Houston Humane Society Names Mary H. Beck as New Executive Director
Houston Humane Society, one of the city’s largest nonprofit animal welfare organizations that works to end cruelty, abuse and the overpopulation of animals, announces the appointment of Mary H. Beck as its new executive director, effective July 16. In this role, she will oversee the organization’s strategic direction, staff management and culture, programs, services and fundraising.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Mary to our team,” said Brett Eckert, chair of Houston Humane Society Board of Directors. “She’s a passionate animal advocate and proven nonprofit leader whose experience aligns perfectly with our mission. Her guidance will be critical as we expand access to affordable veterinary care, grow our safety net programs for pet owners in need, and launch a new strategic plan for our wildlife services, among other key initiatives.”
Beck joins Houston Humane Society with more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership and community services. Most recently, she served as chief executive officer of The Council on Recovery, a Houston-based nonprofit providing prevention, education and treatment services for substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. During her tenure, she oversaw more than $8 million in operating funds, led efforts to secure over $4 million in grants and government contracts and spearheaded the development of more than a dozen major initiatives that served over 70,000 individuals across 13 counties.
“Animal welfare is a deep personal passion of mine and being able to do this work full-time is truly a dream come true,” said Beck. “Houston Humane Society has been a trusted leader in this area for more than 60 years with a proven track record of lifesaving work with animals, helping homeless pets find new families, keeping animals in their homes and preventing cruelty. I’m excited to build on that storied history and help strengthen that impact while looking ahead to a future that’s innovative, sustainable and positioned for growth.”
Prior to The Council on Recovery, Beck spent five years at the Center for Research and Organizational Effectiveness (CORE) in Houston. Under her leadership, CORE provided development and consulting services to the nonprofit sector.
Beck holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Bowling Green State University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Houston.
Serving the Greater Houston region in 2024, Houston Humane Society provided veterinary services to over 28,000 animals, supported thousands of homeless and domestic pets, and enabled nearly 2,500 animals, including cats, dogs, puppies, kittens and farm animals, to find their forever homes. The organization’s headquarters, clinic and shelter are located at 14700 Almeda Rd.
For more information on Houston Humane Society, its programs and services, visit www.houstonhumane.org.
