April's Featured Manager: Laura Ulrich

Ulrich says, "Gain knowledge everyday."

Name and title: Laura Urlich is the Executive Director of the Humane Society of Harford County (HSHC) on Connelly Road near Fallston.

Personal background: Urlich grew up in the Midwest and attended community college after graduating from high school. She moved to Maryland with her son in 2005 to reunite with her son’s father after 17 years of divorce. “We are all living in Forest Hill now together,” she said.

Professional background: “I have been in the administrative field for 20 years, starting in retail accounting, then the hotel accounting business. I worked for several yeas as the controller of a multi-franchise car dealership,” Urlich said. She began working for the Humane Society in July 2005.

Keys to success: “Growing up without much money has given me the discipline to make this business successful and getting HSHC to a point where we are financially stable for the fist time in years,” said Urlich, who added she surrounds herself with a dedicated staff. She said she has an open door policy with staff and volunteers. “There’s always room to improve and grow to become a better organization and a better individual,” she commented.

Goals: Urlich said her goals are to have the HSHC grow and become a financial success, educate the community about ending pet overpopulation and help people make the right decision about bring an animal in their homes.

Advice: “Listen, always gain more knowledge with every day,” Urlich said. “Trust in yourself that you make the right decision for the right reasons and always strive for improvement,” she said. Urlich also recommended networking to use community resources, adding, “If you don’t know the answer, go find the person who does.”

What could be done to make business more successful: “Continued support from the community and the volunteers that give their time so freely to the animals of Harford County,” said Urlich. “Many people’s homes have been foreclosed or they have been evicted and are forced to bring their animals to us. There are others that simply can no longer afford to pay the expenses of having a pet,” she said. “We need support to help us continue to feed and care for these animals until their forever homes are found,” said the humane society.

Photo caption: Harford County Humane Society Executive Director Laura Urlich, shown here with Jasmine, advises “surround yourself with people that you can respect and that respect you.” The local humane society, formed in 1947 by a group headed by Elsa Voss, receives more than 5,000 animals each year.