Pam Runquist, MS; HSVMA
Executive director, Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association
Pam Runquist serves as Executive Director of the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association (HSVMA), the veterinary affiliate of the Humane Society of the United States with approximately 9,000 veterinary professional members nationwide. In her HSVMA role, Runquist works closely with HSVMA’s team of veterinary advisers to activate veterinary professionals on animal protection initiatives, expand membership involvement in community and field service work, engage veterinary students in animal welfare programs, and provide animal welfare-focused educational opportunities for the profession. HSVMA’s focus areas include a broad range of animal welfare initiatives, including those to address animal overpopulation and promote humane and effective sterilization methods.
Runquist has been with HSVMA since the organization was launched in 2008, previously serving for six years as Director of Veterinary Advocacy and four years as the Senior Director of Veterinary Outreach. Prior to her involvement with HSVMA, Pam worked for the Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights and RedRover, a national animal protection group based in Sacramento, Calif. She also had a career as a reporter, including stints at newspapers in Germany; Guam; Louisville, Ky., and Newport News, Va.
Runquist has served on the board of local and regional nonprofits focused on sterilization efforts, including a Sacramento group that hosted the largest multi-clinic World Spay Day event in the United States. She also has been involved in efforts to address community cat overpopulation and to provide innovative methods for covering their medical needs.
Runquist has a Master of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and an undergraduate degree in European history and classics from Brown University. She shares her home with her husband, BJ, their senior lab, Moose, and several rescue cats.