World Animal Protection welcomes Alesia Soltanpanah as new U.S. Executive Director

NEW YORK, Feb. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- World Animal Protection, one of the largest animal protection organizations in the world, has named Alesia Soltanpanah as its new U.S. Executive Director, effective February 5. She will lead World Animal Protection's activities in the U.S. and help build a global movement that will inspire people to changes animals' lives for the better.

Soltanpanah brings over 20 years of executive leadership, financial, operational and program development experience at a variety of nonprofits, including multiple animal welfare organizations.

"The Board of Directors are extremely pleased to have Alesia join the U.S. team," says Carter Luke, U.S. Board President, World Animal Protection. "She brings with her a wealth of experience, compassion, and a vision that will enhance our work to protect animals. We are confident she will drive our mission to move the world to protect animals."

Most recently, Soltanpanah was Executive Director of VIBS in Long Island, where she created new programs on domestic violence law, witnesses to homicide, human trafficking, and pet therapy. During her tenure, she more than doubled the number of clients served.

She has also served in top-level development, communications and marketing roles in New York City. As Vice President of Development at the Ms. Foundation for Women, and the Chief Development Officer at Safe Horizon, she increased revenue to all-time highs for the organizations.

Soltanpanah has also held leadership roles in animal welfare.  As Vice President of Development and Marketing Communications at Bideawee, the first animal rescue organization in New York City, and as Vice President of Development and Communications at the North Shore Animal League America in Port Washington, NY, she increased awareness and revenue for both organizations, launching national marketing campaigns to bring awareness to the plight of homeless dogs and cats.

Prior to working in animal welfare, she was AVP, Direct Marketing at international NGO Save the Children, where she helped develop the direct marketing program.

"I am excited to be joining World Animal Protection, an organization that understands that treating animals with compassion starts with treating people with compassion," Soltanpanah said. "World Animal Protection helps everyone understand that animals are conscious beings, deserving of a world where they live free from cruelty and suffering. I hope to help raise awareness of the organization's groundbreaking work, so we can achieve transformational, sustainable change for animals in the United States and around the world."

Soltanpanah received an MBA from Golden Gate University in San Francisco and a BA from California State University, Sacramento.

About World Animal Protection:
We are World Animal Protection. From our offices around the world, we work with businesses, governments, local partners and animal welfare organizations. We help people to find practical ways to prevent animal suffering worldwide. We collaborate with national governments and we have formal relationships with international bodies including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the United Nations Environment Programme, the Council of Europe and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). We seek national and international policy change to improve the lives of millions of animals, because animal protection is a fundamental part of a sustainable future. For more information, visit www.worldanimalprotection.us.org.

Kittleman & Associates worked with World Animal Protection in its search for a new U.S. Executive Director. Kittleman & Associates is a national executive search firm that specializes in the recruitment of CEOs for tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, public charities and philanthropic organizations. For more information, visit www.kittlemansearch.com

Contact: Carla Pisarro
E: [email protected]  
T: +1-646-783-2210

SOURCE World Animal Protection