James Evans, Founder & Chief Executive Officer

In 2019, inspired by Chetana Mirle and supported by Spring Point’s Life of Riley, James founded Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity (CARE). Under James’ leadership, CARE has made a substantial impact on the field of Animal Welfare while simultaneously establishing a new and broader discipline: Human and Animal Well-being. Since 2019, CARE has been instrumental in supporting Black and Brown-led companion animal-focused organizations and their communities.

James is a multi-award-winning creative strategist and leader with over 30 years of experience developing relationships between organizations and their constituents. Prior to founding CARE, James’ expertise has been applied across a diverse range of brands, both nonprofit and for-profit. Notable brand experience includes Timberland, Disney, The Mills Corporation, NAACP, Baltimore Health Department, Maryland Health Department, Kennedy Krieger Institute, CVS Caremark’s Project Health, Safe Streets Baltimore, and numerous other brands.

James and his team have initiated several programs, including the pioneering Gulf Spay/Neuter Campaign and HSUS’s Pets for Life. He has also played a pivotal role in HSUS’s Adopters Welcome, Outdoor Cats Research, Stop Puppy Mills, and HSUS’s Spayathon, as well as Best Friends Animal Society’s Outreach Action Team.

James is a husband, a proud father of five children, including two dogs, a brother, and a member of a close-knit group of friends, family, and colleagues.

Winner of the 2022 Maddie’s Fund Avanzino Leadership Award
Saul Zaentz Film Fellow 2024

Jennifer Evans, Chief Operating Officer

Jennifer Evans studied studio art in school and has over 20 years experience in marketing and publishing as both a designer and Art Director. She is the COO and Art Director for Illume Communications and is a wardrobe stylist. 

Jennifer is also the Chief Operating Officer for CARE. As a highly organized logistics expert, she manages CARE’s staff and workflow. Aside from her visual communications and organizational skills, Jen brings an in-depth knowledge of social media marketing strategies and narrative production. Much of her recent work within the animal welfare field has included innovative campaign strategies and production for large scale projects such as Breaking Bias for HSUS Expo 2019, Stop Puppy Mills Video campaign, Petstablished, Let’s Fix This, HSUS’ Spayathon, and HSUS’ Adopter’s Welcome toolkit.

Hakeem Ruiz, Sr Director of CAC, Northeastern Tier

Hakeem Ruiz is a 29 year old born and raised in Philadelphia. While attending Lincoln High School, Hakeem and other friends started a group called The Block. Years later that friend group went on to become a very successful non-profit called ” The Block Gives Back”. Hakeem became the Vice President and was given the task of hosting block parties, street cleaning events, and networking with the adults and youth of the community. In 2019 the group was recognized by KYW radio as a winner of the Black History Month “GameChangers” award, for the continued efforts in minority communities. 

Aside from community volunteering Hakeem formerly worked in the social work field as a Case Manager before joining the CARE team. Spending parts of 3 years working with at risk youth from ages 13-17 to earn expungement of permanent charges. Hakeem will now be the CARE Center Director of Camden/Philly. He looks forward to being able to continue to create and build connections for more organizations along with CARE and being able to assist an unaddressed need in a forgotten area. Having raised a 13 year old stray dog, Gucci, Hakeem has seen the low points of the animal care system locally and is determined to change it for the better of the community. 

Minna Knight, CARE Narritive Film Editor

Minna Knight is a graduate of the Electronic Media and Film Program at Towson University in Baltimore, Maryland. She has written, directed, and produced several of her own narrative and experimental short films. Minna has been a web designer and video editor for documentary oriented projects, combining her interests in history, design, and storytelling. Currently she is a film editor at CARE and is eager to continue applying her knowledge of film and media studies to highlight the wisdom and experiences of communities and individuals that have been underrepresented.

John Benam, PRODUCER | CINEMATOGRAPHER

John is a Director of Photography and Producer based in Baltimore, Maryland. Credits include The Keepers, Charm City, Assassins, 12 O’clock Boys, and Great Migrations. John’s work focuses primarily on social justice stories, deeply personal docs, natural history, and intercultural learning. He has been awarded two Primetime Emmys for cinematography.

Shannon Malone-deBenedictis, Executive Producer, Brown and Bonded

Shannon Malone-deBenedictis (she/her) is a two-time Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker, dynamic public speaker, and sought-after creative consultant with clients including Disney+, Netflix, and more. Known for solving problems “like a badass TV producer dealing with great white sharks,” Shannon blends bold storytelling, strategic clarity, and fearless leadership in every room she enters.

Drawing on her decades in television and media, she helps mission-driven entrepreneurs, educators, and creative professionals—especially women—translate bold ideas into unforgettable brands, powerful messages, and authentic public platforms. As the founder of Padlin Creative and the force behind Fully Unapologetic, Shannon delivers workshops and coaching that inspire confidence, unlock personal power, and amplify the voices of those ready to lead without compromise.