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.
Lindsay West is the Director of Operations at the Regina Humane Society. After spending a decade working in roles throughout the Society, she recognizes that working together with other individuals and organizations is what truly drives the improvement of animal welfare. Lindsay holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, a Veterinary Technology diploma and is fiercely committed to improving the well-being of animals. She is excited to be a part of Humane Canada and its spirit of partnership and innovation. It is her hope that her membership on the Board will help positively shape a world in which all animals can lead a humane life.
Kevin is an experienced civil litigation lawyer at Hill Sokalski Walsh LLP in Winnipeg. He has practiced law in Ontario and Manitoba for over 15 years and his practice includes the growing field of animal law. In 2012 and 2013, Kevin successfully represented the Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary pro bono before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in proceedings involving “Darwin the IKEA Monkey”.
He served as the Vice-Chair of the Animal Law Section of the Ontario Bar Association in 2014-2015 and regularly appears as a media commentator on animal law issues. He is the Chair of the Winnipeg Humane Society’s Animal Protection Committee and serves on the Board of Directors. Kevin teaches Civil Procedure at Robson Hall Law School at the University of Manitoba and is a Presiding Member of Manitoba’s Co-operative Housing Appeal Tribunal. In 2017, he obtained his Master of Laws from Osgoode Hall at York University. Each November, Kevin volunteers at Isla Animal’s Rancho Viejo Spay and Neuter Clinic in Isla Mujeres, Mexico. Most importantly, he is the proud father of two vegan toddlers.
Cindy has a strong background and knowledge of animal welfare as a long-term volunteer with the BC SPCA. As past President and Board member of the BC SPCA, Cindy has a proven track record in board leadership and governance. She chaired the Governance Review Committee and the Advocacy Committee and is particularly proud of that group’s successful End Animal Cruelty campaign, which ultimately saw increased protection for abused and neglected animals through new cruelty legislation enacted by the BC government. Cindy’s background also includes leadership roles in corporate and non-profit settings, with strength in implementing strategic plans and programs and building collaborative relationships with various stakeholder groups. Cindy recently retired and lives in Nanaimo with her two cats Lily and Jasper. She volunteers with the Nanaimo BC SPCA on their fundraising committee. Cindy is a dedicated champion for homeless cats, recognizing that there is still much work to do in educating society about the value of the cat as an animal companion.
Rob Rosenfeld, Vice President – National Capital Region and Corporate Communications for Morneau Shepell works with a wide variety of clients to help increase the quality of mental health and wellness support offered to their employees. Prior to joining Morneau Shepell, he worked for the Government of Canada, where he held senior posts in the offices of the Ministers of Science and Veterans Affairs. He has years of experience working in advocacy and public affairs, including on behalf of research universities, the International Fund for Animal Welfare and telecommunications and high-tech firms. Rob is passionate about working to improve understanding and support for those impacted by mental health issues and is proud to work with Humane Canada on the intersection between animal welfare and mental health.
Karen McGeean is the Director of Marketing & Development for the Fredericton SPCA in Fredericton, NB. Karen has known since she was young that animals were her passion, and after graduating from University with a degree in Psychology and Sociology, she pursued her love of animals by volunteering and being employed in the Animal Welfare community for over 28 years. Her roles ranged from fundraising, newsletter writing, volunteering, Board experience, fostering and being an adoptive mom to a variety of special needs cats.
Karen has served as a Board member on two animal welfare organizations in the capacity of Vice-President, which allowed her to see both sides of the animal business. She has also worked in the customer service industry for over 30 years, including working as the Deployment Co-ordinator at the Military Family Resource Center in Toronto where she led programs that helped families of deployed members with the separation and stresses of a military lifestyle.
Currently, she is working to increase awareness of companion animal issues and cat overpopulation, while seeking out new creative ways to raise money in a tight economy in Atlantic Canada. Karen lives outside of Fredericton, New Brunswick with her husband Steve and a plethora of special needs cats on their rural property where they enjoy the wildlife that visits their backyard.
Adrienne McBride is the Executive Director of the Guelph Humane Society (GHS). She is a lawyer whose passion for animals led her to a career path in animal sheltering and advocacy. She brings more than 10 years of experience in animal welfare to the role, as well as a keen understanding of the not-for-profit sector and community partnerships. Adrienne joined the GHS during a transitioning phase – a time when employee morale was low and shelter productivity was down. Her can-do attitude and unique approach to motivating her team has been crucial to the GHS’ continued success – building a better, brighter future for both the staff and the animals in their community. Adrienne thoroughly enjoys animal advocacy and believes strongly that we can create policies and partnerships that benefit both animals and people alike. Adrienne completed an Honours degree in Media Studies and a diploma in Journalism through the University of Guelph-Humber, graduating with distinction. She earned her law degree (LL.B.) at the University of Ottawa in 2010. While studying law, she held internships with the Ontario Racing Commission and Humane Canada and was called to the Bar in Ontario in 2011. Prior to joining the Guelph Humane Society, Adrienne worked for Smith Valeriote Law Firm in Guelph. Originally from Toronto, she, along with her husband, their 2 children, 2 dogs and 2 cats, now call Fergus, Ontario home.
