Wenatchee Valley Humane Society appoints new executive director

WENATCHEE — The Wenatchee Valley Humane Society (WVHS) announced the appointment of BJ Andersen as its new Executive Director, effective November 4. Andersen, a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA), will succeed James Pumphrey, who left the position in June.

With nearly two decades of experience in animal welfare, Andersen brings a wealth of knowledge to the role. Her appointment comes at a crucial time for the organization, which has been seeking new leadership to advance its mission of providing compassionate services to at-risk animals.

Andersen's most recent position was with the Oregon Humane Society, where she served as Director of Volunteer Engagement. In this role, she developed and implemented training and management systems for over 1,300 volunteers across two campuses in Portland and Salem.

Prior to that, Andersen spent nearly ten years as the Executive Director at the Willamette Humane Society (WHS) in Salem, Oregon. During her tenure, she successfully negotiated a merger with the Oregon Humane Society in 2022, a move aimed at securing more resources for animals in the Willamette Valley.

“BJ is known to be a caring leader, an innovative and creative problem-solver, and persistent in pursuing long-term goals,” stated Jane Provo, Interim Executive Director and former WVHS board member. “We are thrilled to have someone of her caliber join our hard-working team and lead WVHS into its next chapter.” Andersen will connect with community leaders, donors, and volunteers in the upcoming weeks. WVHS looks forward to Andersen’s leadership and vision as it continues its mission to improve the lives of animals and the community.

Andersen's expertise extends beyond operational management. As a DEI ambassador and council member for the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering inclusive environments within organizations.

In the coming weeks, Andersen is expected to engage with community leaders, donors, and volunteers as she prepares to take the helm at WVHS. The organization views her appointment as a significant step forward in its ongoing efforts to improve the lives of animals and the community.