Board of Directors

Johanna Booth, BSc, DVM

Hanna decided to become a veterinarian after volunteering in underdeveloped countries revealed the need for veterinarians to spay and care for street animals. After graduation she and her husband, also a vet, spent a year volunteering throughout Central and South America. They spayed some 3,000 street animals and formed relationships with many animal rescues.

David Bronskill

David Bronskill is a partner with the law firm of Goodmans LLP. He is a three-time graduate of the University of Toronto (Hons B.A., 1996; M.A., 1997; LL.B., 2000).

His practice focuses on municipal law matters for private and public sector clients throughout Ontario with appearances before various tribunals and courts. His work has brought him into close contact with staff and politicians in all levels of government but most especially the City of Toronto.

He recently served for three years as the Chair of the Executive Association of the Alumni Association of Trinity College at the University of Toronto. He currently chairs the Advisory Board for the Toronto Lords Basketball Association, which is an elite basketball program for teenage girls in downtown Toronto providing mentoring and post-secondary school scholarships to its players. On Sundays mornings, he supervises the Law Society of Upper Canada’s Feed the Hungry Program.

He lives in downtown Toronto with his veterinarian partner. They are the proud owners of three dogs and three cats.

Jennifer Downe

A veteran THS volunteer, Jennifer has spent hundreds of hours feeding and caring for immature kittens, trained and mentored new volunteers and helped create the THS Kitten Nursery Feeding Manual. 

Professionally, Jennifer has been with RBC for 12 years. In her current role as Bank Branch Manager, she manages a team of 20 people, has a portfolio of 10,000 clients and is responsible for about $500 million dollars in business. She is recognized for her business acumen and extensive problem management experience.

Jennifer shares her home with 3 amazing cats, Kobie, Scout and Emma, two of whom were adopted from the THS.

Lisa Gibbens, BA, MISt - Secretary

Lisa brings a balance of animal welfare and business experience to the boardroom table. Currently Secretary of the Board, Lisa is also a member of the Animal Welfare Committee, the AGM Committee and a THS foster parent. Previously, she was Vice President of the Board of the Animal Aid Foundation.

Inspired by her epileptic dog Pepper, she is an advocate for special needs animals. In fact, Pepper attends most Board meetings! At home, Lisa is supervised by Dickens and Cheeky – two former THS cats.

Lisa has her Master’s degree in information systems and marketing and more than 15 years of communications experience in health care, education and non-profit organizations.

While working for the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, Lisa helped co-ordinate the response to Hurricane Katrina – getting vets to where they were most needed. She also ran public relations, member communications, edited the magazine and managed the Farley Foundation fundraising campaign.

Now, when she dons a suit (with at least some fur on it) to go to the office, it’s to manage million dollar marketing campaigns for the Ontario government.

Lisa readily admits that the past year on the board has been incredibly challenging and rewarding – and a ton of work! But animals are her passion. “By being on the Board, I can make a difference not just for one or two animals, but for hundreds, even thousands of animals.

“That’s worth every ounce of energy I have.”

Carol Hroncek

A long-time volunteer with the Toronto Humane Society, I’ve dedicated myself to dog-walking, cat grooming, photographing cats for the website, and chairing the THS Adoption Committee.

I’ve also spent 11 years in cat rescue, three as Director on the board of Annex Cat Rescue. In my rescue work, I’ve actively participated in Trap Neuter Return (TNR) - the humane trapping of feral cats in order to spay/neuter them.

In my hundreds of hours spent trapping, I’ve seen, firsthand, the rampant feral and stray cat issue in our city. With effective TNR initiatives and low-cost spay/neuter, we can successfully tackle the massive overpopulation problem and prevent animals from being euthanized in staggering numbers each year.

My greatest lessons in life have come from my cat Buster. His injuries have left him in a diaper, with limited mobility in his hind legs. Despite this, Buster has a remarkable spirit and unwavering confidence. He’s a symbol to me of the inherent worth of each animal.

My 20-year career in banking has taught me patience and the ability to work collaboratively.

Judi King

A volunteer dog walker with the Toronto Humane Society since 2004, Judi also assisted in dog adoptions and recruited and trained other dog walkers. She knows that motivated volunteers and members enrich the lives of the animals and turn a cold, lonely shelter into a place of hope. Judi will give volunteers a voice on the board.

Judi is a senior law clerk with 30 years experience in corporate and commercial law at an international firm. She shares her home with her husband Eric, three Cockatiels and a Green Cheek Conure, two adopted from the THS.

Marcie Laking - President

Marcie knows the Toronto Humane Society well, having spent more than six years there as a volunteer and another year-and-a-half employed as an animal care worker. She’s spent countless hours finding foster homes for THS animals, utilized her extensive rescue contacts to get animals out of the shelter, and has invested considerable time researching successful shelter programs around North America.

Marcie is a leader in the movement to reform the THS and she understands the unique needs of shelter animals. Her compassion and first-hand experience will keep the welfare of the animals in the forefront of every board decision

Linda MacKinnon, BA, BEd, MEd - Chair

As the Chair of four successful United Way campaigns, a member of the Board of both the Timmins and Kingston District Hospitals, and a community leader for the Canadian Mental Health Association, Linda brings a wealth of experience to the boardroom table.

On top of her volunteer work, she is also a retired teacher, school principal and Superintendent of Education, and has recently embarked on a second career as a paralegal. A lifetime animal lover, and in memory of her dogs Taylor and Elmoe, Linda is committed to improving the lives of the animals at the THS.

Dr. Karen Nasir, HBSc, DVM

A volunteer veterinarian with the THS since late 2009, Karen has also provided veterinary care to local rescue groups, and has held executive positions including Global Vets and the Pet Loss Support Hotline. She has been involved in global conservation/ecological research and has been published in the Canadian Veterinary Journal.

Karen is a passionate advocate for animal welfare, believes ethical veterinary representation on the THS board is vital, and hopes to act as an ambassador for the shelter. When not in clinic, she is supervised by the watchful eyes of two rescued feline friends.

Peter Newell, BA, MA, JD - Second Vice President

Because she was a big dog (and pretty feisty!), nobody wanted to adopt Annie. She was on death row. With help from Peter, she became a beloved family member. In her memory and in appreciation of many beloved animal friends, Peter has been a dedicated volunteer at THS and other shelter/rescue groups.

A senior partner in the business law group of Norton Rose LLP, an international law firm, Peter regularly leads large teams of professionals through complex transactions, both in Canada and internationally. As a veteran director of both charitable and business boards, Peter has helped organizations overcome challenging situations to become revitalized and successful.

Peter and his family live in Riverdale with their dog and cat family members, Daisy and Pepperpaws.

Sydney Nezon - Treasurer (non-voting position)

Ferne Sinkins, BA, MEd

In the last 15 years, Ferne has placed more than 4,000 cats in loving homes. As the President of Toronto Cat Rescue, she expanded the organization to nearly 100 volunteers, established more than 225 foster homes, and found homes for an average of 120 cats (of all ages) every month. Ferne supports a strong spay/neuter program at the THS and thinks it’s the only humane and lasting way to prevent future generations of homeless puppies and kittens.

A retired high school teacher and financial planner, Ferne was featured in the recent documentary Cat City, shown on national television and in several cinemas.

Wendy Strickland - Vice President

Wendy has been a volunteer dog walker, cat groomer and adoption agent for the THS for the last six years. She’s also a foster parent for the old and sick – Daisy, Saydee, Titi, Black Beauty, Bengal D and, most recently, Maggie & Azrael. 

On staff at the City of Toronto, she works with volunteers to improve the natural environment of Toronto's parks. Prior to that she helped a Toronto-based non-profit group during a period of organizational and board development, acting as their volunteer coordinator and writing successful grant proposals to help fund the organization's programs.

Crystal Tomusiak, BA, MA, LLB

Crystal is a criminal defence lawyer who has represented clients in trial and appeal matters at all levels of the Ontario court. An experienced advocate for marginalized people, she will give the animals a voice – animals that might otherwise be overlooked. She has volunteered at several animal shelters, including the THS, and is devoted to animals that need special protection and care.

Crystal will help the THS live up to its promise of doing “whatever it takes” for the animals in its care, including those who face obstacles on the road to adoption.

Ken Wood

Ken Wood is a longtime animal caregiver who has had pets since he was a child. He believes that animals teach us compassion and caring for other human beings as well. Familiar with not for profit organizations and governance issues, Ken has served as a board member on the Daily Bread Food Bank and Mainstay (supportive) Housing. Ken recently ran as a city council candidate to highlight the need to update our animal bylaws and recognize the need to spay and neuter our pets. He says the biggest challenge facing the Toronto Humane Society has become fundraising and the urgent need to reach out to a new generation of those that care about animals. We must ensure a stable and vibrant THS for now and into the future.