Joy King, CEO, Animal Humane Society

What’s your current role?

I am the CEO of Animal Humane Society, where our mission is to compassionately and responsibly build a more humane world for animals. We work towards this vision through a variety of programs, including adoption services, veterinary care, training, education, and community outreach.

Before joining Animal Humane Society in January 2025, I had the privilege of serving as Chief Advancement Officer at NMDP (formerly Be The Match/National Marrow Donor Program), an organization dedicated to providing life-saving stem cell transplants to individuals battling blood cancers and blood disorders. Additionally, I led the NMDP Foundation, a subsidiary of NMDP, as Executive Director. During my tenure, I secured the first seven-figure donation in the organization’s history and spearheaded a transformative $100M comprehensive campaign. I also played a key role in enhancing the organization’s brand identity by leading the development of a cohesive, authentic brand strategy that strengthened NMDP’s presence and connection with its community.

When did you join the Women’s Health Leadership TRUST and what roles have you held within the TRUST?

I joined the Women’s Health Leadership TRUST in 2016 and the board of directors in January 2021. I joined because many colleagues recommended the TRUST because of the extensive network and opportunities of being a member. My experience with the TRUST has been beyond what I imagined. The support provided by the women I have met since joining has been inspiring, and I am grateful for every experience I’ve had so far.

In addition to being our 2025 President, I co-chaired the 2022 Forum, have served the Leadership Development committee, and serve as a mentor.

How has a mentor helped you the most?

I’ve been fortunate to have had several mentors during my career; each helped me in various ways when I needed it the most. I had mentors help me realize my potential, hold me accountable to my career development plan, tell me when I needed to look at things through a different lens, and support me through career and role changes. Having a mentor in personal areas of my life have been beneficial as well. Specifically, having people in our lives who have successful marriages, have raised great kids, and have made hard choices and come out on the bright side are also extremely beneficial to have in your circle.

What is the best career advice you’ve received?

If the role you want isn’t available or doesn’t exist where you are, find it somewhere else.

What support do you need now to evolve as a leader?

At this point in my career, I value honest feedback more than ever. I believe having trusted colleagues willing to be straightforward with positive and constructive feedback is important.

How do you support other women in their leadership journey?

I make it my business to support women interested in leadership and career development. I love to help women see their potential and have the confidence to go after what they want regardless of where they are in their journey. We all have to start somewhere.

How do you cope with demanding aspects of your career, such as leading during the pandemic?

Honestly, not well. Being vulnerable with my colleagues and the team I lead helped me cope. I modeled behavior that it was ok to not be ok when everything around us seemed to be out of control, or at least harder to do our work than before the pandemic.

How do you maintain or improve your health and well-being?

Exercise, Friday date nights with my husband, Timberwolves games, playing with our dogs, and doing for others.

What is something that not many people know about you?

Cancer has impacted the people I care for the most for as long as I can remember. Cancer took my paternal grandfather when my father was in high school, and my great-grandmother died of leukemia when I was a child. My grandmother and grandfather were both diagnosed and successfully treated for their cancers when I was a young adult. My father beat Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma six years ago because of a clinical trial. He lives with prostate cancer and will likely be able to treat it for the rest of his life because of scientific advances. The impact cancer has had on my family created the advocate in me. The advancement of science drives me, and the patients and caregivers we serve as a cancer-fighting community give me hope that we will eradicate cancer as we know it in our lifetime.

Who inspires you?

Our daughter, Jade.

Words of wisdom to live by?

The golden rule – do unto others as you would have them do unto you.