EVERETT — The Lynnwood-based Progressive Animal Welfare Society, or PAWS, appointed R. Harrison Edell as its new chief executive officer in August.
Edell has more than 20 years of experience in animal welfare, conservation and nonprofit leadership, a press release said. He held leadership and education roles at the Sacramento Zoo, San Francisco Zoo and San Diego Zoo Global. Most recently, he served as chief mission officer and executive vice president of animal care and conservation at the Dallas Zoo, the release said.
“I worked with Dallas Zoo from March 2014 through July 2025 and moved to Seattle in December 2024,” Edell said in an email. “This is where my family and I want to be, and the Pacific Northwest feels like home.”
Edell has two senior rescue dogs and a deep personal commitment to the PAWS mission, the release said.
“Harrison brings a rare combination of strategic vision with a pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach and passion for animal welfare,” said Jen Evans, chair of the PAWS board of directors, in the release. “We are energized by his leadership and look forward to the transformative impact he will have on PAWS and the animals who depend on us.”
PAWS serves Snohomish and King counties through its Companion Animal Shelter in Lynnwood and PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Snohomish. It is dedicated to helping cats, dogs and wildlife through rehabilitation, shelter, outreach and education, according to the PAWS mission statement.
“I’m honored to join this dedicated team and to work alongside our donors, volunteers and community partners to advance the mission and impact of PAWS,” Edell said in the release.
PAWS’ wildlife rescue facility opened in May 2024, so Edell is interested in “diving into our plans for the future,” and exploring how the organization’s companion shelter can be improved, he said.
Edell will lead the organization as it embarks on its 2025-2028 strategic objectives that were recently approved by the PAWS board of directors, Evans said in an email.
“Leadership is in the process of determining how the plan will be operationalized with Harrison’s guidance,” she wrote. “At a high level, our strategic plan focuses on continued organizational stability, meeting the needs of animals and our community members, and improving and maintaining our facilities.”
Taylor Scott Richmond: 425-339-3046; taylor.richmond@heraldnet.com; X: @BTayOkay
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