When:
Thursday, October 29, 2026
- 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Where:
Renaissance Daytona Beach Oceanfront Hotel
Speaker 1
Brent Toellner, Senior Director of National Programs - Best Friends Animal Society
Brent Toellner started his journey with Best Friends in November 2016. He is currently the Senior Director of National Programs which leads regional and national initiatives to support local partners in implementing lifesaving no-kill programs.
In 2011, Brent and his wife, Michelle, co-founded the Kansas City Pet Project (KCPP) to manage Kansas City's municipal shelter. KCPP took over in January 2012 and since then, adoptions have increased by over 200%, maintaining a live release rate above 90%.
Speaker 2
Marc Peralta, Chief Programs Officer- Best Friends Animal Society
Marc Peralta began his animal welfare career at The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region, and held leadership roles at the PSPCA. He also helped achieve no-kill status at the Nevada Humane Society in 2008. Marc joined Best Friends in 2012 as the Executive Director in Los Angeles, where he lead the city's no-kill efforts for five years. Currently, Marc directs the Best Friends' initiatives, focusing on enhancing direct care efforts and promoting no-kill practices in the lifesaving centers of Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Bentonville, and New York City. Marc also collaborates with national teams to provide grants, coaching, and mentoring to shelters nationwide, and supervise programs like the shelter collaborative.
Speaker 3
Josh Fisher, Chief Executive Officer of Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando
Dr. Fisher has a strong educational background in population management, public health, veterinary sciences, informatics, and healthcare administration. With over 15 years of experience, he has held management roles including private and corporate practices, NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine, and the county government.
Dr. Fisher's projects aim to engage veterinary students in the animal welfare industry. He collaborates with community veterinarians to break down barriers, foster relationships, and enhance involvement in community-focused practices. His passion is to inspire young adults and students to choose animal welfare as a career path.
A day of learning, sharing, and lively conversation with leaders from across the state as we explore the opportunities and challenges facing shelters and clinics in Florida. The Summit will inform our plans for 2027 and beyond to increase lifesaving in Florida.
Registration for the Sixth Annual Florida Leaders in Lifesaving is OPEN!
Attendees should be executive or senior leaders with the ability to make impactful changes at their respective organizations. Limit to 2 leaders. Please fill out the form for each person attending.
Seating is limited, so we encourage you to register early to secure your spot. The last day to reserve your seat and hotel accommodations for the summit is Wednesday, September 30, or until available spots last. Please note that a spot is not guaranteed after the deadline.
Florida Leaders in Lifesaving Summit is sponsored by:
