Press Release

Animal Wellness Action and Center for a Humane Economy Celebrate Pennsylvania’s Recognition of Natalie Ahwesh

Director of State Affairs named one of ‘the most powerful people in Pennsylvania.’ 

Harrisburg, PA – Animal Wellness Action is pleased to announce that its Director of State Affairs, Natalie Ahwesh, was named one of “the most powerful people in Pennsylvania” at an April 25 award ceremony held by City & State PA — a premier multimedia news organization dedicated to covering Pennsylvania and New York’s local and state politics and policy scene.

Left to right: : Sen. Jay Costa, Natalie Ahwesh, Kayla Seifert, and Sen. Sharif Street.

Ahwesh was also a featured speaker at this annual event, titled 2023 Pennsylvania Power 100, which celebrates City & State PA’s published, must-read list of the Keystone state’s most influential elected officials, labor unions, advocacy groups, political consultants, lobbyists, media personalities, and business leaders.

Animal Wellness Action President Wayne Pacelle issued this statement about this momentous achievement:

“Natalie is a powerhouse advocate, and I am immensely proud that her home state would honor her for her tireless work for animals. I want to thank City & State for adding Natalie to its list of the 100 most influential people in Pennsylvania. It is well deserved.”

City & State chose Ahwesh for her advocacy on behalf of animals in the state. She has worked to successfully pass 18 laws in the Pittsburgh region, including bills to ban the circus, restrict sales of puppy mill dogs, and limit ownership of dangerous reptiles. 

Ahwesh came to work at Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy in 2022 and has helped pass federal laws including the FDA Modernization Act 2.0, which eliminates the federal mandate to test new drugs on animals.

Natalie Ahwesh

Ahwesh had this to say about the state recognition:

“I’m honored to receive this award from City & State.  Amplifying the needs of animals in Pennsylvania is a top priority for me, and I’m grateful City & State is allowing me the opportunity to share our humane vision with other Pennsylvania leaders.”

Ahwesh hopes to assist in Pennsylvania legislation that will allow for companion animals to be included in domestic violence Protection From Abuse orders, bring an end to live pigeon shoots, for which Pennsylvania is the only state in the country to still hold these cruel contests legally and openly, and to ensure law enforcement officers across the Commonwealth are trained on handling animal welfare cases, among other priorities.

Additional speakers at the event in Harrisburg include Senior Vice President & Chief Impact Officer, WITF Public Media Blake Lynch, Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, Democratic Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton, State House Republican Leader Bryan Cutler, and Sen. Sharif Street.

Center for a Humane Economy is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(3) whose mission is to help animals by helping forge a more humane economic order. The first organization of its kind in the animal protection movement, the Center encourages businesses to honor their social responsibilities in a culture where consumers, investors, and other key stakeholders abhor cruelty and the degradation of the environment and embrace innovation as a means of eliminating both. The Center believes helping animals helps us all. Twitter: @TheHumaneCenter

Animal Wellness Action is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(4) whose mission is to help animals by promoting laws and regulations at federal, state and local levels that forbid cruelty to all animals. The group also works to enforce existing anti-cruelty and wildlife protection laws. Animal Wellness Action believes helping animals helps us all. Twitter: @AWAction_News