Introducing the Program committee

As the CEO of Humane Canada, the federation of humane societies and SPCAs, Barbara convenes and represents the largest animal welfare community in Canada, working to end animal cruelty, improve animal protection and promote the humane treatment of all animals. 

Barbara is sought after for her expertise in policy and public affairs, having secured amendments to the Criminal Code, Fisheries Act, Migratory Birds Act, and Canadian Environmental Protection Act. In 2019, she helped secure a ban on cetacean captivity, as well as strengthen animal fighting offences, close loopholes in the bestiality offences, and ensure abusers convicted of animal sexual assault are listed on the Sex Offender Registry. Barbara has advised some of the world's top organizations on animal welfare policy direction, including collaborating with online giant eBay Inc. to eliminate the illegal ivory trade on its site worldwide. 

In her current role, Barbara launched the Summit for Animals (previously known as the National Animal Welfare Conference), the National Centre for the Prosecution of Animal Cruelty (NCPAC), the National Violence Link Coalition and conference, as well as spearheaded the first animal Shelter Accreditation Program in Canada.  

Barbara holds a Master's in Environmental Education and Communication, is a published author and lecturer, and received the Governor General’s Gold Medal. Previously, she served as President of the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada. She currently sits on the Boards of PetSmart Charities of Canada and the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center in the Congo. Barbara has been recognized as one of 5 “WOW Woman” in Canada, is a member of Women’s Executive Network and the Council of Women Executives.

Tara has been a passionate advocate for animal welfare for more than a decade, serving as the Executive Director of the Central Alberta Humane Society for ten years and as a former Board Director at Humane Canada from 2015 to 2020. With over 20 years of experience in the charitable sector, Tara has specialized in fund development, marketing, and management, advancing the missions of numerous Central Alberta organizations dedicated to domestic violence prevention, long-term care for seniors, and animal welfare.

Her dedication has earned her notable recognition, including a Red Deer Women of Excellence award nomination and the Humane Canada Animal Welfare Leadership Award in 2020. As Humane Canada’s Director of National Engagement, Tara continues to drive the organization’s mission and vision while championing Women for a Humane Canada as a founding member.

Tara divides her time between two homes: a serene mountain retreat in Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, and an off-grid cabin nestled on the shores of Kootenay Lake near Nelson, British Columbia. Alongside her partner and their beloved dogs, she enjoys the freedom of nature, the beauty of the environment, and the frequent visits from local wildlife at both properties.
 

Melissa has a BSc in Ecology and a Masters in Environmental Studies and has been leading successful animal welfare and environmental advocacy campaigns for more than 20 years. She has been with World Animal Protection since 2005 in various roles, working on different campaigns to help wildlife, farmed animals and animals in disasters. As the Campaign Director she oversees the organization’s Canadian campaigns to change government legislation, corporate and financial institution policies, and people’s behaviour to improve protection for animals. Melissa is passionate about the role animal welfare can play in addressing the climate and biodiversity crises, pandemic and disease risk and antimicrobial resistance.
 

Lynn oversees World Animal Protection’s farming and food systems campaign. She works to change government and corporate policies to improve animal welfare, raise public awareness about the plight of farm animals in Canada, and advocate for a more humane and sustainable food system. Lynn has been working in animal advocacy for over 20 years. She holds a B.A. in Philosophy and an MSc in Animal Behaviour and Welfare. 
 

rin joined World Animal Protection in 2024, and brings more than 10 years experience working on a variety of wild animal welfare issues across the country with groups including the BC SPCA and Humane World for Animals Canada. She is a skilled and creative science communicator, a Registered Professional Biologist (RPBio), and holds a BSc and MSc in Applied Animal Biology from the UBC Animal Welfare Program. 

In addition to dedicating her career to animal welfare, Erin is an (over)active volunteer in animal welfare and mentorship. She is a current board member of the BC Chapter of the Wildlife Society, past President of The Fur-Bearers, and a mentor for both UBC’s Land and Food Systems Mentorship Program and the YWCA Metro Vancouver’s Circle of Sisters Indigenous mentorship program.

Erin is an avid cat foster volunteer, having fostered more than 40 kittens en route to their forever homes. Her two permanent residents, Wesley and Grubber, have been very patient with the near-constant presence of kittens.
Erin is a proud member of the Syilx (Okanagan) Nation. 
 

Shane Bateman is a Professor in the Department of Clinical Studies at the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) and works as an Emergency/Critical Care specialist at the Companion Animal Medical Complex. He was the Chair of the Board of the Guelph Humane Society from 2011 to 2021, leading the organization during the capital campaign and construction of a new $10 million shelter that opened in March 2021.
 
From 2011 to 2021, Shane served as Regional Veterinary Director for Community Veterinary Outreach, a charity providing free preventive veterinary care for pets of individuals experiencing homelessness. He has also led initiatives delivering low-cost preventive care to First Nations communities in Southwestern Ontario from 2012 to 2020. His commitment to community engagement inspired the creation of the Kim & Stu Lang Community Healthcare Partnership Program in 2019 with an $11M gift to OVC.
 
During a sabbatical in 2022, Shane earned a Master’s degree in Veterinary Forensic Science from the University of Florida. While new to veterinary forensics, his extensive experience in emergency medicine and animal welfare enhances his approach to this field. He is actively working to expand the curriculum at OVC to include veterinary forensic science, which now features a week-long elective rotation, thereby integrating this critical discipline into veterinary education and promoting animal welfare.
 

For the past 25 years, Sara has held various leadership roles at the BC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA). She currently directs five teams (AnimalKind, Government Relations, Companion, Farm, and Wild Animal Welfare) to deliver province-wide animal welfare science and policy initiatives. Her advocacy work has led to provincial bans on exotic animals, mink farming, and the most harmful rodenticides. Sara has contributed to 17 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters, and serves on the BC Non-Profit Network Steering Committee.  

Sara holds a Biology Co-op B.Sc. from the University of Victoria and an M.Sc. and Ph.D. from the University of British Columbia’s Animal Welfare Program. She is a Registered Professional Biologist, former board member of the Wildlife Rehabilitators Network of BC, and Past President of the Oiled Wildlife Society of BC and the Canadian Society for Humane Science.

As Adjunct Professor at the UBC Animal Welfare Program, she runs an applied biology practicum course year-round for students to get hands-on experience with animals and supports graduate student research. At Vancouver Island University, Sara teaches courses on communications, ethics, culture, and complementary care in the Animal Care Aide Certificate program.
 

Toolika has been with Humane Canada since 2013 and leads its research program, including the indicators project, Measuring Progress Toward a Humane Canada. Among her policy-related responsibilities, she represents Humane Canada, advocating for farmed animals, on the National Farm Animal Care Council, a multistakeholder forum that brings together representatives of government, industry, enforcement agencies, animal advocacy and the veterinary sector to develop Canada’s approach and standards of care for animals in agriculture.

Before joining Humane Canada, she worked in the areas of biodiversity conservation and environmental safety, both internationally with the OECD, and within the Government of Canada at Environment Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Her policy work contributed to the development of international environmental agreements and the drafting of federal legislation for environmental protection.
Toolika holds a PhD in Molecular and Medical Genetics, a postdoctoral certificate in Conservation Genetics and a Master’s in Ecological Economics and Sustainable Development Policy. She has published her primary research in peer-reviewed journals and has authored Humane Canada’s publications.

Toolika is dedicated to cultivating compassion and supports community programs in addition to her own personal development in this area.
 

Mallory has an interest in animal welfare in Canada and internationally and has spent the last 15 years working or volunteering in the animal welfare and environmental sectors.

She is a skilled events expert and corporate partnership manager with almost ten years of experience planning events of many formats. Mallory has two degrees, one in Business with a major in Finance and the second in Environmental Practice with a focus on sustainability. She focused much of her academic research on endangered species and the sustainability of critical ecosystems around the world.

Mallory is also an inventor who owns her own business, Get Out Stay Out (GOSO), which sells a campfire grill of her own design. Through GOSO, Mallory encourages people to get outside while sharing lived experiences of her own adventures.

She is the proud caretaker of two rescued dogs, Murphy and Dakota.
 

Shannon's childhood was enriched by a diverse array of animal companions, fostering her deep and enduring love for animals from a very young age.

A graduate of Algonquin College, Shannon holds a diploma in Event Management and an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration with a major in Marketing. Her professional journey with Humane Canada began as an Events Intern in 2019, eventually leading to her current role as the Coordinator of Events. In this capacity, Shannon orchestrates impactful 40 to 400+ person events in the animal welfare sector, infusing her work with creativity, passion, outside-the-box thinking, and a tech-savvy approach.

When she is not hard at work, Shannon can be found by the lake with a good book, exploring the world, or camping. She is a proud pet guardian to two lively dogs, Jasper and Denver.
 

Natalie Hillinger is a marketing and communications professional with over a decade of experience in digital marketing, public relations, and social media strategy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from McMaster University and a Public Relations Post-Graduate Certificate with Honours from Humber College.
Natalie is known for developing thoughtful, impactful campaigns and brand strategies that engage audiences and drive lasting results. Throughout her career, she has worked with organizations aligned with her values, particularly those focused on sustainability, wellness, and veganism.

A lifelong animal lover and advocate, Natalie is passionate about using her skills to create positive change for animals. She is dedicated to raising awareness, inspiring compassion, and building a more humane world where animals are treated with dignity and kindness.