After more than three decades of visionary leadership, GCWR founder Sallysue Stein has guided this organization from a dream in 1991 into the thriving force for wildlife it is today. As Sallysue approaches a well-earned new chapter, we are proud to announce that we have hired a new Executive Director.
We are thrilled to introduce Melissa McCartney, joining us officially on April 6th, 2026.
Melissa comes to us with over 22 years of animal welfare and nonprofit leadership experience. Currently serving as Director of Animal Care and Veterinary Health at the Sacramento Zoo, she is also a FEMA-certified Incident Commander and Co-Founder of Vintage Pug Senior Sanctuary (a hospice care organization for senior dogs). She is, simply put, a leader who lives this mission.
Sallysue will remain on the Board of Directors and continue in an advisory role during the transition, mentoring Melissa as she finds her footing and makes this role her own. The continuity and care that have always defined GCWR aren’t going anywhere.
What began in Auburn, in the heart of Placer County, has grown into something far greater, an organization that today serves surrounding counties, partners with groups across Northern California, and when the work calls for it, reaches even further. As we step into the next 35 years, we are excited about what this leadership transition means for the wildlife and communities we serve, from our home county of Placer, to the broader region that has come to count on us.
We are so grateful to each of you who has been part of this story, and so excited for the chapter we’re writing together.
Welcome, Melissa. 🐾
