Golden Rescue ...About Second Chances

Barb Almeida ~ Director of Operations
With a degree in chemistry from the University of Western Ontario, Barb has 40 years of health related experience in the medical-dental profession. Her practice in this field has been invaluable in emergent decision making and crisis problem solving. Through her current and past experiences, she has gained knowledge in administration, team building, and organization. These skill sets combined with current familiarity of medical terminology and procedures serve her well as Golden Rescue Veterinary Liaison and Director of Operations. Barb and her husband Eric have shared their home and cottage with six Goldens over the years, having lost Chelsie #602 in 2009. They are constantly entertained by the antics of Jagger, Jenny #917, and Honey (the Bunny) #1203.

Lisa Cabel ~ Secretary and Legal Director
Lisa is a senior associate with the Labour & Employment Department of Borden, Ladner, Gervais LLP. She graduated law school from the University of Western Ontario and was called to the Ontario Bar in 2005. Lisa is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, Canadian Bar Association, and The Advocates’ Society. Lisa and her husband Bill have a young family that includes their son James, a second baby, Liam born last week, a cat Alley, and their St. Bernard, Angus.

Carin Keeling ~ Director of Events & Volunteers
Carin has over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry as Special Events Consultant working for some of Toronto’s biggest hotels and venues. She has not only owned and operated her own special events company but also volunteered in various capacities with Golden Rescue for over a decade, holding a board position for two years and chairing/volunteering on the Golf Fore Gold committee. Her Goldens, Tanner and Riley, were found abandoned in the woods north of Montreal, but have since brought joy and laughter to their forever home.

Sharon Kelly ~ Treasurer
Sharon has worked in a Director role for the past fifteen years with the Windsor Essex County Health Unit, currently as Director of Corporate Services. She received her designation as a Certified General Accountant in 1994. After obtaining a B.A. and B. Comm. from the University of Windsor, she worked for a major account firm specializing in the not-for-profit and small business sector. Sharon and her husband Gary became aware of Golden Rescue in 2009 when they adopted Max #1249 as a companion for Nellie when their other Golden was diagnosed with cancer. She is eager to help Golden Rescue as the organization as brought such joy to their lives with the perfect match.

Jane Riddell ~ Director
Jane joined GoodLife Fitness while still in graduate school at the University of Western Ontario. It was, she says, “the job I was going to do until I found my ‘real’ job”. During her 30-year tenure with the company, Jane has seen the company grow from one tiny club in London, Ontario with 5 associates to 300 clubs nationwide, employing over 9,000 people and helping over 750,000 Canadians reach their health and fitness goals. She has worked in virtually every position in the company and is currently the Chief Operating Office, a role she has occupied since 2002. Jane became interested in Golden Rescue’s program in 2007 when she lost her beloved Golden, Kodi, to stomach cancer. Her volunteer work includes canvassing for the Canadian Mental Health Association, coaching club level soccer and basketball, and with the Women’s Athletic Alumni at the University of Western Ontario. She is currently working as a volunteer with the Intake team at Golden Rescue…Says Jane, ”I love the passion and the energy of the people in this organization, I love what I do, and I am looking forward to contributing on a larger scale.” Jane shares her heart and her home with three lovely Goldens…Abby, Arthur, and Dylan #1124.

Anna Sonser ~ Director of Communications & Fundraising
Anna has worked as a consultant in marketing and communications in the areas of finance, IT, project management, and non-profits for 20 years, both in Canada and the United States. She has a doctorate from the University of Toronto and her community involvement has included Canine Vision, Halton Mental Health Association, and Golden Rescue. Callie joined Anna and her husband, Kim, last year and is determined to be a forever Golden puppy who adores everything and everybody.

Viive Tamm ~ Chair & Director of Marketing
Since 1980, Viive has developed, owned and managed four companies, including Graffiti Magazine, an international award-winning music/lifestyle publication in the 80s. For the last eight years, Viive has been on Canada’s Top 100 Women Entrepreneur’s list reaching 27th place last year. As a founder and executive director of Tamm Communications, she stewarded this Toronto-based advertising agency onto Canada’s coveted ‘Top 100 Employers’ list, the first advertising agency to ever receive this designation. Viive is also the operating partner of The Pickering Markets, Canada’s largest indoor flea/farmers market. Having served on several boards, Viive was the Chair of Operation Migration about which the movie Fly Away Home was based. On the Golden Rescue board for the last three years, Viive spearheaded the new website and newsletter, instigated the LCBO Tag Days and helped organize the golf tournament and car rally. Her furkids Treble, Jake #424, Mr. Bibbs, and Zoey #1526 provide her with inspiration.