Introducing the Program committee

Claire Dulude (she/her) is a Research Coordinator for Humane Canada’s Promising Practices project and over the last few years has had the pleasure of coordinating Humane Canada’s ACT Project and the National Pet Food Bank. Claire holds a master's degree in animal Behaviour and Welfare from the University of Guelph and an undergraduate degree from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. Before joining Humane Canada, Claire held several roles within a Humane Society organization and an adjoining low-cost spay and neuter clinic. Claire’s animal welfare background has given her an interest in equitable access to support and care services in underserved communities and a passion for preserving the human-animal bond.

Claire is an uninvited guest on the Crawford Purchase, 1783 treaty land, on the traditional territory of the Anishinabek, Mississauga, and Haudenosaunee peoples.

More information coming soon

Dr. Giuliana Miguel-Pacheco is the Manager of Farmed Animal Welfare at Humane Canada, where she leads a national strategy grounded in humane practices, ethical food systems, and cross-sector collaboration. With over a decade of experience in animal welfare science, Giuliana has worked across research, policy, and industry to advance the lives of farmed animals. Her work includes leading innovative assessments of pig welfare on farms and in abattoirs, as well as supporting food businesses and NGOs across the Americas in improving welfare standards.

She has contributed to projects spanning species and contexts, from captive elephant welfare to precision livestock farming, always guided by a commitment to transparency, evidence, and compassion.

Originally trained as a veterinarian in Peru, Giuliana pursued advanced training in animal behaviour and welfare, earning an MSc from the University of Edinburgh and a PhD from the University of Nottingham, where she studied lameness treatment in dairy cattle.

Now based in Treaty 7 territory and the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3, Giuliana lives with gratitude for the land and its teachings. She shares her home with her husband and Marietta, a rescued dog from Mexico who has travelled the world with them.

Heather Hunter serves as the Director of Outreach and Community Services for the Ottawa Humane Society.  With two decades of experience in the charitable sector, she has spent her career developing, implementing and evaluating community initiatives. Much of her professional experience has been in poverty reduction, from launching social enterprises to evaluating social impact.

Heather is also a longtime volunteer in the animal welfare sector with a special interest in fostering shy and fearful dogs. She is a certified dog trainer (CPDT-KA; CTC) who has been teaching positive reinforcement dog training classes for the public since 2016. Whether it’s teaching classes or developing programs, Heather has a knack for solving persistent problems and finding creative ways to help others thrive.

In her free time, she is active in dog sports with her two Australian Shepherds, and enjoys nothing more than an off-leash hike with a group of two and four-legged friends.

Jacklyn Ellis is board certified by the Animal Behavior Society as a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, is Certified in Shelter Behavior – Cat by the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, and is the Director of Behaviour at the Toronto Humane Society. She earned her PhD in Animal Welfare at the Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, where she conducted research on methods for reducing stress in shelter cats. Her work has been published widely in peer-reviewed journals and she has presented at many national and international conferences, particularly on feline stress and elimination behaviour. She has recently authored two chapters for a new edition of the leading textbook on the behaviour and welfare of shelter animals.

Jill has been in the animal welfare field for over 20 years since she started her first job at an animal shelter. Immediately after graduating from veterinary school in 2014, Jill started work at her first non-profit animal shelter that soon opened an access to care clinic. She has worked for small non-profits, large municipal shelters, the ASPCA’s Field Investigations and Response Team, and taught a veterinary disaster response class through the University of Florida.

Jill moved from Florida to Canada in 2022 and started work for the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society. In 2024 she was promoted to the role of Chief Veterinarian for the organization that has 14 adoption centres and 3 spay/neuter/wellness clinics, as well as a travelling MASH clinic that visits the more remote areas of Ontario. Jill became a CASCMA (Canadian Animal Sheltering and Community Medicine Association) board member in 2024.

Jill lives on a farm with her family in the Niagara region, where she spend her free time playing with her rescued cats and horses, and doing a little theatre from time to time!

Johanna joined the Calgary Humane Society (CHS) team in 2018 and has been in various operational roles. With a BA in Psychology and nearly 20 years of experience as a Human Resources Professional, Johanna has helped bolster the Adoptions Department for the future with her commitment to leadership and building an innovative culture. 

Her love of animals and desire to contribute to their welfare led her to the Calgary Humane Society. She has facilitated new programs and strengthened the bond between the Adoptions Department and other areas of CHS. Johanna was also awarded the Calgary Humane Society Leader of the Year award for 2023. 

Katherine Lacefield is a trusted partner in the philanthropic space, leveraging over 20 years of experience empowering organizations and individuals to bring about positive impact in their communities. Her knowledge and expertise span many areas, from overall fundraising strategy, monthly donations, major donation campaigns, and peer-to-peer, to a nuanced understanding of the global grantmaking landscape, animal welfare and rights, and sustainable development.

Katherine is the founder and head consultant of Just Be Cause Consulting, bringing a wealth of insights to the table. Through her clients, volunteering,  webinars, speaking gigs, articles, and podcast - The Just Be Cause Podcast, Katherine has helped hundreds of nonprofits get excited about fundraising again. She has supported many nonprofits to establish sustainable funding plans, from small grassroots advocacy groups to large international organizations.

With an academic background in environmental development and nonprofit management, Katherine has deepened her understanding of the intricate connections between the many social issues that affect our communities and the important role of the nonprofit sector. 

As the former Coordinator and Communications Manager of PhiLab, Canada's largest philanthropic grantmaking research lab, Katherine has been at the forefront of grantmaking research, particularly in the realms of social and environmental justice since 2017. Through her role, she has fostered invaluable relationships with grantmaking foundations, nonprofits, and philanthropy researchers worldwide. Her work has covered diverse aspects of philanthropy, including the arts, invisible causes, marginalized communities, environment and climate change, social inequalities, and Indigenous relations.

Karen Reichheld is the Director of Animal Care at the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA, where she has dedicated over 16 years to improving the lives of vulnerable animals and the people who care for them. Before joining the not-for-profit sector, Karen worked in private veterinary practice for 12 years, gaining invaluable clinical and operational experience that continues to inform her compassionate, high-standard approach to shelter medicine and animal welfare.

Karen’s passion lies in providing safe refuge for animals when they need it most—when they have no other options and are in desperate need of care and hope. She is committed to creating and expanding programs that improve access to care, helping ensure no pet or caregiver is left behind due to barriers of affordability or availability.

At home, Karen shares her life with her husband Rob, her partner of 27 years, and their three beloved French Bulldogs. She is also the devoted caregiver to a colony of cats that have called her property home for the past 15 years, reflecting her deep commitment to community animal welfare beyond the walls of the shelter.

Karen is looking forward to contributing her experience and perspective at the 2027 Summit for Animals, where she hopes to collaborate with others who are equally passionate about building a more compassionate future for animals and the people who love them.

Kathleen co-founded the Calgary Urban Species Response Team (originally called the Calgary Migratory Species Response Team) in 2019, and remains this grassroots organization’s volunteer Executive Director.  With the help of a dynamic group of dedicated volunteers, Kathleen and the CUSRT routinely monitor downtown Calgary for birds and bats that have been affected by urban hazards, largely reflective window collisions which take millions of birds’ lives each year.  Kathleen and the team strive to educate the public on the importance of having a bird-friendly home and business.

Kathleen values collaboration with other organizations such as the Royal Alberta Museum who accepts all of the group’s deceased birds for further study.   Kathleen is a founding member of Calgary’s Bird Friendly team, dedicated to help Calgary become and remain a certified Nature Canada Bird Friendly City.  Kathleen is also co-founder for an ally-to-Indigenous Peoples organization called Feathers of Friendship and looks forward to developing this important effort much further as her capacity increases.  

When she isn’t volunteering, Kathleen treasures her time as a mother, with her extended family and with her fur family who are all AARCS alumni from her time of fostering. 

Kathy Duncan has worked in the Animal Care, Control and Welfare field for over 30 years in Ontario.  She started as an Animal Control Officer and has held various roles in both non-profit Humane Societies/SPCAs as well as open admission municipal animal shelters. Kathy is currently the Director, National Programs with Humane Canada, Canada’s national voice for animal welfare.   

She was a member of the Municipal Law Enforcement Officers Association of Ontario for almost 20 years and a member of the Animal Shelter Professionals of Ontario (Formerly the Association of Animal Shelter Administrators of Ontario (AASAO)) for almost 30 years. She served as a member of the board of directors with the AASAO for over 17 years, 12 of those she served as President/Chair of the Board.   

Kathy has been actively involved in various provincial working groups including the Animal Welfare Task Force over the course of her career and is passionate about bringing improvements to animal sheltering and animal welfare.  

Kathy, along with her husband Paul, is the proud parent to two young adult children, and three Bouvier des Flandres dogs.    

More details coming soon.

Lesley Fox is the Executive Director of The Fur-Bearers. She holds a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies from Royal Roads University, where her undergraduate thesis and research focused on ending animal dissection in secondary schools in favour of non-lethal alternatives. Lesley also holds a certification in Humane Education and has completed multiple credentials in nonprofit management, marketing, and communications.

In addition to her professional work, Lesley actively volunteers with local community groups supporting housing, addiction recovery, and breast cancer recovery. She has a particular fondness for fur-bearing animals, especially wolves, coyotes, beavers, and a general love for cats and small animals, including guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits.

Lesley lives with her partner on Vancouver Island, on the traditional territories of the Hupacasath and Tseshaht First Nations. She is the proud guardian of a slightly nippy and territorial guinea pig who is not interested in having a companion, Wes Cheffley (Chef).

Liza joined the Edmonton Humane Society in 2019 as Chief Executive Officer. Utilizing her skills in management and planning, Liza is dedicated to supporting the community, EHS staff, and the animals in their care.  

Before joining EHS, Liza served as the Chief Operating Officer at the Bissell Centre, overseeing all programs and services for this inner-city non-profit, which supports people living in poverty. She was also Executive Director at Lurana Shelter Society, a local refuge providing safety and support for women and children who are victims of domestic violence. As a dedicated local leader and spokesperson for Ovarian Cancer Canada, Liza was recognized with the Peggy Truscott Award of Hope and the YWCA’s Women of Distinction Award. Liza’s governance experience includes being an active Board Director for both Ovarian Cancer Canada and Humane Canada. She also holds a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) designation.  

Liza enjoys cooking, spending time with family and friends, sunny days with the family cat (Chester) – adopted from EHS – as well as taking her adopted dog (Ruby) to the park. 

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. 

As Senior Manager of Strategic Initiatives at PetSmart Charities of Canada, Marieke works to strengthen animal welfare innovation, collaboration and advancement in Canada. She works across both program pillars, Supporting Pets and People and Connecting Pets and People, connecting dots and opportunities. 

She joined PetSmart Charities of Canada with over 12 years of experience in the animal welfare field. In her previous roles at Veterinarians Without Borders and the BC SPCA, her work focused on building programs that preserved the human-animal bond and increased access to care for both remote and underserved communities in Canada. Marieke is passionate about unique and innovative approaches to solving the problems people and their pets face in staying together.

Melaina has been a passionate advocate for animal welfare all her life, launching her career in the field at Calgary Humane Society in 2006. Over the years, she has built a strong background in animal welfare, shelter operations, human resources, and strategic leadership.

A Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) and Certified Talent Management Practitioner (CTMP), Melaina also holds a Certificate in Human Resource Management from the University of Calgary. She is deeply committed to continuous learning and growth, with professional interests that include human rights, leadership development, and promoting psychological health and safety in the workplace. She is particularly passionate about cultivating a workplace culture where people feel supported, respected, and empowered to thrive.

When she’s not working, Melaina enjoys spending quality time with her partner, sharpening her skills as an avid 5-pin bowler, and unwinding through creative outlets like painting and drawing.

Natalia Hanson is a dual citizen of Colombia and Canada who moved to Canada in 2009 to pursue higher education, attending college to become a veterinary assistant. She worked in the veterinary industry for six years, during which time she developed a passion for animal advocacy and fundraising. This passion led her to pursue a second career in public relations, aiming to broaden her skillset to continue advocating for animal welfare and well-being.

In 2016, Natalia joined Humane Canada as a public relations intern and has since taken on various roles within the organization on and off. She is currently a marketing consultant for the Summit for Animals, Humane Canada’s signature annual conference. Alongside her work with Humane Canada, Natalia leads Colombianimals, a non-profit organization that combines tourism and sterilization campaigns for dogs and cats in her native Colombia. Spaying and neutering domestic animals is the most humane and effective way to address pet overpopulation. She believes so strongly in this that she has a tattoo on her left arm that says 'spay and neuter.'

She was recognized for her animal welfare volunteer efforts by being nominated for a Premier's Award for Outstanding Ontario College Graduates in 2023 in the category of Community Services.

Natalia is the proud guardian of three rescued dogs, Sammy, Rosalita, and Grogu. She currently divides her time between Canada and Colombia.

Oli Pero is a Corporate Relations Advisor in the Emergency Management Department at the Canadian Red Cross in Quebec. She oversees corporate volunteering initiatives, facilitates operational debriefings, and serves as a liaison during emergency operations. A strong advocate for inclusive emergency planning, Oli champions efforts to keep pets and their families together during evacuations.

Beyond her role at the Red Cross, Oli is a dedicated animal welfare advocate. As the founder of Animals Need Me, she works to improve the lives of stray animals in Albania through rescue, legal advocacy, municipal collaboration, and public education on responsible pet ownership. Her work reflects a deep commitment to humane policy and community engagement.

Rachel Cote is the Director of Programs at the Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society (AARCS), where she oversees some of the organization’s largest departments and provides strategic leadership to a team of 20 staff. She has been with AARCS for nearly 15 years, bringing deep organizational knowledge and a long-standing commitment to animal welfare.

Rachel has a background in Human Resources, holding a diploma in Business Administration, a Certificate in Human Resources Management, and the Certified Talent Management Practitioner (CTMP) designation. She is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) candidate and is actively working toward several other professional designations.

In addition to her work at AARCS, Rachel is a consultant and co-founder of The Cote Group, where she partners with growing businesses and nonprofits to improve customer experience, streamline operations, enhance human resources practices, and support strategic planning and growth initiatives. She is passionate about developing people, strengthening programs, and promoting compassionate leadership.

Outside of her professional endeavours, you can frequently find Rachel in a spin class, on a mountain, or on a plane ready to explore a new destination. The rest of her downtime is spent with her husband and beloved AARCS alumni: Charlie, Stella, Kora and Rupert.

Sue is the manager of the Promising Practices Project at Humane Canada and is a settler on Turtle Island. Sue is a Masters of Women and Gender Studies candidate at Saint Mary’s University and recipient of a SSHRC grant and a Master of Education graduate from Western University. Sue has worked for 5+ years in gender-based violence (GBV) services, specifically in emergency GBV shelter and community services, in addition to working in fields such as mental health services, employment services, and education. Sue is the pet guardian to a cat named Mew Mew. 

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 events for 40 to 400+ people 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, and a cat named Pawz. 

Tara has been a strong advocate for the welfare of animals for many years through her role as Executive Director of Central Alberta Humane Society for ten years and former Humane Canada Board Director from 2015-2020. Her long career in the charitable sector, specializing in fund development, marketing, and management, has spanned over 20 years, actively furthering the missions of the central Alberta charitable sector in domestic violence, seniors long-term care, and animal welfare. 

During that time, Tara received recognition for her dedication as a Red Deer Women of Excellence and was awarded the Humane Canada Animal Welfare Leadership Award in 2020. Tara now supports the work of Humane Canada on the staff team as Director, Donor Relations and National Engagement. Tara proudly supports Women for a Humane Canada as a founding member and is a strong advocate for the recognition of women in leadership in our sector. 

Along with partner Jaret and fur-kids Harlee and Bandit, she divides her time between their homes on the mountain in the Crowsnest Pass, AB, and their off-grid cabin on the shores of Kootenay Lake just outside of Nelson, BC. At home, they relish the freedom of nature, the beauty of the environment, and the wildlife that frequently visit both properties.