Agency Leadership Workshops
NACA Leadership Academy
Agency Leadership Academy
3 Day Academy – Workshops designed to develop your leadership team’s essential skills.
Personality Styles and the Workplace
Leadership vs. Management in Animal Control
Great organizations require both effective leadership and sound management. This workshop examines the differences between the two disciplines and how each contributes to organizational success. Participants will gain practical insight into balancing vision, accountability, and day-to-day operations within animal services agencies.
Emotional Intelligence for Animal Services Leaders
Emotional intelligence is one of the most important predictors of leadership success. This session explores the five key elements of emotional intelligence and demonstrates how self-awareness, empathy, and relationship management can improve employee engagement, public interactions, and organizational culture with real-world animal control scenarios throughout the training.
Workplace Group Dynamics and Generational Leadership
Today’s workforce often spans multiple generations, each bringing distinct expectations and work styles. This workshop helps leaders understand generational similarities and differences, build stronger teams, and develop hiring and retention strategies that appeal to a diverse workforce. Participants will leave with tools to improve collaboration across generations.
Modern Leadership Styles and Approaches
Participants will explore a variety of leadership philosophies, including authoritative, democratic, and laissez-faire leadership. The course also introduces concepts from influential leadership thinkers such as Simon Sinek, Brené Brown, Kim Scott, and David Marquet. Attendees will learn how to adapt their leadership approach to maximize team performance and trust.
Communication Styles and Team Effectiveness
Strong communication is the foundation of successful leadership. This interactive workshop examines DiSC communication styles, team diversity, and the challenges leaders face when communicating across different personalities. Participants will engage in hands-on exercises designed to strengthen communication and leadership effectiveness.
Conflict Resolution and Crucial Conversations
Conflict is inevitable, but skilled leaders know how to navigate difficult discussions productively. This workshop introduces principles from Crucial Conversations and provides practical strategies for addressing workplace disagreements, performance issues, and sensitive HR-related situations. Participants will gain confidence in leading challenging conversations while preserving relationships and accountability.
Public Speaking for Animal Control Leaders
Whether addressing city leaders, donors, volunteers, staff, or the media, leaders must communicate with confidence. This workshop provides practical public speaking tools, confidence-building exercises, and opportunities to practice speaking in a supportive environment. Participants will learn how effective presentation skills can strengthen both organizational influence and personal leadership presence.
Ethical Leadership and Decision-Making
Leaders are frequently faced with difficult decisions that impact employees, communities, animals, and stakeholders. This workshop focuses on ethical leadership, organizational values, and stakeholder-centered decision-making. Participants will examine real-world ethical dilemmas and develop frameworks for making sound, principled decisions under pressure.
Leading Through Change
Change can be one of the most challenging aspects of organizational leadership. This workshop helps participants understand why employees resist change and provides practical methods for communicating, implementing, and sustaining organizational transitions. Through discussion and applied exercises, leaders will learn how to create greater buy-in and reduce disruption during periods of change.
Sharpening the Saw: Continuous Leadership Development
Leadership is not a destination but an ongoing learning process. This workshop focuses on developing a growth mindset and creating a personal plan for continuous leadership improvement. Participants will explore strategies for self-development, professional growth, and maintaining effectiveness throughout their careers in animal services.
Strategic Thinking, Planning, and Budgeting
Effective leaders must think beyond daily operations and focus on long-term organizational success. This workshop introduces strategic planning, budgeting fundamentals, annual business planning, and performance measurement through key performance indicators (KPIs). Participants will learn how to align resources, priorities, and organizational goals to achieve measurable results.
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Meet Your Instructors
Spencer Conover, M.I.S., CPM
Spencer Conover serves as the Chief Operating Officer of the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA), where he oversees national training initiatives, organizational operations, and leadership development programs for animal welfare professionals throughout the United States.
Spencer holds a Master of Interdisciplinary Studies in Contemporary Animal Services Leadership and Leadership Studies and brings a unique combination of academic leadership study, executive animal welfare management experience, and hands-on work within the animal care and control profession. His professional credentials include Certified Public Manager (CPM), Lean Six Sigma Certification, and Servant Leadership Certification.
Throughout his career, Spencer has led organizational growth initiatives, managed complex programs and budgets, facilitated professional development for leaders at all levels, and delivered training to animal welfare professionals nationwide. His leadership approach combines practical organizational experience with evidence-based leadership principles focused on communication, emotional intelligence, team performance, and organizational effectiveness.
Credentials
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- Master of Interdisciplinary Studies – Contemporary Animal Services Leadership and Leadership Studies (MIS)
- Certified Public Manager (CPM)
- Lean Six Sigma Process Improvement Certified (LSS Green Belt)
- Certified in Servant Leadership through Strategic Government Resources
- Chief Operating Officer, National Animal Care & Control Association
- National Trainer and Facilitator
- Conference Presenter and Leadership Educator
Jerrica Owen, CAWA
Jerrica Owen is an accomplished animal welfare and public safety leader with more than 20 years of experience in organizational leadership, animal care and control, strategic initiatives, professional development, emergency response, and cross-sector collaboration.
A Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA), Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, and holder of a Certificate in Organizational Leadership, Jerrica has led strategic initiatives and organizational development projects designed to strengthen systems, develop people, and advance professional standards across the animal welfare field.
Jerrica is a national speaker and educator who has presented across numerous national and regional training and professional events. In 2026, she was featured as a keynote speaker at the Florida Animal Protection and Advocacy Association and Florida Animal Protection Foundation Educational Conference.
Jerrica is also a published contributor to the animal welfare, leadership, and pet care fields. Her contributions include:
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- Solving the People Problem: Essential Skills You Need to Lead and Succeed in Today’s Workplace by Brett M. Cooper and Evans Kerrigan — 2021. View the book
- Humane Perspectives: Leadership in Animal Welfare — 2026. View the book
- Sustainability in Pet Care: Lessons in Leadership, Innovation, and Sustainability from the Frontlines of Pet Care by Alex McKinnon — 2025. View the book
Jerrica holds a Bachelor of Science degree from California State University, Chico, along with professional credentials in Animal Welfare Administration, Lean Six Sigma, and Organizational Leadership.