Morris Animal Foundation President and CEO Tiffany Grunert led a number of new initiatives in the last year, all while the organization increased earned revenue by 40%.
Last year, the Morris Animal Foundation launched a new plan to direct funds toward an inheritable vaccine that prevents disease from killing and potentially wiping out the black-footed ferret, a species critical to the Rocky Mountains. Grunert is also working with a board committee to develop a new way for the foundation to invest in mission-aligned entrepreneurial endeavors through an accelerator program. Morris Animal Foundation’s investment committee will offer $10 million in capital and expertise to early-stage entrepreneurs seeking new preventives, diagnostics, treatments and welfare-based products.
The revenue increases enabled the expansion of the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study and an increase in cash grants awarded to researchers and the development of new research projects. Alliances with major animal health corporate entities have helped advance scientific discoveries and revenue for the foundation. Those alliances include: Blue Buffalo, Merck Animal Health and Petco Love, to address canine cancer; Elanco, Purina Institute and Loyal, to expand the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study to include cognition, osteoarthritis and other health issues.
Grunert made changes to the workplace, introducing or updating policies for DEI, COVID-19 safety procedures, hybrid work models, mental-health support and more. “By expanding the scope of leadership and working directly with others, turnover remains low while morale is envied among other companies,” Grunert’s staff said. “In summary, teams that are well supported in these difficult and ambiguous times and that are aligned in the direction and commitment of the business’s mission achieve results.”
The foundation last year received several recognitions under Grunert’s leadership, including the NonProfit Times’ Best Places to Work For; Stevie Women in Business Award, Gold Award, for Achievement in Science or Technology; Stevie Women in Business Award, Silver, for Female Executive of the Year; Stevie American Business Award, Gold, for Achievement in Management; Stevie American Business Award, Bronze, for Most Valuable Non-Profit COVID-19 Response and Grunet was a ColoradoBiz magazine top-10 finalist for 2021 CEO of the Year.
Grunert gives back through volunteering, peer engagement and philanthropic support. She has volunteered as a business mentor for women through the Executive Women’s Summit and served as a judge for the Stevie Awards. In the past, she has volunteered in her professional capacity on the marketing committee as the public relations chair of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and on numerous political campaigns.
This is Grunert’s second time on the Titan 100. “The Titan 100 honor has lifted me up as a leader in Colorado,” she said. “It has shined a light on the advancements of my business and provided valuable networking opportunities with high-caliber peers in the community.”
