Get to know the people behind the scenes!
STAFF
Dale Gienow – Executive Director
Dale joined the WILDNorth team in 2017. His career in wildlife rescue, education, and management has spanned four decades, across many provinces. While in Ontario, Dale established the Muskoka Wildlife Centre. His wildlife rescue and education park housed the province’s largest collection of non-releasable, native wildlife and featured the country’s largest live animal outreach program. A wildlife rescue specialist, he routinely helped government agencies and rehabilitation centres in the capture, restraint and housing of illegally kept wild animals. He also spent years as a professional animal trainer for the motion picture industry, has worked on popular educational television series’, is regularly hired as a scientific advisor for wildlife documentary films, and has lectured at many wildlife colleges across the country. Dale is proud to work along side WILDNorth’s diverse team of dedicated professionals, and is excited about the organization’s growing role in helping Northern Albertans co-exist with our wild neighbours. In his spare time, Dale pursues experimental archaeology, and his passions include jousting, mounted archery and falconry.
Kim Blomme – Director of Research and Policy, RVT
Kim is deeply passionate about urban wildlife and can find beauty and value in the everyday species that share Edmonton’s home! A Registered Veterinary Technologist in Alberta for 40 years, Kim is also a Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator through the International Wildlife Rehabilitators Council (IWRC). She teaches the IWRC Foundations of Wildlife Rehabilitation course to aspiring wildlife rehabilitators across Canada and the United States, helping to build capacity and excellence within the profession. As the founder of WILDNorth (formerly the Wildlife Rehabilitation Society of Edmonton), Kim as played a pivotal role in advancing wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and public education in Alberta. She is committed to life-long learning, knowledge sharing, innovation and collaborative problem-solving.
Carly Lynch – Director of WILDCare, RVT
Carly is the Director of WILDCare at WILDNorth. She has a bilingual Bachelor’s degree in Environmental and Conservation Sciences and is a Registered Veterinary Technologist. She began her journey in wildlife rehabilitation in 2013 as a volunteer animal care intern, and has since advanced through multiple leadership roles. Through her time with WILDNorth, wildlife care became her prime focus and she developed a keen interest in the medical aspect of wildlife rehabilitation. In her current role, she oversees the medical care of over 3,500 patients a year, coming from nearly 200 different species of wildlife. She is constantly learning, and is dedicated to advancing medical care for wildlife in Alberta. Career highlights include receiving the 2025 Lucille Landals Emerging Leader Award through the Alberta Veterinary Technologist Association, getting published in the Journal of Wildlife Rehabilitation, being the vice-chair of the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association’s Wildlife & Ecosystem Health Advisory committee, and every time she’s been able to witness one of her patients being released back into the wild. As a proud member of the 2SLGBTQI+ community and a neurodivergent individual, Carly strives to create an environment where everyone’s differences are valued and respected. When she isn’t at work, you can find Carly watching live music, making a 10 minute walk last 1 hour due to frequent bird-spotting stops, and spending time with her loved ones and creatures.
Dr. Kelti Kachur – Veterinarian
Dr. Kelti Kachur is a small animal veterinarian who has lived in Edmonton for most of her life. Her interest in wildlife started young along with her love of animals; however, she started her wildlife care in a professional manner at university, joining the Wildlife and Exotic Animal Medicine student group. There her interest in wildlife rehabilitation grew. Dr. Kachur had a chance to travel and even work and volunteer in some amazing places including volunteer veterinary work in South Africa, Uganda, and Togo. Dr. Kachur also pursued her interest in wildlife with an internship at the Wildlife Center of Virginia and has completed a Masters Course in Avian medicine. Dr. Kachur lives with her fiance Jacques and her new puppy Hawk. They love to fly fish, camp, travel the world when possible, play sports, take pictures, and enjoy wildlife. Dr. Kachur has been volunteering with WILDNorth for many years, but has started to take a more active role in the last 2-3 years.
Dr. Daren Mandrusiak – Veterinarian
Dr. Daren is an exotic pet and wildlife veterinarian in Edmonton, Alberta. His passion for wildlife first grew when he worked as a zookeeper at the Edmonton Valley Zoo prior to becoming a veterinarian. In veterinary school, he worked with the Wildlife and Exotic Animal Medicine Society and the Zoo, Exotic and Wildlife department looking after injured wildlife, exotic pets, and zoo animals. Since returning to Edmonton, Dr. Daren has focused his career on companion exotic animals, and free ranging wildlife ensuring equal access to care for less traditional veterinary species. His professional interests in the exotic and wildlife sphere include, orthopedic and soft tissue surgery, emergency medicine as well as endoscopic diagnostic procedures. In his spare time, you can find Dr. Daren planting trees or hiking with his wife, son and dog. He also shares his home with a red tail boa constrictor named “Kaa”.
Jade Stevenson– WILDCare Manager (Hospital)
Jade started working with WILDNorth in May 2016 as the Wildlife Hotline and Intake Coordinator. She spent the summer answering calls from members of the public, arranging rescues, in-taking new wildlife patients, and raising baby birds that required constant attention. At the end of the summer, Jade was offered a permanent position with WILDNorth as Office Administrator and Instructor. Now, her role is WILDCare Manager at our Edmonton Hospital location. Jade has always been passionate about nature and wildlife and has been working towards making her own positive impact. She graduated from the NAIT Biological Sciences Technology program in April 2016 and is a member of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) conservation committee.
Max Buchanan – WILDCare Manager (Rehabilitation Centre)
Max had the opportunity to work as a wildlife rehabilitation volunteer at WILDNorth in the summer of 2022. This experience sparked their passion for helping injured and orphaned wildlife. It inspired them to pursue a career in wildlife rehabilitation. Max is currently studying for a Bachelor of Science in biology and earth science. They are a proponent of applying current research to improve the welfare and enrichment of all animals in rehabilitation. They value diversity and inclusion and strive to create a positive and respectful workplace. Max enjoys spending time in nature, especially birdwatching and finding cool insects.
Meegan Sweet – WILDEducation Manager
Meegan began their journey with WILDNorth in 2022 as a Helpline Volunteer and quickly immersed themselves in a variety of roles across the WILDRescue, WILDCare, and WILDEducation departments. If there is a role at WILDNorth, chances are Meegan has done it! In 2024, they further developed their wildlife rehabilitation expertise by earning their Foundations of Wildlife Rehabilitation Certification through the IWRC. Originally from a performing arts background, Meegan holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of Alberta and has worked professionally as an actor and artist since moving to Edmonton in 2017. While the arts have been a lifelong passion, so too has wildlife and nature. In fact, Meegan was originally enrolled in veterinary medicine before ultimately pursuing theatre. As WILDEducation Manager, Meegan is excited to combine their passions for performance, storytelling, and wildlife education to help empower the public to make informed and compassionate decisions around helping Alberta’s wildlife. As a neurodivergent individual and proud member of the 2SLGBTQI+ community, they are committed to creating safe, welcoming, and inclusive spaces for both people and wildlife alike. Outside of WILDNorth, Meegan enjoys birdwatching, spending time outdoors, and creating visual art, particularly acrylic and encaustic painting. You can also often find them around the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival each year, working on various productions. Since 2023, Meegan has been performing and producing their solo show, The Shiniest Piece of Trailer Trash, a story about a raccoon who dreams of being reincarnated as a human. The production has been performed in both Edmonton and Toronto throughout 2024 and 2025. Whether on stage or behind the scenes, Meegan is thrilled to be part of the WILDNorth team and hopes to make a lasting impact through wildlife education and community engagement.
Annika Chell – Volunteer Manager
Annika joined the WILDNorth team in 2026. They grew up with a deep appreciation for nature and developed a passion for understanding animal behavior at a young age. In 2021, Annika graduated from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) with a Diploma in Biological Sciences – Conservation Biology. They then went on to complete a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of Alberta, where their research project about black-capped chickadee behavior fueled further interest in animal welfare and understanding how humans can create a better world for wildlife. Alongside her focus on wildlife, Annika has both volunteered and worked in peer support and mental health crisis management. Their lived experiences as a 2SLGBTQIA+ person and with grief formed the basis of their desire to create welcoming, affirming spaces for folks (and critters) of all kinds. It never ceases to amaze Annika how working with animals is always intertwined with working closely with humans, and she is proud to be able to hold both closely in the Volunteer Manager position. Outside of work, Annika can be found exploring the outdoors, playing with her dogs, spending time with loved ones, crafting, volunteering, baking, and much more… as long as there is a creature close by to share life with!
Kyle Bohay – WILDRescue Manager, VMA
Kyle, our Wildlife Technician from small town Macklin, Saskatchewan, has nurtured a lifelong passion for animals big and small. Now a certified Veterinary Medical Assistant, Kyle seamlessly blends education with his dedication to animal well-being. In 2023, Kyle undertook a transformative volunteer placement at WILDNorth; this hands-on experience allowed him to refine his skills in phone lines and wildlife rescue, amplifying his passion for wildlife rehabilitation. Kyle actively contributes to the community, volunteering with prominent organizations such as Pitbulls for Humanity and ElderDog. Beyond the animal care world, he engages in sports, showcasing a diverse range of athletic talents, embodying sportsmanship, and a competitive spirit through participation in a pool league and other extracurricular activities. He finds solace in fantasy novels and embraces an outdoor lifestyle through camping, hiking, mountain biking, and off-roading. Looking ahead, Kyle is eager to apply the skills he’s gained, continuing his efforts to enhance the well-being of wildlife, ensuring a brighter future for animals in care.
Lori White – Fund Development and Grants Manager
A newcomer to WILDNorth, Lori is excited to start her journey with the organization, bringing her expertise and energy to the fund development role. Not originally from Edmonton, Lori has lived in the Capitol region for the last twenty years. A nature lover since childhood, she has participated in yearly bird counts and hikes with her grandmother since she was five years old. Lori has been an integral part of a local animal rescue in Edmonton for the past ten years, serving on its board, fostering and adopting a menagerie of critters of her own. Living with two dogs, six cats and the occasional foster pet, she considers herself an almost-sommelier, fearless traveler and cook, and amateur Scattegories champion.
Melanie Ostermayer – Wildlife Technician, RVT
Melanie has loved animals ever since she was a little girl trying to rehabilitate orphaned baby mice. As an adult she has fostered dozens of dogs, joined international rescue agencies, and raised a notoriously grumpy cat up to a curiously cuddly old age. She also had a thriving career as a server, roofer, and airline associate (where she had incredible travel perks). And yet something was missing. So after years of amateur animal care Mel dusted off her pencil case and went back to school. She enrolled in NAIT to become a Registered Veterinary Technologist, and graduated with honours in 2025. Melanie joined Wild North in January of 2026 and likes the daily adventure that Alberta wildlife brings.
Mel enjoys music festivals, foraging, gardening, hiking and camping with her two dogs, a human, and occasionally one geriatric cat.
Megan Urness – Senior Wildlife Technician
Megan started at WILDNorth as a summer volunteer at the hospital location in 2021 after wanting to get hands-on experience with animals. This set in motion her passion for helping injured and orphaned wildlife. This has only fueled her desire to be able to care for animals as she pursues education in a Registered Veterinary Technician Program after finishing her degree from the University of Alberta in a Bachelor of Science in Animal Health. Megan has also volunteered in vet clinics, with alpacas, and various other animals. WILDNorth has not only influenced her career and education path but also her hobbies as she has gotten involved in birding. She also loves spending time with her own critters and being in nature. Megan is excited to help wildlife and continue to learn about the endless knowledge of animal care and husbandry.
Damek Rivera – Wildlife Technician
Damek began his journey with WILDNorth in 2018 as a volunteer Transport Driver and has since contributed nearly 1,000 volunteer hours across WILDRescue, Helpline, and WILDCare. In 2024 and 2025, he was employed at the Rehabilitation Centre as a Summer Student and since early 2026, he serves as the centre’s sole permanent Wildlife Technician. Born in Mexico City and raised in Edmonton, Damek graduated with honours from NAIT’s Conservation Biology program and went on to continue his education at the University of Alberta. He has gained field experience through internships with the Beaverhill Bird Observatory, along with participation in wildlife surveys and other conservation initiatives in the province through his program. An avid naturalist with a strong background on vertebrates, he is passionate about applying his background in natural history, physiology, ecology, and conservation to support high-quality and species-specific wildlife rehabilitation. Outside of work, he enjoys observing wildlife in their natural habitats, journaling, personal development, and spending time with loved ones.
Corby the Raven – Education Ambassador
Fable – Executive Greeter
Fable is our resident greeter and the first face you will see when you visit our Edmonton Wildlife Hospital. Adopted by Dale, our Executive Director, she spent her early years as a k-9 ambassador for the Edmonton Humane Society. She traveled to numerous schools and other venues, promoting the adoption of shelter animals. An important member of our team, Fable’s friendly disposition helps to alleviate compassion fatigue in our staff and provides emotional support to the many other people that bring us injured and orphaned wildlife.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Cheryl Feldstein – President
Cheryl Feldstein has been involved with WILDNorth and in the animal welfare field for 20 years. Her deep-rooted love of animals, passion for the non-profit sector and commitment to lifelong learning has given her the opportunity to grow and make a difference in the lives of Alberta’s wildlife, companion animals and farm animals. Through her experience, Cheryl has fine-tuned her communications, stakeholder relations, strategic planning and governance skills – all of which she brings to WILDNorth – and has received numerous awards for her academic and community work. When not working or volunteering, Cheryl enjoys spending time with her husband, two children and dogs. She loves reading, traveling, bird-nerding it up and secretly hopes to make it as a stand-up comedian… one day – maybe when she “retires.”
Elizabeth Disman – Vice President
Elizabeth has been involved with WILDNorth since 2013 and has served as Board Chair for four of those years. During her time on the board, she has contributed to the organization’s governance, strategic direction and growth, supporting WILDNorth’s mission to rescue, rehabilitate and release wildlife. Elizabeth is the founder and co-owner of Daeco HR Consulting and brings more than 35 years of human resources experience, with a focus on leadership development, organizational effectiveness and building strong, healthy workplace cultures. She is passionate about helping organizations and people reach their potential. Outside of work, Elizabeth enjoys hiking, mountain biking, dragon boating and spending time in nature with her rescued Shepherd cross, Jesse.
Connie Phillips – Treasurer
Connie joined the WILDNorth board in 2026 after a long break from volunteering at WILDNorth. Connie started volunteering for WILDNorth in the early 90s when kids in the neighborhood found an injured sharp-shinned hawk. Connie and her family filled a number of roles including volunteer shifts feeding, cleaning pens, on call transportation driver and baby bird nanny. Connie retired from the Alberta government, Ministry of Agriculture in 2016 and a year later began working for the Alberta Beekeepers Commission. Recently retired from ABC, Connie is now working part time for the Canadian Beekeepers Federation. When not busy with family, Connie has a number of hobbies including quilting, cycling, rowing and competitive swimming.
Sonu Sahi – Secretary
Sonu joined the WILDNorth board in 2024 to continue giving back to the greater community, further develop governance skills, and help support the organization. Sonu Sahi is a seasoned technology leader with over 17 years of experience at large enterprises, mid and startup software companies. Sonu lives in Edmonton with his wife, two young children and a very senior dog! When not working, you can find him playing with the kiddos, or out for a (slow) run preparing for annual WILDRun, or on a ski hill asking himself how he ended up in moguls he has no business being in. You can connect with Sonu on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonusahi
Tom Eger – Director
Tom Eger began volunteering at WILDNorth in 2022 after retiring from a 40 year career in the construction and development business. A lifelong volunteer in the non-profit, public and industry sectors, Tom is excited to join the Board and to help WILDNorth in continuing its vital work in caring for wildlife and educating the public on the respectful coexistence of people and wildlife. When Tom is not taking a volunteer shift at the hospital or on call as a rescuer, you will likely find him on the golf course or hiking somewhere in the wilderness.
To learn more about Tom check out his profile in LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-eger-76b02a14/
Laura Newstead – Director
Laura has been involved with, and volunteering for, WILDNorth since 1998 and has had a lifelong passion for helping and studying animals. Birds are a particular favourite and she has a soft spot for pigeons (and is often called upon to take on the nannying and release of baby pigeons from WILDNorth). She graduated with a BSc in Environmental Conservation Sciences (Conservation Biology) in 2007 and her MSc in 2025. She lives on a farm with her family, where she takes care of all the critters, wild and otherwise, that call the farm their home. In her spare time, Laura can be found in her pottery studio, birdwatching, digging in the garden or out at her conservation area, planting trees and wildflowers.
Kylie Adams – Director
Kylie is a communications and public relations professional with over a decade of experience in the animal welfare and non-profit sectors, including work in both Canada and Australia. Her background spans strategic communications, public trust, issues management, fundraising and donor communications. Kylie holds a BSc in Animal Health, an MSc in International Animal Welfare, Ethics and Law, and Accredited in Public Relations (APR) and Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) designations. She also serves on the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo Animal Welfare, Ethics and Research Committee. Inspired by Alberta’s wildlife and natural spaces from a young age, Kylie enjoys wildlife photography and travel, as well as live music and spending time with her adopted pets.
