DENVER/October 14, 2021 – Morris Animal Foundation wins a Gold Stevie® Award in the Achievement in Science or Technology category in the 18th Annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business, while the Foundation’s CEO Tiffany Grunert is recognized with a Silver Stevie Award in the category of Female Executive of the Year.
“It is such an honor to receive these recognitions,” said Grunert. “This is a real turnaround story compared to where the Foundation was just three years ago. In particular, Janet Patterson-Kane, our Chief Scientific Officer, has been instrumental in ensuring the evolution of our scientific programs to meet the ever-evolving and critical health needs of animals, while our Information System team deserves recognition for the development of the new technologies supporting our scientific efforts. The awards are only possible through the support of every team member.”
For the Achievement in Science or Technology, Morris Animal Foundation was recognized for its work advancing the health of companion animals and wildlife. In particular, the nomination focused on the Foundation’s Australian Wildlife Fund and its Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, which has expanded under female leadership to include the development and execution of data sharing technology allowing study findings to be shared with researchers internationally.
“It’s only through the support of our donors and trustees that our scientific and now, expanded technology arm are possible. I am grateful for the dedication of the entire team, but also the leadership of our Information System’s team in their hard work to make data sharing possible and expanding our impact through technology,” said Grunert.
One judge highlighted the Foundation’s success, commenting “Congratulations on your work with not only native wildlife but also the advancement in the understanding of the health of companion animals, both which will have scope not for just these populations but for animals worldwide. Being able to respond quickly especially in reference to the care and treatment of burnt animals and to establish best practice as to their healthy release back into their native habitat is commendable.”
The Australian Wildlife Fund provided $1 million in new funding for urgently needed research into helping species recover, rehabilitate and be release back to the wild after bushfires raged through Australia. The Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, which started in 2012, is investigating risk factors for cancer and other major diseases in dogs.
Award judges also provided positive feedback on the Foundation’s President/CEO Tiffany Grunert who was recognized as a Female Executive of the Year. Grunert has led the Foundation since 2018, during which the Foundation has undergone a significant transformation from a struggling organization to a thriving one, growing both its scientific impact and donor support. Noted one judge:
“Tiffany is the greatest gift to MAF (Morris Animal Foundation) and its cause. Her strong leadership did not falter despite the pandemic and instead it thrives and strengthens the Foundation to carry out its mission.”
More than 1,500 entries were submitted this year for consideration in more than 100 categories, including Executive of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, Company of the Year, Startup of the Year, Women Helping Women, and Women Run Workplace of the Year.
“We thought the remarkable stories of achievement we saw in last year’s awards couldn’t be topped, but we were wrong,” said Maggie Gallagher Miller, president of the Stevie Awards. “Women-owned and run organizations have contributed significantly to the increase in innovation and entrepreneurial activity we’ve seen globally since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The nominations submitted to the 18th Stevie Awards for Women in Business that attest to this are inspiring, humbling, and motivating.”
Nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word meaning “crowned,” the awards will be virtually presented to winners during a livestream event on Wednesday, January 13, 2021.
Details about the Stevie Awards for Women in Business and the list of Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners in all categories are available at www.StevieAwards.com/Women.
About Morris Animal Foundation
Morris Animal Foundation’s mission is to bridge science and resources to advance the health of animals. Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Denver, it is one of the largest nonprofit animal health research organizations in the world, funding more than $142 million in critical studies across a broad range of species. Learn more at morrisanimalfoundation.org
