Maria Benham, President & CEO of the Dubuque Regional Humane Society, has a 20 year career in nonprofit fundraising, marketing and management. Combining degrees in business administration and a commitment to mission, she thrives on the daily challenges and rewards of nonprofit work. She previously worked for causes ranging from a zoo to a hospice. Benham’s current (and future) position at the DRHS is, however, the most rewarding experience because every day, she goes home to the DRHS mission – her furry family members.
 
Maria Benham of the Dubuque Regional Humane Society will be presenting her thoughts and lessons learned from the organization’s recent “PR firestorm.” If an organization has a crisis communication plan, few organizations are prepared to use it. So what do you do when a negative experience is shared over 700 times on Facebook? How do you handle the irate phone calls, accusations and inquiring media? Hear what the DRHS did and did not do, and how the organization has grown stronger through transparency, honesty and focus on mission.