LEWISTON — The search is on for a new Greater Androscoggin Humane Society executive director after Katie Lisnik announced she is stepping down from the position.

Lisnik has been director of the Lewiston-based animal shelter since 2018. She’s leaving the position, Lisnik said, to take on another role that will keep her working with animals in need.

“I have taken on the first-ever executive director position for Maine Humane,” Lisnik said, “which is a statewide organization supporting the animal welfare industry, through public awareness campaigns, training, resource sharing projects, policy work and much more. I’m very excited about the possibilities!”

Lisnik was named GAHS director in 2018 after Steve Dostie announced his retirement following 38 years with the shelter.

Lisnik, 38, has spent her career working for animal welfare organizations, including nearly 12 years at the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit Humane Society of the United States, where she ultimately served as director of companion animal public policy.

Lisnik said she will stay with GAHS until a new director takes over.

“I am working part-time now to help facilitate the transition and keep admin tasks moving until they get a new ED on board,” she said.

Donna Richey, the longtime development director with the shelter, has been named interim director while the search for a permanent replacement continues.

Richey on Thursday stressed that business at the shelter will continue without interruption during the transition.

“We’re right here,” she said, “and we’ll always be here.”

Like others at the shelter, Richey praised Lisnik for her commitment to the people she worked with and to the area’s animals at large.

“She’s been an amazing advocate for the animals,” Richey said, “not only in the shelter but out in the community. This is definitely a loss for the community, but she’ll still be working for animal welfare and continuing the fight in her new position.”

Ken Schlichting, operations manager at the shelter, described Lisnik’s career move as “bittersweet.”

“Katie has been such a strong and stabilizing force at the shelter,” he said. “She’s always very steady. She brings the calm no matter what. She doesn’t get caught up in the chaos in the heat of the moment, so she’s been a real rock for all of us.

“But we’re also thrilled with the new role she’ll be going into,” Schlichting said. “She’ll be shining her light across the whole state now rather than just this area. I think it’s just a natural progression for her and all of us are going to benefit from it.”

Shannon Martin, the shelter’s community engagement specialist, had similar words for Lisnik.

“She’s been a true leader for the shelter,” Martin said. “She’s very hands-on — very involved with everything we do here, from events to cleaning in the cat room on holidays. She will be very much missed.”

No timeline was given for naming a new director. The search for candidates began at the start of the year.

Once it’s settled, Lisnik will move on to Maine Humane, which describes its role as “advocacy, education and coordination for Maine’s animals.”

The organization aims to address the most pressing needs in the animal welfare community, “from monitoring legislation and coordinating with the state Animal Welfare Program,” according to organization literature, “to sharing resources and organizing educational events, our committees create the infrastructure that allows Maine’s animal welfare organizations to thrive.”

Lisnik said her decision to leave the shelter was a difficult one, but cited personal issues as the call for change.

“I have loved my time here,” she said.