Leadership

Executive Director

Alesia Soltanpanah is the Executive Director of World Animal Protection US, a global nonprofit with this mission: a world where animals live free from suffering. Alesia leads World Animal Protection’s programs in the U.S. to protect animals and help build a global movement to inspire people to change animals’ lives for the better. She has over 20 years of executive leadership, financial, marketing, fundraising, operational and program development experience at a variety of international and domestic nonprofits, including multiple animal welfare organizations. 

Most recently, Alesia was Executive Director of VIBS in Long Island, where she created new programs for domestic violence law, witnesses to homicide, human trafficking, and pet therapy. During her tenure, she more than doubled the number of clients served by the organization. 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. 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 managed the direct marketing program.

Alesia holds a Masters of Business Administration in Management from Golden Gate University, San Francisco and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from California State University, Sacramento.

Board of Directors

Carter Luke, President (Independent, member since 2006)

J. Thomas Jones, Treasurer (Independent, member since November 2017)

Maggie Rubey Lynch, Member (Independent, member since June 2018)

Nancy Valentino, Member (Independent, member since September 2019)