Janel Griffieth

Janel Griffieth

Consultant, JVR Strategies

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, equity, and inclusion (DEI) for BIPOC-led nonprofits and spearheaded community efforts that support animal welfare initiatives. Her work in DEI 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.