Kiska Icard has been named the new executive director of the Sonoma Humane Society in Santa Rosa.
Kiska Icard, will be taking over leadership of the 79-year-old humane society, which has a shelter along Highway 12 between Santa Rosa and Sebastopol.
While at The SF/SPCA, Icard was involved in media relations and advanced the organization’s outreach to become a nationally recognized leader in animal sheltering and welfare. For a number of years, she was closely involved with The SF/SPCA’s Holiday Windows Adoption Outreach program at Macy’s, which is responsible for a significant number of the approximately 4,000 animals placed into homes annually through the organization.
“Kiska’s passion for our cause combined with her incredible success in animal welfare programs will help to advance our shelter and grow our community programs to help more animals in need throughout Sonoma County” says Mark Penn , Board President of the Sonoma Humane Society.
Icard has adopted or fostered many shelter animals including her current dogs Baloo, a Tibetan Mastiff and Haley, a yellow Lab rescued from a hoarding situation. “It is my dream that no healthy or treatable companion animal is euthanized in our community. Through collaboration efforts, I don’t believe this to be a too-far-off reality” Icard says.
Icard will start in her new position April 1, 2010.
Really? Is Sonoma County just going to accept this previous ‘longtime employee of the SFSPCA’ at face value? Isn’t anyone going to question why she is no longer with the SPCA? Why did the Sonoma Humane hire someone who doesn’t even have a BA? If she is such hot stuff, why didn’t she become the director of the SPCA? Get real. Get thinking. Why didn’t Diane Alleveto the “retired” ( yet paid) ED of the Marin Humane Society get away without doing a national search or at least checking references? Are you freaking kidding???Duh.
Diane Allevato consulted for the Sonoma Humane Society as they transitioned from the previous executive director. Her role in selecting a new executive director was to provide suggestions only. It was up to the Board of Directors to accomplish the vetting process of the candidates. The three final candidates were all strong contenders and brought a broad base of experience and knowledge to the position. I happened to know that some of the final candidates are nationally recognized in their field. The board met several times and considered the options very carefully.
By the way, the lack of a college degree should in no way reflect a person’s ability to perform a job.
Let’s welcome Kiska Icard as the new executive director of the Sonoma Humane Society on April 1st and wish her well, instead of already deciding she has nothing to offer.
Lack of a college degree is not a criticism in itself. Best to Kiska in her new role.
My company has worked as a consultant and outside vendor at the SFSPCA for many years. Through that relationship I have personally worked closely with Kiska Icard. During Kiska’s tenure, the SFSPCA went through many technology transitions and improvements, including a major software upgrade for both the hospital and adoptions services. Her expertise managing staff, programs and the public is a huge win for the Sonoma Humane Society.
Gloria Burt
I know Kiska, worked with her for many years at the SFSPCA and believe me you are very lucky to have her. Wish we had her back. The SFSPCA is really going down the tubes since Mr. Avanzino left and it continues today. They are no longer no kill don’t save as many animals and save others.
I wish we could have Kiska back.