Team Members

Lesley Fox

Executive Director

Lesley Fox is the executive director for The Fur-Bearers and is passionate about animal advocacy and social justice issues.

She is a certified Humane Education Specialist through the National Association for Humane and Environmental Education (NAHEE) and graduated with honours from the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) in Public Relations, Marketing Communications and Non-Profit Management. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from Royal Roads University.

Lesley lives with her partner on Vancouver Island on the traditional territories of the Hupacasath and Tseshaht First Nations.

Aaron Hofman

Director of Advocacy and Policy

Aaron Hofman is passionate about animal protection and works to advance the interests of animals through education, research, advocacy, and policy reform.

He holds a master's degree in International Studies from Simon Fraser University and a bachelor's degree in Philosophy from the University of Calgary, where he studied animal ethics and applied ethics. Aaron has worked in the non-profit sector as an advocate for marginalized populations living in poverty across Western Canada. He has a background in the public sector, with experience in public administration and information management.

He lives on Vancouver Island on the traditional territories of the Lekwungen and WSÁNEĆ nations.

Michael Howie

Director of Communications

Michael Howie is an award-winning journalist whose passion for nature and solution-focused communication led him to the non-profit sector. He is the Director of Communications at The Fur-Bearers, and host of the popular Defender Radio and The Switch podcasts. Michael's work for The Fur-Bearers focuses on education and strategic communication support for campaigns. Outside of The Fur-Bearers, Michael enjoys volunteering, participating in and watching comedy, and spending time with his family. He lives in Hamilton, Ontario, the traditional territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas.
 

Marcy Potter

Director of Finance and Donor Relations

A former wildlife rehabilitator, Marcy has been involved with all aspects of helping wildlife since 2003. From caring for individual injured wildlife, to now helping to advocate for their protection, Marcy has a variety of expertise to help wildlife.

Marcy was involved with helping oiled wildlife in a Burrard inlet spill in the mid-2000s. She was the Secretary on the board of the Oiled Wildlife Society for four years. She was treasurer on the Wildlife Rehabilitators' Network of BC Board of Directors for seven years and was a founding director, treasurer and secretary for the Society for Humane Science.

Her various administration, speaking and coordinating experience have also made an impact in her work. Working for The Fur-Bearers since 2014 has been the best place to transition to after working in wildlife rehabilitation.

Marcy lives and works in North Vancouver, BC, the traditional territories of the Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish, and Musqueam First Nations (Coast Salish).

 

Sydney Schaffner

Social Media & Communications Coordinator

She combines a love of marketing and animal advocacy in her work. Sydney is a graduate of the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) School of Business, with a diploma in Marketing Communications. Her goal is to make a positive change in the world for animals and humans alike.

Sydney is based in Vancouver, British Columbia on the traditional territories of the Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish, and Musqueam First Nations (Coast Salish). 

Help Make A Difference

Join The Fur-Bearers today and help us protect fur-bearing animals in the wild and confinement. To become a monthly donor (for as little as $10/month – the cost of two lattes) please click here and help us save lives today. Your donation is tax-deductible.

About Us

Established in 1953, The Fur-Bearers is a charitable, non-partisan organization whose goals are to end the commercial fur trade and promote solutions for wildlife coexistence in communities. Your donation is tax-deductible. Charitable registration number: 130006125RR0002

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