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A golden retriever leans in toward a young woman in a blue hat as she reaches out to stroke its head, both sitting on the grass at an outdoor gathering.

The Board of Directors is the governance body of the Guelph Humane Society (GHS). The Directors on the Board represent the membership of the GHS, and provides high-level oversight and strategic direction for the organization. The Board also ensures that the activities of the GHS fall within the organization’s governance policies, and that the GHS is in compliance with all relevant laws.

Candidates for the Board are selected from the community, and are individuals, who are passionate about the GHS and animal welfare and have skills that assist the Board with its overall goals. Volunteer Board members are elected by the GHS membership at the Annual General Meeting, and serve a three-year term in accordance with the corporation’s by-laws. If you are interested in becoming a Board member, please contact the Board Chair.

Board of Directors

Heather Mair

Chair

Heather Mair has lived in Guelph since 1999 and has long supported the Guelph Humane Society as a donor, pet adopter, and mum of a Critter Camp attendee. She works at the University of Waterloo and her research and teaching are focused in the area(s) of community development through recreation, tourism, and sport. She has experienced firsthand the ways pets can bring neighbours and communities together – building relationships, social networks, and trust – and she firmly believes GHS has a special role to play in supporting animals, people, and communities. She lives with her husband, daughter, and two GHS-adopted cats. When not working or spending time with family and friends, Heather can be found wandering through the park, trying to identify local birds.
Samantha Lawson

Vice Chair

Samantha came to Guelph in 2003 to study at the University of Guelph and loved the City so much that she never left. She currently works as an Administrator in the public sector and has a strong passion for the natural environment. Samantha has always loved animals, both big and small. Having adopted three cats from the GHS over the past 20 years, she was repeatedly impressed by the enthusiasm and selfless dedication of volunteers, staff and leadership. Sharing that passion and dedication to animal welfare, she looks forward to contributing to GHS’s ongoing success and, most importantly, each animal’s success. She currently has a cat (Millie) and horse (Kallio), and enjoys hiking, biking, horseback riding, and travelling.
Dakota Pitz

Secretary

Dakota moved to Guelph in 2015 and brought with him a love for people and a passion for animal welfare. He is an active member in the community, and an active Realtor with a dedication to serving the City of Guelph and its residents. Dakota is young, driven, and excited about the possibility of helping animals and humans alike!

You can usually find Dakota hanging out with his two favorite ‘colleagues’, his Australian Shepherds Dallas & Niko. In their spare time they enjoy long walks, swimming, paddle boarding, or cuddling up on the coach.
Carrie Connelly

Director

Carrie Connelly joins the board with a rich background in Human Resources, previous executive board experience and a lifelong commitment to animal welfare. Born and raised in Guelph, Carrie’s deep-rooted connection to her community has profoundly influenced her dedication to service, both in her professional career and her charitable endeavors. A seasoned HR professional, Carrie brings over two decades of experience in fostering supportive and effective workplace environments with expertise in talent acquisition, organizational development and change management.

As a proud pet parent to two adopted dogs, Carrie’s involvement with the GHS is a natural extension of her love for animals and her desire to make a positive impact in her community. As a new board member, Carrie hopes to leverage her professional skills and personal passion to advance the mission of the Guelph Humane Society.
Alex Delisle

Director

Alex has been in Guelph for over 30 years. Guelph and the community have always felt like home to Alex. After many years of being a commuter, Alex has brought his work back to the community and runs a financial planning practice servicing Guelph and the surrounding areas. Currently, Alex and his wife affectionately call their house “The Zoo” with 3 dogs and 2 cats: Panda and Ozzy Pawsbourne (Alaskan Malamutes), Juniper (Northern Village Dog), Alfie and Maglin (the King and Queen of the house also known as the cats). When not at work, you can find Alex with his wife taking the dogs to the park and on the golf course.
Adelaide Earl

Director

Adelaide is a lawyer practicing in commercial litigation and employment law at McKenzie Lake Lawyers LLP in Guelph. Adelaide grew up in and currently lives in Guelph and has a strong connection to the community. Animals have always been integral to Adelaide’s family and life. She has personal experience with the GHS through its adoption program, and has two adopted rescue cats, Felix and Oscar. Adelaide has always had a strong desire to support animal welfare and is grateful for the opportunity to serve on the GHS Board.

In her spare time, Adelaide enjoys bouldering, both indoors and outdoors.
Stefanie Ferraro

Director

Stefanie first moved to Guelph in 2006 for studies at the University of Guelph and has called it home ever since. She values the City’s strong sense of community and is excited about the opportunity to give back through the Board. Stefanie is currently a manager in provincial government and brings over a decade of public administration and regulatory compliance experience. As a pet parent to Australian Shepherd “Harvey”, Stefanie knows first-hand how enriching animals are to the human experience and was drawn to the GHS as an opportunity to support animal welfare in the community. In her spare time, Stefanie and her husband can be found out for a walk on one of Guelph’s trails, enjoying a cup of coffee or meal at a local cafe and spending time with family and friends.
Michael Foggia

Director

Mike and his family moved to Guelph in April 2021. Together with their dog, Louie, Mike and his partner spend their time exploring the city’s great outdoor spaces. Mike is a Human Resources executive with 15 years of experience within various Canadian and multinational organizations, with a specialization in labour relations and a passion for the employee experience. Mike’s love of animals led him to GHS and he hopes to contribute to the organization’s mission to advocate for all animals.
Emma Harris

Director

Emma Harris is a PhD Candidate at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph. Her research is focused on economic and demographic factors that impact access to companion animal veterinary care in Ontario, Canada. She currently holds a Vice President role at Vetster, a global veterinary telemedicine company based in Toronto, Canada. She is very passionate about advancements in innovation and technology within veterinary medicine and holds a variety of volunteer committee positions across several different community organizations. She is a mother of three children under the age of three and is also the caretaker of two Labrador Retrievers and one Norwegian Forest Cat. She, her husband, and their children and pets reside in Ancaster, Ontario. In her free time, she enjoys functional fitness training and reading.
Shawna Peddle

Director

Shawna has been a proud member of the Guelph community since 2000, living with her sons and husband, and her rescue pets Aurora (domestic shorthair) and Cooper (terrier mix). She feels a deep affection for animals as a biologist and pet lover, and her local community, so being a member of the GHS Board of Directors is her ideal way to give back and share expertise with an organization that connects both.

Shawna leads sustainability and community impact for a Guelph-headquartered national insurance and financial services provider, and brings experience in non-profit management, finance, communications, and Board governance to GHS. In her free time, she can be found reading, gardening, and spending time outdoors, usually with her dog in tow.
Amanda Sawlor

Director

Amanda was part of the GHS Finance committee for almost two years and is excited to bring her love for animals and genuine care for their well-being to the Board. She believes volunteering is one of the best ways to connect and give back to the great community of Guelph. Amanda brings direct experience serving on boards at both local and national levels, plus her background as a professional accountant to GHS.

Her passion for animals shines through, especially with her two rescue pups, and she has a special soft spot for senior dogs and the happiness they bring. Outside of working time with the University of Guelph, Amanda’s most often cuddling with her dogs, cleaning up husky fur (it’s a full-time job!), or enjoying anything active and outdoors.
Tara Sotoudeh

Director

Tara Sotoudeh joins the board with a background in pet health and nutrition, specializing in animal wellness, product development, and manufacturing strategy. As the founder of Principle Pets, Tara has dedicated her career to improving the lives of animals through science-backed care and innovation within the pet industry. Based in Guelph, Tara has a strong connection to the local community and a lifelong passion for animal welfare.

As a proud pet parent to her dog, Sunny, and her cat, Miney, her involvement with the Guelph Humane Society is a natural extension of her love for animals and desire to make a positive impact in the community. Tara is grateful for the opportunity to serve on the GHS Board and hopes to use her professional experience and passion for animal wellbeing to help advance the Humane Society’s mission. In her free time, Tara enjoys art, pottery, hiking, and spending time with her pets.
Heather Weese

Director

Heather is a veterinarian who worked for over 20 years in the pet nutrition industry. Having lived in the Guelph area for more than three decades, she combines deep local roots with a lifelong commitment to animal health and wellbeing. Heather hopes her personal and professional experiences will help support the board and its mission to improve the welfare of the animals who bring so much to our lives. Heather lives just outside of Guelph and shares her home and property with her husband, 3 daughters and numerous pets and livestock.

Our leadership team brings together people who care deeply about animals and the community we serve. Working alongside our staff and volunteers, they lead the day-to-day work of the Guelph Humane Society, from caring for animals to supporting people and helping our community put compassion into action.