The Hawaiʻi Island Humane Society (HIHS) Board of Directors has named its current Chief Operations Officer Lauren Nickerson as Chief Executive Officer. Nickerson replaces interim CEO Dr. Elizabeth “Beth” Jose who remains as the organization’s West Hawaii Veterinarian.

“Lauren’s education and expertise in shelter operations, coupled with her knowledge and experience, has made her the ideal candidate for this position. No one is more dedicated to the Hawaiʻi Island Humane Society’s mission and success of our operation than Lauren,” said HIHS President Adam Atwood in a press release.

Lauren Nickerson was hired in January 2019 and served previously as Community Programs Director and Chief Operating Officer for Hawaiʻi Island Humane Society before being named CEO. She graduated from the University of Hawaiʻi Manoa with honors and holds a Masters Degree in Education from Harvard University.  She has worked diligently to study and incorporate national best practices of animal sheltering. She has developed several lifesaving programs to improve the lives of people and animals including a Pet Support Program designed to keep pets in homes, additional opportunities for pets to get shelter breaks through field trips, sleepovers and fostering, reducing barriers to adoption by utilizing progressive, conversation-based adoption counseling, and by providing enrichment opportunities for shelter and foster animals to meet their social and emotional needs.

Nickerson first became involved with the Hawaii Island Humane Society in 2016 when she and her husband adopted a blind and deaf dog named Pearl. Lauren volunteered her time to help with fundraising for HIHS through photography and by utilizing an Instagram account for Pearl. She has used social media to educate, advocate and give back and has raised thousands of dollars for the Hawaii Island Humane Society and other organizations.

The Hawaiʻi Island Humane Society is a nonprofit organization with a mission to promote respect for all animals, prevent cruelty to animals, eliminate pet overpopulation, and enhance the bond between humans and animals. Since 1965, Hawaii Island Humane Society has promoted spay/neuter as a vehicle to eliminate pet overpopulation and has continued outreach island wide at its two shelters in Keaau and at the Animal Community Center in Kona. The Hawaii Island Humane Society utilizes its Mobile Spay & Neuter ‘Waggin to increase the number of appointments and expand its reach into the rural communities on island. Its innovative fostering programs increase lifesaving efforts by allowing more space in the shelters and additional room to hold incoming animals.

For more information about Hawaii Island Humane Society, visit hihs.org.

 

Photo of Lauren Nickerson courtesy of the Hawaiʻi Island Humane Society