Development Team

William Rivas-Rivas represents ALDF to our donors and cultivates and stewards major donors. He manages ALDF’s direct marketing program and fundraising department. His exceptional talents include an empathic and passionate ability to engage with donors and serve as a liaison between donors and ALDF staff. He delights in being able to thank ALDF’s generous donors for their support, being in the unique position to extend appreciation for their kindness, and hearing wonderful success stories which makes ALDF’s work possible.

ALDF is a true fit for the genesis of William’s beliefs in animal protection. As he says, “If you are seeking justice for animals, there is no better place than ALDF.” He is a strong believer that people with particular skill sets should employ their talents in consideration of what’s best for animals, not themselves. Before joining ALDF, William spent several years as Manager of Donor Communications and Relations at the American Red Cross National Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

William began his career in animal advocacy at PETA, where he spent nearly 6 years involved in protests against such organizations as the Ringling Brothers, and started PETA en Español, an animal rights campaign in Spanish. After returning to his foundation in development campaigns, William later became a major gifts officer at the PETA Foundation. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Houston and an international master’s degree in Photojournalism from Spéos, where his unusual animal-as-food photography won him special notice in a juried exhibition.

A proud Texan, William was eating his way through the animal kingdom, until one day he went from being a heavy meat eater to a vegan overnight. He made this ethical transformation while in the U.S. Navy, where he spent nearly a decade "sailing the seven seas," four years of which were spent as a Naval Officer, stationed on two warships, including an aircraft carrier. After witnessing “might makes right” mentalities go awry, William has been a vegan for 16 years.

William lives in San Francisco, CA with his partner, Rachel and super-sweet feline rescues, Marmus, Sumalee and Sophie. In his free time, he enjoys photography and is an award winning photographer as evidenced on www.williamrivasrivas.com. He also enjoys long-distance running. For his 40th birthday, William ran an ultra-marathon and raised thousands of dollars for ALDF and the protection of animals.

Loretta Hartwell assists the director of development in keeping close lines of communication to the valued donors who make ALDF’s legal work for animals possible. Her duties include donor outreach, acknowledgement, and cultivation.

With a BA in English from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, her background in written and verbal communication helps her represent ALDF in professional interactions and communicate with donors, contractors, and vendors.

Prior to her work at ALDF, Loretta was the development manager at a domestic violence advocacy organization. She has worked for nonprofits for nearly a decade in development programs.

Her personal volunteer work and professional experience include working with organizations that aim to fight the abuse and degradation of living beings, resources, and the environment. As a lifelong coastal Californian, she is especially connected to marine causes and to the health and preservation of ocean life.