Sam Wolbert Email & Phone Number

I’m an experienced non-profit leader with a background in law, eight years of executive leadership in the animal welfare space, a lifelong passion for animals, a commitment to DE&I, and a drive to make a difference.As President and CEO of the Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA), I capably lead a staff of 50 with four direct reports, oversee a $4.5M budget, report to a 15-member board, and coordinate hundreds of volunteers and pet foster families.I oversee the organization's fiscal health and strategic direction, cultivate strategic business partnerships, and collaborate with local and national animal rescue organizations. I also advocate for stronger animal protection laws and policies, acting as a public spokesman for AWLA and as a liaison to Arlington County Board.During my tenure, AWLA has set organizational records in key performance categories and developed innovative and lifesaving programs, such as a kitten foster program, a wildlife resource center, and community care clinics. AWLA recognizes its important place in the broader community safety net. I led an expansion in AWLA’s strategic plan to include a focus on not only pets but also their people – an ahead-of-the-curve reframing that has since been embraced by other national animal welfare organizations. I take immense pride in cultivating a compassionate organizational culture rooted in inclusivity, transparency, and empowerment. A second outcome of AWLA’s strategic plan is a leadership development program and an organizational commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. My active involvement in the DE&I Council for the Association of Animal Welfare Advancement (AAWA) underscores my unwavering dedication to these values.Finally, I’m proud to be a 2019 graduate of the Leadership Center for Excellence (Leadership Arlington) program, and an Arlington Co. “40 Under 40” Honoree.