Stacy Wolf by Thulena Nguyen

Stacy Wolf

Senior Vice President, Anti-Cruelty Group

Stacy Wolf comes from a family of animal advocates, which has instilled in her a sense of purpose. Growing up in a home where her parents, Richard and Ina Wolf, provided safe havens for stray animals and used their resources to ensure those sames animals were able to thrive in what many would call less fortunate circumstances. Since then, Stacy Wolf has helped paved the way for ensuring justice is served in regards to animal cruelty. She is credited as one of the largest contributors to creating New York State's legislature regarding felony animal cruelty and exotic pet bans. Over the span of several decades, Miss Wolf has cemented herself as a servant leader in not only state and federal legislature, but also by pioneering the Anti-Cruelty Group within the ASPCA.

After assisting New York State to ensure animal abusers would be held accountable, Stacy Wolf was the trailblazer in 2010 that led to the realization of the Intervention Advocacy program - the program promoted as a way to prevent cruelty even before it happens by providing long-term solutions. When asked how she compared the violent nature of crimes against humans versus animals, she indicated that unfortunately, there is no way to properly compare them, but "...what we do know is that penalties for animal cruelty have increased in recent years..." and by increasing awareness, there is a greater chance of increasing reports made to the proper authorities and thus more investigations that could deter future cruelty.

According to our Leadership chapter, it is easy to assess that Stacy Wolf is a servant leader because she serves others, internally and externally, by working tirelessly to fulfill the needs and goals of ASPCA volunteers, employees and supporters as well as achieving ASPCA's mission: "to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States."

Mary Jo White by Aida Del Moral

Mary Jo White

ASPCA Board of Directors Member

Ms. White is the former Chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, was elected to the ASPCA’s Board of Directors. Ms. White, who is currently Senior Chair of the international law firm Debevoise & Plimpton LLC, previously served on the ASPCA’s Board of Directors from 2009 to 2013, including a period as ASPCA Board Chair. “I am thrilled to once again align myself formally with the ASPCA and help guide its mission to save and protect the most vulnerable animals in the country. There has never been a more important time to be a strong voice for animals in need,” said White.

As a leader Ms. White's life is about working and winning. White is plainspoken and doesn’t seem slick or fancy.She does not put her competitiveness aside when conducting her social life.She states in an interview,“I find people fascinating—how they behave and why,”but White states she prefers to problem solve. As President Obama said of her career, "You don’t want to mess with Mary Jo." Ms. White is known as though and competitive as well as extremely knowledgeable in her field. She has forged a path for Women's equality and has won numerous awards for her contribution in women's leadership.

After learning about the different types of leaders in chapter 15 of our textbook, I believe that Mary Jo White is definitely a level 5 leader. After listening to some of her speeches and reading many articles, I would imagine that her subordinates and colleagues would say she has expert power. Expert Power is power resulting from a person's special knowledge or skill regarding the tasks being performed.

Women's Forum of New York

Luncheon Keynote - Mary Jo White, Chair SEC

Dec 4, 2015

Matthew Bershadker by Brooke Kostak

Matt Bershadker

ASPCA President & CEO

Matthew is a level 5 type leader. He builds excellence through dedication and humility. He has such a love and passion for animals. He encourages others and when he sees someone making an impact he gives out rewards to show members that not only are the animals thankful for their commitment, the entire ASPCA community is too.
Mr. Bershadker has been with the organization for 13 years. He has had time to watch the organization grow and learn to take that knowledge and lead the whole organization. Matthew says "that they lead by crisis which they then put in place community specific strategies that leverages the strengths and close the gaps on the weaknesses in the community".
In the link provided is a short segment of how Matthew explains his experience with the ASPCA

Matthew is extremely ambitious for his company rather than for himself. Each leader has experience with the ASPCA and a certain level of trust that when one retires, they feel like the person next in line will continue to help the organization strengthen and grow. He wants all of his leaders, team members, and supporters to work as a team together, to their fullest potential. On the leadership grid in the text book I would say this organization would be placed under team management. This is because the accomplishments within this organization come from committed people and with that comes trust and rewards. In addition, after reading about Mr. Bershadker and reading his blogs, I compared him to the situation model. I would say he is a participating leader who supports and consults with his followers and teammates. With all the different leadership styles that chapter 15 presented, I would say that Mr. Bershadker most relates to democratic leadership, people-oriented leadership, and transformational leadership. These three leadership styles show how he allows other leaders and his team to feel free, and that he has trust in their skills to help the organization succeed and continue to grow.