Opinion: Why I Returned to the Board of the Humane Society of the United States

As the most effective animal-protection organization in the country, the Humane Society of the United States is accustomed to making headlines when it comes to breakthroughs that protect animals from mistreatment. But recently many headlines have focused on serious problems related to the way some of its employees have been treated.

As a member of the Board of Directors, I became aware of disturbing allegations against the organization’s CEO brought by some very brave women. We examined these allegations through an external investigator. I resigned from the board because I felt there was enough evidence to require our CEO to step down, while others did not.

But after a few restless nights, I changed my mind. I came back to the board.

It wasn’t just because CEO Wayne Pacelle resigned after our general counsel’s office came forward with additional reports of misconduct, though that was a critical factor. It wasn’t because I thought the problem had been solved. It was because I have seen the incredible results that the dedicated women and men in this nonprofit organization consistently accomplish. I believe in them, and I believe that the organization’s mission to end the suffering of all animals is more critical than ever. I returned because the Humane Society is making positive transformative changes in the way millions of animals are treated.

I also returned because I have seen how committed this organization is to learning from its mistakes and fostering a safer work environment. Like other nonprofits with hundreds of employees, it has faced internal challenges and handled some more successfully than others; however, it is committed to learning from those experiences.

Passion for the Cause

Passionate belief in a cause is what leads many people to serve on nonprofit boards. I have been passionate about helping animals for as long as I can remember, and I joined the Humane Society’s board in 2013 because I felt it was the most effective organization out there helping animals on a large scale. It still is. I realized that my passion for helping animals was undimmed by the serious challenges the group faced, and I concluded that I could contribute more effectively from within the organization than from outside of it.

I am keenly aware, as are my colleagues, that other nonprofits are studying our example. They are looking to us to see how a reputable organization absorbs and acts on criticism and changes for the better. And I decided I wanted to be part of that change.

There is a welcome and robust discussion throughout our society relating to the treatment of women in the workplace. I returned because I believe the Humane Society has not only taken this to heart, but it has committed its skill as an advocacy organization to advocate for its staff. Our reputation matters, and we are listening earnestly to criticism and facing all concerns squarely and in good faith.

At the Humane Society of the United States, complaints of harassment are addressed after being investigated by the human-resources department and, if necessary, its office of the general counsel or outside legal counsel. In the past year, the organization has revised its policies on sexual harassment and made it much easier for staff to report complaints.

While change does not happen overnight, we are continuing to make progress by focusing on our internal culture, policies and procedures, and training as well as how we bring new employees on board. We have hired an outside firm to help with an effort to change our culture and have announced new and updated policies in areas such as travel and anti-bullying in the last month. We will be providing more in-depth anti-harassment training to staff. And to bolster corporate governance, we are taking a close look at our search and orientation process for new board members to ensure we are taking steps to find diverse candidates, and we will be working with outside experts on a governance review.

The Healing Process

Going forward, we will do even more to improve our systems and policies, strengthen our culture, and review our governance and oversight to ensure a safe and supportive workplace for all.

And we believe we are starting from a position of strength. Within the Humane Society of the United States and its affiliates, women occupy four out of every five positions at the level of vice president or higher. Within a few hours of our CEO stepping down recently, the position was filled by Kitty Block, an outstanding female leader who has served with the organization for more than two decades.

I returned to the organization because I’m convinced it has an unstoppable dedication to excellence — not only in its pursuit of protecting animals but in its pursuit to support the women and men who are the driving force of its remarkable success.

I want to be involved as we heal our organization and continue our vital work for animals. And I want to make sure the Humane Society emerges from this dark chapter not as a cautionary tale but as a shining example of a nonprofit organization that confronted its challenges with courage, conviction, and humility.

Marsha Perelman is former president of the Philadelphia Zoo and vice chair of the Humane Society of the United States Board of Directors.