Our Founder — Laura O'Brien
Laura O’Brien is founder of the Harmony Fund, a unique charity network that sustains the work of animal rescue squads throughout the world. She set about creating a lifeline for the smaller, overlooked animal rescue teams who need a bit of help to reach their full potential. The Harmony Fund has already exceeded her wildest expectations in helping thousands of animals who would otherwise have no one to turn to.
Laura has instituted a unique blue sky approach that allows Harmony Fund supporters to enjoy an uplifting experience. Laura has built positivity into the very fabric of our charity. Our communications center on empowerment and evidence of the profound difference we are making in the lives of many. No graphic photos of animal suffering will ever be published by Harmony Fund.
Laura spent more than a decade warming up for this role during her career as United States Director of the World Society for the Protection of Animals where she specialized in educating Americans about the needs of animals across the globe. She rang the bell on more than $30 million in donations to build sanctuaries for abused bears in Asia and Eastern Europe, develop free spay/neuter clinics in rural Kenya, support lion conservation work around Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater and dozens of other projects. Laura has also been instrumental in securing disaster relief for the animal victims of earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, volcanoes and war.
Laura is a top 10 graduate of Northeastern University’s School of Journalism. Today she lives in New England with her daughter and a colorful array of four-legged companions at her home-based mini sanctuary.
Executive Director — Janet Rose
Janet joins Harmony Fund as a lifelong advocate and nonprofit leader for animal rescue, adoption, wildlife conservation and education in support of animal welfare, protection and wellbeing.
As a former broadcast journalist with 30 years in nonprofit executive leadership roles, Janet hopes to build support for and continue working alongside the incredible and passionate efforts of Harmony’s founder, its field team, rescuers and those individuals and organizations on the frontlines of animal welfare and protection.
As a mentor, former colleague and world-renowned conservation leader, Dr. George Schaller once said, “we all have a role to play.” For Janet, she says this role is her life’s purpose, to do everything in our power to better the lives of animals, both wild and domestic, in all of the ways that we might. But also, to recognize, promote, support, and advance the invaluable bond we humans share with animals.
“For me, joining Harmony Fund in this capacity, is the sum of my life, all that I believe in, support, care about, and work for. It is an honor to join Harmony Fund and founder Laura Simpson O’Brien in helping to save animals’ lives, wherever they are on our planet, whatever the situation, and with whatever resources and aid we can provide.”
“My goal will be to help Harmony Fund expand its impact and reach, raise support and resources and reach more rescues, rescuers, and help those on the ground, doing the muddy boots work, in saving animal lives.”
Janet comes to Harmony Fund as a former director with the Wildirfe Conservation Society, an international wildlife conservation organization, former senior director of the Pittsburgh Zoo, Aquarium and International Conservation Center and as a former director with several domestic animal shelters, where she was involved in numerous rescue situations, worked with the unhoused and their pets and oversaw fundraising and communications. She is the founder of an all-volunteer equine rescue and adoption organization, Horse Haven Montana and holds an advanced degree in zoology. The mother of 2 adult daughters, Janet shares life with 3 dogs, 2 cats, 3 horses and her partner, a fellow animal lover, whom she calls her rock.