Springfield, MA (10/21/26)– Dakin Humane Society has named Marla Shelasky associate director of development, according to Director of Development and Marketing Molly Biechele.

Shelasky will plan and implement strategies for all aspects of annual giving, donor cultivation, and donor data management to obtain the financial resources necessary to support Dakin’s mission.

“Marla brings a thoughtful, relationship-centered approach to fundraising, along with a strong track record of strengthening donor relationships, improving fundraising processes, and growing philanthropic support,” stated Biechele. “She will be a terrific addition to the Dakin team, and we’re excited to welcome her.”

Prior to joining Dakin, Shelasky was with Make-It Springfield in Springfield, MA, for eight years, where she began as a communications & program coordinator before being promoted to development & communications manager. Her duties included managing donor relationships, grant writing and reporting cycles, and collaborative partnerships, among other tasks.

She was also a project manager at People, Places & Design Research in Northampton, MA, an audience research firm that works with museums and cultural sites, where she managed client relationships, timelines, and tasks related to audience evaluation projects.

Shelasky earned an MFA Artisanry/Textiles from UMass Dartmouth, and a BFA Illustration from Syracuse University. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Western MA Chapter, and a resident of Florence, MA.

Dakin Humane Society, located in Springfield, MA, is a 501 (c) (3) organization that delivers effective, innovative services that improve the lives of animals in need and the people who care about them. Since its inception in 1969, Dakin has become one of the most recognized nonprofit organizations in western Massachusetts, and a national leader in animal welfare. In a typical year, the organization shelters, treats and fosters more than 20,000 animals and has performed over 144,000 spay/neuter surgeries since 2009, making it one of New England’s largest spay/neuter providers. Dakin’s Pet Health Center, a non-emergency veterinary resource for pet dogs and cats, has conducted more than 41,000 patient visits since it opened in 2022. Dakin is a local non-profit organization that relies solely on contributions from individuals and businesses that care about animals