Janel Griffieth

Professional Biography 

Janel Griffieth is a seasoned nonprofit leader with nearly a decade of expertise in community engagement, organizational development, and animal welfare. She has consistently demonstrated her ability to build strategic relationships with businesses, funders, and community organizations, driving impactful outcomes for marginalized populations.

Janel’s commitment to community well-being is rooted in her educational background, having earned a degree in Public Health from the University of South Florida. It was during her college years that she began her advocacy against domestic violence—a cause deeply personal to her. This passion led her to serve as a Community Engagement Manager at a local domestic violence organization, and she continues to champion this issue today. Janel has shared her insights at the Florida Domestic Violence Conference, where she emphasized the critical role of supporting survivors and their pets.

Her professional journey in animal welfare began in 2015 when she started as a Pet Adoption Specialist. Over the years, she was promoted multiple times, ultimately leading the development of a neonatal program that served thousands of the most fragile lives. Along the way, she created systems, managed teams and volunteers, and fostered a strong sense of community. Her innovative work in program management, volunteer recruitment, and community education transformed lifesaving efforts in the animal well-being space.

Janel has also contributed her talents to two national organizations, where she led initiatives to promote diversity and spearheaded community efforts that support animal welfare initiatives. Her work has been instrumental in fostering more inclusive, equitable practices across the sector.

Beyond her professional achievements, Janel is a devoted animal foster parent, having cared for over 200 animals in her home. She is a city-appointed board member for the Pinellas Opportunity Council, working to alleviate poverty and empower communities. She also serves as a Strategic Advisor for the Orphan Kitten Club, helping organizations increase lifesaving measures for kittens; a Program Leader for the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) Tampa Bay; and a member of the Advisory Committee for Supporting People and Animal Relationships (SPARC), working to change the narratives in animal welfare.

Janel’s key skills include project management, public speaking, planning and coordination, leadership, creating systems, and team management. Highly organized and strategic, she thrives in environments that require innovative problem-solving and the ability to drive meaningful change.

Janel resides in the Tampa Bay area with her two beloved dogs, Tupac and RZA, and cherishes the memory of her late ‘souldog,’ Dre, whose profound impact continues to shape her life.

Cultural Biography

Life is unpredictable, and the only certainty is the need to live authentically and without regret. When I was 12, I discovered punk rock, and it became an anchor in my life. It wasn’t about rebellion or dramatic style, it was about challenging the status quo. Punk rock questioned conformity, pushed back against expectations, and encouraged individuality. It resonated deeply with me, long before I understood why. Even as a preteen, I questioned what society called “normal.” I never believed life should follow a set script simply because others expected it. Plans can fall apart in an instant, and that reality shaped my belief in living life on your own terms, as long as you cause no harm.

I never fit neatly into any norm, but that became my normal. Because of my parents’ military service, my family moved every three years. I experienced different parts of the United States and witnessed how culture, values, and people changed from one place to the next. Constant moving taught me not to get too attached, to places, to people, or to anything temporary. While classmates cried when I moved away, I felt indifferent. Goodbyes became routine. That ability to detach shaped how I approach change, transition, and loss: I learned to let go and move forward without hesitation.

My multicultural identity also shaped me. I am Chinese, Filipino, Black, and white, but I connected most deeply with Filipino and Black cultures growing up. The military had its own culture, too, creating a unique blend of influences that shaped my worldview. This exposure sparked a lifelong fascination with people. I believe our differences make us remarkable, and I have always been driven to connect with others, to hear their stories, understand their experiences, and appreciate the wide range of human lives.

Yet the greatest impact on my life wasn’t from people but from my soul dog, Dre. I adopted him when I was 22, not knowing he would transform everything. Before Dre, I had never experienced unconditional love. He was my protector and my safe place, something I had never truly had. His love healed parts of me I didn’t know were broken. He literally saved my life once, and he kept me going afterward. Losing him was devastating, and the grief still lingers.

But Dre also brought me back to people. He opened doors to conversations with strangers and gave me the courage to trust again. He led me into the world of animal welfare, a field that brought me profound human connection, something I once believed I wasn’t meant to have. I owe everything to Dre, and I will always honor his legacy. In many ways, he saved me.

From my multicultural upbringing to my punk rock mindset, from my transient childhood to the love of a soul dog, I have always lived differently. I continue to challenge what is “normal,” because normal is an illusion. Life is unpredictable, and the only certainty is that we must live authentically, without regret. That is the life I choose—every day.