Julie Marks
Whittaker,MI
Summary
Certified Animal Welfare Administrator and operations executive with more than 20 years of progressively responsible experience across nonprofit shelters, municipal animal control, veterinary services, and high-volume spay/neuter operations. Leads complex teams, including bargaining-unit staff, and manages budgets of up to $5 million while improving access, efficiency, and animal outcomes. At Michigan Humane, increased adoptions by 39% and reduced average length of stay by 28% despite a 31% increase in intake. Brings deep expertise in organizational change, financial stewardship, fundraising, grant development, public communications, animal behavior, and Michigan and Ohio animal law.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Facility Director of Operations
Michigan Humane
Detroit, USA
01.2020 - Current
- Direct operations for Michigan Humane's Detroit campus, encompassing a public veterinary clinic and animal shelter, with responsibility for 52 employees and a $5 million budget.
- Increased adoptions by 39% and reduced average length of stay by 28% over four years despite a 31% increase in intake.
- Led clinic's transition from full-service veterinary care to high-volume, high-quality spay/neuter services and veterinary urgent care, enhancing community service delivery.
- Evaluated practices, programs, and financial performance, partnering across organization to implement efficiency and service improvements.
Director
Humane Ohio
Toledo, USA
01.2016 - 01.2021
- Directed nonprofit spay/neuter clinic serving 17,000 animals annually, overseeing 27 employees and managing $1.7 million budget.
- Completed a fully funded $1.8 million capital campaign, including $335,804 in grants, and led the design and renovation of a repurposed 10,000-square-foot facility.
- Secured $215,000 in additional grants over three years, increased surgical capacity by 31%, launched foster-based adoption program for special needs cats, and established organization's most successful fundraiser.
Director
Lucas County Canine Care & Control
Toledo, USA
01.2010 - 01.2016
- Directed a high-profile county department with 25 bargaining-unit employees and a $2.1 million budget, increasing the live release rate from 38.6% before arrival to 67.3% in 2015.
- Led major policy, operational, brand, facility, and technology changes, including implementation of comprehensive shelter software and creation of a veterinary surgical suite.
- Developed volunteer, transfer, enrichment, and community-service programs; established medical fund raising over $155,000; secured $148,000 in grants; and enhanced media engagement.
- Launched low-cost spay/neuter and microchip program serving over 1,400 community dogs in three years.
- Conducted formal study on free-feeding in shelter dogs with food-guarding behavior, published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science.
- Served as vice president and president of the Northwestern Ohio Dog Wardens and Animal Control Officers Association.
Owner and Instructor
Tandem Dog Training
Negaunee, USA
01.2008 - 01.2010
- Owned and operated professional dog-training facility, providing group classes and private consultations to enhance community dog training resources.
- Developed public education speaker series for local animal shelter, increasing awareness and support for animal welfare initiatives.
- Coordinated scheduling, marketing, records, and bookkeeping, ensuring smooth business operations and optimal client experience.
Director of Operations
Moose Wood Nature Center
Marquette, USA
01.2007 - 01.2008
- Led three-day fundraising program with over 100 volunteers; secured donations and sponsorships; supervised staff and volunteers; developed operational and animal-care policies; represented organization in local media.
- Managed staff scheduling and resource allocation for efficient workflow.
Shelter Manager
Marquette County Humane Society
Negaunee, USA
01.2005 - 01.2006
- Supervised daily shelter operations for ten employees and volunteers, managed inventory and purchasing, and participated in Board of Directors and committee meetings to ensure alignment with organizational goals.
- Supervised daily shelter operations, including ten employees and volunteers; participated in meetings with the Board of Directors and the Personnel, Fundraising, and Finance Committees; and managed inventory and purchasing.
- Coordinated care, medical treatment, and successful placement of animals from the largest cruelty case in the organization's history, enhancing community trust in shelter services.
- Investigated cruelty complaints and responded to emergencies, ensuring timely and effective intervention for animal welfare.
Assistant Manager
Marquette County Humane Society
Negaunee, USA
01.2001 - 01.2003
- Supervised daily shelter operations, maintained organization's website, coordinated staff trainings and oversaw training programs for sheltered animals.
- Vaccinated, drew blood from, provided minor medical care to, and euthanized shelter animals.
- Organized annual Spay Day USA event, increasing community engagement and awareness of spay/neuter services.
- Assisted with fundraising events, contributing to overall financial support for shelter initiatives.
- Organized the annual Spay Day USA event.
- Assisted with fundraising events.
Education
B.S. - Zoology, Psychology minor
Northern Michigan University
Marquette, MISkills
- Strategic operational management
- Financial analysis and budgeting
- Staff development and leadership
- Operational program management
Publications
Persistence of Food Guarding Across Conditions of Free and Scheduled Feeding in Shelter Dogs, Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2017
Timeline
Facility Director of Operations
Michigan Humane
01.2020 - Current
Director
Humane Ohio
01.2016 - 01.2021
Director
Lucas County Canine Care & Control
01.2010 - 01.2016
Owner and Instructor
Tandem Dog Training
01.2008 - 01.2010
Director of Operations
Moose Wood Nature Center
01.2007 - 01.2008
Shelter Manager
Marquette County Humane Society
01.2005 - 01.2006
Assistant Manager
Marquette County Humane Society
01.2001 - 01.2003
B.S. - Zoology, Psychology minor
Northern Michigan University