San Francisco SPCA CEO Dr. Jennifer Scarlett with shelter kitten

Leadership

Executives & Board Members

Executive Team

San Francisco SPCA CEO Dr. Jennifer Scarlett

Jennifer Scarlett, DVM Chief Executive Officer

As Chief Executive Officer of the SF SPCA, Dr. Jennifer Scarlett is responsible for a number of visionary programs, including a coalition that transformed partner shelters in California’s Central Valley; veterinary outreach to under-resourced neighborhoods; and Shelter PALS, the first no-cost legal service designed to resolve structural, policy-based barriers to improved welfare and outcomes for shelter animals.

Under her leadership, the SF SPCA has made remarkable progress for homeless animals. The organization’s lifesaving capacity has deepened by addressing pet-health inequity in San Francisco while also extending crucial assistance in shelter operations and public policy to shelters throughout California to meet the state’s goal of ending the euthanasia of adoptable animals.

Dr. Scarlett has 20 years of experience in both non-profit and for-profit veterinary medicine. She attended undergraduate studies at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, received her DVM from Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, and completed her residency in Large Animal Medicine at the University of Tennessee. In 2011, she was awarded the Meritorious Achievement Award for contributions to the veterinary field by the Association of Shelter Veterinarians.

Dr. Scarlett lives in San Francisco with her dog, Louie, and cats, Squitten and Olive. 

San Francisco SPCA COO Howard Chi

Howard Chi Chief Operations Officer

As Chief Operating Officer, Howard brings more than 20 years of sound fiscal policy to the SF SPCA. Having led multi-million-dollar brands, startups, and nonprofit organizations through numerous turn-arounds, mergers, and acquisitions, he has a deep understanding of what drives an organization’s long-term success.

Howard received his bachelor’s degree in economics administration from the University of California at Riverside and his MBA from Golden Gate University. He is a published author, was recently featured in the Top 100 People magazine, and is a member of the Forbes nonprofit council. Howard also serves on the board of San Francisco General and was recently nominated for CFO of the year.

In his free time, Howard enjoys traveling with his family and his dog, a large Malamute Husky mix named Bear.

San Francisco SPCA Chief People and Inclusion Officer Carrie Weaver with dog Molly

Carrie Weaver Chief People and Inclusion Officer

Carrie brings more than 20 years of Human Resources and DEI expertise to the SF SPCA. As a leader in employee engagement, workforce planning, and people strategy, she helps organizations foster a culture of wellness, growth, and belonging. She is passionate about creating environments that allow individuals to thrive in their careers so that, collectively, organizations can soar.

Carrie spent the early part of her career working as a geologist before shifting to organizational effectiveness. She has a B.S. from the University of New Mexico and an M.S. from Arizona State University. She’s a published author in the field of executive coaching and leadership training and is a regular Fast Company contributor.

A proud vegan, animal advocate, and animal welfare volunteer since childhood, she lives in Berkeley with her spouse and two rescued Italian Greyhounds, Penny and Vinny

San Francisco SPCA Chief of Rescue and Welfare Anne Mollering

Anne Moellering Chief of Rescue and Welfare

Anne brings more than 25 years of business leadership and executive coaching experience to her role as Chief of Rescue and Welfare at the SF SPCA. An expert in leading teams that thrive while delivering results, Anne oversees the entire adoptions process from intake and Central Valley animal transfers to ensuring animal well-being and more.  

Anne received her BA in economics from Dartmouth and her MBA from Stanford. She began her career in management consulting and marketing and later coached start-up founders and senior leaders at companies like Tesla, Apple, and Bain & Company, among others. At the SF SPCA, she’s living her lifelong dream to work with animals.

Anne is a pickleball addict, surfer, USSA 50’ class skipper, PADI diver, and a former member of the U.S. Women's Lacrosse Team. She lives in San Francisco with her 13-year-old Pitbull mix, Zuma.

San Francisco SPCA Chief of Advancement Officer Brandy Vause

Brandy Vause Chief Strategy and Advancement Officer

As Chief Advancement Officer, Brandy leads fundraising, marketing, and communications at the SF SPCA. She has spent her career working for mission-driven organizations like the National Gallery of Art and UCSF. As deputy director at the Bay Area Discovery Museum, she oversaw a 107% growth in annual revenue, a 50% increase in attendance, expansion of educational and access programs, and the successful completion of a $19.1M capital campaign.

Brandy holds a B.A. from Occidental College and M.A. degrees in both art history and museum studies from The George Washington University. She came to SF SPCA to be a part of the animal welfare movement and believes in the loving impact of the human-animal bond.

She has been a supporter of the SF SPCA since she adopted her beloved dog, Casey, in 2013. She joined the organization in 2021 and lasted four months before adopting her second dog, Moose

San Francisco SPCA Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jena Valdez with cat

Dr. Jena Valdez Chief Medical Officer

As Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jena Valdez oversees our most innovative and impactful veterinary care programs, which are designed to offer quality, compassionate care to shelter animals and affordable, non-judgmental veterinary care to clients and their pets.

In addition to overseeing veterinary services at the SF SPCA, Dr. Valdez pioneered the launch of the Community Veterinary Clinic, a first-of-its-kind, preventative care center in San Francisco’s Excelsior district (a longstanding veterinary-resource desert). She is also working to export the scalable Community Clinic model to under-resourced communities throughout California.

A graduate of Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Dr. Valdez has extensive experience in private practice, sheltering, and high-quality, high-volume spay and neuter services. She’s a nationally recognized advocate for increasing access to veterinary care and increasing diversity within the fields of veterinary medicine and animal welfare.

Dr. Valdez shares her San Francisco home with her husband, their ball-obsessed Dachshund mix, and a regal brown tabby.

Board of Directors

Ashley Goldsmith 
Board Chair

Curt Kirschner
Vice Chair

Leslie Baker
Philip Besirof
Robert Blanding
Allison Broude Friedberg
Andy Chen
Kathy Coffey
Rebecca Doherty
Ryan Ellis
Ashley Goldsmith
Gilda Gonzales

Rebecca Doherty
Treasurer

Jennifer Scarlett, DVM
CEO

Yunha Kim
Curt Kirschner
Amy Ko
Damon Lewis
Lulu Roberts
Garrett Smallwood
Allison Van Houten
Bharat Vasan
Keith C. Wetmore
Barbara Wolfe