Daily Inspiration: Meet Chris Ramon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Ramon.

Chris, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
As far back as I can remember, there have only been a handful of things that were truly important to me: nurturing my creative side, spending time with people I care about, cooking, and helping animals. The first three didn’t come with many challenges. But as I approached adulthood, like most people who love animals, I assumed my professional options for helping them were limited to becoming a veterinarian or working in veterinary health. At the time, I didn’t know of all the opportunities available to have a meaningful career in animal welfare.

My first job in high school was at Tower Records in Glendale, CA. I remember taking the bus after my shifts every Sunday to volunteer at the Pasadena Humane Society. My coworkers often told me I was a “good kid” for volunteering after work, but for me, it was the highlight of my weekend. Cleaning the shelter and interacting with animals waiting for new homes was incredibly rewarding.

One of my most vivid memories from that time was seeing longtime Executive Director Steve McNall walk toward me and shake my hand. I remember feeling a little starstruck that the person in charge of helping all the animals took a moment to thank me for sweeping the hallway. His firm handshake made me feel appreciated. He asked if I had any pets, and I told him about my Rottweiler, Ceaser. The interaction lasted no more than thirty seconds, but the next time I saw him, he called me by name and asked how Ceaser was doing. That moment forever shaped how I interact with the people I work with.

By the time I was 25, I had carved out a path for myself in retail operations. At 28, I landed my first executive role as Director of Operations at Fred Segal in West Hollywood. After serving on the Rodeo Drive Committee for a few years and enjoying a successful career with several luxury companies, I began to feel the absence of mission and community. I loved what I did, but often asked myself if there was something more.

In 2015, I made the decision to leave the retail industry. Changing careers in your mid-30s comes with plenty of anxiety and apprehension, but I felt like I’d found a loophole — a way to apply all my experience and lessons learned to a mission that helps animals.

I started my new career at Michelson Found Animals in Culver City as their Retail and Adoption Manager. During my interview, I was told they needed someone who could lead teams, develop strategies for success, and understand customer service. The excitement I felt knowing I could bring my corporate and boutique experience to this organization was unlike anything I’d felt before.

I was so eager that I didn’t even think about the daily commute from the San Gabriel Valley to Mid-City. During my time there, I helped Michelson Found Animals grow its adoption program and build community partnerships that supported its mission. After a few years, I knew this was the field I wanted to be in for the rest of my career, but I also knew my next step needed to be with an organization deeply committed to its community. My goal was to work for an open-admission animal shelter that took in all animals in need, regardless of their age, breed, size, behavior or medical needs.

Throughout everything, I never forgot my experience with the Pasadena Humane Society. When I saw a job posting for a Kitten Nursery Coordinator there, I stared at it for an hour. The feeling of “this might be my chance” ping-ponged around in my head. I applied, and during my interview, I spoke about everything I knew regarding kitten care and how my executive experience could help shape the program.

When I got the call offering me the job, I realized that every lesson and choice in my life had led me back to the organization that meant so much to me. For the next three years, everything I did was focused on helping animals. I had plenty of new ideas, but more importantly, I used what I knew about leading teams and managing people to create a vision for the future.

In 2022, after developing programs that served the community and improved the lives of animals, I joined the executive leadership team. In 2025, I helped lead our organization’s response to the Eaton Fire and was later appointed President and CEO of the organization that has lived in my heart for decades.

Now, I get to thank our staff and volunteers for everything they do. I think about that interaction with Steve McNall when I was a teenager at least once a week. It serves as a constant reminder of how to show up for the people who make Pasadena Humane possible.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
President & CEO of Pasadena Humane, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit animal shelter and animal resource center serving the animals and people of the Greater Los Angeles Area.

Pasadena Humane is more than an animal shelter; we are a community-supported animal resource center providing compassion and care for all animals. Since 1903, Pasadena Humane has offered lifesaving programs and services for animals and the people who love them in the Greater Los Angeles Area. At our Pasadena campus, we provide shelter, dedicated care and new beginnings for thousands of our community’s most vulnerable animals every year. In addition to pet adoptions and foster, we focus on programs and services aimed at helping people care for and keep their pets, such as free and low-cost spay/neuter and vaccines, a pet food pantry, and an animal support call center. In 2024, Pasadena Humane helped more than 55,000 animals through adoptions, wildlife rehabilitation, lost & found, veterinary services, training classes, and surrender prevention assistance.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Ted Radio Hour
One Life On Chance
Keep on Cookin’

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pasadenahumane.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pasadenahumane
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pasadenahumane
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pasadenahumane/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/pasadenahumane