Stephanie Muller-Simpson

As Development Director for Animal Legal Defense Fund, Stephanie Muller-Simpson leads strategic fundraising initiatives that fuel the organization’s groundbreaking legal work. She guides a team of development professionals to secure the philanthropic support needed to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system.

Stephanie brings two decades of comprehensive animal nonprofit experience to her role. Before joining the Animal Legal Defense Fund, she served as Chief of Philanthropy at Austin Pets Alive!, where she garnered nationwide support to end the killing of healthy, treatable pets in shelters and led the organization’s $45-million multi-year capital campaign.

Earlier in her career, Stephanie worked across all departments within animal shelters before becoming Executive Director of a Chicago-area nonprofit. Appointed during a period of imminent closure, she quickly increased both annual revenue and lifesaving to all-time highs while setting new standards for shelter operations, establishing sustainable funding sources, and leading the organization’s first strategic plan to ensure long-term stability.

Her expertise has made her a sought-after consultant, advising animal rescue and protection organizations nationwide on best practices and innovative, data-driven lifesaving solutions. A Maddie’s Fund Executive Leader Fellowship recipient, Stephanie has been a featured speaker at national conferences including the American Pets Alive! Conference, Best Friends National Conference, and Humane World for Animals’ Animal Care Expo.

Born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Stephanie attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and now resides in Austin, Texas. She currently serves on the board of New Roots Institute and previously served as secretary on the inaugural Austin Farm Sanctuary Board of Directors. In her free time, she volunteers with community and sheltered cats, farmed animals, and wildlife.