Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter (FAAS) announced on Monday, April 28, that Adrien Abuyen has been appointed as its next chief executive officer. Abuyen will step into the role in early June, working with current CEO John L. Lipp until July 1, when Lipp will retire after years of dedicated leadership.
After a rigorous four-month selection process, the FAAS board of directors determined that Abuyen was the best fit to guide the organization into its next chapter.
“Adrien is a bright and shining light who has the passion for animals and people that it will take to carry FAAS into the future,” said Heather Lee, FAAS board member and chair of the CEO search committee. “We’re thrilled to have him as our next CEO.”
Abuyen holds a B.A. in Legal Studies from UC Berkeley, and associate degrees from the College of Alameda. He currently serves as Director of Public Affairs at the Kos Read Group, where he leads advocacy strategy for mission-driven organizations. His career includes leadership roles at SOS Meals on Wheels and the Jobs and Housing Coalition.
The new CEO is deeply involved in local community service, volunteering with three nonprofit boards and regularly supporting civic and advocacy efforts across Alameda and the East Bay.
“I’m so honored and excited to join the Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter, such a mission-driven organization that embodies compassion, community, and a deep commitment to animal welfare,” Abuyen said.
The new FAAS CEO grew up in Alameda, and now lives in Oakland with his spouse, Zoe, and their beloved eight-year-old rescue dog, Olive.
“We are excited for Adrien to lead FAAS into the future and continue the vital work of serving both animals and people in our community,” said Julie Wasserman, chair of the FAAS board of directors. “We’re grateful to John (Lipp) for his incredible leadership and look forward to a seamless transition.”
About FAAS
The FAAS mission is to shelter and care for abandoned companion animals, find them new homes, and prevent animal cruelty through education and outreach. Through a unique public-private partnership, FAAS has managed the open-intake City of Alameda Animal Shelter since 2012. With innovative programs, community partnerships, and a passionate base of volunteers and donors, FAAS saves, on average, 97% of the nearly 1,000 lost, abandoned, and homeless animals who enter the city’s shelter each year.
FAAS is committed to reaching the broader community through outreach, and runs an adoption center for cats and other small animals at Alameda South Shore Center, along with Synta, a 26-foot mobile adoption and outreach vehicle. Their Healthy Pets, Healthy People program provides services to help people in need keep their pets and, in turn, keep those pets out of the shelter system.
FAAS also operates the Thrifty Kitty and the new Diggity Dog, community thrift stores where 100% of the net proceeds support the shelter’s nonprofit programs.
The FAAS Animal Medical Services & Training Campus, scheduled to open in 2025, will provide high-quality, high-volume spay/neuters and dentals for shelter animals, rescue groups, and eventually low-cost services for members of the public.
