Kera Melrose

As the Chief Programs Officer, Kera works across all departments to ensure the best possible outcomes for all of the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s campaigns.

Kera is a longtime animal advocate who brings years of nonprofit leadership experience to the Animal Legal Defense Fund. Previously, Kera held leadership positions at some of the nation’s largest animal protection organizations including the positions of CEO and Executive Director, General Counsel, and Director. Before joining the nonprofit field, Kera served as an associate attorney at a litigation boutique and a large firm where her pro bono practice included animal law.

Kera holds an A.B. from Princeton University, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude. She received her J.D. from Columbia Law School, where she graduated a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar. At Columbia Law, Kera co-founded the school’s SALDF chapter and led it as President until she graduated.  During law school she also completed a year-long externship with a large animal protection organization. For her dedication to animal law, Kera was awarded a Bob Barker fellowship which allowed her to spend the summer following her 1L year to pursue animal protection litigation.

Kera lives in New York with her family, including her rescue cat.