Kelly Johnston

Kelly’s vocational endeavors have revolved around animals for the last 25 years – her work experience spans from sheltering animals during disasters to pet product manufacturing to coordinating pet adoptions.

Kelly worked at the non-profit National Trust for Historic Preservation for several years before moving into the conservation arena when she joined National Wildlife Federation (NWF). At NWF she worked in Cause Marketing and Licensing. Kelly oversaw the member travel program and other affinity marketing and licensing initiatives.

After over a decade in the non-profit sector, Kelly transitioned to working in the pet product industry. She enjoyed engaging with owners and creating lines that sold in boutiques around the globe. She is more than happy to reminisce of this time by sharing photos of her dog appearing in USA Today or video clips of her terrier on QVC with Joan Rivers exclaiming that the dog looked just like Barbara Streisand. During this time she also worked part-time as an adoptions coordinator at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.

In 2011 she joined IFAW in its US Country Office and soon integrated into its Disaster Response and Risk Reduction program. Working out of IFAW’s International Headquarters in Washington, DC, allows her to promote planning for animals in the government’s disaster plans and policies. Whether supporting the federal government in providing animal goods and services to disaster survivors or assisting disaster survivors directly by sheltering their beloved pets, Kelly feels honored to help individuals and their communities in times of great need. She is currently serving as the Chairperson for the National Animal Rescue and Sheltering Coalition (NARSC), of which IFAW is a founding member. Kelly works on a smattering of other US Country Office special projects such as coordinating IFAW’s World Wildlife Day Global Youth Art Contest each spring.

Kelly earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Virginia. She completed various animal rescue technical trainings as well as Incident Command trainings.