Board of Directors
Nicole Spencer
I have been on the NWT SPCA board since 2008. I was new to town and wanted to get involved with the community, helping the animals, so I started out walking dogs at the Great Slave Animal Hospital. Now as President, I am Chairperson of the Board of Directors, but my duties vary from dog transfer logistics, to community outreach and program growth, to helping with education, vetting, events, fundraising, and shelter growth and improvement. My fondest memory was walking into our new shelter in the infant stages of construction back in 2012 and thinking "we did it!" I am always moved to tears every time we take a dog that will otherwise not survive and my heart near bursts when I see one of our special rescue animals in their new life. There is not much I do that is not connected to the SPCA, however, I do love to travel and look forward to exploring new places, within Canada and around the world. I can always be found at the Shelter or with my fur-babies Blue and Gia!
I have been on the NWT SPCA board since 2008. I was new to town and wanted to get involved with the community, helping the animals, so I started out walking dogs at the Great Slave Animal Hospital. Now as President, I am Chairperson of the Board of Directors, but my duties vary from dog transfer logistics, to community outreach and program growth, to helping with education, vetting, events, fundraising, and shelter growth and improvement. My fondest memory was walking into our new shelter in the infant stages of construction back in 2012 and thinking "we did it!" I am always moved to tears every time we take a dog that will otherwise not survive and my heart near bursts when I see one of our special rescue animals in their new life. There is not much I do that is not connected to the SPCA, however, I do love to travel and look forward to exploring new places, within Canada and around the world. I can always be found at the Shelter or with my fur-babies Blue and Gia!
Dana Martin
I started volunteering with the NWT SPCA in 2010 as a foster and have been on the board for the last 4 years. I had some time and the SPCA was a natural place to go for me. My current role is Vice President and Animal Care Director which entails a number of different things but predominantly focuses on coordinating fosters, adoptions and vetting. My fondest memories of working with the SPCA are all of the dogs and cats I've had the privilege of getting to know and surprisingly, the people I've met and worked with. I don't consider myself a "people person" but I suppose when you have like minded people around, you discover things you didn't know about yourself. Outside of the SPCA I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. Kayaking and walking with my dogs keeps me active and I enjoy cooking.
I started volunteering with the NWT SPCA in 2010 as a foster and have been on the board for the last 4 years. I had some time and the SPCA was a natural place to go for me. My current role is Vice President and Animal Care Director which entails a number of different things but predominantly focuses on coordinating fosters, adoptions and vetting. My fondest memories of working with the SPCA are all of the dogs and cats I've had the privilege of getting to know and surprisingly, the people I've met and worked with. I don't consider myself a "people person" but I suppose when you have like minded people around, you discover things you didn't know about yourself. Outside of the SPCA I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. Kayaking and walking with my dogs keeps me active and I enjoy cooking.
Randy Hilworth
I have been on the board for 5 years. I originally started with the SPCA as a foster for animals that arrived in Yellowknife before the shelter was built. Once the shelter was built I wanted to help out and Nicole talked me in to joining the board. As the Director of Facility Operations I make sure our equipment is operational and do building maintenance and repairs. My fondest memories with the SPCA is meeting some of the amazing dogs that come through the shelter and being able to take some of them home to foster till they are adopted. I am also a foster failure (just could not give up my two buddies Sox and Jaxon). I love animals of all kinds I currently have an African Gray Parrot, 2 Dogs, 4 Fish tanks. The most unusual pet I have had has was an ocelot
I have been on the board for 5 years. I originally started with the SPCA as a foster for animals that arrived in Yellowknife before the shelter was built. Once the shelter was built I wanted to help out and Nicole talked me in to joining the board. As the Director of Facility Operations I make sure our equipment is operational and do building maintenance and repairs. My fondest memories with the SPCA is meeting some of the amazing dogs that come through the shelter and being able to take some of them home to foster till they are adopted. I am also a foster failure (just could not give up my two buddies Sox and Jaxon). I love animals of all kinds I currently have an African Gray Parrot, 2 Dogs, 4 Fish tanks. The most unusual pet I have had has was an ocelot
Karen Kuronen
I have been on the board for a few years. I got involved with the SPCA after the building went up because I realized that they would need more volunteers than ever to keep the organization going. I have always wanted to become more involved in helping the animals of the north, and this was my chance. I was the Director of Community Education for my first year and have now taken over the duties of Secretary. I also foster dogs at my home. It is so heartwarming to see dogs come from bad situations and just blossom in loving homes. One that I remember well is Prince, a large loud strong willed dog, a hand full at the shelter, who found a great home is which suits him so well and allowed him to thrive. That’s why we do this. To find unwanted pets homes in which they can really enjoy their lives. In my spare time I grow a vegetable garden and I enjoy cooking.
I have been on the board for a few years. I got involved with the SPCA after the building went up because I realized that they would need more volunteers than ever to keep the organization going. I have always wanted to become more involved in helping the animals of the north, and this was my chance. I was the Director of Community Education for my first year and have now taken over the duties of Secretary. I also foster dogs at my home. It is so heartwarming to see dogs come from bad situations and just blossom in loving homes. One that I remember well is Prince, a large loud strong willed dog, a hand full at the shelter, who found a great home is which suits him so well and allowed him to thrive. That’s why we do this. To find unwanted pets homes in which they can really enjoy their lives. In my spare time I grow a vegetable garden and I enjoy cooking.
Sarah Martin
I have been on the Board for five years, but I have been involved with the NWT SPCA for the last seven years, helping out with advertising and events. When a spot became available on the Board I was nominated and happily accepted! As the Communications Director I am responsible for all communications activities, such as advertising, newsletters and website design and maintenance, and assisting the Events Director. My fondest memory of the SPCA so far has been the Diamond Dessert Gala. It was amazing to help organize such a spectacular event and experience the outpouring of love and support from our community. Outside of the SPCA, I love spending time with my boys, Bentley, Hunter and Kaiser (Northern Specials), cooking, reading and writing.
I have been on the Board for five years, but I have been involved with the NWT SPCA for the last seven years, helping out with advertising and events. When a spot became available on the Board I was nominated and happily accepted! As the Communications Director I am responsible for all communications activities, such as advertising, newsletters and website design and maintenance, and assisting the Events Director. My fondest memory of the SPCA so far has been the Diamond Dessert Gala. It was amazing to help organize such a spectacular event and experience the outpouring of love and support from our community. Outside of the SPCA, I love spending time with my boys, Bentley, Hunter and Kaiser (Northern Specials), cooking, reading and writing.
Carole Musialek
I have been a volunteer dog walker at the SPCA since the Fall of 2013 and recently joined the Board in May 2016. I had a cat when I grew up, but no dog, and I had always been a bit scared of dogs. However when I moved to Canada more than 12 years ago, I found an interest in dog-sledding. I fell in love with huskies and bigger dogs. So when my friend Kim said the SPCA was always looking for dog walkers, I decided to give it a try... and I became addicted! I go about twice a week and it’s been a very rewarding experience: the dogs look so happy to go out and really need activity and human interaction; spending time with them keeps me active and has been very positive on my mental health. I always feel relaxed when I spend time with the dogs. My best memory is seeing dogs who arrived scared, shy, depressed or withdrawn become tail-wagging happy pooches again. In my spare time, I enjoy photography, painting, skiing, camping and cooking.
I have been a volunteer dog walker at the SPCA since the Fall of 2013 and recently joined the Board in May 2016. I had a cat when I grew up, but no dog, and I had always been a bit scared of dogs. However when I moved to Canada more than 12 years ago, I found an interest in dog-sledding. I fell in love with huskies and bigger dogs. So when my friend Kim said the SPCA was always looking for dog walkers, I decided to give it a try... and I became addicted! I go about twice a week and it’s been a very rewarding experience: the dogs look so happy to go out and really need activity and human interaction; spending time with them keeps me active and has been very positive on my mental health. I always feel relaxed when I spend time with the dogs. My best memory is seeing dogs who arrived scared, shy, depressed or withdrawn become tail-wagging happy pooches again. In my spare time, I enjoy photography, painting, skiing, camping and cooking.
Candace Seddon
I have always had a love of animals and a desire to help them, but I didn't get involved until they announced a cull in Fort McPherson in 2015. I read that there were people working to save the dogs from being shot, so I stepped in to volunteer and help the dogs as needed. I relocated from Inuvik to Yellowknife in the fall of 2016, and joined the SPCA Board. I am still finding my niche in the Board; aside from attending Board meetings and fundraisers, I help with fundraising and I am taking over managing the SPCA Thank-you cards that go out to donors. My best memory is receiving photos and videos from Nicky of dogs I helped evacuate, living and loving their new homes. Oh, and my other fondest "memory" is my sweet pup Lily, who I adopted from the NWT SPCA in 2015. She's an old girl with a lot of personality, and she reminds me every day why I continue to volunteer. Outside of work and volunteering, and spending time with my fur babies, I love to travel, and I love to bake!
I have always had a love of animals and a desire to help them, but I didn't get involved until they announced a cull in Fort McPherson in 2015. I read that there were people working to save the dogs from being shot, so I stepped in to volunteer and help the dogs as needed. I relocated from Inuvik to Yellowknife in the fall of 2016, and joined the SPCA Board. I am still finding my niche in the Board; aside from attending Board meetings and fundraisers, I help with fundraising and I am taking over managing the SPCA Thank-you cards that go out to donors. My best memory is receiving photos and videos from Nicky of dogs I helped evacuate, living and loving their new homes. Oh, and my other fondest "memory" is my sweet pup Lily, who I adopted from the NWT SPCA in 2015. She's an old girl with a lot of personality, and she reminds me every day why I continue to volunteer. Outside of work and volunteering, and spending time with my fur babies, I love to travel, and I love to bake!
