New CEO

Meet Emancipet’s New CEO, Cheryl Katon

Emancipet is excited to welcome Cheryl Katon as our new CEO, effective November 15, 2024. Cheryl brings over 30 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and public health to Emancipet, making her an exceptional fit to guide our mission into the future.

Cheryl joins Emancipet from Fenway Health in Boston, where she served as the Vice President of Development and Donor Engagement. Throughout her distinguished career, she has consistently employed strategic vision and innovation to build stronger communities and expand access to essential services, with a focus on equity and inclusion. Her expertise in fundraising and donor relations, combined with her leadership in public health, aligns with Emancipet’s mission to ensure every pet receives the veterinary care they deserve.

In addition to her work at Fenway Health, Cheryl has held key positions at several nonprofit organizations, including 27 years with the Boy Scouts of America, where she developed innovative, inclusive outdoor education models to serve families of all backgrounds and identities. Her dedication to expanding accessibility helped create a sustainable camp program that welcomes families regardless of means, abilities, or identities. Cheryl’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion has been further demonstrated through her board roles with organizations such as Pride in Our Workplace, the Equality Fund Committee at the Boston Foundation, and her leadership within her Unitarian Universalist church community. 

We look forward to this new chapter under her leadership. Welcome Cheryl!

Statement from Board

“We are thrilled to welcome Cheryl Katon to the Emancipet family,” said Jed Rogers, Chair of Emancipet’s Board of Directors. “Her passion for community-building and her proven track record in nonprofit leadership will be invaluable as we continue to expand our services to meet the growing need for accessible pet care. Cheryl’s vision and expertise will guide Emancipet into an exciting future, and we look forward to seeing the impact she will make.”

Statement from Amy Mills

“I am so happy to welcome Cheryl into the Emancipet family, and to support her as she becomes Emancipet’s next CEO. From the moment I met her, I could tell she had a genuine love for animals and a passion for serving the underserved. Cheryl joins Emancipet at the end of our 25th year, at a moment when Emancipet’s mission to make veterinary care affordable and accessible for everyone is more urgent than ever. I am confident she will lead the organization into the future with the compassion, optimism, and commitment to excellence that Emancipet is known for. 

I am also deeply grateful for the Emancipet Board of Directors and their CEO Search Committee, who have worked tirelessly for over a year to find Emancipet’s next CEO. Their commitment to the Emancipet mission is evident in the countless hours they spent, as volunteers, to steward the organization through this moment of transition. As I anticipate stepping down in a few short weeks, my heart is full of gratitude for every person who has helped make Emancipet what it is today, and is brimming with hope for Emancipet’s future.”

This Giving Season, Your Gift Will Help Us Make Veterinary Care Affordable for Pet Families