Saskatoon SPCA Leadership Team

Meet the Saskatoon SPCA’s Leadership Team

With a strong and dedicated leadership team, the Saskatoon SPCA is committed to promoting animal welfare and ensuring that every animal receives the love and care they deserve.

Our Board of Directors and executive staff work tirelessly to achieve our mission and make a positive impact in the community.

Our Executive Staff

The executive staff at the Saskatoon SPCA play a crucial role in the daily operations and long-term success of the organization.

They bring a wealth of experience, dedication, and passion for animal welfare. Here are the key members of our executive team:

  • Russ Misskey

    Russ Misskey

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Russ joined our team in May of 2025 and brings over 25 years of experience in fundraising, nonprofit leadership, and community engagement. Russ has a proven track record in leading organizations through periods of transition, building sustainable fundraising programs, and fostering strong relationships with staff, partners, and the community.

    He is dedicated to improving the animal-human bond and leading the Saskatoon SPCA in its mission to provide exceptional care to the animals in our community. Russ looks forward to building strong relationships with our staff, donors, and volunteers as we continue to grow and enhance our programs.

  • Amber Matthews

    Amber Matthews

    DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

    Amber has been part of the Saskatoon SPCA team since 2019, bringing a strong passion for animal welfare and a commitment to providing compassionate, high-quality care. With a background in biomedical technology and animal behaviour, she combines her knowledge and experience to support the health and well-being of animals in the shelter. Amber oversees all aspects of animal care, from medical needs and nutrition to daily enrichment and socialization, ensuring every animal receives the individual attention they deserve. She is passionate about creating a safe, supportive environment where animals can feel comfortable, build confidence, and thrive while awaiting their next chapter. Through her leadership, Amber works closely with the animal care team to maintain high standards of care and improve the lives of the animals who depend on the Saskatoon SPCA.

  • Jolene Morris

    DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

    Jolene Morris is the Director of Development at the Saskatoon SPCA, bringing over 20 years of experience in community outreach, nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and relationship building. With a background in sociology and criminology, Jolene has dedicated her career to supporting vulnerable people and strengthening community connections. She is passionate about animal welfare and believes in the importance of supporting both people and pets. A lifelong animal lover, Jolene shares her life with her family, dogs, and horses. She is excited to use her experience and passion to build meaningful relationships and advance the mission of the Saskatoon SPCA.

  • Brittanie Heaton

    Brittanie Heaton

    MANAGER OF ANIMAL CARE

    Brittanie has been part of the Saskatoon SPCA team since 2020, bringing years of hands-on experience in animal care and a strong commitment to animal welfare. Her knowledge of shelter operations and understanding of the individual needs of animals help guide her work in managed intake and pathway planning. Brittanie plays an important role in helping animals move through the shelter with thoughtful, individualized plans that support their health, well-being, and future success. She is passionate about finding practical solutions, supporting her team, and ensuring every animal receives the care and consideration they deserve. Outside of the shelter, Brittanie shares her life with several beloved dogs and cats. She enjoys exploring Saskatoon's many parks and off-leash areas with her dogs or spending a quiet evening at home cuddled up with her four-legged family.

  • Chelsea Malkowich

    Chelsea Malkowich

    MANAGER OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE

    Chelsea is the Manager of Administration and Finance at the Saskatoon SPCA. Since joining the organization in 2022, she has held several roles within the shelter, gaining valuable experience in its daily operations before moving into management. With a diploma in business and an extensive background in customer service, Chelsea brings strong organizational skills and a passion for helping people and animals. Having worked with animals of all shapes and sizes throughout her life, she is dedicated to supporting the shelter's team and mission. Outside of work, Chelsea shares her life with a large and much-loved family of animals.

  • Madi Friesen

    Madi Friesen

    FOSTER AND VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

    Madison has been part of the Saskatoon SPCA team since May 2022. She coordinates the volunteer and foster programs, helping recruit and train volunteers, support foster families, and organize schedules and activities. With years of customer service experience, Madison enjoys helping people feel supported and ensuring volunteers and fosters have the guidance they need to make a positive difference in the lives of animals. She values the important role that volunteers and foster families play in providing animals with the care, attention, and enrichment they need while waiting for their forever homes.

  • Sheila Gibbons

    Sheila Gibbons

    COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR

    Sheila has been part of the Saskatoon SPCA team since October 2022, bringing over 20 years of experience in animal care, veterinary work, and international-level competitive canine sports. With a graduate-level background in medical and social history, she brings a unique perspective to her work and a strong passion for education and animal welfare. As a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Sheila leads the shelter’s dog training program, helping pets and their families build stronger relationships. She loves bringing people together, building community connections, and finding creative ways to raise funds and support the shelter. Sheila believes that compassion and community are at the heart of animal welfare and enjoys being part of an organization that works to improve the lives of both animals and people. Outside of work, Sheila enjoys travelling to judge and compete in dog sports with her own dogs. When she isn't on the road, she's happiest curled up on the couch watching movies with her four-legged companions.

About Our Board

The Board of Directors is the governance body of the Saskatoon SPCA. Board members serve as the links to the community.

On behalf of the community, and representing the members of the Saskatoon SPCA, the board provides strategic direction, resources, and high-level oversight for the organization to be successful in achieving its vision, mission, and goals.

The role of the Board of Directors is to provide leadership and oversight of the activities of the Saskatoon SPCA. In both areas, it will strive to represent the interests of members and the broader community.

The work of the board requires a balance of asking big questions, exploring possibilities, engaging in real dialogue, solving problems, and offering direction.

The Board has a membership of no less than 7 members and no more than 12. In order to be part of the Board, you must be a member of the Saskatoon SPCA at the Annual General Meeting, which is held in April.

At the Annual General Meeting, if more members apply to join the Board than there are available positions, a vote will be required. Board members are elected for a 2-year term and may be re-elected for two additional 2-year terms, for a maximum of 6 years on the Board.

Become a member >

Outdoor event at Saskatoon SPCA with seated audience and speaker.

Our Current Board Members

  • Gordon Graham - Chair

  • Heidi Abramyk - Vice Chair

  • Hannah Lemiux - Secretary

  • Ginger Appel - Member

  • Jocelyn Davey-Hawreluik - Member

  • Clare Florence - Member

  • Ory McClelland - Member

  • Leah Reynolds - Member

  • Terri Uhrich - Member

  • Candace Schierling - Member

  • Ashley Dean - Member

  • Carla Vipond - Member

About the SPCA Auxiliary

For 50 years, the Saskatoon SPCA Auxiliary has been helping animals in need. This small group of dedicated members, along with their families and friends, hosts three major fundraising events every year: a humongous garage sale in the summer, and two open houses (in May and December) at the SPCA Shelter.

They also make and sell catnip toy mice, sell donated items on marketplace, and more.

The money raised through all these efforts is held in the Second Chance Fund and used mainly to pay for much-needed surgeries for adoptable animals.

The Saskatoon SPCA Auxiliary also contributes to anything the shelter needs to improve the care and comfort of the animals, including purchasing new cat adoption enclosures to beautify the Saskatoon SPCA and improve the lives of the cats in our care.

The Saskatoon SPCA Auxiliary was formed in 1973 as a separate fundraising arm of The Saskatoon SPCA. They have since expanded their fundraising endeavors, by way of the Second Chance Fund, which was originally set up to pay for much-needed surgeries for adoptable animals.

We are truly thankful for the Saskatoon SPCA Auxiliary for their many years of dedicated service to the animals in our care, and we look forward to many more years of partnership with them!

If you would like to make a difference in the lives of animals and would like to join the Saskatoon SPCA Auxiliary, please contact Janet at gjfrayling@sasktel.net for more information.