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CARE Executive Director Wins Maddie’s Fund 2022 Avanzino Leadership Award
James Evans honored for leadership and dedication to the human-animal bond
(Baltimore, MD. October 24, 2022) — James Evans, Executive Director and Founder of Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity (CARE), a workforce development animal welfare nonprofit, was recently presented with Maddie’s Fund® 2022 Avanzino Leadership Award. Evans was honored for his outstanding leadership and dedication to the human-animal bond. This award recognizes achievement and courage to look beyond the status quo and make bold decisions to improve the lives of pets and their people.
Evans is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Companion Animals for Reform and Equity (CARE). CARE works to support human and animal well-being, and prioritizes and amplifies Black, Indigenous, and People of Color using narratives, research, and community-centered investments. The award was presented to Evans at CARE’s recent conference called “The Gathering,” in Philadelphia, Pa. on October 6.
“I want advocates, non-governmental organizations, and nonprofits to better understand that solving problems should always include the people affected by the problem. The more diverse the audience, the more diverse, inclusive, and creative the solutions are going to be,” said Evans recently
This award is named after Rich Avanzino, the father of the no-kill movement and Maddie’s Fund President from 1998 – 2015. “James has profoundly transformed our field through racial equity, diversity, and inclusion,” said Mary Ippoliti-Smith, Executive Leadership Team, Maddie’s Fund. “He is creating a space for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in the animal well-being sector; and recasting animal well-being within the community, outside the shelter walls.”
The award comes with a $25,000 grant which will be used to further the mission of CARE.
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Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity is a 501©3 nonprofit that addresses organizational and personal biases within animal welfare. The mission is to bring diverse voices to the industry while also advocating for a more inclusive path to pet adoption. CARE believes in using evidence-based tools, narratives, and insights to inspire organizations to be more inclusive and less biased. It is all an effort to save more companion animal lives.