This International Women’s Day, Animal Alliance of Canada is proud to celebrate the remarkable women who lead our organization and drive our mission forward every day.
Since our founding in 1990, women have been at the heart of Animal Alliance of Canada—shaping our vision, leading our campaigns, and working tirelessly for the protection of animals and the environment. Today, our staff and volunteer teams remains women-led, and we couldn’t be more proud of the passion, expertise, and unwavering dedication these leaders bring to our work.
A Legacy of Women’s Leadership
Animal Alliance of Canada was co-founded by Liz White, who has spent over 40 years as a community activist advocating for a fair and just world.
From her early career as a registered nurse to her decades of work on animal protection and environmental issues, Liz has been a driving force for change.
Meet Our Team
Lia Laskaris
CEO
Lia has been with Animal Alliance for over 20 years, beginning as a donor in her teens, a dedicated volunteer during her post-secondary studies and now serving as our Chief Executive Officer. Her hard work and leadership have helped our organization grow and achieve significant victories for animals.
Twyla Francois
Manager, Research and Education
Twyla is the Manager of Research and Education at Animal Alliance, where she leads investigations, research projects, and public education initiatives aimed at improving protections for animals used in research and testing. Her work combines evidence‑based inquiry with a commitment to transparency and legislative change, helping bring hidden practices to light and strengthen advocacy efforts nationwide. She also maintains an art practice that offers a gentler, accessible entry point into conversations about justice and compassion for animals.
Bianca Del Bois
Director, Development and Communications
Bianca brings a multidisciplinary background and a unique blend of skills to her work with Animal Alliance. Guided by a lifelong dedication to animals and a strong belief in policy-driven change, she works hard to further the campaigns and development of Animal Alliance. She is the founder of a volunteer-driven animal welfare organization focused on community pet support, veterinary access, and humane animal management programs in partnership with remote and underserved communities.
Kira Berkeley
Advocacy Manager
Kira oversees our government relations and lobbying efforts, drawing on her legal insight. Kira holds a law degree from the University of Ottawa and also serves as the Co-Director and Counsel of a grassroots charity, Animal Environmental Legal Advocacy (AEL Advocacy). Previously, Kira was the Animal Law Research Associate at Jackman Law, University of Toronto, where she played a key role in helping the faculty launch Canada’s first Animal Law Program.
Nicole Sapalovski
Donor Services and Administration
Nicole manages donor services, administration, and general office maintenance. She values interacting with donors, supporters, and the volunteers who contribute so much to the office. Nicole has a degree in education and has worked locally and abroad as a teacher. Her hands-on animal care experience includes work with Animal Aid Unlimited in India and two years in a shelter environment, where she developed a focus on ethical dog training and compassionate care. Nicole serves as a Board Member of the Alberta Force Free Alliance and has been actively involved in the End the Dog Sledding Industry campaign since 2018, collaborating with advocates across Canada and the United States to advance protections for dogs.
Women in Animal Protection: A Natural Connection
Research consistently shows that women make up the majority of animal protection advocates, veterinarians, and shelter workers. This isn’t a coincidence—women have historically been at the forefront of movements for compassion and justice.
Words from the Women of Animal Alliance
We asked our team members and volunteers to share what this day means to them:
“Female dominated professions”. I look forward to the day when society celebrates men joining the ranks of nurses and elementary school teachers and early childhood educators in the same way it has celebrated women becoming engineers, scientists and doctors.
Verena B., Board Member and Volunteer
Do women care more? Or are we just smart enough to know that caring for each other, for the environment, for the animals, for the planet, surely safeguards the future for all of us?
As an animal rights activist, International Women’s Day means something unique to me, but what I wish wasn’t so unique. Becoming vegan and beginning my journey in activism back in 2015, my eyes were open to a plethora of injustices beyond nonhuman animals. Veganism truly opened my eyes to not only the exploitation and commodification of nonhumans, but inequities across our own species. What stands out to me in all of it is the golden rule and how it should be applied to every being on this planet – treat others the way you wish to be treated.
Nicole S., Donor Services and Administration
Our perception of others – human and nonhuman alike leads us to discrimination and human supremacy. Treating all beings with respect, moral consideration, kindness and understanding should be the foundation and baseline for us as human beings. As a woman, it outrages me to think about the female dogs and cows who are impregnated only to give birth so that we can take her babies away to make money and use her body as a machine. Breeding of another being is exploitive no matter how it is done, there is no ethical way around it. As a woman, it outrages me that other women – human or not are treated like disposable, replaceable things.
As a woman, I stand with women of all species who deserve better, who deserve to be seen, heard and valued for the unique individual they are. No being should have their autonomy and their ability to make choices taken from them, yet this is exactly what the basis of exploitation depends upon. We as humans have come to normalize harm and exploitation and those of us in places of privilege, no matter what that looks like, have the responsibility to speak up, challenge these oppressive systems and advocate for a more fair and just world for all. As Maya Angelou said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” For the pigs, the sheep, the bears, the deer, the mice and rats, the cats and dogs, the whales and fishes, the birds, turtles and the bees – I am vegan for them and my vision of feminism will always include them.
A Message of Gratitude
To all those who support Animal Alliance—as donors, volunteers, advocates, and allies—thank you. Your contributions and support make our work possible.
And to the incredible women on our team: we celebrate you today and every day! Your dedication, compassion, and leadership inspire us all.
Thank you for standing with us, as always.
The Animal Alliance of Canada Team
