Our DWW Staff
Edmonton
Calgary
Grande Prairie
Board of Directors
PRESIDENT
Toby Ramsden joined DWW (then Western Guide Dog Foundation) Board twelve years ago as treasurer and then became president four years later.
He became involved with the organization because of the wonderful work our dogs do for people. He has worked for many different companies, including public and private, in the UK, Guernsey, and Canada in finance and accounting.
Toby has owned his own businesses and worked in public practice as a CA in the UK, Guernsey, and Canada. Currently, he operates an accounting and tax franchise, Ledgers, in St. Albert.
TREASURER
Janice Kent has been very involved in her community since 1998 with many different Boards, including not-for-profit organizations such as Change for Children Association, Canadian Blood Services Cord Blood Bank, Edmonton Police Foundation, Grandview Heights Band Council and our very own Dogs with Wings Board.
Janice is a CA and CPA and has worked in the industry for over 25 years. She is now the President and Owner of her own business, Janice L. Kent Professional Corporation.
VICE-PRESIDENT
Rob McTavish began volunteering for Dogs with Wings (then Western Guide Dog Foundation) training puppies at the young age of 22.
Although he loves dogs and helping people, young Rob primarily saw training puppies as an amazingly creative way to pick up girls. Who could resist the guy with the fluffy puppy in a training vest? While his initial motives for becoming a volunteer may have been more personal in nature, he very quickly became a fierce and passionate advocate for Dogs with Wings and the amazing work we do for our clients.
Witnessing first hand how an Assistance Dog can change someone’s life, Rob continued training puppies on and off for over a decade. Rob even convinced his wife Laura (not a hard sell) to sign up as a volunteer, where they raised several puppies together.
More recently, after beginning a family, Rob’s role in the organization has focused on working hard for the Dogs with Wings Board. While he thoroughly enjoys the “front lines” of being a puppy raiser, he has been proud of his work with the Board, developing policy, fundraising and watching Dogs with Wings make major transitions, growing as an organization.
As the Vice President of the Board, Rob is looking forward to many more years of volunteering with this amazing group of people and fantastic organization.
SECRETARY
Jenny Zhai joined the Dogs with Wings Board in June 2016 as a Board Director. She believes in organizations, like Dogs with Wings, that empower people to fully engage in life and their community through the help of Assistance Dogs.
Jenny is a CPA, CMA, and she has worked as a Financial Analyst and Senior Accountant in the private sector from 2007 to the present. Jenny lives in St Albert with her husband Mark, daughter Brielle and their Frenchie Chet.
DIRECTOR
Darcy Pacholok is the Human Resources Manager for Celanese EVA Polymers. His focus is helping to accelerate Celanese’s transformation through leadership, differentiated talent models, attracting and developing the best talent. Darcy is also striving to build a culture of engagement, agility and inclusiveness.
Further, Darcy is involved with the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL as a Northern Alberta Scout, where he uses his keen people skills and abilities to select talent in hockey.
Darcy has been married over 30 years, and has three adult children. His family has been involved with dogs for more than 30+ years, and involved with Dogs with Wings for the past 6 years.
DIRECTOR
Kim Palichuk is the Executive Legal Counsel to the Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of Alberta. In her role, Kim provides legal and strategic advice that impacts the operations of the Provincial Court.
She has practiced law since 1998, and has significant litigation experience in private practice, as well as within both the federal and provincial government.
Kim is a lifelong pet owner, and currently shares her home with her husband and three dogs, two of whom are rescue animals.
She has been previously involved in animal welfare and rescue organizations as a volunteer and fundraiser and is an enthusiastic, longtime certified Pilates Instructor.
DIRECTOR
Teresa Boudreault has been in the Peace Region for the past 10 years, living on a certified organic quarter section with her husband and labs Ruckus and Polo.
Teresa has provided services to her local community through Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) for the last 9 years.
She is also a recipient of a Passionate Heart Award, as well as the Governor General’s Award for Volunteering.
DIRECTOR
Dale Hanson is an Educator by profession, and is now retired after 28 years as a Teacher and Consultant. Dale now works as the Owner/Operator of Executec Business Centre.
Dale spends time working with not-for-profit Boards, helping them to understand their roles and responsibilities. She has worked with many organizations to develop by-laws, policy, procedures and create strategic plans.
NAVIGATE
CONTACT US
11343 174 Street NW
Edmonton AB T5S 0B7