Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Seelbach
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey to leading Ohio Alleycat Resource & Spay/Neuter Clinic has been both winding and unexpected, shaped by a passion for service and a lifelong love of animals.
I grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, in a middle-class family with strong Catholic roots. In the late 1990s, I moved to Cincinnati to attend Xavier University, where I earned a degree in Business Administration with a focus on Human Resources. I then pursued a law degree at the University of Dayton School of Law with the goal of practicing plaintiff-side employment law to help individuals who had faced workplace discrimination seek justice.
However, my career path shifted during law school when I met David Crowley, a retired social worker and former Peace Corps volunteer who had returned to Cincinnati and decided to run for City Council. David wasn’t seeking to build a political career; he was driven by a genuine desire to give back to his community and improve his hometown.
David’s dedication to public service deeply inspired me. While still in law school, I interned for him, and after graduation, I worked on his campaigns and at City Hall. Through that experience, I saw firsthand the profound impact that elected officials can have when they lead with integrity, a clear vision, and a willingness to collaborate to create meaningful change.
After my time with David, I became Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of a small marketing and consulting business, where I helped like-minded, principled individuals run for office across the country.
When David passed away in 2011, I felt called to carry on his legacy. I launched my own campaign for Cincinnati City Council, and in November 2011, I became the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected in Cincinnati, and one of the youngest ever elected. During my decade-long tenure, I focused on making Cincinnati a place where people wanted to live, work, and raise a family, with the goal of reversing the city’s six-decade population decline.
By January 2022, term limits marked the end of my time on Council. Knowing I wanted to explore opportunities outside of politics, I took a mid-career sabbatical to reflect and reassess my path. Truthfully, I was burned out—politics had become increasingly divisive and destructive, and I knew it was time to step away.
For the next six months, I focused on rest and reconnection. I stayed home, cooked, and met with friends and family for coffee, asking them a single, pivotal question: Where is my intersection of happiness and helpfulness?
The answer was clear: animals. I’ve been a lifelong vegetarian, and my deep love for animals was a recurring theme in every conversation. Some people suggested I move to a farm and raise goats; others encouraged me to pursue a role in animal welfare. It felt like a calling, and I began to search for opportunities to merge my passion for service with my love for animals.
That’s when I discovered the opening for Executive Director at Ohio Alleycat Resource & Spay/Neuter Clinic. After thoughtful and honest conversations with the board, the pieces fell into place. I began the role in February 2023, leading a dedicated team of 30 employees and over 650 volunteers. Together, we are working to make a profound and lasting impact on animal welfare in our community.
It’s been a journey of discovery, growth, and alignment with my values—and I’m grateful every day to be part of this important mission.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
“It’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. The hard makes it great.” That quote from A League of Their Own is more than just a favorite line—it’s become my life motto. In fact, I often joke that when my time comes, I want my tombstone to read: “The Hard Made It Great.”
My road has been anything but smooth. In fact, I’ve faced significant personal and professional challenges, and I credit each one with shaping me into a stronger, more resilient, and more complete person.
On a personal level, one of the most difficult struggles I faced was coming out as a gay man at 18. For over 11 years, I had a limited relationship with my parents and family because of it. That time in my life was painful, but it also taught me one of the most valuable lessons I’ve ever learned: you are owed nothing. No one is going to save you or hand you success. If you want something, you have to pick yourself up, work incredibly hard, and make it happen.
Those early struggles instilled in me the determination and self-reliance I’ve carried through every stage of my life, from navigating a career shift during law school to facing the relentless demands of public service and, more recently, stepping into a leadership role in animal welfare. Each challenge has come with its own set of lessons, but the one constant has been this: the hard parts, as tough as they are in the moment, are what make the journey worthwhile.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Chris Seelbach
Executive Director, Ohio Alleycat Resource & Spay/Neuter Clinic | Former Cincinnati City Council President | Cincinnati’s Only Obama White House Champion of Change | Advocate for Underdogs
I currently serve as the Executive Director of Ohio Alleycat Resource & Spay/Neuter Clinic, where I lead a passionate team of 30 employees and over 650 volunteers committed to improving the lives of cats and advancing animal welfare. Our mission goes beyond spay/neuter services; we’re focused on creating a community where every cat is valued, cared for, and protected. I’m incredibly proud of the impact we’re making—both for the animals we serve and the people who love them.
Before stepping into this role, I dedicated over a decade to public service as President of Cincinnati City Council. In 2011, I became the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to Council and helped lead Cincinnati through a transformative period of growth. My focus was always on creating a city where everyone—regardless of background—could live, work, and thrive. Under my leadership, Cincinnati reversed a six-decade population decline and implemented policies that fostered equity and opportunity for all.
I was honored to be named Cincinnati’s only White House Champion of Change by President Barack Obama, but my contributions extend beyond politics. As Executive Director of the Living with Change Foundation, I worked tirelessly to support LGBTQ+ youth, raising over $2.5 million in just seven months to fund transformative initiatives, including a $2 million pledge to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
My career began in business and communications, serving as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Seidewitz Group. There, I combined strategic financial management with innovative messaging to help elect principled leaders across the country.
Throughout my journey, I’ve been recognized for my advocacy and leadership. I’ve been named one of the “100 Most Powerful People in Cincinnati” multiple times and received accolades like the Elected Official of the Year from the National Association of Social Workers, the Humane Legislator of the Year from the Humane Society of the United States, and the Legislator of the Year from the Greater Cincinnati Earth Coalition.
What sets me apart is my unwavering commitment to building a better world for those who need it most—whether that’s LGBTQ+ youth, underserved communities, or animals who deserve compassion and care. I believe in leading with purpose, and my work reflects a deep intersection of service, activism, and a drive to make meaningful change.
Educationally, I hold a Certificate in Senior Executives in State and Local Government from Harvard University, a Juris Doctor (JD) from the University of Dayton School of Law, and a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Human Resources Management from Xavier University.
I consider myself an advocate for the underdog—whether it’s people or animals—and I’m proud to bring that passion into everything I do.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” That sentiment perfectly encapsulates my perspective on luck. A mentor of mine once remarked, “He was born lucky, just like Reagan.” While I appreciate the compliment, I believe luck alone isn’t enough. The key is to be prepared to seize the opportunities life presents. Without preparation, even the best fortune can pass you by.
Another quote I hold dear says, “When you pray for something, believe it has already been given to you, and you will receive it.” To me, this speaks to the power of mindset, faith, and intention. It’s less about luck falling into your lap and more about aligning yourself with the opportunities you’re seeking.
I think my view of luck reflects a certain skepticism about the idea of pure chance. Maybe luck exists, or maybe those who feel “lucky” are simply living a life of readiness—mentally, emotionally, and physically prepared to embrace what comes their way. This preparedness can manifest as gifts, achievements, or transformative experiences that others might label as luck.
For me, the most significant moments in my life and career—whether being elected as Cincinnati’s first openly LGBTQ+ City Councilmember, raising millions for causes I believe in, or leading Ohio Alleycat Resource—didn’t happen purely by chance. They happened because I was ready to step up when the universe opened a door.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ohioalleycat.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seelbachc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChrisSeelbach/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-seelbach-70804a156/
- Twitter: https://x.com/ChrisSeelbach
