The people behind Humane Tourism.

Since 2006, CANDi brings together experts across tourism, animal welfare, research, and population management to help global destinations build credible, durable practices for free-roaming, stray cats and dogs.

Leadership

Darci Galati

Founder & President

From a family question to a destination response.

On a family vacation in Cancun, Darci Galati and her daughters encountered cats and kittens along a resort path. The questions they asked—who was helping, and could tourism be part of a humane response?—stayed with her. Darci founded CANDi to turn individual concern into destination partnerships, bringing tourism, local organizations, veterinary professionals, and communities together around lasting care for free-roaming, stray cats and dogs.

Cassandra Cooper

Co-Founder

Cassandra Cooper's journey with CANDi - Cats and Dogs International began in 2006, when she was just five years old. During a family trip to Mexico, she witnessed the suffering of stray cats and dogs near tourist resorts, an experience that shaped her lifelong commitment to animal welfare.

Board of Directors

Gary Evans

Strategic Director, Innovation & Population Management

Gary Evans is President of the Alliance for Contraception in Cats & Dogs (ACC&D), the world's leading nonprofit organization advancing non-surgical fertility control for cats and dogs. Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, ACC&D serves as a global catalyst for research, innovation, and collaboration.

Dr. David A. Fennell

Tourism/Ethics/Animal Welfare

Dr. David A. Fennell is a Professor in the Department of Geography and Tourism Studies at Brock University and a globally recognized leader in tourism ethics and ecotourism. He is widely credited with establishing the field of tourism and animal ethics, which he introduced in 2000.

Laurel Zaseybida

Sustainability & ESG

Laurel Zaseybida is the founding President and CEO of Avalon Alliance, a public benefit company dedicated to sustainable community planning, green design-build, clean technology, wellness education, and environmental stewardship. She is a professional sustainable community planner based in Kelowna, BC.

Tracey Buyce

Photography & Storytelling

Tracey Buyce is an award-winning photographer and lifelong animal lover who joined CANDi's mission after a life-changing trip to Cancun in 2012. That trip became the catalyst for her deep involvement in stray cat and dog welfare abroad.

Global Advisors

Douglas Braun

Operations

Douglas Braun is a senior operational leader specializing in business management, process optimization, and logistics execution. His experience managing complex operations helps CANDi run efficiently and scale its impact across global tourism destinations.

Shawn Talbot

Hospitality

Shawn Talbot is one of the world's premier architectural and hospitality photographers, with over 20 years of experience capturing iconic spaces for global brands. His work has been recognized by National Geographic, The Globe and Mail, and the Smithsonian Institute.

Len Butticci

Strategic Growth

Len is passionate about animal rescue and welfare and is a regular donor to many animal welfare organizations. In addition to his volunteer work with various rescues, Len is the President and CEO of DataSource Technologies Inc., an insurance services company.

Dr. Larry Wilder

Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Larry Wilder is the founder of Lawrence Park Animal Hospital, established in 1992 in Toronto. He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Guelph's Ontario Veterinary College, where he was recognized with AAHA awards for highest clinical standing in both small animal medicine and surgery.

Heather Holmes

Social Media, Marketing & CRM

Heather Holmes is the Founder and CEO of AI 4 Business, a Kelowna-based consulting company helping small and medium-sized businesses, nonprofits, and social enterprises implement practical AI and automation solutions.

Ioannis Gaitanakis

Animal Welfare Governance

Ioannis Gaitanakis is Head of the Municipal Police of Ierapetra, Crete, recognized for developing a professional model of municipal animal welfare policing aligned with Greek national law and European standards.

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