Jenna Crawford is the Director of Youth Programs at the Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS), leading a team that creates welcoming and inclusive experiences for young people across three WHS campuses. Her team works to serve roughly 7,500 youth annually with the goal of providing meaningful opportunities to connect youth with animals and the Wisconsin Humane Society.

Jenna’s path to her current role at WHS began with a degree in Wildlife Care and Interpretation, which sparked her interest in connecting people with animals. She expanded that passion through teaching ESL to youth in South America and later taught environmental education throughout the United States. These experiences ultimately led her to the Wisconsin Humane Society, where her work centers on creating programs that reflect the communities WHS serves, foster a sense of belonging, and inspires ongoing engagement in animal welfare. Jenna was introduced to APHE when she started at WHS and has enjoyed the wonderful connections and resources that APHE provides!

Although their team leads many different types of programs throughout the year, Jenna has especially enjoyed expanding and strengthening the WHS Youth Leaders Program. This program was developed to create a pathway for teens to build leadership skills and bridge the gaps between youth programming and future volunteerism and career interests. The program aims to inspire leadership and long-term engagement in animal welfare.

Outside of work, Jenna enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors with her husband, two dogs, and three cats.