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Carolina Camarena, Director of Communications
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Monica Wylie
New Leader at San José Animal Care and Services with Operational and Change Management Experience Will Lead the Largest Animal Shelter in Northern California
Monica Wylie’s passion for animals and leadership drive will continue to improve the culture and operations at the San José Animal Care Center
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Oct. 15, 2025) - After a nationwide recruitment, Monica Wylie was selected as the new Deputy Director of the City of San José’s Animal Care and Services Division (ACS) in the Public Works Department. Wylie will assume the Deputy Director role on Oct. 26, 2025.
“I look forward to Monica joining our City workforce. With nearly 20 years of experience in animal welfare, coupled with her leadership, operational expertise, and track record of lifesaving results, I am confident she will help fulfill the Animal Care Center’s mission to provide a welcoming and humane place for animals and those who care for them,” said City Manager Jennifer Maguire. “She is committed to data-informed decision-making, workforce development, and public accountability.”
“We’re all about the data here in San José. And for far too long, it was clear our shelter was underperforming and needed new leadership,” said Mayor Matt Mahan. “Monica Wylies’ past outcomes speak for themselves — and I will be watching her impact closely as she joins the incredible frontline staff, volunteers, and rescue organizations who save and care for our furry friends.”
Wylie began her career in 2003 with the Humane Society of Tacoma & Pierce County (Humane Society) where she held several roles. She joined that organization as a Customer Service Representative and moved her way up over the course of 15 years. She left in 2018 after serving as Deputy Director for six years. While at the Humane Society she spearheaded an operations transformation that included alliances with over 100 rescue groups to improve animal movement which led to reducing the length of stay by 50%; increased the save rate to over 90% with a robust Trap, Neuter Release (TNR), foster, and field intervention programs; designed and implemented vaccine and microchip clinics with more than 700 pets seen; built a volunteer program which increased volunteers by 1200%; collaborated with stakeholders to formulate strategies to achieve identified desired outcomes and designed supporting budgets; created a Customer Service Training Module focused on the customer service experience; and more. In 2019, she became the Executive Director of the Animal Friends of the Valleys where she increased the employee retention by 30%; and the spay neuter and vaccination capacity by 42%. At her most recent position as Executive Director of KARMA Rescue, a position she took in 2022, she increased the service reach by 40% by implementing strategic pet retention and access-to-care programs, and improved employee performance by 30%.
“We are eager for Monica to lead our team at the Animal Care Center. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to continue improving our services and meet the goals to serve the animals entrusted to us and the people that care for them,” said Public Works Department Director Matt Loesch.
“I am thrilled to join such a dedicated team during a pivotal moment,” said Wylie. “The San José Animal Care Center serves one of the most diverse communities in the country, and I’m inspired by the mission to provide a welcoming place for animals and those who care for them; to protect, educate, and serve the public; to develop programs that improve the lives of people and animals; and to create opportunities for our community and supporters to help us succeed.”
Wylie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Washington, and a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator credential through The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement. She also holds several animal care and welfare professional affiliations including the Association of Animal Welfare Administrators and Cal Animals.
Wylie will report to the Director of Public Works. She will lead a staff of 94 full-time equivalent positions, hundreds of volunteers, and will manage an annual budget of approximately $17.5 million. The ACS Division promotes and protects the health, safety and welfare of animals and people. ACS’s mission is to provide a welcoming and humane place for animals and those who care for them; to protect, educate and serve the public; develop programs that improve the lives of people and animals; and create opportunities for the community and supporters to help ACS succeed. The City of San José’s Animal Care Center was built in 2004 and provides shelter and field services to 1.2 million residents and 12,000 animals annually for San José and the adjacent cities of Cupertino, Milpitas and Saratoga. Within ACS are four units: Field Operations, Medical Operations, Shelter Operations, and Administration.
About the City of San José
With almost 1 million residents, San José is one of the most diverse large cities in the United States and is Northern California’s largest city and the 12th largest city in the nation. San José’s transformation into a global innovation center has resulted in one of the largest concentrations of technology companies and expertise in the world.
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