Executive Compensation at the American Humane Association (2022)

The American Humane Association (AHA) is a charitable non-profit 501 (c) 3 that paid its Chief Executive Officer, Robin Ganzert nearly $800,000, AND paid for first class domestic travel for her and the board members (there are 14) in 2021-2022.

AHA is a tax-exempt organization that raised $25 million in 2022 (compared to $15 million in 2021) primarily from contributions ($14 million), certification service fees ($5 million) from movie, television sets, farms, slaughterhouses, etc, and royalties ($2.5 million), and whose net assets were $26 million at year-end.

Expenses totaled $20 million with the largest expenses reported to be compensation ($9 million) and fees for services – primarily subcontractors and consultants ($4 million).  

In other words, AHA is a relatively small non-profit with a modest endowment,  who doesn’t appear to watch every penny to maximize donor donations.  It is also important to note AHA received $1.1 million in PPE loans in 2020 that were forgiven by the government in 2021.  

Although AHA is based in Washington, DC, the organization has an office in Palm Beach, Florida where many of their donors reside.

The AHA employed 93 staff in 2022 who were compensated $9 million, an average of $97,000 each. 17 employees received more than $100,000 in compensation, with the 8 most highly compensated employees listed below:

• $764,421:  Robin Ganzert, President and CEO
• $393,069:  John Hubbard, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer
• $338,728:  Stephanie Carmody, General Counsel
• $280,684:  Janice Bigelow, CFO
• $220,102:  Marean Spero Steen, National Director, AH Hollywood
• $212,898:  Laura Sheehan, VP, Communications and Legislative Affairs
• $199,215:  Mark Stubis, Managing Editor
• $186,131:  Kirsten Peterson, Chief Talent Officer

The 8 most highly compensated employees received $2.6 million in compensation. In other words, 10% of the staff received nearly 30% of total compensation.  85 employees received $6.4 million which equates to an average compensation of $75,000.

The most highly compensated employee was Robin Ganzert, the President and CEO, who has received nearly $4 million in compensation from 2017-2022:

• 2022:  $764,421
• 2021:  $712,344
• 2020:  $688,946
• 2019:  $592,225
• 2018:  $537,912
• 2017:  $398,971

6 independent contractors received more than $100,000 in compensation with the five most highly compensated reported to be:

• $330,760:  Pleasant Street Entertainment, of Encino, CA for production of “hero dogs’ (video?)
• $282,005:  Javier S Mosquera Guitarrez, of West Palm Beach, FL for construction – sanctuary
• $252,312:  Mindset Direct, of Reston, VA for fundraising counsel and direct mail
• $234,926:  Fuse Fundraising, of Reston, VA for fundraising counsel and direct mail
• $233,056:  M2 Construction, of Reston, VA for construction DC office

The above five independent contractors received $1.3 million in compensation, with one not listed (not required) who was compensated less than $233,056.  According to the Form 990, $4.4 million was paid to independent contractors ($2.6 million), subcontractors ($1.5 million), and other professionals ($300,000) so it is unclear  why AHA reported that only 6 independent contractors received more than $100,000 in compensation.

In summation, the Form 990 reports AHA spends a large portion of revenue on outside subcontractors (20% of revenue) and receives a significant portion of revenue (30%) from certification fees ($5 million) and royalties ($2.5 million) which indicates AHA may be using subcontractors to provide certifications, and also relying on other organizations for royalties to use AHA’s certification/endorsement.

To read the IRS Form 990 (2021) for the year ending June 30, 2022, click here.