Jenna Strick named director at Humane Society

The executive board of the Huntington County Humane Society is thrilled to announce the appointment of Jenna Strick as executive director. Strick brings a wealth of experience and strong community focus to her new role as director. She has held several key positions highlighting her leadership and dedication to social causes.

Strick’s non-profit experience includes serving as executive director of the United Way of Huntington County, where Jenna built collaborative networks and led successful fundraising campaigns, demonstrating her strategic leadership and community engagement skills. Additionally, Jenna served as interim executive director at Place of Grace, where she managed a women’s recovery residence, and as social justice outreach & development coordinator at Victory Noll Center, where she facilitated coalitions for social justice training and advocacy.

Strick’s diverse background and passion for animal welfare make her a valuable asset to the Humane Society. She joined the board in March and immediately immersed herself in the organization, volunteering and gaining invaluable behind-the-scenes insight into the shelter’s operations.

“I was aware of the desire by the board and staff to do something more with the shelter, and I was curious if my past experiences and passion for animals would be a fit,” Strick shared. “Through volunteering, I got to know the staff and saw their passion and the team environment they created at the shelter – they work well together, support each other, and look out for each other. I believed that this is a place I could see myself fitting into.”

Reflecting on her journey and what drew her to this role, Strick highlighted the dedication of the board members, who have kept the shelter growing and moving forward even during a two-year period without a permanent director.

“The board, staff and volunteers that are involved with the shelter want to see it thrive for the health and wellbeing of the animals in their care and for the community overall,” Strick added.

Jenna’s enthusiasm is evident. “I get really excited about seeing an organization grow, develop, and thrive and about getting to participate in an integral way in that development,” Jenna said. “It’s not just my excitement. It’s our collective excitement that will move us forward.”

Strick’s vision for the future includes the development of a new shelter building equipped with areas for training and education as well as expanding the necessary space needed to better serve the animals in the shelter’s care, volunteers and prospective pet owners. She aims to learn from the successes of other shelters and build on current and new partnerships within the community to fulfill the shelter’s mission and address community needs creatively.

Moreover, she sees potential in enhancing education and communication within the community. “We have an opportunity to better educate and communicate with the community in order to share all that the shelter has to offer, from animal control to dog parks to volunteer programs,” she highlighted.

Katy Hudson, board president, expressed the board’s confidence in Strick’s leadership: “Strick brings a wealth of experience and proven leadership from her former roles with other non-profit organizations. Beyond just her professional experience, Strick brings a fresh perspective and community-focused spirit that will play a pivotal role in refining and expanding our services to better serve our community. Strick’s appointment as director marks a significant step forward in our commitment to animal welfare and community engagement. We look forward to Strick’s strategic leadership as we embark on this new journey together!”