Speakers’ Bureau
Request an Atlanta Humane representative to come to your location and present on one of their topic areas. Speaker requests will be reviewed internally and a team member will reach out to you within 7-10 business days after you submit the speaker request form.
Speakers and Topics
Michael Perkins (He/Him)
Director, Cruelty Investigation Division
Mike Perkins is the director of the Cruelty Investigation Division for the Atlanta Humane Society. He consults and assists law enforcement and animal control in addressing calls regarding animal abuse and neglect throughout Georgia. He also assists in educating law enforcement, animal control, veterinarians, vet techs, prosecutors, and judges on cases involving animal abuse.
Mike is a former police officer, canine handler, and trainer, who retired from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department after a 23-year career. Mike is also a Master Trainer for the North American Police Work Dog Association, where he regularly trains and certifies K9 teams from across the United States. He was the past director for the Humane Society of Missouri’s Animal Cruelty Task Force supervising animal investigations, rescues, and disaster response. He has 20 years of animal welfare, rescue, investigation, and disaster response experience.
Speaking topics:
• Animal cruelty
• Animal crimes
• Cruelty responses and rescues
• Working with law enforcement and animal controls
• Trainings geared towards police and ACO
Gloria J Dorsey, DVM, MPH (She/Her)
Vice President of Community Education and Advocacy
Gloria J Dorsey is a native of Jacksonville, FL and has been on staff at the Atlanta Humane Society for 27 years and is currently the Vice President of Community Outreach and Advocacy. She was previously the Vice President of Medical Services for more than 18 years. A graduate of Tuskegee University in Alabama, Dr. Dorsey received a B.S. Degree in Animal and Poultry Sciences and a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. Upon completion of her Doctorate Degree, she completed a master’s degree in public health – Epidemiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Dorsey is also a member of St. Paul AME Church where she serves as the Sunday School Superintendent.
Speaking topics:
• Pet Care in the 21st century
• Animal Welfare as a Social Justice Issue
• Ensuring Access to Care in Historically Underserved Communities
Joy Hallinan, CFRE (She/Her)
Senior Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer
Joy Hallinan is the Senior Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer at the Atlanta Humane Society. Joy is on the Senior Management Team and manages strategic growth in major gifts, legacy giving, and capital projects. She has a variety of experience working outside of the box to match funders and innovative not-for-profit initiatives, including Ford Motor Company, J.P. Morgan, The Fannie Mae Foundation, Embassy of Finland and Metra Oy, and Corporation for Public Broadcasting. She is also a member of CHIEF, a private network built to drive more women into leadership positions and keep them there. In her free time, Joy is a poet, singer, former competitive ballroom dancer, hiker, and percussionist. She also loves spending time with her two dogs (pictured), Sophie and Sami.
Speaking topics:
• What is Animal Welfare?
• What’s so major about Major Gifts?
• Are you Ready for a Capital Campaign?
• Campaign 101
• Ways to Support your Favorite Nonprofit
James Tyson (He/Him)
Philanthropy Officer
James Tyson is a Philanthropy Officer at the Atlanta Humane Society. James has measured experience in major gifts, annual programs, individual & leadership giving, capital and comprehensive campaigns, and development administration. He is passionate about mission-driven results to grow Atlanta’s philanthropic impact. Prior to working at Atlanta Humane, James worked at the Atlanta Community Food Bank, the Atlanta Opera, as well as the University of West Georgia. James is a former board member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Metro Atlanta Chapter, as well as the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Atlanta.
Speaking topics:
• Food insecurity and how it impacts our pets
• Creating dynamic events for your major donors
• Storytelling for fundraisers
• Qualifying your donors for major gifts
Chris Slee (He/Him)
Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Chris Slee serves as Atlanta Humane Society Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and has held other leadership positions at the organization included VP of Finance and CFO. Chris began working at Atlanta Humane Society in 2008 and has led several large initiatives including the construction of the new Arthur M. Blank Family Animal Center and development of an accessible veterinary care program now known as Remedy – Your Community Vet. When not working, Chris enjoys being a husband and father of two young children.
Speaking topics:
• Accessible and affordable veterinary care
• Construction management for non-profits
• Keeping animals in homes (root causes of animal homelessness)