About Us

Camille Labchuk is an animal rights lawyer and the executive director of Animal Justice—Canada’s leading legal advocacy organization for animals. For over 15 years, she has worked to transform how Canada sees and treats animals, using the law to challenge cruelty, close legal loopholes, and build a more compassionate society.

Under Camille’s leadership, Animal Justice has achieved major victories—from the national ban on whale and dolphin captivity to defeating ag gag laws, which sought to outlaw undercover investigations and hide abuse. She has advocated for animals in courtrooms across the country, including the Supreme Court of Canada, and leads investigations that expose hidden suffering in factory farms, hunting parks, and zoos. She has also personally documented Canada’s commercial seal kill.

Camille works to turn public concern for animals into lasting legal change, ensuring the law reflects our deepest values of kindness and justice. She regularly testifies before legislative committees, writes for national outlets like the Globe and Mail and Toronto Star, and speaks widely on animal law.

She holds degrees from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law and Mount Allison University, and is a Fellow at the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics. A former press secretary to a federal party leader and two-time parliamentary candidate, Camille brings political and legal strategy together in the fight for animals.

She lives in Toronto with her rescued cat Cecily, who reminds her every day why this work matters.

Kaitlyn has over a decade of experience using the law to protect animals and the environment. She has an extensive history of going to court to fight for environmental justice, as well as working to strengthen Canadian environmental laws, and uses this expertise to enforce and strengthen Canada’s animal laws. She has appeared before
numerous courts across the country, including the Supreme Court of Canada. Kaitlyn graduated from Dalhousie Law School in 2007 after receiving her undergraduate degree from the University of Winnipeg. She now lives in Winnipeg with her family, including her two children, two cats, and her rescued dog Luka.

Kimberly brings her strategic and bridge-building skills as a coach for changemakers and extensive media background from her career as a television host and producer to advocating for animal rights. She co-created the original “Why love one but eat the other?” transit ad campaign in Canada and was one of the founders of Mercy For Animals Canada — helping bring the first undercover farmed animal investigations to Canadian television. She’s also a director for the Toronto Vegetarian Food Bank. As a coach/teacher, Kimberly has help empower thousands of activists and counselled those in high-stress activist positions like undercover investigators. She’s also passionate about environmental activism, democratic reform, and amplifying the voices of Indigenous peoples and other marginalized communities. Kimberly grew up in Brandon, Manitoba and now lives in Toronto.

Jennifer (she/her) comes to Animal Justice with 20 years of experience in research, project management and operations. She has a PhD in Psychology from the University of British Columbia and has sat on multiple non-profit boards including the chair of a local cat rescue. After a few years of volunteering in the animal advocacy space, she decided to pursue a career helping animals. She was recently the Director of Operations for New School Foods, a plant-based meat and seafood start-up where she raised over 10 million dollars for the company and managed a multi-million dollar operating budget. She currently lives in Regina with her family and enjoys travelling, hiking, sports and reading.

Alanna brings over 15 years of experience in animal law and advocacy. She holds an undergraduate degree in Criminology from the University of Toronto, along with civil and common law degrees from McGill University. After clerking for the Supreme Court of Canada, Alanna began her career at Quebec’s leading animal protection organization, where she spent more than a decade as Director of Legal Advocacy.

Throughout her career, Alanna has been instrumental in advocating for significant legislative changes to protect animals, ensuring the effective enforcement of animal welfare laws, and educating the public on key advocacy issues. She has also taught animal law at McGill University, served on multiple non-profit boards, and lectured across North America on animal law and advocacy.

Alanna currently resides in Montreal with her partner and their rescued dog, Maggie. She is also passionate about the intersectionality of social justice movements and effective altruism. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, baking, and exploring vegan restaurants.

Shannon has a decade of experience leading digital communications focused on animal protection. She specializes in creating high-impact content that translates complex issues into campaigns that educate the public, hold industries accountable, and push lawmakers and authorities to protect animals. Shannon earned her Bachelor of Journalism from Carleton University and lives in Ottawa. In her spare time, she enjoys plant-based cooking, writing music, and spending time with her rescued dog and cat, Strawberry and Luna.

Pierre has over two decades of legislative affairs experience with various organizations seeking stronger laws to protect animals and the environment in Canada. Pierre has also conducted similar work in Washington D.C. for a national public interest advocacy organization. He is a graduate of the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law and practiced law in Ontario for over a decade. Pierre lives in Ottawa with his family, their dog and two rescue cats.

Jessica brings to Animal Justice her prior experience as a criminal defence lawyer along with over a decade of experience in the non-profit sector, most notably with Greenpeace.

As a criminal lawyer, Jessica enjoyed working on cases that dealt with novel areas of law and defending the civil liberties of individuals, particularly activists. She volunteered on pro-bono cases and facilitated several ‘Know Your Rights’ workshops in the community.

Jessica obtained her law degree from Thompson Rivers University Faculty of Law in 2021, where she was president of the Animal Justice Student Chapter. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of British Columbia.

Jessica lives in Edmonton, Alberta where she enjoys spending time outdoors with her partner, Brodie, and their two foster dogs, Fin & Rosie.

Jessica is inspired to do this work in honour of her dear departed Jaia and Koa.

Carlene comes to Animal Justice with over a decade of experience in the non-profit sector. She is enthusiastic about building deep-rooted relationships with supporters, as well as the analytics and strategy behind great fundraising. She has worked for a variety of causes and is especially passionate about animal rights and environmentalism. Previously, she has worked for the BC SPCA developing their community-based fundraising programs across BC, and has also led the Supporter Engagement team at New Zealand’s leading animal rights charity. Carlene is a graduate from the University of British Columbia and currently resides in Vancouver.

Bridget has over five years of experience in digital advocacy and animal protection communications. At Animal Justice, she crafts multi-platform content that distills complex animal issues into clear, compelling storytelling for wide audiences.

Bridget also holds a certification in holistic nutrition with a focus on sports and fitness. She currently resides with her partner in Ontario, and in her free time, she enjoys reading and biking around to find the best oat milk lattes and vegan treats.

PJ Nyman brings over a decade of experience as a professional advocate for farmed animals, including developing Canada’s leading corporate benchmarking report that tracks the animal welfare performance of food companies. Prior to entering the nonprofit sector, PJ earned a Master’s Degree in Social and Political Thought from York University in 2011, and taught and published in the social sciences. As an animal advocate, PJ has managed volunteer programs and media relations, national campaigns in the U.S. and Canada, and led strategy and communications for corporate animal welfare reform in Canada. PJ lives in Toronto with companion cat, Simon Nyman, and elder bunny, Binksopolis.

Alexandra comes to Animal Justice with nearly 15 years of experience as a veterinary technician, where she consistently advocated for her patients, from fighting breed-specific legislation to advancing fear-free care and better pain management standards. Alongside her clinical work, she wrote for veterinary publications and industry partners on issues close to the profession: compassion fatigue, access to veterinary care, and raising standards of practice. Years of locum work across different practices deepened her understanding of the realities facing animals and the people who care for them, ultimately drawing her toward legislative advocacy and systemic change.

In Quebec, she led a campaign to ban cosmetic procedures for companion animals, including declawing, bringing together veterinary and advocacy organizations, the public, and worked with the government until the procedures were banned across the province.

She holds a B.A. Specialization in Psychology with a Minor in Biology from Concordia University. Alex lives in Montreal with her cats and remains actively involved in community animal care.

Tayler Zavitz, PhD, brings a powerful combination of scholarly insight and dedicated activism to the movement for animal rights. She holds a PhD in Sociology, specializing in critical animal studies. Her doctoral research offered a deep dive into the history of the animal rights movement in Canada, its repression and criminalization, and the emotional experiences and responses of animal activists to their repression.
Tayler has spent the last almost decade teaching in academia, educating students on pressing issues like critical animal studies, crime and deviance, social movements, and food studies. She’s also a passionate and long-time animal activist, with close to two decades of experience collaborating with various non-profits and local organizations to advance animal protection. Her passion extends to the intersectionality of social justice advocacy, advocating for the collective liberation of all animals—human and non-human—and the environment.

She currently resides in Victoria, BC with her three rescued companions: Parsley the chihuahua, and sibling cats Liberty and Justice.

Angeline Ico is the National Technology Leader at JLL Canada, where she advises clients and prospects on technology solutions that enable strategic growth. Angeline is a bridge builder – connecting people, innovative ideas and bold approaches to help her clients, colleagues and community succeed. She has been working at the intersection of technology, strategy and innovation for over 15 years, with domain expertise that includes strategic planning development and technology-based solution selling, as well as innovation program and product & services management. She lives in Toronto with her partner, young daughter and two rescued dachshunds.

Olena graduated from the University of Ottawa with a major in Accounting and earned her professional accounting designation as a Chartered Accountant. She is a passionate advocate for environmental and animal causes and is the founder of Planet Save Foundation. Olena lives in Ottawa, Ontario.

Sarah is a passionate advocate for animal rights and an experienced event professional with more than 15 years in the industry. She founded Little by Little IC eight years ago to partner with individuals and animal advocacy organizations on meaningful events, projects, and fundraising initiatives that drive positive change. Based in Burlington, Sarah loves spending time outdoors with her wife, daughter, and two energetic dogs.