Animal Care Expo 2025
Connect with the BIPOC Collective at Animal Care Expo 2025 in Las Vegas. Explore this page to learn more about Collective events during the week and don’t miss the lineup of BIPOC speakers who will be presenting at Expo.
Let’s show up for each other, make our voices heard and impact seen throughout the conference.
Overview of Events
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Tuesday 4/15
Events include the Impact Summit, Welcome Session and Exhibit Hall
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Wednesday 4/16
Events include workshops, round tables, exhibit hall and Rooted in Community Collective Gathering
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Thursday 4/17
Events include workshops, main stage session, exhibit hall and expo party
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Friday 4/18
Final day events include a coffee break and workshops
Tuesday, April 15
Impact Summit
8:30am - 3pm
The Black Pet Business Network, in partnership with Humane World for Animals, is hosting the Impact Summit! The Impact Summit is a transformative experience designed to inspire action and spark change for individuals and organizations committed to making a difference in animal welfare for underserved, historically marginalized and under-resourced communities.
Spaces have been reserved for Collective members to attend this event. Learn More
Welcome Session with Keynote Speaker, Karen Walrond
Tues. 4/15 | 3:30pm - 5pm
Main Stage
Lessons from The Lightmaker's Manifesto: A value-driven, self-compassionate way to change the world
Learn More
Exhibit Hall & Welcome Social Dinner
Tues. 4/15 at 5pm - 8:30pm
Stop by The BIPOC in Animal Well-Being Collective Booth #101 in the Exhibit Hall!
Wednesday, April 16
8am - 9:15am Workshops
Under one roof: How intake data can streamline human and animal services collaboration
8am - 9:15am Room 308
Diana Cruz-Rivas, Co-Director at HEART LA
Lucy Fernandez, Senior Intake Diversion PASS Program Manager at Austin Pets Alive
Session Details
Emotionally intelligent leadership using a culturally responsive lens
8am - 9:15am Room 415-416
Maria Morukian, CEO and Founder, MSM Global Consulting at MSM Global Consulting
Jasmin Robinson, Director, DEI Initiatives at The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement/MSM Global Consulting
Session Details
Building trust, one behavior at a time: A modern approach to socialization for fearful kittens
8am - 9:15am Room 313
Melissa Taylor, Behavior and Training Manager at Friends For Life
Session Details
From leash to leadership: Empowering communities through pet-driven initiatives
8am - 9:15am Room 401-403
Marshall Williams, CEO at Project Pet
Session Details
Chile’s pet care legacy: Developing a legal framework to manage pet populations
8am - 9:15am Room 408-410
Fernando Reyes, Veterinarian at PTRAC
Session Details
Round Tables Discussions
9:30am - 10:30am
*No specific BIPOC speaker but BIPOC representation is encouraged!
“Round Tables offer the chance to have deep, meaningful conversations with peers and colleagues in a small-group setting. Space at the tables is first-come, first-served.”
Each table offers a different topic of discussion and are color coded
Topics include: Global (Navy), Field Services (Dark purple), Community Outreach (Light purple), Cats (Light pink), Behavior (Bright pink), All Animals Big and Small (Red), Access to Care (Orange), Leadership (Blue), Marketing & Resources (Light blue), Shelter Design (Teal), Shelter Operations (Green), Veterinary Medicine (Lime green), Volunteers (Yellow), Wellness (White)
Session Details
Exhibit Hall - Lunch Provided
10:45am - 1:30pm
Stop by the Collective booth #101
When you enter the exhibit hall, turn left. We are in the front row all the way to the left.
Exhibit Hall Map
“Round Tables offer the chance to have deep, meaningful conversations with peers and colleagues in a small-group setting. Space at the tables is first-come, first-served.”
Each table offers a different topic of discussion and are color coded
Topics include: Global ((Navy), Field Services (Dark purple), Community Outreach (Light purple), Cats (Light pink), Behavior (Bright pink), All Animals Big and Small (Red), Access to Care (Orange), Leadership (Blue), Marketing & Resources (Light blue), Shelter Design (Teal), Shelter Operations (Green), Veterinary Medicine (Lime green), Volunteers (Yellow), Wellness (White)
Session Details
Round Tables Discussions
1:45pm - 2:45pm
*No specific BIPOC speaker but BIPOC representation is encouraged!
Wednesday, April 16
3pm - 4:15pm Workshops
Community outreach 101: Creating a support services program using the Pets for Life approach
3pm - 4:15pm Room 305-307
Aleah Simpson, Program Manager, Marketing and Communications, Pets for Life at Humane World for Animals
Cassie Vazquez, Community Outreach Manager at Miami Veterinary Foundation
Session Details
Ending the dog and cat meat trades in Asia: Effective campaigning for policy and societal change
3pm - 4:15pm Room 408-410
Dr. Merry Ferdinandez, National Program Manager DMFI at Dog Meat Free Indonesia/JAAN Domestic Indonesia Foundation
Session Details
The PR toolbox for animal welfare
3pm - 4:15pm Room 414
Jose Delgado-Rivera, Chief Communications Officer at Animal Rescue League of Berks County
Session Details
Main Stage Session
4:30pm - 5:45pm
Animal Welfare Idol: Everyone dreams, data delivers
You'll hear from eight peers representing organizations across the country, showcasing how they use data to drive positive changes in veterinary medicine, animal behavior, field services and more. Who will you find the most inspiring? You'll have the chance to vote for the next Animal Welfare Idol.”
Session Details
Sherron Washington, CEO at The P3 Solution
Contestant / Panelist
BIPOC in Animal Well-Being Collective Event:
Rooted in Community Gathering at Chef Kenny’s Dim Sum
6:30pm - 10pm
Join the BIPOC AWC for an evening of connection, collaboration, and community! In order to create a safe space for our guests, this event is for Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color who work or volunteer in animal well-being only. Reservation required.
A variety of complimentary vegan food and drinks (beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages) will be available for our confirmed guests.
Humane World for Animals Trailblazer Awards
7pm - 8:30pm
Reservation Required
Thursday, April 17
8am - 9:15am Workshops
Equitable recruitment and retention of veterinary technicians
8am - 9:15am Room 309-312
Jessica Lopez, Executive Director at The Paw Mission
Nadia Oseguera-Ramon, California Program Manager at UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program
Ivy Ruiz, Outreach Specialist at UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program
Session Details
Defending your point of view: The necessity of presence, persuasion, pivot and practice
8am - 9:15am Room 415-416
Yvette Simpson, Founder & President at Yvette Simpson LLC
Session Details
Co-sheltering: Keeping pets with their people in temporary and emergency housing
8am - 9:15am Room 308
Cindy Garcia, De Colores Program Director at Chicanos
Session Details
Main Stage Session
9:30am - 11am
Find your popsicle hotline: Creating the ultimate adopter experience
Stop by the Collective booth #101
When you enter the exhibit hall, turn left. We are in the front row all the way to the left.
Exhibit Hall Map
Exhibit Hall Open
Lunch Provided
11:15am - 2pm
Thursday April 17
2:15pm - 3:30pm Workshops
Barriers to access to care in pet ownership and training
2:15pm - 3:30pm Room 313
Shonyae Johnson, Sr. Learning & Development Manager at Operation Kindness
Michele Mendoza, President at Every Dog Behavior and Training
Session Details
Unlocking cultural IQ for animal welfare and veterinary leaders of tomorrow
2:15pm - 3:30pm Room 309-312
Azalia Boyd, CEO at Boyd Veterinary Services and Consulting, LLC
Session Details
Volunteers in disasters through a global lens
2:15pm - 3:30pm Room 408-410
Felipe Márquez, Program Manager, Latin America Disaster Response at Humane World for Animals
Session Details
Budget-friendly branding for animal care organizations
2:15pm - 3:30pm Room 414
Sherron Washington, CEO at The P3 Solution
Session Details
Thursday, April 17
3:45pm - 5pm Workshops
Navigating community engagement and cultural challenges in a global context
3:45pm - 5pm Room 408-410
Dalia Jacob, Senior Manager, Companion Animals and Engagement at Humane World for Animals
Keren Nazareth, Senior Director, Companion Animals and Engagement at Humane World for Animals
Session Details
How to provide community support services as a municipal agency
3:45pm - 5pm Room 305-307
Christina Avila, Animal Control Supervisor at City of Perris Animal Control
Weng Horak, Founder & CEO at CARE STL
Jorge Ortega, Animal Services Director at Guilford County Animal Services
Session Details
Expo Party
8pm - 11pm
Don’t forget your free drink ticket you received with your badge!
Friday, April 18
Coffee Break at Workshops
7:30am - 8:30am
Coffee and Tea Provided
Friday, April 18
8:15am - 9:30am Workshops
We are better together: Coalition building
8:15am - 9:30am Room 411-413
Raissa Allaire, Executive Director
Session Details
Incorporating AI in animal welfare: Techniques and strategies
8:15am - 9:30am Room 414
Brian Rivera, Director Technology and Administration at Tree House Humane Society
Session Details
Veterinary professionals as animal advocates: The power of the veterinary voice
8:15am - 9:30am Room 309-312
Gloria Dorsey, HumaneVMA Georgia State Co-Representative at Humane Veterinary Medical Alliance
Michelle Gonzalez, HumaneVMA Ohio State Co-Representative at Humane Veterinary Medical Alliance
Session Details
Native American culture in animal welfare
8:15am - 9:30am Room 305-307
Sheila Iyengar, Founder / CEO at Nagi Foundation
Session Details
Friday, April 18
9:45am - 11am Workshops
Addressing cultural competencies to enhance veterinary care
9:45am - 11am Room 305-307
Mia Navedo-Williams, Consultant at Community Forward Solutions
Session Details
Street animal management in Iran: A journey in animal advocacy
9:45am - 11am Room 408-410
Giti Safaee, Board Member at Friends of Vafa Animal Shelter- Volunteer at Friends of Vafa Animal Shelter
Session Details
Evaluating the use of anti-anxiety medications in shelter pets: When and why?
9:45am - 11am Room 309-312
Wailani Sung, Senior Director of Animal Admissions and Wellbeing at Joybound People and Pets
Session Details
Cultura pawsitiva: Launching a Spanish-speaking campaign
9:45am - 11am Room 308
Michele Figueroa, Chief Programs Officer at Humane Society of Southern AZ
Jose Merino, Deputy Director of Communications at Pima County Communications Department
Session Details
Friday, April 18
11:15am - 12:30pm Workshops
Access to care policy: A new frontier
11:15am - 12:30pm Room 305-307
Michelle Gonzalez, HumaneVMA Ohio State Co-Representative at Humane Veterinary Medical Alliance
Session Details
Safe at Home: Saving cats with a new take on foster outreach
11:15am - 12:30pm Room 404-406
Stephanie Medrano, Director of Operations at Stray Cat Alliance
Session Details
Diversify your workforce: Building authentic partnerships to deliver better outcomes
11:15am - 12:30pm Room 411-413
Melissa Gómez, Community Workforce Manager at SF SPCA
Jena Valdez, Chief Medical Officer at SF SPCA
Session Details
Connecting communities: Building equitable transport partnerships
11:15am - 12:30pm Room 308
Clare Callison, Senior Director of Care Operations at Austin Pets Alive!
Session Details
