Beth Zimmerman
BETH ZIMMERMAN
FOUNDER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CHAIR EMERITUS
Beth is the inspiration behind Pets for Patriots. Growing up, her family home was never without a shelter dog. Seeing so many animals without the loving embrace of a family had a profound impact on her, and she vowed that one day she would find a way to save them all.
As a result of these experiences Beth developed a passion the welfare of animals – particularly those who were neglected, abused, or simply unwanted.
At the same time an abiding love of country animated the Zimmerman household. Beth’s parents impressed upon all of their children an enduring respect for our nation’s history, its veterans, and military families.
Although her own family does not have a strong military tradition, Beth came to learn about a relative who made the ultimate sacrifice during WWII. Captain Jacob Joseph was just 22 years old when he died in action at Guadalcanal while serving in the Marines. Five years later the native New Yorker was honored with a playground bearing his name, which remains an oasis for children in Chinatown and the Lower East Side.
Beth brings more than 25 years of business and entrepreneurial experience to Pets for Patriots, including a decade as a practicing architect. This was followed by more than 15 years as a business and branding strategist for companies in the financial, technology, healthcare, and utility sectors, among others – 10 years of which she was a solopreneur. These diverse experiences help her invest Pets for Patriots with excellence and a spirit of continuous improvement across all aspects of its strategy, operations, marketing, communications, and customer service.
Beth is an alumna of Carnegie Mellon University where she earned a Master of Architecture, and the State University of New York at Stony Brook where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy.
In 2012 Beth and her mother Naomi adopted Bunny, a senior Beagle mix who died of cancer in 2016. In November 2017 Beth adopted Benny, a nearly 10-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier mix whom she met while volunteering at a local shelter. Benny passed away at the end of 2021, just shy of his 14th birthday. A few months later Beth adopted Berry, a nine year-old ‘pocket Pittie’ who had been adopted and ultimately surrendered twice before.
Naomi passed away in mid-2019. Among her many life accomplishments, she became Pets for Patriots’ very first volunteer. Naomi was always uplifted by stories of the lifesaving work made possible through her considerable efforts and love.
Beth served as Board Chair from 2009 through 2016, at which time Keith Weaver was elected to lead the Board.