GOVERNANCE & LEADERSHIP AT RAPS
The Regional Animal Protection Society (RAPS) is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors whose members bring extensive professional experience and a shared commitment to animal welfare.
The RAPS Board provides strategic oversight, safeguards the organization’s mission and resources, and helps ensure that RAPS operates with integrity, accountability and transparency.
Drawing on expertise in business, finance, law, communications, operations, community service and animal welfare, our Board helps guide the long-term direction of RAPS as we work to save and improve the lives of animals — and their people.
Our volunteer Board of Directors brings decades of combined professional and community experience to the governance of RAPS. Board members provide oversight, help ensure adherence to our charitable mission and guide the organization’s strategic direction.
RAPS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CATHERINE ELLSMERE
Board President & Executive Board Member
Catherine has been involved with RAPS for more than 15 years and has served on the board for almost the entire time. She brings to the organization a strong business management, marketing and communications background, having worked in management and supervisory capacities for several large retail chains and having owned and operated her own successful business for the past 25 years.
MARGARET LEATHLEY
Vice President & Executive Board Member
Being on the RAPS board for more than a decade has equipped Margaret with knowledge of all the important facets of the organization and confirmed how important animal welfare is to her and all who volunteer beside her. The vision that has always driven RAPS as an organization is now ensuring even more achievements and seeing dreams become reality.
JEFF KLOS
Secretary & Executive Board Member
Jeff is a retired accountant and lifelong animal lover who now cares for his two cats, Miss Puddin and Mr. Latte. After a 34-year career, including 26 years as a federal auditor, he discovered RAPS and was inspired by its no-kill mission, Cat Sanctuary, and community support efforts. Raised on a farm, Jeff developed a deep connection with animals and is grateful to support RAPS in enriching the lives of both animals and people.
ARIEL LIOZNYANKSKY
Treasurer & Executive Board Member
Ari is the P3 Operations Manager at Angus Consulting Management Ltd., responsible for the operations and profitability of multiple B.C. facilities, including a major downtown Vancouver complex and a P3 hospital in Northern B.C. He brings extensive experience across construction, project management, and facility operations in sectors like healthcare, justice, and education. In his free time, he enjoys wildlife photography, snowboarding, hiking, and cycling.
FEARN EDMONDS
Past President & Board Member
Fearn has been with RAPS for more than 20 years, dating back to its days as Richmond Homeless Cats, and has played an instrumental role in the organization’s growth into the large, multifaceted organization it is today. She is proud of the diverse and talented team RAPS attracts, believing that by providing people with the right tools and opportunities, they can achieve their greatest potential while advancing the organization’s mission every day. Bringing a background in marketing, public relations and community social services, Fearn is committed to continuous learning and development to better serve both animals and people. Through her many years of leadership with RAPS, including her service as Board President, she has been a respected leader and role model dedicated to educating the public and advocating for animal welfare throughout the community.
REBEKA BREDER
Board Member
Rebeka is one of Canada’s most influential lawyers and a leading expert in animal law. She founded Breder Law, Western Canada’s first law firm dedicated exclusively to animal law, and is widely recognized as a pioneer in advancing animal law in Canada.
Her practice includes animal law litigation at all court levels, representing individuals in cases involving pet custody, veterinary malpractice, breeder disputes, and defending dogs, while also advising organizations and challenging government actions affecting animal welfare, including the BC wolf cull and live horse transportation.
Rebeka founded the first Animal Law section of the Canadian Bar Association and currently chairs the BC branch. She also helped establish the UBC Animal Law course, has served as an Adjunct Professor, and is a frequent lecturer and media commentator on animal welfare issues.
LEON CHELIADIN
Board Member
Leon is a seasoned business leader and former owner of Applewood Auto Group. Under his leadership, Applewood Nissan Richmond earned top national and global awards. He also served as President of the Board of Directors at HUB International. Leon’s leadership style emphasizes strategic vision, collaboration, and operational excellence. Passionate about mentorship and animal welfare, he brings strong entrepreneurial expertise to support RAPS’ governance and corporate partnerships.
JOE DASILVA
Board Member
Joe Dasilva is the former Director, Corporate Communications, for Richmond’s Ebco Group of Companies. Joe recently retired from his 43 years (1977-2020) of service to Ebco founders Helmut and Hugo Eppich. Joe is a strong believer in RAPS’ no-kill mandate and is joining the RAPS Board of Directors because of his love for animals and his desire to see the success for RAPS’ cat and dog sanctuary projects and the expansion of the RAPS Animal Hospital.
CANDACE HERNANDEZ
Board Member
Candace is the Director of Marketing & Communications at Praxis, with 15 years of experience across the food, lottery, retail, and health care sectors. She moved into the non-profit sector in 2019, applying her expertise to fundraising, donor stewardship, and public awareness. Candace has held senior roles with the Richmond Hospital Foundation, London Drugs, the BC Lottery Corporation, and McDonald’s. She brings strong strategic marketing and communications expertise to support RAPS’ continued growth and reach.
DANIEL LAY
Board Member
Daniel has long been active in animal welfare, beginning with fostering and rehabilitating dogs through Animal Alert in Ontario and later volunteering with the RAPS Cat Sanctuary, B.C. Wildlife Rescue, and Prostate Cancer Canada. A former Regional Director of Operational Readiness for River Rock Casino Resort, he brings valuable experience in operations and development and has previously served on key RAPS committees, including those supporting the Animal Hospital and Cat Sanctuary upgrades.
Members of the RAPS Board of Directors serve on a volunteer basis and bring decades of combined expertise from their respective professional fields.
Together, they oversee the governance of the organization, safeguard the RAPS mission and help guide the strategic direction of one of British Columbia’s most innovative animal welfare charities.
Governance & Accountability
RAPS is committed to responsible governance, transparency and accountability to our donors, supporters, volunteers, employees and the communities we serve.
Our volunteer Board of Directors oversees the organization’s governance, helps ensure adherence to our charitable purpose and provides strategic guidance as RAPS continues to grow and evolve.
Featured image by Michele Wright, Furry Friends Photograpy.