Michelle Strickland-Kucerak, Chief Program Officer

Michelle brings 30 years of nonprofit experience to ALI, most recently serving as a senior leader at the global animal protection organisation The Humane League (THL). Over more than 11 years at THL, she helped grow the organisation's budget from under $1 million to more than $20 million by leading fundraising efforts, then went on to oversee and expand national programs, including U.S. corporate campaigns and public policy initiatives that impact the lives of millions of animals.

Among her many accomplishments, Michelle co-led the development and launch of THL's public policy program, including the Animal Policy Alliance, a national coalition working to end large-scale animal agriculture in the U.S. She also supported the launch of the Open Wing Alliance, a global network of organisations working to end the abuse of chickens worldwide.

Michelle is known for an inclusive, data-informed, and highly collaborative leadership style. She is excited to support ALI's global efforts to improve aquatic animal welfare, drawing on her expertise in strategic execution, partnership building, and team leadership to help drive the organization's continued growth and impact. Michelle lives in Rochester, New York, with her wife and their two golden retrievers.