Valerie Benka

Valerie Benka is a consultant with expertise in program design and research to better understand complex issues and improve well-being for both animals and people. She is also committed to addressing ethical issues that can arise in this field of work.

Prior to consulting, she worked for 11 years as Director of Programs at the Alliance for Contraception in Cats & Dogs, where she had a leadership role in developing and implementing the organization’s strategic plan, communications, projects, programs, and symposia. 

She has published over 15 peer-reviewed articles in leading journals for veterinary medicine, animal care and welfare, human dimensions of wildlife, and ecology and health.

Valerie has graduate degrees in Animals and Public Policy from the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, and in Conservation Biology and Public Policy from the University of Michigan.

Outside of work, she ​enjoys spending time with her human and four-legged family members, including a senior Lab mix and two very entertaining cats.