Before being named CEO of the Nova Scotia SPCA in September of 2013, Elizabeth built her career in the not-for-profit industry. Her professional focus was guiding organizational leadership to create and strengthen strategic partnerships, enabling them to become self-sustaining and thus, ensuring that their vital programs would continue to be offered in the communities they serve. Elizabeth’s strengths lay in identifying and developing unique revenue streams and encouraging collaboration among stakeholders to see them securely established.

It has always been important to Elizabeth that her profession leave a positive lasting impact on communities. Over the past 20 years her work has focused on improving the lives of people and animals in need – her passion for animals was likely derived from her childhood experiences being raised on the back of a horse by her equestrian coach Mum. 

Since joining the Nova Scotia SPCA, Elizabeth has facilitated the merge of 11 independent SPCA Societies, combining them into one provincial organization which oversees the complete operation of six animal shelters. Elizabeth has built the business of the Nova Scotia SPCA to include: two veterinary hospitals, two veterinary clinics, four thrift stores, a windmill farm, and a professional inspectorate responsible to enforce the Provincial Animal Protection Act. 

While Elizabeth has lived on both coasts and spent a few years working at the PEI Humane Society, she currently resides in Hubbards, NS with her husband, twin 16-year-old girls, dog, Hughie and two cats named Ruby & Max.

Elizabeth describes herself as: 1 part Executive, 1 part Entrepreneur, 2 parts cat lady and 2 parts Mum.