Board of Directors
Executive:
Tara Rosen – President
Tara, her husband Stephen, and family moved to Uxbridge in 1999 as they wanted their 4 kids to grow up in a small town community. Her love for animals makes her driven to help in any way that she can to raise the funds for the new shelter. She also volunteers with the Carroll County Animal Support in Kentucky, as 2 of their rescue dogs originated from that high kill shelter. Everyone knows how much her fur babies mean to her. Tara and family have rescued numerous animals over the years. They currently have Bo, a boxer mix, Daisy, a black mouth curr, Bella a Bengal cat and Roxy, the bearded dragon. Tara, aside from being a Realtor, has volunteered in her youngest son’s school, on the Zephyr Board, several fundraisers, Relay for Life and more. She feels it’s important to give back to her community.
Amy Stevenson – Vice President
Born and raised in Uxbridge, Amy has a background in Public Relations and Event and Wedding Planning. She currently works in fundraising with Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation.
An animal lover from an early age, Amy is excited to use her background in event planning to help raise funds for the new shelter. In her spare time Amy enjoys spending time with her nephews, curling up with a good book and getting her groove on at a Zumba fitness class. She cuddles up at night with her Jack Russell/American Eskimo mix named Ellie.
Melinda Diebel – Treasurer
Melinda joined the Board in 2017, after serving as the secretary to our Volunteer Committee in the preceding year. Melinda brings her background in finance, governance and communications to the Board as well as a lifelong love of animals. Melinda utilizes her Chartered Professional Accountant and Chartered Director designations as a financial executive.
Melinda grew up in Uxbridge before leaving for University. She has since returned to the Uxbridge area where she lives with her 4 kitties, 2 dogs and whatever cat and dog fosters she may have at any given time. Melinda is very involved in animal rescue in the Durham region, working with many local dog, cat and wildlife rescues to raise funds and to find, secure and transport animals to safety. She also runs the Uxbridge-Scugog Pet Food Bank.
Susan Long – Secretary
Susan is retired after many years in various fields of supply management, accounting and administration. She is currently President of the Uxbridge Cottage Hospital Auxiliary and a volunteer with other organisations. She lives in Uxbridge with her husband and three cats, and is a busy grandmother of four children, two granddogs, and three grandcats. Susan has been Secretary for the New Animal Shelter for Uxbridge-Scugog since February, 2013.
Directors:
Paul Bussiere
Paul joined our Board of Directors in August of 2015 after volunteering on the Golf and Fundraising committees. Paul is a PGA of Canada Professional and currently works at the Ladies’ Golf Club of Toronto as the General Manager. He has organized many fundraisers over the years including his own golf tournament for 16 straight years.
Paul and his wife Jodi moved to Uxbridge in 2010 with their 3 kids. Their most recent addition to the family came in 2012, when they adopted a rescue dog with an elaborate mix of breeds named Dylan. Dylan is a Greyhound, German Shepherd, Australian Cattle Dog, Chow Chow, Welsh Corgi, and Miniature Pinscher mix! He loves to run and is doing his best to keep Paul in shape. Paul is very excited to be part of the new animal shelter and brings with him a wealth of knowledge and expertise.
Buck Sully
Buck Sully is on the Board of Directors and serves as the Chair of the Governance Committee. Buck was born and raised in Uxbridge, growing up in a home filled with many dogs, cats, horses, and the occasional wildlife visitor. Currently he enjoys spending time with his girlfriend’s dog, Charlie, and her cat, McGuire, who have adopted Buck as their own.
Buck has been an active volunteer in and out of Uxbridge. Throughout law school, he was a director of the Student Animal Legal Defence Fund – Windsor Chapter and worked closely with the local shelter in Windsor. Upon returning to Uxbridge, he was very eager to get involved with the New Animal Shelter for Uxbridge-Scugog. Recently called to the Ontario Bar, Buck practices law with Keel Cottrelle LLP, a mid-sized firm in Toronto, advising on governance, real estate and estate planning matters.
Advisors:
Debbie Leroux, Clerk, Uxbridge Township
Debbie Leroux currently serves the Township of Uxbridge as Clerk. She oversees the legislative requirements of the corporation including Council operations, bylaw control and animal control services. Debbie joined the Corporation in 2003 after working for the Municipality of Penetanguishene in the position of Deputy Clerk since 1997.
An avid baseball player and outdoors person, Debbie spends life outside of work participating in many extra curricular activities including keeping up with her active family and pets. They are Gus, the Chocolate Lab and Murphy and Riley, both Bernese Mountain Dogs. She also has a cat named Bella, who thinks she is a dog.
Kevin Heritage, Director of Development Services, Township of Scugog
Kevin Heritage currently serves the Township of Scugog as their Director of Development Services. He oversees a variety of areas including planning and development, building, by-law enforcement and animal services, and economic development and tourism. Prior to joining the Township, Kevin worked as the Manager of Policy Planning for the Town of Ajax.
Kevin spends most of his free time outdoors with his family in the garden, walking their dog, and training their three Percheron and Frisian draft horses.
Andre Gratton, Manager of By-law Services, Township of Uxbridge
Andre Gratton currently serves the Township of Uxbridge as the Manager of By-law Services. He oversees the enforcement of all municipal by-laws which includes Animal Services for both Uxbridge and Scugog Townships. Andre joined the Corporation in 2008 after working for the Town of Ajax as a Municipal Law Enforcement Officer and Senior Animal Services Officer. Since 2005.
An avid hockey player and outdoors person, Andre spends most of his free time outdoor with his family which includes as German Short Haired Pointer “Berkley”
Are you interested in joining our board? We’re always looking for great leaders to add to our list of prospective board members. Please forward your resume and a brief cover letter to volunteer@animal-shelter.ca.
