Joy King is a visionary executive leader whose career reflects a deep and unwavering commitment to advancing mission-driven organizations through strategic innovation, operational excellence, and compassionate leadership. With more than 25 years of professional experience, she has built a reputation as a transformative force across the healthcare, nonprofit, and animal welfare sectors. Her work consistently bridges purpose with performance, ensuring that organizations not only grow but also deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes for the communities they serve.
Currently serving as Chief Executive Officer of the Animal Humane Society, Joy leads with a forward-thinking approach that integrates operational strategy, cultural alignment, and stakeholder engagement. In this role, she is responsible for guiding the organization through a period of continued evolution, strengthening its impact while maintaining a strong commitment to its mission. Her leadership style is rooted in clarity, accountability, and inspiration, enabling teams to perform at the highest level while staying deeply connected to purpose.
Prior to her current role, Joy spent nearly a decade at NMDP (Be The Match), where she served as Chief Advancement Officer and Foundation Executive Director. During her tenure, she was instrumental in shaping the organization’s long-term strategy and expanding its global reach. She led the development and execution of a comprehensive five-year strategic plan that positioned the organization as a premier leader in bone marrow and stem cell transplantation, significantly enhancing its life-saving capabilities.
Joy’s impact at NMDP extended beyond strategy into tangible growth and innovation. She successfully doubled revenue through forward-thinking fundraising initiatives, launched the organization’s first-ever $100 million campaign, and secured landmark philanthropic gifts. Her ability to align storytelling, branding, and financial strategy allowed the organization to elevate its identity while strengthening its financial foundation.
One of her most notable achievements was leading the international expansion of Be The Match Mexico. Through this initiative, she helped add more than 100,000 potential donors to the registry and secured over $2 million in financial assistance for patients. This work not only expanded access to critical healthcare services but also demonstrated her ability to navigate complex international landscapes while advancing mission-driven outcomes.
Earlier in her career, Joy held multiple leadership roles with the American Cancer Society, where she steadily advanced to Senior Vice President of Operations for the Midwest Division. In this capacity, she managed a $40 million portfolio and led large, geographically dispersed teams. Her leadership was defined by her ability to unify diverse stakeholders, streamline operations, and drive sustained growth in both revenue and community impact.
Throughout her career, Joy has demonstrated a consistent ability to build high-performing teams and cultivate leadership at every level of an organization. She is deeply committed to mentoring and developing future leaders, particularly women aspiring to reach executive and C-suite positions. Her investment in people is not only a hallmark of her leadership style but also a key driver of organizational success.
Joy’s expertise spans a wide range of critical business and nonprofit disciplines, including strategic planning, fundraising, board development, operational transformation, and stakeholder engagement. She is particularly recognized for her ability to lead organizations through complex change while maintaining alignment with mission and values. Her work often involves balancing innovation with sustainability, ensuring that growth is both strategic and responsible.
In addition to her executive roles, Joy brings significant governance experience, having served on multiple boards and advisory councils. Her current board involvement includes the Women’s Health Leadership Trust and the Minneapolis Downtown Council. These roles reflect her commitment to advancing healthcare, community development, and leadership excellence beyond her day-to-day executive responsibilities.
Joy is also a respected voice in public forums, frequently speaking on topics such as healthcare advocacy, cancer awareness, leadership, and patient-centered innovation. Her insights are informed not only by her professional experience but also by her personal perspective as a healthcare consumer. This dual lens allows her to approach challenges with empathy, authenticity, and a deep understanding of the human impact behind organizational decisions.
Her contributions have been widely recognized, including honors such as being named one of the “500 Most Powerful Leaders in Minnesota” and a “Notable Leader in Healthcare.” These accolades reflect not only her professional accomplishments but also her influence as a leader who consistently elevates the organizations and communities she serves.
At her core, Joy is driven by a passion for solving complex challenges and advancing causes that matter. Whether leading large-scale transformations, expanding global access to care, or mentoring the next generation of leaders, she brings energy, integrity, and vision to every endeavor. Her career stands as a testament to the power of purpose-driven leadership and the impact it can have on organizations and society as a whole.
Character:
Joy King exemplifies integrity through her consistent commitment to mission-driven leadership and ethical decision-making. She approaches every challenge with empathy and authenticity, ensuring that people remain at the center of her work. Her dedication to mentoring and uplifting others reflects a deeply rooted belief in shared success and long-term impact.
Knowledge:
She brings extensive expertise across healthcare, nonprofit operations, and organizational leadership, developed over more than two decades of executive experience. She possesses a deep understanding of strategic growth, fundraising, and governance, allowing her to guide organizations through complex challenges. Her ability to translate knowledge into actionable strategies consistently drives measurable results.
Strategic:
Joy is a forward-thinking leader who excels at aligning vision with execution to achieve sustainable growth. She has a proven track record of developing and implementing long-term strategies that elevate organizational performance and impact. Her ability to navigate change and identify opportunities positions her as a trusted advisor at both the executive and board levels.
Communication:
An influential communicator who effectively engages diverse stakeholders, from board members to community partners. She conveys complex ideas with clarity and purpose, ensuring alignment and understanding across all levels of an organization. Her public speaking and storytelling abilities strengthen organizational identity and inspire action.
