Laura McCann was recently chosen as the executive director of the Animal Rescue Coalition (ARC), a not-for-profit organization with a mission to end the killing of adoptable dogs and cats in Sarasota and Manatee Counties.
McCann brings more than 30 years of legal and executive experience in the military, corporate and nonprofit sectors to ARC.
In her new role, she will lead, support and guide the organization’s mission, ensure the nonprofit’s financial health, oversee resources and day-to-day operations and fulfill ARC’s mission through programming, strategic planning and community outreach.
“We are very excited to have Laura join our team and the ARC family,” said Joanna Pace, ARC board chair. “Laura’s passion for animals, military service and legal background, as well as her tremendous energy, aligns well with the demands of this position. More importantly, her impressive track record of donor and partner relationship building as a senior member of the United Way of Greater Chattanooga’s executive team made her the top contender to expand upon ARC’s mission by ending needless euthanasia through proactive spay and neuter programs.”
Most recently, McCann was the founder and president of Philanthropy Partners, a firm that provides professional guidance to nonprofits, corporations and foundations. She helped advance the mission of nonprofits through expert assistance on compliance with state and federal laws regarding formation, governance and tax reporting and identified funding opportunities. In this capacity, McCann secured more than $1 million in federal grants and private donations for clients.
Prior to that, she served as the vice president of United Way of Greater Chattanooga. During her 5-year tenure, she developed the program model for the Hub for Social Innovation, a United Way initiative, and oversaw design and construction of the space. McCann also initiated the rebrand of Venture Forward, formerly the Center for Nonprofits, and grew membership from 110 nonprofit members to 360 organizations, provided consulting services and organized and hosted five nonprofit conferences, quadrupling attendance annually.
She is a veteran of the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps, where she was selected to serve as the first Regional Counsel to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. McCann’s career also includes employment as a litigation manager for General Electric Company and roles as compliance officer and corporate counsel in the insurance industry.
“In the 20 years that ARC has been in existence, the nonprofit’s spay and neuter services and partnerships with other animal welfare agencies have made tremendous strides towards reducing the number of unwanted pets in the Sarasota region,” said McCann. “The ARC leadership team has successfully raised awareness of its mission and impact in the past two decades. I hope to use my passion for animals, love for community and skills as a nonprofit leader to continue ARC’s growth for the benefit of the dogs and cats in our care and for future pet owners who will provide their forever homes.”
McCann earned her Juris Doctor from the New England School of Law in Boston, Mass. and received her bachelor’s degree in management from Regis College in Weston, Mass. She holds a certificate from the Society of Human Resource Management and is certified by Board Source as a board training facilitator.
Active in the community, McCann is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Chattanooga Women’s Leadership Institute, Southeast Tennessee Veteran’s Coalition and Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce Small Business Awards committee. She also serves as a mentor for the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professionals Association and a coach for Chattanooga Youth Hockey.
Mary Dietterle, the previous executive director, is relocating to North Carolina but will assist with the transition and the organization’s February fundraising event. The talent management company MBJ Group led the nonprofit’s successful search for the position.
About the Animal Rescue Coalition
The Animal Rescue Coalition (ARC) is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to end the killing of adoptable dogs and cats in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. Located in Sarasota, Fla., the organization has a high-volume, low-cost spay and neuter clinic and a proactive spay and neuter program and various other initiatives designed to recognize the profound benefits to people of animal companionship. Since 2002, ARC has performed more than 60,000 spay and neuter surgeries and prevented the senseless killing of more than 80,000 animals. For more information, visit www.arcsrq.org or call 941-957-1955.
About MBJ Group
Founded in 2000 by Mary Beth and Jim Bos, MBJ Group is a talent management company. The husband-and-wife team has over 60 years of combined experience paired with the creativity, human capital and strategic resources to get the optimal performance from an organization. The premier provider’s services include employee, group and individual talent management solutions, job placement, staff development and strategic services, executive recruitment and onboarding and transitioning services. For more information, visit MBJGroup.com.