From the president
September 2026
Dear Supporter,
I would like to introduce you to our new Executive Director, Ms. Lori Shepherd.
Lori has spent the past month at the sanctuary speaking with and introducing herself to our staff. She has also spent time shadowing myself, Lisa and other senior staff to learn the details of our work days. Of course she has spent many hours with Ben learning the inner workings of the finances and so many other business concerns. Lori is very personable and at ease speaking about the many issues that come up each day. The complexities of taking charge of a sanctuary this size are many, but Lori has demonstrated not only the desire but the capability to do so.
After months of working with a professional organization lead by Molly Harper to help Ben and I transition into retirement, we were ready for Molly to begin a nationwide search for the right candidate for the Executive Director of Ironwood. Molly was able to screen many applicants and present us with the final three that she felt would most fit our needs. After additional screening, Ben and I and our senior staff interviewed two people in person and decided Lori was the best suited to the job. Once she accepted our offer, we were able to get her onboard and begin the work of our transition. There is still much to do, but we feel the process to ensure the continued work and mission of the Ironwood Pig Sanctuary is well underway.
Lori has been the Executive Director of other well-known and respected organizations and Director of Planned and Annual Giving at the Arizona Humane Society in Phoenix. She has a Masters of Public Administration and a B.A., Communications and Information Sciences. And the bonus is she lives in Tucson so she does not have to uproot her life and move to a new location and she already has many good contacts in Tucson.
Sincerely,
Mary Schanz, President & CoFounder
