Full Name
Barbara Cartwright
Job Title
CEO
Company
Humane Canada
Speaker Bio
An award-winning leader in animal welfare, conservation and education, Barbara’s work has spanned five continents and 25 years. Her extensive experience in developing and facilitating relationships with stakeholders, including governments, corporations and NGOs has led to innovative programs with dynamic results, including working with First Nations to initiate community-based companion animal welfare programs, partnering with the BC government to implement the first grizzly bear rehabilitation program, supporting east coast fishermen to protect the endangered right whale and mobilizing African communities across the continent to conserve great apes. Barbara is sought after for her knowledge of policy and public affairs. She has secured amendments to federal legislation, including updates to the Criminal Code, the Fisheries Act, the Migratory Bird Act and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. In 2019 she secured a ban on whale and dolphin captivity in Canada, as well as ensured that abusers convicted of animal sexual assault are listed on the Sex Offender Registry. Barbara has advised some of the top organizations in the world on animal welfare policy direction, including working with online giant eBay Inc. to end the illegal ivory trade on its site worldwide.

Today, as the CEO of Humane Canada, the federation of humane societies and SPCAs, Barbara convenes and represents the largest animal welfare community in Canada, working to end animal cruelty, improve animal protection and promote the humane treatment of all animals. She leads Humane Canada in fulfilling its mission through the successful execution of strategic and business plans. Over the past six years, Barbara has launched the annual National Animal Welfare Conference, the National Centre for the Prosecution of Animal Cruelty, the National Violence Link Coalition and conference as well as spearheaded the development of the first Accreditation program for Humane Societies and SPCAs in North America.

Barbara holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Education and Communication, is a published author and lecturer, and received the Governor General’s Gold Medal. She is the former President of the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada and past Advisor to the PanAfrican Sanctuary Alliance and currently sits on the Board of Directors for PetSmart Charities of Canada and the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center in Congo. Barbara has been recognized as one of 5 “WOW Woman” in Canada (Best Health Magazine) is a member of Women’s Executive Network, the Council of Women Executives and part of the Distinctive Women network.
Barbara Cartwright