DENVER/March 30, 2023 – Morris Animal Foundation announced today that Dr. Kathy Tietje has accepted the role of Chief Program Officer for the Foundation. In her former role as Vice President of Scientific Operations, Tietje had been the interim leader for the Scientific Programs team and served as a member of the Foundation’s Executive Team.
“This is a strategic shift for Morris Animal Foundation to continue our growth as the leading funder advancing animal health studies and initiatives,” said Tiffany Grunert, President and CEO of Morris Animal Foundation.
“Dr. Tietje has extensive background in research operations, project management, grantmaking and product development. After working with her over the last six months in the interim role, it’s clear she is the ideal candidate to lead granting and internal research functions. In addition, her aptitude for building relationships, as well as her entrepreneurship and nonprofit business acumen, support our growing CitizenPet and Donor-Inspired initiatives.”
As Chief Program Officer, Tietje will be responsible for three main program efforts: Scientific Grants Programs for extramural grants; the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, a $32-million longitudinal study; and oversight and scientific direction of CitizenPet, the Foundation’s new citizen science program. In her role, she’ll also collaborate closely with the Foundation’s Development and Marketing teams to provide support for fundraising and communications efforts.
“The Foundation has a rich history of funding scientific research to advance animal health, and I am honored to help safeguard that legacy as we move into the future,” Tietje said. “Animal health is tied inextricably to human health, and it’s exciting for me to serve an organization whose mission is focused on the animals that share our homes and our environment.”
Tietje leads a growing Scientific Programs team at the Foundation and will soon be recruiting for two DVM staff scientists, one of whom will serve as Principal Investigator on the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, along with other duties, and a second to provide overall management of external grants.
Tietje joined Morris Animal Foundation in 2019 as Senior Director of the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study and became Vice President of Scientific Operations in 2020. She came to the Foundation following 20 years in academic and nonprofit research roles in the Seattle area and four years in the Food & Drug Administration-regulated medical device industry. She received a PhD in Pharmacology in 1991 from the University of Washington, Seattle, and an MBA in 2017 from the University of Washington, Bothell.
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, the Foundation has invested more than $149 million to date in nearly 3,000 studies to advance the health and well-being of animals around the w
