(Naples, FL – February 8, 2018) – Humane Society Naples Executive Director Sarah Baeckler Davis announced today the addition of three new members of the organization’s leadership team. Gabriel Waters joins the organization as director of animal care, Jonathan Foerster as director of community affairs and Meredith McLean as special events director.
“I’m thrilled to add these three talented professionals to the Humane Society Naples team,” Baeckler Davis said. “Each brings a wealth of experience, tremendous dedication and a passion for animal welfare that will help us as we continue to grow this organization.”
Waters comes to Humane Society Naples most recently from Project Chimp where he served as senior director of chimpanzee care. Waters has a diverse background doing behavioral work with both humans and animals. He holds advanced degrees in animal behavior and linguistics. He studied and did research at the Max Planck Institute Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany. At Humane Society Naples, Waters oversees all aspects of animal care, leading a team that gets animals ready for adoption.
Foerster will lead the organization’s fundraising, communications, marketing and volunteer efforts. Prior to joining Humane Society Naples, Foerster was communications director at Artis—Naples. Since moving to Southwest Florida in 2003, Foerster has worked as a reporter and editor for the Naples Daily News and as executive editor at Gulfshore Life magazine.
As special events director, McLean oversees dozens of events each year ranging from the annual Pet Lovers Gala—this year on February 9—to 5k runs and cat yoga, all of which build awareness for the organization. McLean most recently was a program officer at the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, where she assisted in the foundation’s grant making process while working with various non-profit agencies throughout the community. Her previous nonprofit experience includes work with Farm Sanctuary, the YMCA, Girls on the Run and KaBOOM!
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