The Donkey Sanctuary is an international charity with a wealth of knowledge and experience borne from over 50 years working to improve the welfare and wellbeing of donkeys everywhere. Our team of experts work across many disciplines but share one common passion, donkeys.
Marianne Steele - Chief Executive Officer
Marianne Steele joined The Donkey Sanctuary as Director of Fundraising and Communications in 2010, following a long and varied career within the charity sector. Appointed Deputy Chief Executive in 2017 and Acting Chief Executive Officer in 2021, her tenure has seen the charity enjoy unprecedented growth in income generation, visitor engagement and public awareness about the importance of donkeys to vulnerable communities around the world.
Marianne’s motivation lies in a personal mission to change the perception of donkeys and the role they play in the world; animals she believes are deeply intelligent and sentient creatures that are underestimated by so many.
Prior to The Donkey Sanctuary, Marianne has worked within the not-for-profit sector for more than 25 years for causes including Arts and Heritage, and Health and Environmental, specialising particularly in fundraising, communications and development.
Faith Burden - Executive Director of Equine Operations
Faith Burden has worked for The Donkey Sanctuary since 2004 and is the Executive Director of Equine Operations, leading the charity’s sanctuary, veterinary, welfare, technical and research functions. She is the co-author of over 70 peer-reviewed articles and is a globally recognised expert on the health and welfare of donkeys and mules.
Faith has a PhD in infectious diseases and has experience working across human and animal health care settings in academic, private and NGO sectors. Her research interests include donkey and mule welfare assessment, donkey nutrition, infectious diseases and parasitology and she has active collaborations with universities worldwide. She has worked with industry to design and produce donkey feeds and with donkey owners to provide cost-effective, high-welfare husbandry systems. Faith has also worked at national and international levels to influence and develop policy and guidelines to promote the highest standards of animal welfare, in particular for equids.