Volunteer Board President – Exotic Animal Rescue

J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue is seeking an experienced, mission-driven leader to serve as our next Volunteer Board President.

Board nominations will take place in October 2026, and we are looking for a candidate who can help guide the organization through its next stage of growth while supporting strong governance, accountability, strategic planning, and long-term sustainability.

J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue is a Wisconsin nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a safe alternative to the release of unwanted exotic pets, preventing the spread of invasive species, providing animal rescue and placement services, and educating the public about responsible exotic animal ownership.

Responsibilities

The Board President will help provide leadership and direction to the Board of Directors. Responsibilities may include:

• Leading and facilitating board meetings
• Helping keep the Board focused on organizational goals and priorities
• Supporting strong nonprofit governance and accountability
• Working collaboratively with fellow board members and organizational leadership
• Helping guide strategic planning and long-term organizational development
• Encouraging active participation and accountability among board members
• Supporting policies and practices that strengthen the organization
• Serving as an ambassador for J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue in the community
• Helping build relationships with community partners, businesses, donors, and other stakeholders
• Supporting leadership transitions and the continued growth of the organization

The Board President is not expected to manage daily animal-care operations. This role is focused primarily on governance, leadership, strategy, and organizational oversight.

Ideal Candidate

We are especially interested in candidates with meaningful leadership experience, including experience with:

• Corporate or nonprofit boards
• Executive or senior-level business leadership
• Nonprofit governance
• Strategic planning
• Organizational development
• Financial oversight
• Human resources, legal, accounting, fundraising, or business management

The ideal candidate will be:

• Mission-driven
• Compassionate toward animals
• Focused and organized
• Collaborative
• Comfortable providing leadership and direction
• Able to look at both immediate needs and long-term organizational goals
• Willing to ask thoughtful questions and help the Board make responsible decisions
• Committed to ethical governance and accountability

A background in animal rescue is not required. We are interested in finding an experienced leader who believes in our mission and can bring strong governance and organizational leadership skills to the Board.

About J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue

J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit exotic animal rescue based in Neenah, Wisconsin. We work with fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, small mammals, invertebrates, and other exotic pets.

In addition to animal rescue and placement, we provide educational programming, exotic pet surrender events throughout Wisconsin, invasive species education, and community outreach.

Commitment

This is a volunteer Board of Directors position and is not a paid employment opportunity.

Candidates interested in serving as Board President will have an opportunity to learn more about J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue, meet members of the organization’s leadership, and attend an upcoming board meeting before October nominations.