WHO WE ARE - OUR TEAM

By now you know that we LOVE our dogs AND we love our team. 

Get to know the hard working humans behind the work they do for our dogs.

MEET OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM

  • Justine & Marshall (she/her)

    Co-Founder & Executive Director

    Justine has a background in social work and a decade of experience working in the social service and nonprofit sector. She is passionate about building safe, inclusive and engaging communities. Justine's dog Marshall is a massive ball of love who is particular about the humans and dogs he shares space with. You'll often see Justine advocating for his space in the community, with Marshall sporting his basket muzzle when appropriate. In her free time, you'll find Justine enjoying the outdoors with Marshall, spending time with close friends and family, & practicing yoga, and more often then not, hibernating at home with a good book (or 100).

  • Lili, Lady & Winnie (she/her)

    Director of Events & Education

    Meet Lili, local trainer/owner at Leader of the Pack Professional Dog Services in KW. With a passion for relationship-based balanced dog training and practicing calm socialization, Lili is dedicated to helping dogs and their owners thrive. When not working, Lili enjoys hiking and hanging out on dog-friendly patios with her partners in crime, Lady and Winnie! Lady, an active 12-year-old husky mix, finds joy in sticks, squirrel watching, and the occasional chicken nuggie. And of course, there's her newest addition to her pack Winnie, a 3-year-old husky mix from Mexico! She prefers the slow lane of life and loves a leisurely stroll followed by a well-deserved nap!

  • Rachel, Luffy & Sabo (she/her)

    Director of Operations & Policy

    Meet Rachel, Director of Policy and Operations at Dog Friendly KW and a dedicated Registered Nurse focusing on Indigenous health policy, education and harm reduction. Currently pursuing her Master of Nursing, she balances her professional life with her passion as a full-time dog mom to Luffy and Sabo. Named after characters from her favourite anime, "One Piece," these doodles regularly join Rachel in diverse dog sports like agility, dock diving, and GRC, ensuring they thrive. Rachel also runs Woof Whisperer, offering structured pet sitting in her home.

  • Victor & Link (he/him)

    Director of Marketing, Branding & Design

    Link is genetically a Samoyed, but don’t let that fool you. He is 100% floof. Adopted at 18 months - he has spent his adolescent and adult years perfecting his puppy eyes to solicit the pets from any nearby human. While he may seem like an angel boy - he wasn’t always and is a great example of how an old dog can learn new tricks!

    Victor is Link’s dog dad. When he’s not liaising Link and allowing him to visit his fans he works hard to make other dogs and humans look and feel their best at Victor Rose Photography! He’s a big advocate for community and small businesses and is intent on supporting the local dog friendly landscape for both dog and small business owners!

MEET OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • Mackenzie, Willa & Alydar (she/her)

    Co-Founder & Chair of the Board of Directors

    Mackenzie is one of the Dog Friendly KW founders and an instrumental part of taking Dog Friendly KW from an Instagram account to highlight dog friendly spaces to the educational, informative and interactive organization it is today! She recently became a Pilates instructor and you can find her leading some Pupilates classes this year! She works hard to give the best life to her two adorable Italian Greyhounds Willa and Alydar while supporting all kinds of different aspects of today’s Dog Friendly KW!

  • Dee & Juneau (she/her)

    Board Member

    Juneau is a white German Shepherd who likes to go on all the adventures. Whether it’s a long hike, swim, patio, or dog-friendly store, he’s there for it. Juneau started out as a fear reactive pup, but with training (lots of training) he has grown into a much more confident and neutral dog.

    Between adventures, Juneau’s mom, Dee, works as a psychologist in the community. She also enjoys photography (or more accurately, taking pictures of Juneau), hiking, and all of the arts and crafts. She loves attending dog friendly events and being part of this incredible community!

  • Jenn & Griffin (she/her)

    Board Member

    Griffin is a goofy, loveable 3 year old golden retriever. His favourite activities are swimming, rock diving, and hiking. He spends his weekdays lounging in silly positions in his favourite chair, and his weekends adventuring with dog mom and friends.

    Jenn is a business analyst, a hockey mom, dog mom, and founder of Elmira Pack Walks and Group Training sessions - a community group focused on structured socialization and calm coexistence amongst dogs and humans.

  • Nick & Fitz (he/him)

    Board Member

    Nick is an experienced strategic professional in fundraising, business development, and event operations. He has extensive knowledge in the animal welfare industry having previously worked for the Humane Society of Kitchener-Waterloo & Stratford-Perth. Nick is passionate about contributing to his community and helping to build safe and inclusive experiences.

    Nick and his dog Fitz are often seen around town enjoying the trails and exploring the wonderful businesses KW has to offer. Fitz was adopted by Nick and his wife after she was found as a stray. She is a fluffy, goofy sweetheart who loves meeting new people and snuggles anywhere, anytime she can get them.

  • Sam & Bo (she/her)

    Board Member

    I'm Sam, I'm 34 and live in Cambridge with my partner and GSD, Bo! I've been working in social services for 15 years and my passion is people and communities. We love adventuring with Bo and exploring new places!

    Bo has been challenging but an amazing friend and addition. He's taught us so much about being better handlers, reactivity, and we've worked so hard together for his training. We’re so happy to be part of DFKW, we've followed their journey and love the work they do bringing many opportunities to our communities for us and our pups.