Our values drive our work
The Maryland SPCA’s mission is to improve the lives of pets and people in the community through education, veterinary services, and humane care. Over 90 full- and part-time staff work side by side with hundreds of volunteers to deliver these services. Together, we’re ensuring the best possible care for animals and people in Baltimore and beyond. We multiply our impact by collaborating with individuals, other nonprofits, and local businesses.
COMMUNITY
We believe in the power of working together. We partner with others to problem-solve and invite and welcome different perspectives.
INTEGRITY
Our actions are based on ethics, including honesty, fairness, and transparency.
COMPASSION
We use our hearts and minds in our decisions, practicing understanding and kindness with pets and people.
RESPECT
We celebrate every person’s uniqueness and listen to their opinions.
INNOVATION
We look for new ways to do things better.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) ensures we can fulfill our mission. Only the board president may modify, in writing, the terms of the executive director’s at-will employment with the MD SPCA.
At the MD SPCA, we define DEI as:
- Diversity reflects ways individuals are unique, which includes not only race, ethnicity, and gender but also different abilities, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, background, and experience.
- Equity means creating and supporting policies that provide resources to accommodate individual needs and prevent the formation of barriers for employees and volunteers as well as those in the greater Baltimore community.
- Inclusion fosters an environment where all staff, volunteers, and clients are able to participate fully and be their authentic selves because their different perspective are welcomed, heard, and valued.
Meet our management team
Jennifer L. Dunworth
Development Director
Jennifer L. Dunworth
Development Director
After earning a bachelors of Psychology from the University of Scranton and masters of Social Work from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Jennifer practiced as a social worker before turning to fundraising. She spent 18 years with various nonprofits prior to joining the MD SPCA. With rescue pup Mollie, Jennifer enjoys the sunshine on the back deck, dabbling in fiber arts and returning to Arizona to sing with her choir.
Katie Flory
Community Care and Advocacy Director
Katie Flory
Community Care and Advocacy Director
Katie has worked for the Maryland SPCA for 14 years, training thousands of volunteers and members of the community in animal handling and safety. She is responsible for analysis and advocacy of legislation affecting animal welfare and provides educational presentations to local schools, universities, and community groups on animal safety and welfare. She is also Chair of the Baltimore City Mayor’s Anti-Animal Abuse Commission. Katie lives with her three dogs Hank Williams Jr., Gov. Tugg Boat Tank Speedman, and Buoy.
Dr. Ana Hodgson
Shelter Medicine Chief
Dr. Ana Hodgson
Shelter Medicine Chief
Dr. Hodgson is a native of Yonkers, NY. She has always appreciated her community and its cultural diversity. An urge to see our country took her west to follow her lifelong dream of becoming a veterinarian. She graduated from Utah State University with a BS in animal science. Dr. Hodgson subsequently earned her master’s degree in agricultural extension (with emphasis in adult education) while simultaneously completing veterinary school at Western University for the Health Sciences.She has worked in mixed animal practice, small animal practice, and shelter medicine in Colorado, Washington, D.C., and Maryland. Shelter medicine and soft tissue surgery have been her passions for several years. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her retired-army husband, two cats, and two dogs. They enjoy the arts, cultural events, traveling, gardening, attending Wounded Warrior events, and cheering for the New York Giants.
Jessica Lanzillotti
Deputy Executive Director, Finance and Administration
Jessica Lanzillotti
Deputy Executive Director, Finance and Administration
Jessica, a South Dakota native, is thrilled to be crunching numbers as the Maryland SPCA’s deputy executive director of finance and administration. She graduated valedictorian of the Towson University Business School in 2002 and worked in public accounting before changing direction and focusing on the non-profit sector. Jessica was the Business and General Manager of Baltimore’s Everyman Theatre for 13 years prior to joining the Maryland SPCA. Her current menagerie has dwindled to a mere three cats and one dog but is ready to grow at any time…which is why the Maryland SPCA keeps her out of the kennels.
Nichole Miller
Shelter Pet Care and Program Quality Director
Nichole Miller
Shelter Pet Care and Program Quality Director
Nichole began working at the shelter 16 years ago as a part-time kennel technician. Her interest in animal behavior, disease management, and standards of care for shelter pets have informed the development of innovative programs for intake deferment, transport, foster, adoption, and helped decrease length of stay. She continues to strive to maximize the shelter’s lifesaving capacity, while working towards the mission of helping pets and people in the community.
Jim Peirce
Executive Director
Jim Peirce
Executive Director
Jim joined the MD SPCA in January 2017 with more than 30 years of senior-level management experience having led mission-related marketing, communications and business development functions in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors. Jim is dad to Woodford – an 8-year-old American Foxhound/Manchester Terrier mix. When not going for walks with Woodford, he is an avid world traveler having visited nearly 90 countries – and counting. Jim holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Penn State University and a master’s in public/nonprofit management from Carnegie Mellon University.
Our board of directors
President: Sharon Kroupa
Vice President: Peter Askew
Vice President: Barb Simmons
Treasurer: Gregg Gorman
Secretary: Jennifer Viglucci
Past President: Joanne Pollak
Tina Beliveau
Cheryl Bernard-Smith
Anne Broadus
Barb Clapp
Lisa Dembeck
Terri Jones
Carin Lazarus
Rachid Medarhri
M. John Meyer
Carrie Montague
Natalie O’Neil
Olachi Opara
Kera Ritter
Kevin Rochlitz
Estelle Ward, DVM
Eric DeCosta, Board Ambassador
Randy Brinton, Board member Emeritus
Howie Wolfe, Board member Emeritus
Our Volunteers
Volunteers give their time and talent to help Maryland’s pets and people.
Our inspiring supporters make a difference every day. They greet clients in our spay/neuter and adoption centers, enrich the lives of cats and dogs in our care, co-organize fundraising and off-site adoption events, and much more. Learn how you can become part of the team!
Volunteer Opportunities
