Seasoned Nonprofit Fundraising Executive Brings Two Decades of Experience and a Passion for Animal Welfare to the Role

BOSTON, May 18, 2021—With the post-pandemic era now squarely in its sights, the MSPCA-Angell today announced the appointment of Susan Rowell as Vice President of Development to oversee and grow the organization’s fundraising capabilities, and enable it to deliver against its mission to protect animals and create a more just and compassionate society.

Rowell, who will begin work at the MSPCA on June 21, joins from the American Red Cross, a globally-recognized nonprofit that provides humanitarian aid and teaching skills, and responds to over 64,000 disasters every year as well as providing and safeguarding a significant portion of the country’s blood supply.

She takes the helm from Alice Bruce, whose team has been responsible for raising money to fund the MSPCA’s veterinary services, adoption center, law enforcement and advocacy programs, and who is retiring after 14 years of service to the MSPCA.

Rowell held a number of progressively senior roles in her eight-year tenure at the Red Cross.  As Executive Director, Fundraising Resources & Planning, she set the strategy and performance goal setting that drove the organization’s $290 million major gift program.  And it’s that very experience she will call upon to modernize and grow the MSPCA’s fundraising capabilities.

“Everything I’ve done in nonprofit fundraising to this point has prepared me to lead the development function at the most recognized and accomplished veterinary medicine and animal protection charity in the Northeast,” said Rowell, upon accepting the position.  “I’m beyond excited to merge my development experience with a longtime passion for the health and safety of animals in service to this great institution.”

Prior to the Red Cross, Rowell served for seven years as Director of Human Resources at Milton Academy, where she managed an annual budget in excess of $2.5 million, and created and implemented training programs across a variety of functions including hiring, interviewing, performance evaluation, and more.

Rowell will report to MSPCA-Angell President and CEO Neal Litvack.  The pair worked together closely at both the Red Cross and Milton Academy.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Susan to the MSPCA-Angell team at such a critical moment in our history,” said Litvack.  “There is so much more work that we must do to ensure every animal in Massachusetts [and beyond] is safe from harm, and the scalable, robust fundraising apparatus that Susan will build is essential to ensuring we have the resources to do just that.”

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