The Northern Oklahoma Humane Society welcomes their new Executive Director, Karlissa Archibeque. Karlissa has shown her extreme dedication to the NOKHS organization since 2020, acting as a volunteer, Board Member, and in 2022, Board President. In the last year she has played a crucial role in augmenting the impact of the Trap Neuter Return Program she helped initiate in 2020, which is now incredibly successful. With that program, Karlissa and her team of volunteers were able to spay and neuter over 1000 community cats in Kay County.

“Becoming the director of the Northern Oklahoma Humane Society is a remarkable opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of animals and the community. It allows me to play a pivotal role in promoting animal welfare, advocating for their rights, and creating a positive impact on countless lives. Through leadership, I plan to inspire compassion, build a supportive network, and work towards creating a more compassionate and caring society. By being dedicated to this noble cause, I have the chance to improve the well-being of animals, provide them with love and care, and contribute to positive changes within our community,” says Karlissa.

The previous Executive Director, Ashley Villines, did an incredible job helping the shelter to achieve great community outreach and lifesaving programs. Now that the shelter is in a new time of evolution and growth, the Board of Directors believe that Karlissa is the perfect leader to increase community engagement and participation, which will help the shelter align as a regional resource for the surrounding communities.

Karlissa had many years of experience being an executive assistant and executive director in New Jersey, prior to moving back to Oklahoma, so it seemed like fate that NOKHS needed a new director and their Board President happened to have experience in similar roles. In the past few weeks of Karlissa stepping up as the executive director, she has been thrown into a system that she didn’t have much experience with and has risen to the challenge.

“I consider myself extremely blessed to have the amazing support of the community. I’m excited for the opportunity to work closely with the NOKHS board of directors, employees, and volunteers, through building relationships to discover new ideas to make our shelter an overall asset to the entire Northern Oklahoma Region, and all entities associated with animal welfare.”

During the time that she has been working with NOKHS, Karlissa has collaborated with the leadership of Ponca City Animal Control and raised the feline live release rate from 11% to over 90% at the municipal shelter within the last few years. On top of the work she has done with those programs, Karlissa’s commitment to saving these animals in need and encouraging others to do the same, is proof in itself that this will be a great fit.

“The Board of Directors is elated by Karlissa’s exemplary leadership, fundraising acumen, and unwavering dedication to enhancing animal welfare in our community,” said current Board President, Justin Mathews. “Having witnessed Karlissa’s unparalleled devotion to caring for countless foster animals in her own home, I can confidently say that she exemplifies how animal enthusiasts in Ponca City and the surrounding areas can make a significant difference in the lives of animals in need.”

Help Northern Oklahoma Humane Society celebrate Karlissa in her new role! As always, if you are looking for a new member to your family, want to make a donation, or are interested in volunteering, you can visit their website at www.nokhs.com, call at 580-767-8877, or visit the Humane Society at 900 W Prospect Ave.