José Ocaño
José Ocaño is a proud Chicano who has spent over 15 years working to preserve and support the human-animal bond. Self-awareness, personal accountability, and mindfulness have been foundational as José navigates his life and career.
During his tenure at one of the largest animal shelters in Arizona, José gained insight into the importance of fostering emotional intelligence, engaging in compassionate communication, and embodying authentic leadership. This approach aimed to encourage and inspire people to harness their own wisdom and untapped potential, leading to more effective collaborative efforts, which ultimately improved the lives of people and pets throughout the community.
In 2017, after ten transformational years working on behalf of the people and pets of Tucson, José joined Best Friends Animal Society, a national nonprofit organization. At Best Friends, he took charge of leading dynamic teams in areas such as Human Resources, Learning and Staff Development, Employee Experience, and Organizational Culture initiatives. He also served as a strategic advisor to the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Leadership Team on workplace culture and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts. By fostering collaboration, driving change, and implementing intentional leadership practices and systems, José and his team nurtured a workplace culture centered around employees and core values. As a result of these efforts, Best Friends continues to be celebrated as a top workplace and has received numerous awards on a local, state, and national level.
In 2023, José and his husband, Angel Guzman, co-founded Hatching, a company with a vision to create a more compassionate world. Through Hatching, they aim to help people develop the skills and mindsets to #LiveBetter and #WorkBetter.
At its heart, Hatching is grounded in seven core principles: Self-worth, Gratitude, Curiosity, Radical Acceptance, Boundaries, Forgiveness, and Compassion. Together, these principles shape a more intentional approach to life and leadership, enriching both our personal and professional journeys.