Hire represents ongoing commitment to protect wildlife in the state
Washington, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy announce the promotion of Cassandra Burdyshaw to Vermont State Director.
“I am thrilled to say that we have a new director in Vermont, a state where wild places and wild animals are in abundance,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy. “The people of Vermont love and cherish their animals at home and in nature, and with Cassandra, we can assist to protect all animals on behalf of the kind people of Vermont.”
Burdyshaw graduated from UC San Diego with a major in environmental policy and a minor in ecology. After serving as a Peace Corps volunteer specializing in environmental conservation, she earned her J.D. from Vermont Law School.

“I joined Animal Wellness Action and The Center because I believe in showing compassion to all Earth’s creatures,” said Burdyshaw. “I moved to Vermont to attend Vermont Law and Graduate school, but I decided to make Vermont my home because of its natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities. I love sharing the landscape with Vermont’s wildlife. Some of my favorite sightings have included bobcat, porcupine, moose, deer, turkey, beaver, bear, fisher, fox, bald eagle — the list keeps going. Every day, I look forward to going outside.”
In her previous role as a policy director, she formed a coalition that successfully ended harmful commercial drift gillnet fishing.
Burdyshaw can be reached at [email protected].