meeting underserved communities with dignity and compassion: through free and low-cost clinics, wellness education, and a pet supply pantry that helps families stay together. Access to animal care should be a right, not a privilege.

Austin Gillis

Animal Rescue League of Marshalltown, Iowa

When equality requires action, compassion becomes our promise - bringing care to those who need it the most.

Blake Hawk

Nevada SPCA, Nevada

Everyone deserves the love of an animal regardless of their situation and no one should have to choose between feeding themselves or paying a bill and taking care of their animal. We help those who need it most and I don't see a line behind me doing it.

Brenda Ramos

LifeLine, Georgia

Helping pets also preserves human dignity. Pets need more than services, they need people who care. My work supports those people by replacing judgment with compassion and expanding access to care, so families can overcome barriers and stay together with the pets they love.

Cheyenne Wester

Humane Hearts Inc., Florida

My Initiative Humane Hearts strengthens communities by supporting both animals and the people who care for them. Through humane education, prevention, and shared resources, the program helps to prevent neglect and surrender while addressing hardship with compassion and stability.

Christian Serrano

Humane Society of Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico

Trabajo para que el bienestar animal sea accesible y equitativo, fortaleciendo a comunidades históricamente marginadas mediante adopción responsable, esterilización y responsabilidad compartida, generando vínculos más sanos entre los animales y la comunidad.

Cody Jo Aldridge

Humane Fort Wayne, Indiana

It's no secret that our pets support us in ways humans often can't. When we are loved, cared for, and comforted by an animal, it often brings out our most compassionate and gentle selves. Helping preserve and protect those bonds is a profound privilege.

Cree-Lynn Raining Bird

Shoshone-Paiute Tribes, Nevada

Essential veterinary health care services and pet food/supplies directly to our remote community, services that many of our tribal members often are unable to afford, providing these assistance, we can help ensure pets receive proper care while also supporting community members.

Daniel D'Eramo

Rez Vet, Colorado

Each month, Rez Vet travels to Native American reservations to bring life-saving care to underserved and marginalized communities. With our drive-through vaccine clinics, wellness care to treat sick and injured pets, and door to door services, we aim to make sure that all pets have access to care.

Ebony Richardson

Atlanta Dog Mom Full Hearts, Georgia

Atlanta Dog Mom Full Hearts is a nonprofit that aims to reduce shelter intakes by making pet care accessible and affordable. We offer resources, education, and community support to help underserved pet parents ensure their furry family members stay happy, healthy, and at home.

Edwin Wang

Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC) and Safe Humane Chicago, Illinois

Equity in animal welfare means meeting our communities, people, and animals where they are, and building systems to support them rather than expecting them to conform to models that were never designed for their needs.

Greg Wolfus

Tufts at Tech Community Veterinary Clinic, Massachusetts

We have created an innovative community clinic where we partner 4th year veterinary students with high school veterinary assistant students as they provide subsidized care to our under-served pet population. Our clinic is embedded within an urban vocational technical high school.

Havana Soler

Oregon Humane Society, Oregon

Pets belong with the people who love them most. By providing temporary foster care with guaranteed reunification, we can reduce the frequency of owner surrenders, prevent abandonment and neglect born of circumstance, and create a bond of trust with historically underserved communities.

Imri Brown

Chicago Animal Care and Control, Illinois

There are so many beautiful souls waiting to be saved in our animal shelters. It is my desire and my passion to help save as many as I can by getting them adopted into loving homes!

Jacob Duarte

SPCA Monterey County, California

In my role at SPCA Monterey County, I work to ensure that animal welfare services are accessible to everyone. I focus on education, collaboration, and compassionate enforcement to reduce barriers, build trust, and support both animals and the people who care for them.

Jannatul Ahmed

Long Island City Feral Feeders, New York

I draw on my experience as a Bengali Muslim New Yorker to expand access to pet care. Through language support, local events, and advocacy with local officials, I work to make animal welfare more inclusive, culturally responsive, and community-centered.

Javier Valles

Austin Animal Services, Texas

As an animal enrichment worker my motivation is rooted in compassion and respect for all beings. Lifelong connection with animals taught me the sacred bond between humans and dogs. I create inclusive, judgment-free spaces where healing, trust, and connection grow through humane, empathetic training.

Jessica "Jay" Dibella

SPCA of Wake County, North Carolina

I collaborate with under-resourced rural shelters across North Carolina to facilitate transfers and provide educational resources. This includes sharing SOPs, ideas, and supplying materials. Together, we are breaking down barriers to pathways and improving local access to resources.

Jody Naylor

Rocky Mount Animal Advocates, North Carolina

Equity in animal welfare means removing barriers, amplifying community voices, and ensuring that lifesaving resources reach the people and animals who need them most.

Johnae Jachan Anthony

Companion Animal Alliance, Louisiana

I expand equitable access to veterinary care in underserved communities by organizing barrier-free clinics, providing supplies and case support, and partnering locally to overcome income, language, and transportation challenges so families can care for their pets without judgment.

Jose Flores

Portland Texas Animal Care Services, Texas

I have started to look at animal control issues in a "whole picture" way. Not just looking at the animal issue itself, but the problems a person or family my be experiencing that has led to the problem. We all struggle from time to time, and we as animal professionals must always remember that.

K. D. Thompson

The FIDO Foundation, Nebraska

The FIDO Foundation is about more than pets—it’s about people. We’re building equitable systems of care that honor dignity, strengthen communities, and ensure that no family has to choose between survival and their beloved companion. We are Redefining Compassion and Restoring Connections.

Kaitlyn Gallemore

Good Shepherd Humane Society, Arkansas

I believe animal welfare is family support-when we care for people, pets stay home where they’re loved. By providing access to care, we remove barriers, protect pets from preventable disease, and help families stay together, safe and whole.

Kate Rachiele

Willow Domestic Violence Center, New York

My work with survivors of domestic violence and their pets centers on increasing equitable access to care. The human-animal bond is universal; no one should have to leave family behind due to systemic barriers. Every individual deserves the dignity of self-determination in their healing journey.

Katie Healey

Crestview Animal Services, Florida

I’m committed to reshaping animal welfare by expanding access to care and challenging systems that exclude rural and underrepresented communities.

Lanise Parnell

PetX Foundation, Georgia

I am dedicated her to advancing veterinary medicine through clinical expertise, education, and mentorship. I am dedicated to expanding educational opportunities and career pathways for underrepresented and marginalized middle and high school students.

Maya Buchanan Smith

Animal Welfare Professional, Washington

Equity in animal welfare means removing barriers, uplifting underrepresented voices, and ensuring every community has access to compassionate care.

Melissa Osborn

Huntington County Humane Society, Indiana

Our pets are our family, and every member of our family deserves access to basic care. Pets feel the love we show their owners.

Dr. Melissa Resnick

Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society, Pennsylvania

Every animal deserves medical care, and every person deserves respectful, compassionate, and nonjudgmental veterinary access. I collaborate with community partners to provide accessible surgical and medical care, and advocate for animals through legislative action to address systemic barriers.

Mira Mircheva

Daisy's Legacy, Virginia

I advocate for a future where pets are recognized as family, not property under the law, because equity means protecting both animals and the people connected to them.

Nicole Berry

Maricopa County Animal Care and Control, Arizona

Animal welfare is a community issue, not just a shelter issue. Without meeting people where they are and offering support before crisis hits, the cycle never ends. Real change comes from investing in access, prevention, and community-based solutions.

Dr. Orazie Slayton

Praline’s Backyard Foundation, Georgia

Praline's Backyard Foundation removes a hidden barrier to safety by housing pets of domestic violence survivors. Through community partnerships, families never have to choose between leaving abuse and protecting the animals they love—building a more equitable, inclusive animal welfare movement

Payton Brianne

Compassionate Canine Society, Texas

Compassion should be accessible, not conditional. Rescue alone will never be enough, lasting change requires reimagining animal welfare through equity, access, and the next generation.

TyAnn Sumpter

SPCA of Brazoria County, Texas

Equity in animal welfare means meeting people where they are without judgment while building systems that support staff and save lives. I focus on creating accessible, sustainable shelter programs rooted in trust, compassion, and community partnership

2025 Trailblazer Mentors

Collin Akemoto

Hawaiian Humane Society, Hawaii

My motivation is to give back to my community. We struggled and relied on the generosity of others. Having pets now is a blessing. I understand the comfort and support pets provide. Helping others ensures both people and their pets emotional well-being.

Helen Traphagan

Humane Society of Greater Kansas City, Kansas

We invite ALL members of our community to be a part of our mission by adopting, fostering and volunteering. My hope is that everyone who walks into our building feels safe and accepted for who they are.

LaTonya "Tonya" Smith

LC'S Detroit Pet Salon/ LC'S Foundation, Michigan

As a Black woman, business owner, and nonprofit founder, I use my lived experience to open doors once closed to me by providing affordable pet care, mentoring overlooked individuals, and building community partnerships rooted in dignity, representation, and access.

Lexus Quarles

Humane Animal Partners, Delaware

With my background in Human Services and Animal Welfare leadership, I am dedicated to keeping pets and people together. I developed "HAPpy Haven" to provide temporary foster care during crises and secured financial partnerships that eliminate veterinary cost barriers, ensuring quality care for all.

Memo Fachino

Wisconsin Humane Society, Wisconsin

As part of the WHS media team, I build trust and community by shaping inclusive, people-centered narratives that reduce stigma and acknowledge systemic barriers. Through updated language, expanded programs, and engagement, we create accessible pathways to animals, services, and support.