Staff Spotlight: Will
We’re excited to welcome Will Braithwaite to the PAWS NY team as our new Communications Manager, overseeing all elements of marketing and communications for the organization.
After seeing the strong bond between his grandfather and his dog Dolly, Will is thrilled to work for a place that supports people and their pets. “I knew I wanted to be part of an organization that really makes a difference to animal lovers all over the city,” he said, “and PAWS is the perfect place.”
We have Will’s fiancé Carsen to thank for making the introduction. A PAWS NY volunteer, she introduced him to the organization–and then her PAWS pups Goldie and Muffin Sugar (and their guardian). Keep reading Will’s Q&A below to learn more about his hobbies and interests here in NYC, plus the two rescue cats that he and Carsen call their own!
What has your career been like leading up to PAWS NY? How did you make your way into the nonprofit world?
I actually started my career in the ad tech world, marketing ads for mobile gaming apps. I moved to New York after graduating from Vanderbilt University with a degree in American Studies and did a number of odd jobs including playing guitar for people’s proposals and being an extra on the show Succession. It was my fiancé Carsen who introduced me to PAWS NY; she had been volunteering for years and ended up running the marathon with PAWS in November!
What about this position and organization attracted you? Why are you excited to be on the PAWS NY staff?
PAWS NY’s mission of helping people by helping pets spoke to my heart so clearly. My grandpa is 91 years old and adopted an adorable puppy, Dolly, two years ago. She totally changed his life! I knew I wanted to be part of an organization that really makes a difference to animal lovers all over the city, and PAWS is the perfect place. I also really love the people at PAWS NY; it’s clear they really care about helping others and their love for animals is infectious!
Tell us about your pets, past & present.
I have two adorable cats, Goose and Buffy. Both were rescues (Goose is from the Bronx but he doesn’t have an accent, Buffy’s from Brooklyn). My fiancé actually surprised me one Christmas when I came home and a 6-week-old tabby cat was sitting in my bathroom sink! We’ve been best friends ever since.
Did you grow up in NYC? If not, when did you move here? Where do you live now?
I grew up in the suburbs outside Philadelphia and moved to New York in 2018. I live in Crown Heights, Brooklyn now.
What is your favorite thing (or things) about living in NYC?
I love the music scene of New York! I’m a guitarist and I love that you can see a mind-blowing show any night of the week. This past summer my friends and I saw Lauryn Hill open for the Red Hot Chili Peppers in Central Park (I know, should have been the other way around), and it was such a quintessential NYC experience!
What are your hobbies? What do you like to do in your free time?
Outside of work, I’m a huge comedy nerd. I love performing improv and sketch comedy with my friends around Brooklyn.
Welcome to the team, Will! Be sure to follow PAWS NY on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to see his work in action every day!