Carol Griglione
Executive Director, Animal Rescue League of Iowa
In March of 2025, Carol Griglione was named the Executive Director of the ARL, overseeing all ARL day-to-day operations, including the director leadership team of the ARL.
Carol has been involved with the ARL since 1993 and served as Board President for over 30 years. She co-led the capital campaign to build a new shelter in the early 2000's and was instrumental in helping to develop ARL programs and initiatives relating to animal welfare, advocacy for spaying/neutering companion pets, and adoption of animals from shelters, many of which are still in place today. Carol also developed the ARL’s TNR program and created the Shelter Cat Getaway program, leading it for many years, as well as working extensively with cat behavior and speaking at many different forums on subjects relating to cats.
At the same time she was serving as Board President for the ARL, a volunteer position, her career began at Principal in 1985. She served as the Senior Administrator and Executive Advisor for over 40 years until her retirement in 2025 when she accepted the position as Executive Director at the ARL. In her role at Principal, she oversaw 12 budgets for three different areas at the company, worked on operational plans, and oversaw day-to-day operations, including managing over 43 members of the Law Department, recruiting and onboarding hires from across the United States, and managing multiple committees and the Law Library, IT operations and interns. Prior to her retirement from Principal, she also worked with the Compliance and Government Affairs divisions, providing support and oversight to certain day-to-day operations.
Carol also served as the state director for HSUS for five years and led animal welfare legislative efforts, growing grassroots in Iowa for animal welfare.
Carol co-authored the book “For Love of Cats” and hosted the ARL Podcast “For Love of Animals.”
Education/Designations
- Bachelor's in Corporate Communications from Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa
- Master's in Public Administration Degree in Nonprofit Management from Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa
- SHRM certification
Professional Associations/Volunteer Activities
- Board Member, Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Inc.
- Board Member, Animal Rescue League of Iowa Foundation
- Board Member, Iowa Federation of Humane Societies
- Chair, Raise Your Paw auction fundraiser for the Animal Rescue League of Iowa (hosts a sell-out crowd of over 850 attendees and nearly 500 items)
- Formerly a consultant and State Director for Iowa, Humane Society of the United States
- Named to the Business Record’s “Forty Under 40” in 2002
- Named a Business Record “Woman of Influence” in 2010
- Member of the Association of Legal Administrators, including the Iowa chapter
Various certifications in animal welfare.