Laurence Massé
Executive Director
Laurence Massé has been working in communications and business development for over a decade, holding management positions in major companies, such as L’Oréal Canada and Yves Rocher North America. The highly competitive environment of the cosmetics industry led her to develop a strong innovative and creative approach. In 2021, she chose to step away from the retail sector to put her knowledge and skills to work for animal welfare, a cause she cares deeply about. Ms. Massé first joined the Montreal SPCA as the director of philanthropic development and communications. She also fulfilled other responsibilities, including serving as the assistant executive director for over a year, before being appointed executive director in October 2023. Involved both in the shelter’s day-to-day operations and in its awareness-raising campaigns, she shows unwavering energy that is perfectly in keeping with the Montreal SPCA’s ongoing activities
Email: lmasse@spca.com
Me Sophie Gaillard, B.C.L., LL. B.
Director of Animal Advocacy and Legal and Government Affairs
One of the first and leading animal protection lawyers in Quebec and Canada, Me Sophie Gaillard has worked at the Montreal SPCA since 2013. Me Gaillard oversees the organization’s efforts to advance animal law and strengthen animal protection legislation and public policy at the municipal, provincial and federal levels. She also acts as head legal counsel, government relations expert and spokesperson for the SPCA. Me Gaillard notably spearheaded the campaigns that led to the banning of cat declawing in Quebec, the authorization of dogs in the Montreal metro and the adoption of a new provision in the Civil Code of Quebec recognizing animals as sentient beings. Me Gaillard was head of the SPCA’s Investigations Division from 2018 to 2020 and served as Interim Executive Director of the organization from 2022 to 2023. She is a graduate of McGill University’s Faculty of Law, where she has taught animal law.
Email: sgaillard@spca.com
Dr. Gabrielle Carrière, DVM
Head Veterinarian
A graduate of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the Université de Montréal, Dr. Gabrielle Carrière has been the Montreal SPCA’s Head Veterinarian since 2012. She and her team provide comprehensive medical care to animals who come through the SPCA and run a spay/neuter clinic reserved for animals from low-income homes. She hopes to extend other veterinary services to this clientele. Dr. Carriere completed a fellowship in shelter medicine at the University of Wisconsin in 2019-2020 and serves on the board of directors for the Association vétérinaire québécoise de médecine de refuge (AVQMR).
Email: gcarriere@spca.com
Marilou David
Director of Philanthropic Development and Communications
Active in the communications field for over 20 years, Marilou David worked for major Montreal cultural organizations before founding her own agency. Specializing in public relations, communications, advertising and production, her agency represented big-name artists on the Quebec music scene. Marilou closed the company in 2017 to move on to another field she cares deeply about: working with animals. Before joining the Montreal SPCA in 2020, she worked in an animal boarding facility and in a veterinary clinic, as well as serving as director of development for an animal rescue organization in the US. Her professional expertise, energy and passion for animals make Marilou the perfect leader of our philanthropic development and communications team.
Email : mdavid@spca.com
Christine Stich
Director of Animal Welfare
With over 15 years’ experience in public health research and program evaluation, Christine Stich will contribute her solid expertise to improving and maintaining the welfare of the Montreal SPCA’s residents. She is committed to ensuring that the animals receive the highest standard of care, focusing on comfort, health and respect. With a PhD in psychology and a background as an Assistant Professor of Public Health at McGill University, Christine has a particular interest in vulnerable populations. She looks forward to applying her skills to helping animals, who hold a special place in her heart.
Email: cstich@spca.com
Alain Tessier
Director, Investigations Division
With more than 30 years of policing under his belt, including 14 years as a lieutenant-detective, Alain Tessier brings considerable experience to the Montreal SPCA Investigation Division. Over the past few years, he has worked on difficult investigative files involving sensitive issues, such as child abuse, sexual assault and domestic violence, clearly proving his commitment to protecting the most vulnerable. An expert in organizational management, Alain takes satisfaction in the continuous improvement of his team’s practices. He oversees the operations of the department, ensures the smooth running of ongoing investigations, and directs the daily work of the investigators and animal–protection staff under his supervision.
Email: atessier@spca.com
Natalie Noureldin
Director of Customer Service
Natalie Noureldin is back at the Montreal SPCA after serving in the Investigations Division in 2014. We are delighted to have this talented person among us again! Natalie’s interpersonal skills, her risk analysis and management experience and her project management training give her a solid foundation in her role as the shelter’s director of customer service. She is also knowledgeable about the organization and its various programs. Having volunteered her time to several organizations and sanctuaries, Natalie knows animals and their needs inside out. It was Natalie’s desire for progress in the legal status of animals and the defence of their well-being that brought her back to the SPCA.
Email : nnoureldin@spca.com
Ahmad Barbari
Director of Human Resources
A versatile and experienced human resources professional, Ahmad Barbari also holds degrees in political science and general law. In addition to working in human resources for several companies, he co-founded Careers Without Borders in 2019, a non-profit organization working to mitigate Canada’s labour shortage. His desire to give back to society is nothing new. As early as 2013, he volunteered at Hôpital Notre-Dame-de-la-Merci, and later joined Amnesty International and UNICEF. It was quite natural then for Ahmad to join the Montreal SPCA. His leadership and positive outlook make him the ideal person to oversee our human resources department.
Email: abarbari@spca.com
Jean-Pierre Dufault
Building Director
Jean-Pierre has had a most varied professional life, working in fields as diverse as property management, city planning, municipal inspection, construction and politics, to name but a few of his areas of expertise. Born in Manitoba, Jean-Pierre has been living in Quebec since 1999. He studied political science at Concordia and Bishop’s. He has always been a great animal lover.
As the Montreal SPCA’s new building director, Jean-Pierre is thrilled to be tasked with improving our facilities to make sure time spent at the shelter is as positive as it can be, both for our protégés and the humans who care for them.
Email : jpdufault@spcamontreal.com
Media contact
Marie-Hélène Avon
mariehelene@tokcommunications.ca
514 656-2760 (available 24/7)
