Registered charity number 14114 6290 RR0001
Board of Directors
Toronto Wildlife Centre is governed by a volunteer board of directors that truly believes in helping wildlife and the community through education, rehabilitation, and conservation.
Nabila Tisha
Chair
Nabila has rescued animals for as long as she can remember, and everything she seeks to do in animal welfare is in dedication to them.
With more than a decade of fund development and progressive commercial leadership experience across Fortune 500, social enterprise and mission-driven organizations, she has always remained closely connected to the non-profit sector. As Chief Revenue Officer at Trend Hunter, Nabila leads commercial strategy and growth for the global innovation and trend intelligence company. Her experience building sustainable revenue models, scaling organizations, optimizing operations and driving mission-led growth supports TWC in strengthening its long-term sustainability, organizational effectiveness and readiness for its next stage of growth.
Nabila first joined TWC as a volunteer Nursery Assistant in 2017 before joining the Board of Directors in 2021. She also serves on the Board of the Toronto Humane Society and cherishes spending time with her rescue pup, Lemon. A trusted advisor to executives, she leads with heart, ensuring people remain at the center of every initiative.
Allison McManus
Vice Chair & Treasurer
Allison McManus is a CPA, CA and a Partner at KPMG. Allison is deeply committed to environmental causes, including wildlife habitat conservation and fostering a harmonious relationship between people and nature. She loves animals and is a proud parent to a rescue cat who likes to be the centre of attention. Allison joined TWC’s Board of Directors in 2024.
Victoria MacDonald
Vice Chair
Victoria is a strategic Human Resources leader with a proven track record of partnering with CEOs, executive teams, and Boards to build people strategies that drive business success. With deep expertise in human capital strategy, leadership development, and organizational culture, Victoria aligns talent initiatives with business objectives, creating environments where both people and companies thrive. A trusted advisor to executives, she leads with heart, ensuring people remain at the center of every initiative.
During her time at leading she has transformed HR teams into proactive business partners, enhanced employee experience through innovative programs in wellness, DEI, total rewards, and talent management, and built internal communication strategies that foster engagement and alignment. Victoria holds a degree from the University of Toronto and is a Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL). Based in Toronto, she enjoys life with her husband and two children. She is happiest outdoors walking and hiking with her family and Australian Sheppard River.
Kelly Duffin
Secretary
Kelly Duffin began her career as a marketing communications professional and her last private sector role in that field was Vice President at Random House of Canada. Prior to joining Random House, Kelly developed and launched The Giller Prize for fiction. During her six years at the helm of the Prize she helped build it into Canada’s most influential literary award and the number one literary brand in the country.
Since transitioning into the not-for-profit sector in 2003, Kelly’s leadership roles have included serving as President and CEO of the Canadian Hearing Society, CEO of the Alzheimer Society of Canada, and President and CEO of Goodwill Amity. She currently serves as the President of the Mute Swan Society of Canada.
Kelly holds a B.A. from the University of Toronto and an M.B.A. from the Ivey School of Business.
Jennifer Pattison
Jennifer Pattison is the Director of Insights and Data Management at Plan International Canada, and the President of Social Value Canada Consulting. She has been working in business intelligence and strategic research with a focus on not-for-profit organizations for nearly 30 years. Previously, she worked for the Insurance Bureau of Canada and CANATICS on analytics initiatives to support government relations and anti-fraud initiatives for the insurance industry. Her current household includes a dog, two cats, and a corn snake. She is a longtime gardener, with a focus on permaculture and creating wildlife-friendly urban habitat.
Dr. Diana Turchin
Diana Turchin has a medical degree from the University of Toronto and practiced orthopaedic surgery for more than 15 years. Her interests in birding and bird photography led to a passion for protecting nature and wildlife. She has extensive advocacy and volunteer experience with nature and wildlife organizations. A lifelong animal lover, Diana shares her home with two indoor cats. Her other interests include hiking, travel, playing the violin and classical guitar. A volunteer with TWC since 2021, Diana joined TWC’s Board of Directors in 2023.
Glenn Boyle
Glenn has many years of international experience as a director and senior manager in non-profit and private sectors. With degrees in Marine & Freshwater Biology (BSc), Environmental Technology (MSc) and Zoology (PhD), he has worked with wildlife as a biologist, curator and rehabilitator, and has served previously as Executive Director and Chair of the Board of Directors at the Wildlife Rescue Association of BC. Glenn joined TWC’s Board of Directors in 2025 and is looking forward to supporting the organization’s ambitious plans for growth and renewal of facilities.
Derrick Araneda
Derrick is a Partner at Stosic & Associates (a government relations firm based in Toronto) and has been a member of TWC’s Board of Directors since 2023. From 2016-2018 he served as Chief of Staff to the Minister of Health & Long-Term Care of Ontario. Prior to his public service roles, Derrick worked in both Japan and Spain for high-growth start-ups in the education and technology spaces. He holds a BA in Political Science from Simon Fraser University in Vancouver as well as a MBA from IE Business School in Madrid, Spain. Derrick enjoys spending time with his two rescued rabbits.
Dr. Erin Spence
Erin Spence is a Toronto-based veterinarian with more than two decades of experience in small animal practice, and 15 years as owner and director of a community-based veterinary hospital. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association and contributes to professional governance, committee work, policy development, and standards of care. Passionate about wildlife conservation, Erin has volunteered in wildlife care settings, including at the Toronto Wildlife Centre. She brings leadership, financial stewardship, and collaborative decision-making experience, and is proud to support the Centre’s mission of helping wildlife and people coexist. Her commitment to wildlife started with early studies in wildlife biology and has continued with a dedication to helping wild animals who must navigate the challenges of urban environments.
Kyle Banton-Jones
Kyle Banton-Jones is the Behavioural Husbandry Supervisor at the Toronto Zoo, where he helps lead the Animal Welfare Science Department. With over a decade of experience in accredited zoological organizations, Kyle is dedicated to advancing global standards of animal care through science and education. He is also the creator of Wild Enrichment, a global educational platform that provides resources for animal care professionals worldwide. Kyle holds a B.Sc. in Conservation Biology and Environmental Science from Trent University. An avid outdoor enthusiast, Kyle can often be found hiking or biking through Ontario’s forests, a passion for nature that keeps him deeply connected to local wildlife.
Elizabeth Billyard
Elizabeth Billyard is Chief Lending Officer, Canadian Personal and Business Banking at the Bank of Montreal. Accountable for the development, monitoring, and execution of end‑to‑end credit strategies across the customer lifecycle, including acquisition, account management, fraud, and collections. Overseeing lending strategies across all Canadian Personal and Business Banking products spanning real estate secured lending, personal loans, and credit cards. With 25 years + of experience in retail banking, Liz has held senior executive roles across lending, risk management, product development, pricing, and advanced analytics. Her global banking experience includes leadership roles across Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Liz currently serves on the Board of BMO Mortgage Corporation. Liz holds a Master of Science from York University and is actively involved in community including leadership roles supporting the United Way and Walk So Kids Can Talk.
Gayle Fisher
Gayle Fisher is the Chief Corporate Officer for the Investment Management Corporation of Ontario (IMCO) overseeing HR, Facilities and Corporate Communications. Before joining IMCO, Gayle was the Chief Administrative Officer for Ontario Pension Board (OPB) where she led human resources, procurement, facilities, records, privacy and compliance.
Prior to the OPB, Gayle was the Senior Vice President of Human Resources for the LCBO where she oversaw collective bargaining for the LCBO and developed an HR and Learning strategy for the crown agency.
From 2007 to 2012, Gayle was the Chief Human Resources Officer for the Ontario Securities Commission during which time she was also seconded as Chief Human Resources Strategy to work with the Federal Government project team to establish a National Securities Regulator.
From 2004 to 2007, Gayle was the Assistant Deputy Minister of Employee Relations for the Ontario Government where she oversaw the government’s relationships with its own provincial unions. Her earlier roles included senior human resources leadership roles within the Ontario Public Service, including Director of Human Resources and Director, Organization Development and Change.
Gayle currently serves on the board of the YMCA Retirement Investment Fund. She holds an ICD designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors, a Master of Industrial Relations/Human Resources from the University of Toronto, and an undergraduate degree in economics and labour studies from McMaster University.