After an extensive and thorough nation-wide search, the Maryland SPCA Board of Directors named James “Jim” Peirce as the new executive director for the organization. Peirce brings with him more than 25 years of senior management experience, including serving as a vice president at International Youth Foundation (IYF), a non-profit organization that prepares youth from around the world, with the leadership, technical and life skills needed to successfully earn a living.

“We were very diligent and thorough in our search for a new executive director who had the leadership and passion to lead the Maryland SPCA, a pillar in the community for almost 150 years,” said Dave Imre, president of the Maryland SPCA’s board of directors. “Jim’s wealth of experience in both the non-profit and for profit sectors will be a tremendous asset to the Maryland SPCA and the community we serve.”

While at the International Youth Foundation, Peirce led strategic planning and communications efforts; steered the organization through a planning and re-messaging effort to position the organization as the thought leader in global youth development; and bolstered new business development.

“My first few weeks at the Maryland SPCA have been extremely positive, meeting with staff, volunteers, board members, adopters and representatives from partnering shelters,” said Jim Peirce. “I’m looking forward to meeting even more members of our community and corporate leaders as we work together to improve the lives of pets and people in Maryland.”

Peirce earned his Master of Public and Non-Profit Management (MPM) from Carnegie Mellon University graduating with Highest Distinction, and resides in the Canton neighborhood of Baltimore City.

About the Maryland SPCA:

The Maryland SPCA is an independent nonprofit organization that works to improve the lives of pets and people in Maryland. The MD SPCA receives no operating support from the government or other animal welfare groups including the ASPCA. The MD SPCA helps approximately 15,000 dogs and cats each year, through pet adoption, spay/neuter services, wellness care, transporting pets from other shelters, feeding hungry pets in the community, providing pet behavior counseling and training, and temporarily fostering pets too young or sick to enter their adoption program. To help reduce violence toward animals and people, the MD SPCA launched its humane education program in late 2014. In 2016, more than 5,300 students were taught the importance of being kind to animals. For more information about the MD SPCA’s programs and services, visit www.mdspca.org or call 410-235-8826.