Emory Groeneveld, operations manager

I am Emory Groeneveld and I am a Manager of Operations- Embed Project at Best Friends Animal Society. I was born and raised in Southwest Florida and am so excited to be part of a team that works across the country to support lifesaving in animal shelters and their communities. Becoming a crazy cat lady was inevitable as I grew up helping caretake for neighborhood community cats and later discovered my love and passion for fostering orphaned neonatal kittens. 

Before joining Best Friends, I began my career in animal welfare as an Animal Care Supervisor, then Shelter Manager, and finally Director of Animal Welfare. In these roles I had the opportunity to lead the intake, transfer, animal care, playgroup, enrichment and training, foster, and adoption teams at The Humane Society of Sarasota County. 

In addition to my love for shelter operations, I am equally as passionate about staff development and building resilient workplace cultures. Animal welfare has given me the opportunity to combine my love of animals with my desire to help others. 

In my spare time, I enjoy reading fantasy and professional development books, gardening, baking, being in nature, and spending time with my family. My home base is in Sarasota, Florida with my four rescue cats.