When Pets Come First: Lori Wahl on Reinvention, Animal Advocacy, and Pursuing Nonprofit Passions

In this episode of RTDB, Christy sits down with Lori Wahl — a pet industry veteran with 15+ years in rescue and pet sales — to talk about the unexpected ways those two worlds overlap. Lori went from the corporate pet industry to serving as Development Director for Heidi's Village in Phoenix, one of the most meaningful pivots she's made. Now, after relocating to Charlotte for her husband's career, Lori is navigating yet another reinvention — and she's honest about how hard it is to leave something you love. This one is for anyone who's ever had to close a chapter they weren't ready to close.What You'll Hear:How Lori and Christy connected through the pet industry (shoutout to the Pet Firm in Phoenix)The surprising synergies between corporate pet work and animal rescueWhat led Lori to leave corporate for nonprofit — and what that transition actually looked likeHer role as Development Director at Heidi's Village and what that work meant to herRelocating to Charlotte and stepping away from nonprofit lifeWhy it's okay to change your mind — and how to stop apologizing for itStarting a new chapter even when the previous one wasn't "finished"How to find and get involved with your own local rescue — and why it matters more than you thinkResources/Links:Heidi's Village: heidisvillage.orgNational Rescue: aspca.org or bestfriends.org Connect with Lori: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-wahl/Feeling inspired? Find your local rescue and show up — even in a small way. It adds up.