Provide strategic leadership and financial/operational improvements to an open-admission animal shelter under state investigation and drawing fire from the community and its elected officials. Awarded the Henry Bergh Achievement Award in 2017. "Under [Doug Rae’s] leadership, HSFC has made Fremont County/Canon City one of the safest communities for homeless pets in the United States. And with a live release rate of 100% for dogs and 99% for cats, it is helping redefine what it means to be a shelter in the true sense of the word." Received a Declaration from the Colorado State Senate for our work with homeless animals. Ranked among the top 1% to 3% of animal shelters nationwide for seven of the past nine years. Recognized as one of the top two open-admission animal shelters in the nation. Colorado’s highest open-admission save rate for nine consecutive year. Named Canon City Business of the Year, 2016.

Major responsibilities included, senior administration, financial accountability fundraising, program development, and public interface as the agency’s sole spokesperson. Responsible for all community outreach, public speaking engagements and donor appreciation. Identified, cultivated and recruited new Board Members to the agency.

Responsible for the development, administration, and the overall operation of an open-admission shelter receiving 18,000 animals annually. Oversaw a team of 54 employees (6 direct reports) and a $3.6M budget. Awarded the NUVO Cultural Vision Award...An honor that “...shine[s] a light on individuals in Indianapolis who are bringing cultural innovation to [the] community and making it a better place for [Indianapolis residents] to live in...Doug Rae is a no-nonsense New Englander that doesn’t sugarcoat the unpleasant truth."

Recruited as the agency’s #2 to manage the day-to-day operations of an open-admission shelter receiving 30,000 annual intakes. Directed a team of 60 staff over three shifts, seven direct report team-members and a $2.9M operating budget.

Created the “safest community in Maryland for homeless pets.” Realized 94% annual live release rate managing a contracted 5,000-intake open admission shelter. Managed $650K budget, 21 employees and 150 active volunteers. Oversaw the largest animal-hoarding case in the county’s history: confiscated 69 neglected dogs and 4 cats (72 of 73 were placed without killing one animal to make space).

Provided leadership to 5 senior store managers, 30 store managers, and 200+ employees in New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts. Oversaw a $6.2M annual operating budget in a Tri-Sate sales region. Consistently ranked # 1 or #2 in every divisional key performance indicator. Awarded Regional Sales Director of the Year in my first year in the position.