Staff Spotlight: Leslie Dalzell, CEO
In case you missed it, last month Leslie Dalzell was named as our new Chief Executive Officer! Leslie is no stranger to the shelter—she has been on staff since 2018 as Chief Financial Officer. We thought it would be fun to get to know her a little better!
Q. What is your role at the shelter?
A. My role is to care for the people that care for the animals. I’m also a part of our Executive Team that sets a strategic vision for the organization and establishes our long-range plans.
Q. What does a day in your life at the shelter look like?
A. Most of my days are fully scheduled about one to two weeks out and generally include team and project meetings, meetings with professional organizations, and working through emerging challenges. One of my main goals is to do my own “daily rounds” of the team, which helps me to identify where we may have areas that need assistance or further support.
Q. What made you want to work at the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County?
A. Fifteen years ago, I was on a career path that did not allow me to own a dog. Initially, my goal was to have a job where I could bring my pet to work with me, as well as move back to the mainland (I had been living in Hawaii for 9 years). So, when I saw the ad posted for the CFO position at the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County, I jumped at the chance.
Once I started working here, I fell in love with the mission, story after story of the lives that this organization has saved, and the amazing attitudes and ambition our team possesses to continuously improve. Working at this shelter has made me a better human being because I’ve developed a greater appreciation for our community, acceptance of others, and the importance of kindness.
Q. What’s your favorite part of working here?
A. My daily rounds… I look forward to seeing everyone’s faces!
Q. Why are you so passionate about the work we do?
A. It’s about being a part of something really great for the animals in our state. We are part of a community of caregivers that all have a common bond. My passion for our work continues to grow with every lifesaving story that passes through our doors.
Q. Any special stories you’d like to share?
A. Hope… She was a doodle dog that had been hit by a car and her pelvis was crushed. Her owners brought her to us because they could not afford her care. Dr. Tim Gintz, who was a veterinarian on our Board at the time, volunteered his time every week to manipulate and reset her pelvis to the point where she could use her back legs again. Throughout all the extensive treatment, Hope continued to try and wag her tail. She was placed in a foster home during her few months of rehabilitation and was adopted shortly after.
This was probably the moment I went from “just wanting a job I could bring my dog to”, to wanting to be more and more involved in the future of the organization.
Interested in a career at the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County Check out our careers page for opportunities and apply today!
