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.

Kevin Empey

Chair

Kevin Empey is currently providing advisory services to the Ministry of Health, Hospitals and Long-Term Care homes.

Kevin retired from being President and CEO of Lakeridge Health (hospitals in Durham Region) for 8 years and earlier was Vice President Finance and EVP at University Health Network for 10 years. He had prior executive roles at Peel Memorial Hospital and St. Michael’s Hospital. Kevin worked in Northern Telecom before switching to health care.

Kevin is a Chartered Accountant (now CPA) and graduate of Harvard’s Advanced Management Program.

Kevin’s personal interest is nature and the environment, and he is an active birdwatcher. He joined TWC’s Board of Directors in 2016.

Nabila Tisha

Vice 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 a decade of fund development and progressive sales leadership roles across Fortune 500 and social enterprise spaces, she has always remained connected to non-profits. As Chief Experience Officer at Tre’dish, Nabila is leading efforts to transform food accessibility in Toronto. Her expertise in building sustainable revenue models, optimizing operations, and driving mission-driven growth will support TWC in diversifying its funding streams and strengthening operational efficiency, ensuring it remains a first-class organization for staff, volunteers, and, most importantly, the animals in its care.

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.

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.

Allison McManus

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.

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.

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.

Victoria MacDonald

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.

Erin Elizabeth 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.