San Diego Humane Society Executive and Leadership Team

Diane Gilabert, the Chief Financial Officer at San Diego Humane Society, manages all fiscal operations and long-term budgetary planning. Gilabert directs the allocation of resources to support critical animal welfare programs, ensuring financial sustainability across all campuses in El Cajon, Escondido, Oceanside, Ramona, and San Diego. By overseeing complex grant management and donor fund distribution, the Chief Financial Officer maintains the integrity of the organization's safety net services. Diane Gilabert also collaborates with the Board to optimize operational efficiency, directly impacting the ability to provide medical care and community education. Through rigorous financial oversight, the Chief Financial Officer secures the necessary capital to prevent cruelty and neglect. This leadership role requires constant monitoring of economic trends to protect the mission of the organization. Ultimately, Gilabert ensures that every dollar contributes to the strengthening of the human-animal bond throughout the county.

Jessica Lauriers, the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at San Diego Humane Society, governs the daily execution of animal welfare services and facility management. Lauriers coordinates logistics across multiple campuses to ensure seamless delivery of adoption programs and community safety net initiatives. By streamlining internal processes, the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer enhances the capacity for animal intake and medical support. Jessica Lauriers also aligns departmental goals with the broader organizational mission to prevent neglect and cruelty. This role involves managing cross-functional teams to maintain high standards of care in diverse geographic locations. Through the implementation of scalable operational frameworks, the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer drives efficiency in service delivery. Lauriers consistently evaluates performance metrics to improve the overall impact of the organization on pet families throughout the region.

Gary Weitzman, the President at San Diego Humane Society, defines the strategic vision and long-term goals for the entire organization. Weitzman leads the executive team in advancing the mission of animal welfare, cruelty prevention, and community education. By fostering relationships with stakeholders and the public, the President expands the reach of the organization's safety net services across the county. Gary Weitzman also represents the organization in high-level advocacy efforts to improve animal protection laws and public awareness. This role involves balancing the needs of multiple campuses while maintaining a unified focus on the human-animal bond. Through decisive leadership, the President ensures that all programs remain aligned with the core values of compassion and service. Weitzman consistently drives growth and innovation to address the evolving needs of pet families, securing the future impact of the organization in the regional landscape.

Zarah Hedge, the Chief Medical Officer & Vice President, Shelter Medicine at San Diego Humane Society, architects the clinical standards and veterinary protocols for all rescued animals. Hedge oversees the medical teams responsible for providing life-saving care and rehabilitation to pets in need. By directing advanced medical programs, the Chief Medical Officer & Vice President, Shelter Medicine ensures that every animal receives high-quality treatment before adoption. Zarah Hedge also collaborates with community partners to expand veterinary outreach and education regarding animal health. This leadership position requires constant innovation in shelter medicine to address complex cases of neglect and injury. Through the management of clinical staff and resources, the Chief Medical Officer & Vice President, Shelter Medicine maintains the health and well-being of the entire animal population. Hedge ultimately elevates the standard of care to support the organization's mission of strengthening the human-animal bond.