Celebrating 15 Years of Leadership, Heart, and Humor: Cheers to Shelly Moore!
This year marks a very special milestone at the Humane Society of Charlotte—Shelly A. Moore is celebrating 15 years as our President & CEO.
If you know Shelly, you know that she is much more than a leader. She’s a visionary, a force of nature, and someone who brings her whole heart (and a healthy dose of humor) into everything she does.
A Lifelong Advocate for Animals
Shelly’s career in animal welfare spans over four decades. Before joining HSC, she served as CEO of the Asheville Humane Society for 10 years and held leadership roles at the Humane Society of Washington County and the Humane World for Animals. Her extensive experience includes everything from shelter operations and capital campaigns to governance and nonprofit leadership.
She holds a BA from the University of Maryland, is a graduate of the Johns Hopkins Nonprofit Management Program, and has earned the Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) credential. She’s served on the boards of major organizations, including the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement and the National Federation of Humane Societies, and was appointed to the National Companion Animal Advisory Committee by the Humane Society of the United States.
Here at HSC, Shelly has led with bold vision—spearheading a successful multimillion-dollar capital campaign and guiding us into our new Animal Resource Center. Our ability to expand services, deepen community impact, and reach more animals in need is a direct result of her passion and persistence.
The Leader Behind the Title
What makes Shelly truly remarkable goes far beyond her resume. She leads with heart, humor, and integrity. Her energy is unmatched (she starts her day at 5 a.m.), and she’s constantly in motion—meeting with donors, mentoring staff, speaking at city council meetings, and always asking, “What’s next for HSC?”
Her colleagues describe her as someone who listens deeply, answers honestly, and advocates fiercely for her team. Shelly has a unique ability to make people feel seen and heard, and she creates a culture of connection, celebration, and joy.
As one team member shared:
“Shelly brings a balance of passion, positivity, and light-heartedness into every room. She makes space for laughter and reminds us to celebrate the wins.”
Stories of Impact
Shelly’s leadership has left a lasting impression on so many—both inside and outside HSC. Here are just a few reflections from colleagues and board members who have had the pleasure of working alongside her:
“I remember sitting next to her on a flight from Nashville. By the time we landed, she had shown me shelter renderings, budgets, and design concepts—and by the next week, we were having lunch. That conversation led me to chair HSC’s Building Committee and later join the board. Six years later, I’m still here. Shelly’s passion is contagious.”
—Kurt Bouley, Executive Board Member
“Only three weeks after joining the board, Shelly and the Chair asked me to step into a leadership role. I was surprised—but said yes. Her trust and support made it one of the most memorable experiences of my life.”
—Paul Koehnke, Executive Board Member
“Shelly is a great blend of head and heart. She doesn’t shy away from the hard decisions, but she never loses sight of the animals—or the people—we’re here to serve.”
“She’s inspired me to pursue my own path in animal welfare. Shelly is the reason I do what I do today.”
“Her leadership style is the perfect mix of strength, transparency, and just enough irreverence to make things fun.”
Cheers to 15 Years
From fostering a culture of compassion to leading us through transformational growth, Shelly Moore has shaped HSC in immeasurable ways. Her presence is felt in every corner of our work and in every success we celebrate.
Shelly, thank you for your leadership, your laughter, and your fierce belief in this mission. We are better because of you—and so are the thousands of animals and people whose lives have changed under your leadership.
Happy 15th Anniversary, Shelly! Here’s to many more years of impact. 💙