Jen Swanson Stepping Down as Director of Humane Society of Harford County

Board of Directors Will Soon Begin Nationwide Search

For Immediate Release

Contact:
Erin Long, Marketing Coordinator | Humane Society of Harford County
410-836-1090, x106 | erin@harfordshelter.org

 

Fallston, MD (April 6, 2022) – After nearly seven years of tireless work to further the Humane Society of Harford County’s mission and values, Jen Swanson has announced that she will be departing from her role as executive director. Swanson will continue to perform in her role until Thursday, May 26, 2022.

“Over the next two months I will be working closely with the Board of Directors to help ensure the transition is as smooth as possible,” Swanson said. “My heart will always be with HSHC, both with its animals and its people, and I look forward to seeing the organization grow and all the continued positive changes that are sure to come!”

During her tenure, HSHC’s key accomplishments include the construction of a new 19,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility in 2016, bringing a veterinarian on staff to spay and neuter animals prior to adoption, increasing the live release rate from 66% in 2014 to 90.6% in 2016, reducing intake by 51% through new shelter intervention efforts, and receiving the Harford County Chamber of Commerce’s Harford Award for Best Nonprofit in 2018.

“Jen has been a strong, strategic leader, and has played a significant role in transforming the shelter into a perennial ‘Best Of’ nonprofit organization and leaves HSHC in the strongest fiscal position it has ever been,” said George Heidelmaier, chairman of the board of directors. “Jen has also been instrumental in many initiatives to improve and promote the well-being of animals, providing them a safe refuge, and instilling a strong focus on care, advocacy, organizational transparency and community education. Her inspiring leadership has truly left a lasting impression on this organization.”

Over the next several months, the Board of Directors will be conducting a thorough nationwide search to find HSHC’s next executive director.

About the Humane Society of Harford County
The Humane Society of Harford County, Inc., is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to the welfare and well-being of the approximately 2,500-3,000 animals that come in each year. HSHC promotes the kind treatment of homeless, stray and abandoned animals by providing shelter, care, adoptions, and community education. HSHC is not a county agency nor is it affiliated with any national or regional organization. Tax-deductible donations, bequests, and proceeds from events are crucial to HSHC’s life-saving efforts on behalf of the animals in the community.