Join Us in San Diego for the Animal Welfare Philanthropy Summit: The Perfect Place to Elevate Generosity for Animals!
The Summit is at capacity! Please email Amy Lomas at [email protected] to be added to the waitlist. Thank you for your interest in attending.
This winter, escape the chill and head to San Diego for the inaugural Animal Welfare Philanthropy Summit, a unique gathering of philanthropy professionals working in animal welfare and sponsored by RKD Group, Fetch Pet Insurance and Destinations in Paradise.
Event Details:
Date: January 9 & 10, 2025
Location: San Diego Humane Society
Recommended Lodging: Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Old Town/Seaworld Area
Please note the timeframe to access the reduced rate at the Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Old Town/Seaworld Area expired on December 13, 2024.
Registration Fee: None. You read that correctly, the event is FREE but the value is PRICELESS.
Meals: Again, FREE. Thanks to the generous sponsorship by RKD Group, Fetch Pet Insurance and Destinations in Paradise!
What You Can Expect:
Get ready for two days of inspiration, collaboration and connection. The Summit is tailored to address the unique opportunities and challenges faced by philanthropy professionals in animal welfare, and to provide participants with an opportunity to hear from industry leaders on how they are working to optimize their programs. You'll walk away with fresh insights, powerful strategies and a network of allies committed to driving change!
Why Attend?
- There is nothing else like it: This Summit is designed to bridge a gap in professional development for philanthropy professionals in animal welfare. Come be a part of this change!
- Network with industry leaders: Build meaningful connections with your peers from around the country.
- Insightful panels and workshops: You won’t hear from consultants on what they think you should do. You will hear from industry leaders who are walking-the-walk with you in working to engage donors to maximize philanthropic support. See below for event schedule!
- Unmatched environment: Network in the warmth of San Diego, where winter feels like a distant memory!
With sessions designed to foster collaboration, strategic thinking and leadership in animal welfare, the Summit will attract professionals from across the country who are eager to sharpen their skills and engage with their peers. There will be no shortage of learning, laughs and burritos — lots of burritos!
Let’s elevate animal welfare together — don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity!
Panel and Workshop Schedule
Day One: Jan. 9, 2025
| Time | Session | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 8–8:30 a.m. | Registration | |
| 8:30-9 a.m. | Welcoming Remarks | Brian Daugherty, Executive Vice President, San Diego Humane Society Gary Weitzman, DVM, President and CEO, San Diego Humane Society |
| 9-10:30 a.m. | Presentation: State of philanthropy in animal welfare | Dustin Riddle, VP of Client Partnership, RKD |
| 10:30-10:45 a.m. | Break | |
| 10:45-11:45 a.m. | Tour of San Diego Humane Society’s Bahde Medical Center & Adoptions Center | |
| 11:45 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Lunch | |
| 1-2:30 p.m. | Panel and discussion: Strategies to expand digital fundraising |
Miriam Davenport, Vice President spcaLA Jennifer Grantham, VP of Philanthropy & Communications, San Diego Humane Society Kyndra Kennedy, Annual Giving Officer, Marin Humane Sarah Trudeau, Director of Data & Annual Fund, Wisconsin Humane Society |
| 2:30-2:45 p.m. | Break | |
| 2:45-4:15 p.m. | Panel and discussion: Growing and benchmarking your sustainer program |
Wyn Furman, Director of Digital Communications, San Diego Humane Society Catrina Kmieciak, VP of Giving, Atlanta Humane Tess Repenning, Senior Director of Revenue Development, BC SPCA |
| 4:30-5 p.m. | Day one wrap-up | |
| 5:30 p.m. | Sponsored dinner |
Day Two: Jan. 10, 2025
| Time | Session | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 8-9 a.m. | Roundtables over breakfast: Attendee choice | Participant-led |
| 9-;10:30 a.m. | Innovation showcase highlighting animal welfare's best ideas over the last year | Participant-led |
| 10:30-10:45 a.m. | Break | |
| 10:45-12:15 p.m. | Panel and discussion: The magic in the middle: Optimizing midlevel donor support |
Alice Engstrom, Director of Development Operations, SF SPCA Megan Frei, Development Officer, SF SPCA Gina Fromme, CDO, Humane Society of Missouri Alex Mares, Director of Philanthropy, San Diego Humane Society Mindy Robinson, CFRE, Manager of Philanthropy & Planned Giving, Dumb Friends League |
| 12:15-1:30 p.m. | Lunch | |
| 1:30-2:45 p.m. | Panel and discussion: Strategies for securing transformational gifts |
Dan Coleman, CDO, Humane Society Silicon Valley Matthew Lider, Associate Director of Philanthropy, Seattle Humane Nancy Sackson, EVP of Advancement, SF SPCA Carol Spychalski, VP of Philanthropy, San Diego Humane Society Matt Terhune, VP of Philanthropy, Marin Humane |
| 2:45-3:15 p.m. | Break | |
| 3:15-4:30 p.m. | Panel and discussion: The future of philanthropy in animal welfare |
Brian Daugherty, Executive VP, San Diego Humane Society (Facilitator) Torre Chisholm, Executive Director, Friends of Pima Animal Care Center Carol Anne Lajoie, Chief Advancement Officer, Richmond SPCA Dustin Riddle, VP of Client Partnership, RKD Mike Robbins, Chief Innovations Officer, Atlanta Humane Brandy Vause, Chief Advancement Officer, SF SPCA |
