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Biography
An award-winning leader in animal welfare, conservation and education, Barbara Cartwright’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 across Canada and across Africa.
Cartwright 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 Migratory Bird Act and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. She 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.
As the CEO of Humane Canada, the federation of humane societies and SPCAs, Cartwright 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 five years, she 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 first empirical sector-wide research project on humane societies and SPCAs.
Cartwright has provided expert testimony to the Justice Committee of the House of Commons, the Senate Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, the Liberal Animal Welfare Working Group, the all-party International Conservation Caucus, the UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and the IUCN World Congress. She holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Education and Communication, is a published author and lecturer, and received the Governor General’s Gold Medal for Academic Excellence. She is the former President of the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada and Advisor to the Pan-African Sanctuary Alliance as well as sat on the Board of PetSmart Charities of Canada and Safe Pet Ottawa. Cartwright is a member of Women’s Executive Network, the Council of Women Executives and part of the Distinctive Women network.