Ms. Marquez-Dulin will advance Brooke USA's objective to introduce donors in the United States to their unique mission: alleviating the suffering of working horses, donkeys and mules in the world's poorest countries.
At least 100 million working equines are the engines that power the developing world, doing the hardest jobs under the toughest conditions to support the livelihoods of 600 million people. That's 9% of the world's population. The Brooke is dedicated to improving the lives of those animals in communities where people often earn less than one dollar a day.
Poverty and desperation often force owners to overwork their animals, resulting in a great deal of suffering. Most of this suffering is preventable, so the Brooke works together with local communities to bring about lasting improvements to the lives of their working animals, which also protects human livelihoods.
Petra Ingram, chief executive of the Brooke, said, "This is another milestone in our charity's 81-year history. Last year we reached 1.5 million equines in 11 of the world's poorest countries. We have ambitious plans to significantly increase involvement from U.S. supporters to help us reach even more animals and owners in parts of the world where no other help is available to them.
"After a country-wide search in the United States we are very pleased to announce that Ms. Marquez-Dulin will join our existing Brooke USA team to ensure that we meet our goals. Her 25-year track record of success in major gift fundraising, advocacy work, strategic planning, policy development and Hispanic marketing will be invaluable as we move forward."
Ms. Marquez-Dulin's previous experience has included working as executive director for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Southern Florida & Puerto Rico; area executive director for the American Cancer Society, Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties; executive director for the Humane Society of Greater Miami/Adopt-A-Pet; senior director of communications & development for the Alpha-1 Foundation; director of sales & marketing for Parrot Jungle Island; and senior vice president of the IAC Group.
Ms. Marquez-Dulin observed, "It is an honor to have been asked to join the world's largest international equine welfare charity. My career and personal life have always involved humane and humanitarian work in this country, so joining the Brooke USA team will allow me to use my experience and passion to reach beyond the borders of the United States and work on a global scale to help both animals and people simultaneously."
Dr. David Jones, chairman of Brooke USA stated, "The fact that we're able to hire someone of Ms. Marquez-Dulin's caliber after having had an office in the U.S. for only three years speaks of the enthusiastic welcome that our mission has received by donors in the U.S., and also to the commitment by our international and American boards of directors. Ms. Marquez-Dulin will play a crucial role in introducing even more Americans to the Brooke's proven approach to sustainable animal welfare solutions."
Brooke USA has also hired Bobby Sutton as its new finance and administration manager. Mr. Sutton is an accountant who has most recently served as finance director for the city of Bethel, Alaska, and program coordinator for Christian Care Communities in Corbin, Kentucky.
The Brooke is headquartered in London, England, but three years ago opened its U.S. headquarters at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington to support the overseas work of the Brooke. Earlier this year, the Brooke's president, Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall, was in Kentucky and officially launched the U.S. headquarters there. Ms. Marquez-Dulin will be based in Florida, and Mr. Sutton will be based in the Kentucky office.
For more information about Brooke USA, contact Special Events and Outreach Manager Cindy Rullman at 859-296-0037, [email protected] or go to www.BrookeUSA.org.