About Us

Since our beginning in 1922, Calgary Humane Society has been more than a shelter. We are proud to be Calgary’s first and most robust animal welfare organization.

Yellow one-eyed labrador on a leash

Media Contact:

Anna-Lee Fitzsimmons, Director of Public Relations

Anna-Lee.Fitzsimmons@calgaryhumane.ca

403-723-6009

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who We are

Everyone is human, but not everyone is truly humane.  

It’s the essence of our humanity—within us all, yet an aspiration for most…because real compassion takes selflessness and going beyond ourselves every day isn’t easy to sustain.  But when we achieve it, life takes on a deeply fulfilling purpose.   

Our humanity bonds us with animals, especially those in need.   

At Calgary Humane Society, we exist to create a more humane world – when animals are at their most vulnerable, our dedicated care sees them through.  We are always there to protect and nurture the welfare of all animals with sympathy and mercy, kindness and love, and in turn, animals remind us every day what it truly means to be human.   

We believe in inclusive animal welfare – every animal, every person, and every situation are welcome through our doors. 

We’ll explore all avenues and care until the very end—with animal well-being at the core of every decision.  We will support people and their animals, for life.   

The joy of initial adoption; the rewards of behavioural classes; the sleepless nights when our animals need emergency care…our team is there in good times and bad.  When animals need protection, we respond.  We’ll never shy away from a tough situation—even if it takes an emotional toll.  Our work for animal welfare is unending.  

Our dreams for the future are rooted in education and prevention.   

We’re a true community hub for countless Calgarians.  Our voice has power.  It’s our responsibility to inspire empathy and compassion for both animals and humans.   

For over 100 years, Calgary Humane Society has been at the centre of animal welfare in our city and for every day to come, we’ll work harder than ever to create a world where animal lives are treated with respect and compassion which translates into more compassion for others in our community.  

This translates into a more humane world.   

our Mission

Protect animals. Support People. Create a more humane world.

our Vision

An empowered community with the courage to advocate for animal welfare. 

 

Meet Our Team

Meet our Calgary Humane Society team members. These dedicated staff show compassion and dedication in their work toward animal welfare every day.

Carrie Fritz

Executive Director

Carrie Fritz was appointed Executive Director of Calgary Humane Society in 2014. Carrie is a CGA-CPA, who was drawn to a career in animal welfare and the not-for-profit sector from the start.

Carrie attended the University of Calgary and Mount Royal University, obtaining her accounting designation in 1996. She worked at a public accounting firm focusing on Audit and Assurance.

After returning to Calgary from a five-year contract in Boca Raton, Florida, Carrie was delighted to accept the position of Controller at Calgary Humane Society in 2007.

Since taking on the role of Executive Director, Carrie has focused on building a professional, highly skilled team to further all aspects of animal welfare.

Growing up in a family of teachers, she understands the importance of education and uses this to develop her team, so they can be successful in inspiring the community to take on the challenges of animal welfare and be responsible pet owners.

Carrie lives just south of Calgary, where she shares her home with her daughter, her two dogs, Daisy and Lacey, as well as her two rescue rabbits, Winter and Autumn.

Dayna Burghall, CPA, CA

Director of Finance

Dayna has been with CHS since 2014. She received her Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Professional Accounting from the University of Saskatchewan and earned her Chartered Accountant (CA) designation in 2014. During her articling period in public practice, she gained extensive experience working with not-for-profit organizations.

Brad Nichols

Director of Operations and enforcement

Brad Nichols graduated from Mount Royal University in 2003, obtaining a degree in Justice Studies. Shortly thereafter, he joined the Calgary Humane Society’s Animal Protection and Investigation team as a field officer, incorporating his love for animals and his interest in advocating for vulnerable victims. Over the past 17+ years, he has worked his way up the organization in roles of increasing responsibility, most recently to Director of Operations and Enforcement. He has investigated thousands of animal cruelty files and oversees an internationally recognized animal protection program.

Melaina Slater, CPHR, CTMP

Director of Human Resources

Melaina is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR), Certified Talent Management Practitioner (CTMP), and holds her certificate in Human Resource Management through the University of Calgary. She has been involved in animal welfare since 2004 and started her career at Calgary Humane in 2006.  She is a firm believer in lifelong personal and professional development with a keen interest in human rights and employment legislation, leadership development, and psychological health and safety in the workplace.  Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her spouse, their chihuahua named Terry, and two birds, Eddie and Chuck, all of whom are CHS alumni.

Lisa Olund

 

Director of Health Services

Lisa is a project manager with over 20 years of management experience in oil and gas, legislative compliance and healthcare.  She started as a volunteer in 2015 and was then hired on as an Animal Care Attendant later that year. In early 2017, she joined the Animal Health team and as an Animal Health Assistant until moving into her current role in January 2018.  Lisa was drawn to CHS because of her love of animals that started at a young age.  When not at the shelter, Lisa is an outdoor enthusiast who loves to hike, bike and a good game of pickleball, as well as relaxing at home with her two CHS alumi cats, Betty and Lucy.

Sally Johnston

Director of Community Services

Sally started with the Calgary Humane Society in 2016 as the sole Foster Facilitator. Over the next two years, Sally focused on expanding the foster program through increased recruitment and placement of animals. In 2018, Sally stepped into the new role as Foster Team Lead, and hired a second Foster Facilitator as a result of the program expansion. Following the retirement of the Admissions Team Lead in 2019, Sally absorbed Admissions into her portfolio as Team Lead, aligning Foster and Admissions into one cohesive team to improve animal flow. And finally, in January of 2021, Sally became Manager, Animal Operations, overseeing the back of house operational teams, and overseeing animal flow at large.

Anna-Lee Fitzsimmons

Director of Public relations

Anna-Lee, an advocate for animal welfare, has been a part of the Calgary Humane Society since 2015. Embracing various roles, she values adaptability and remains dedicated to the cause.

Her leadership and team development extends to creating connections with the community, recognizing the importance of collaboration in bridging the gap between the public and the impactful work of animal welfare.

Driven by a passion for facilitating connections, Anna-Lee has education in Horticulture and Volunteer Management, reflecting her commitment to the one health model and the interconnectedness between environment, animal and human health. Anna-Lee continues to dedicate herself to creating a humane community for the animals that share our world.

Kaleigh Goehringer, CFRE

Director of Philanthropy

Experienced fundraising officer with a demonstrated history of working in the non-profit sector, focusing specifically on individual giving and foundations.

Skilled in nonprofit organizations, fund development, leadership, and public speaking.

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a major in psychology and minor in religious studies from The University of British Columbia.

 

board of directors

Meet our Calgary Humane Society Board of Directors. Our generous Board guides us in our decision making and supports us in accomplishing the essential work we do in animal welfare.

We are currently seeking to add to our Board of Directors in multiple capacities. To explore these opportunities further, please click here.  

Andrew Wilson

board chair

Andrew graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Waterloo, a Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie University, and a Master of Laws from Cambridge University. He was an associate at Bennett Jones LLP for 9 years. He was then Litigation Counsel – Enforcement at the Alberta Securities Commission for four years before becoming a Partner at JSS Barristers in 2015. He was the Managing Partner of JSS from February 2020 until February 2022. Andrew was named King’s Counsel in 2022.

Andrew was inspired to join the board of directors due to his love of animals and his legal experience, which focuses in part on corporate governance. Andrew also volunteers as a foster parent for Beagle Paws and volunteers with Calgary Legal Guidance. Andrew’s hobbies include soccer, running, travel, and home brewing beer. He shares his home with his wife and their beagles, Winston and Archie.

Keri Smith

Vice Chair

Keri graduated with a Bachelor of Communications from Mount Royal University in Calgary and a Master of Business Administration from American University in Washington D.C. Keri spent the early years of her career at two global consulting firms, before pivoting to work with small and medium size businesses as they look to grow and scale. Keri is an “expert generalist” and currently the Chief of Staff and Acting Head of Scale at AltaML, a leading North American applied AI company.

Keri grew up on a working farm in Longview Alberta, which is where she first discovered her love for animals. As a member of the Board, Keri is excited to support the CHS by building its awareness and capacity in the community. In addition to being passionate about animals, Keri is also passionate about Education and is a Director on the Mount Royal University Foundation Board. Outside of work and volunteering, Keri and her husband spend most of their time wrangling their 11-month-old twins, and beloved cat, Poubelle.

 

Yvette Steiner

Treasurer

Yvette is Chief Financial Officer and Development Partner at THYYC Inc. & TH Chestermere Ltd. Prior to her current role, she worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) for 23 years (1994-2017). For ten of those years, she was a partner at PwC in the Assurance practice. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and has a BComm from the University of Saskatchewan. Yvette enjoys staying active by kickboxing, golfing, and lake activities such as paddleboarding and kayaking. She also loves to travel.

Yvette joined the Board of Directors of Calgary Humane Society to bring her passion for animals together with her desire to give back to the community. Yvette shares her home with her husband Andrew and their two dogs, Monty and Sadie.

Elyce Harris

Secretary

Elyce Harris is a Financial Advisor at Cornerstone Financial Group. She loves travelling, hiking, snowboarding, and baking.

She’s been lucky enough to have grown up with pets and seen how much love they can give and how much they brighten people’s lives—so it’s a natural fit to spend her time advocating for animals.

Corinne Jamieson

Biography coming soon.

Dave Cunnington

Dave is the Technology Director at Strut Creative, a Calgary-based communications agency. He graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from Curtin University in Perth, Australia and has been in the Tech industry for over twenty years – he built his first website in the mid 90’s!

He is passionate about being outdoors, always looking forward to the next camping trip, hike, or day trip to the Rocky Mountain foothills. When not running kids to and from hockey or baseball practice, you will normally find Dave on the weekend in some forest or plain of Southern Alberta.

Dave believes that volunteering is an obligation to a functioning society – we must look after all, not just the able. His volunteering experience is vast, ranging from the Red Cross, assisting the elderly and homeless, family support in prisons, children, and animals.

Dave and his wife Kelly have three children and a senior black Lab (Molly) who is the center of their family. After growing up with a rural background and being surrounded by pets, the love of animals is central to Dave’s motivations for joining the Calgary Humane Society. He is inspired by the passion and commitment that all CHS employees and volunteers show every single day while helping our furry (and not so furry) friends.

Heather Macquarrie

Heather has a deep interest in animal care and welfare as a Veterinarian at the VCA Canada Calgary North Animal Hospital. She feels that volunteering at CHS is a way to give back to animals in ways beyond the medical care she provides daily in practice.

Inspirational quotes and listening to talks from leaders about their own paths inspire Heather to be a better version of herself and a better part of the community.

Heather loves to travel and she learned to fly small planes at age 15. She enjoys takes cooking classes while on vacation to learn more about various cuisines and cultures. When in town, she enjoys high intensity interval training, yoga, and enjoying a glass of wine while hanging out with her partner and fur family. Heather has four cats that she has adopted from CHS—Buzz, Nalu, Mya and Gus—who are her world.

Maggie Crowley

 

Maggie is currently Managing Partner of her own group benefits firm – Elevated Benefit Consulting Inc., located in Calgary, Alberta. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Calgary, her Chartered Professional in Human Resources designation (CPHR), her Workplace Mental Health Leadership certificate through Queens University, and maintains her Life and A&S licenses through the Alberta Insurance Council.

Maggie joined the Board of Directors at Calgary Humane Society to make a positive impact on the lives of animals. Maggie and her husband Ryan have three senior rescues—Lucy, Minnie, and Bailey—one of whom comes from a high-kill shelter in California. The pup took a while to appreciate our Alberta winters but has settled in quite nicely now.

Maggie enjoys reading, gardening, making arts and crafts with her daughter, exploring the Rocky Mountains, and is a lover of all things Disney—she’s been to DisneyWorld over 15 times! When she doesn’t have her nose in a thriller book, she loves to spend time with her family at their community lake or enjoying a nice leisurely stroll around the neighbourhood with their three pups. Her daughter inspires her to be the best person she can be. She hopes to teach her the importance of giving back to the community and sharing one’s passions and skills with others.

Lisa Kindree

Board of Directors 

Lisa has been working in the non-profit sector since 2001 in various capacities. She is the Co-Executive Director of Youth Central, a non-profit dedicated to providing leadership and volunteer opportunities to young people. She has degrees in Environmental Studies and Anthropology from York University. Lisa enjoys helping others and working with those who may need help or, in the case of animals, are unable to help themselves. Lisa adopted her first dog from Calgary Humane Society in 2001. A lover of travel, cooking, reading, skiing, and hiking, Lisa shares her home with her husband, son, their dog Tucker, and highly dangerous goldfish named Sharky.

Scott Cressman

Dr. Iain Chynoweth

Dr. Chynoweth is a Veterinarian and Area Medical Director with VCA Canada Horizon Veterinary Group. His first job as a veterinarian was working for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSCPA) in Hong Kong, one of the oldest and largest animal welfare organizations in the world. Throughout his career Dr. Chynoweth has continued to strive to give back to the community in ways that can improve the lives of animals and their people. In his spare time Dr. Chynoweth enjoys spending time with family, including Gemma his Spinone Italiano dog, and Gaston the grey tabby cat, and stays active by walking with Gemma and spending time outdoors, cycling, skiing, kayaking, and hiking when possible. Dr. Chynoweth continues to find inspiration in compassion, humanity, and the unique bond that exists between animals and humans.