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Katie Thorson Wasson tapped to lead Arizona Animal Welfare League fundraising efforts

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Katie Thorson Wasson

Katie Thorson Wasson named director of philanthropy at AAWL

Staff Reports | Digital Free Press

The Arizona Animal Welfare League is naming Katie Thorson Wasson as its new director of philanthropy.

“As a nonprofit organization that is fully funded by the generosity of our community, we’re thrilled to welcome Katie to spearhead our fundraising efforts,” said Alessandra Navidad, CEO of the Arizona Animal Welfare League, in a prepared statement. “AAWL’s need for funding has increased as we work to expand our strategic initiatives to support our community of pet owners in effort to keep pets in their homes and with the families that love them.”

In recent years, AAWL has seen a drastic uptick in the number of pet surrenders due to the rising cost of living in Arizona, representatives of the outreach brand tell the Digital Free Press.

Ms. Thorson Wasson is a graduate of the University of Minnesota. Her previous roles include director of development at St. Joseph the Worker and account executive at Virtuous Fundraising Software.

In her new role, Ms. Thorson Wasson will focus on planning, supervising, and executing AAWL’s fundraising initiatives so that AAWL is able to continue to bolster the resources it provides, including a low-cost community vet clinic, on-staff social worker, behavioral assistance and training courses.

“As a longtime animal lover, I am thrilled to be able to help vulnerable animals in the Valley,” Ms. Thorson Wasson said. “The Arizona Animal Welfare League is a pillar in our community, and I am looking forward to helping the organization thrive.”

Founded in 1971, the organization embarked on its first capital campaign in 2012 to raise funds to expand its kennel capacity, increasing the number of adoptions from 2,000 to 4,000 annually. With a budget of approximately $6.7 million, AAWL hopes to continue to expand its community-based programs.

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