Executive Compensation at the American Humane Association (2023)

The American Humane Association (AHA) is a charitable non-profit 501 (c) 3 that paid its Chief Executive Officer, Robin Ganzert more than $700,000, AND paid for first class domestic travel for her and the board members (there are 16) in 2022-2023.

AHA is a tax-exempt organization that raised $26 million in 2023 (compared to $25 million in 2022 and $15 million in 2021) primarily from contributions ($18 million), certification service fees ($3 million) from movie, television sets, farms, slaughterhouses, etc, and royalties ($3 million), and whose net assets were $27 million at year-end.

Expenses totaled $24 million with the largest expenses reported to be compensation ($10 million) and fees for services – primarily subcontractors and consultants ($6 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 111 staff in 2023 who were compensated $10 million, an average of $90,000 each. 19 employees received more than $100,000 in compensation, with the 8 most highly compensated employees listed below:

• $702,919:  Robin Ganzert, President and CEO
• $469,602:  John Hubbard, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer
• $376,732:  Stephanie Carmody, General Counsel
• $226,473:  Thomas Edling, Chief Veterinary Officer
• $221,933:  Laura Sheehan, VP, Communications and Legislative Affairs
• $207,616:  Amy Hrin, National Director, Military Affairs
• $206,739:  Karthik Devarajan, Chief Technology 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 received more than $700,000 in compensation in 2023.  

The three (3) most highly compensated employees received $8.6 million in compensation from 2017-2023 (note  highly compensated employees in 2017-2022 but not in 2023 are not listed):

Robin Ganzert:  Total Compensation 2017-2023:  $4.4 million

• 2023:  $702,919
• 2022:  $764,421
• 2021:  $712,344
• 2020:  $688,946
• 2019:  $596,225
• 2018:  $537,912
• 2017:  $398,971

John Hubbard:  Total Compensation 2018-2023:  $2.2 million

• 2023:  $469,602
• 2022:  $393,069
• 2021:  $379,490
• 2020:  $354,925
• 2019:  $301,410
• 2018:  $251,328
• 2017:  Not Listed

Stephanie Carmody:  Total Compensation 2017-2023:  $2 million

• 2023:  $376,732
• 2022:  $338,728
• 2021:  $330,742
• 2020:  $286,687
• 2019:  $246,168
• 2018:  $191,313
• 2017:  $170,654

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

• $236,843:  Javier S Mosquera Guitarrez, of West Palm Beach, FL for construction – sanctuary
• $432,159:  Fuse Fundraising, of Reston, VA for fundraising counsel and direct mail
• $384,017:  M2 Construction, of Reston, VA for construction DC office
• $150,000:  MRB Productions, of West Hollywood, CA for film production
• $137,438:  Clifford Rose, of Ocean View, Delaware for accounting

The above five independent contractors received $1.3 million in compensation, with one not listed (not required) who was compensated less than $137,538.  According to the Form 990, $6 million was paid to independent contractors, subcontractors, and other professionals so it is unclear how many other independent contractors, subcontractors, and other professionals received the remaining $4.7 million.

In summation, the Form 990 reports AHA spends a large portion of revenue on outside subcontractors (23% of revenue) and receives a significant portion of revenue from certification fees ($3 million) and royalties ($3 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 (2022) for the year ending June 30, 2023, click here.