James Evans, Founder & Chief Executive Officer

James is a multi-awarding winning creative strategist and leader with 25+ years of experience developing relationships between organizations and their constituents. His expertise has been utilized across a diverse group of brands, both non for profit, and for profit. Specific 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 many other brands.

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

In 2019, inspired by Chetana Mirle and supported by Spring Point’s Life of Riley, James founded Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity [C.A.R.E.].

James is a husband, a proud father of five children [two four-legged], a brother, and part of a great 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.

DDm, Secretary of Shade

With a style that is as eccentric as it is welcoming, Dapper Dan Midas a.k.a. DDm is one of the most idiosyncratic new voices in entertainment. The Baltimore native made his name in the local rap scene establishing himself as a premier live act and songwriter. He has played shows nationally alongside the likes of Dan Deacon, Future Islands, Beach House, and Big Freedia . DDm’s ‘Secretary Of Shade’ YouTube channel where he does live book readings and discusses politics and pop culture has over 21,000 subscribers to date. He has been featured on Netflix, BET, ‘The Hill’ and is considered a rising star in music and pop culture commentary. He currently stars in the short film ‘F^¢k ‘€m R!ght B@¢k’ which was featured at the Sundance Film Festival and Outfest. 

Hakeem Ruiz, Senior Director of CARE Centers Philly/Camden

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.