Meet Aleksandra Schiffer | Nonprofit Executive Director and Founder of I Stand With My Pack

We had the good fortune of connecting with Aleksandra Schiffer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aleksandra, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started ISWMP to strengthen the human-animal bond and be the voice for animals because they do not have one. From my life experience, I saw firsthand through war how horrible humans can be to other species and each other. I wanted to bring back the balance in the system that was and still is noticeably in distress.
Also, many people in my community wanted to help. Still, they didn’t know how, so I offered guidance and direction by creating a community of like-minded individuals who share the same goal.

My journey with animal welfare started as a kid helping animals on the street, bringing them home, and providing them with veterinarian care & ended up keeping them all. I was even in situations where I protected them from the individuals trying to harm them. I volunteered with other organizations and made financial donations & when I saw the cracks in the ongoing efforts of rescues & shelters, I founded ISWMP. Through the work I had been doing, I had created my pack of fosters, donors, & volunteers that made it possible for ISWMP to do a broader range of work.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I founded a nonprofit organization, I Stand With My Pack, in 2016. As a female-run animal welfare organization, we are dedicated to changing the lives of neglected, abused, endangered, and abandoned animals. What sets us apart is our commitment to creating a harmonious community that cares for both animals and humans, aiming to foster a more compassionate society.

The journey has been filled with ups and downs, but I have always believed in the importance of perseverance. Overcoming challenges was not easy, but my passion for our cause kept me going. Through hard work and determination, we have made a real impact in the lives of those we serve.

The lessons I have learned along the way are invaluable. I have learned the power of resilience, the importance of teamwork, and the impact of empathy. Every challenge we faced only made us stronger and more determined to achieve our goals.

I want the world to know that I Stand With My Pack is more than just an organization—it is a movement towards a more caring and empathetic society. Our story is one of dedication, compassion, and the belief that we can make a difference together.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Favorites:

Walk at Descanso Gardens
Chill out beach time at Point Dume
Brunch at Cafe Gratitude
Coffee at Gnarwhal Coffee Co
Santa Monica and Venice Bike Tour and fun times along Abbot Kinney Blvd after sunset
Hiking with dogs at Griffith Park

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a special shoutout to my team, Jazz, Liz, Sarah, and Riley, and all the people who have helped build ISWMP into the organization it is today: our Board, donors, volunteers, trainers, and medical team. Without these people, our rescue work would be impossible.

We also want to give a shout-out to Lia Marques, a Master Dog Behavior Specialist who helps us with dog rehabilitation. Many shelter-rescued dogs are traumatized or lack direction and trust in humans. Her recovery success rate is remarkable; all our adoptions after her training have been 100% successful. She taught us a lot about dog psychology, and witnessing each transformation is inspiring. We are very grateful for her.

Website: https://istandwithmypack.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/istandwithmypack/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IStandWithMyPack/

Image Credits
All images are owned by I Stand With My Pack.