Ottawa, CANADA, May 30, 2025 – After four transformative years of leadership, Charmaine Brett will be stepping down as Executive Director of Veterinarians Without Borders North America (VWB) this September to begin a new chapter as President and CEO of the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society.
Since joining VWB in June 2021, Charmaine has brought a bold vision and global perspective to our mission of improving animal, human, and environmental health. Under her leadership, the organization has expanded programming to more than 13 countries, deepened partnerships across Canada and the U.S., and played a key role in the VSF International network’s collective response to urgent global challenges—from humanitarian crises in Ukraine and Turkey to climate-related disasters in Northern Canada.
Charmaine’s deep expertise in international development and disaster response—paired with her passion for community-led solutions—has significantly elevated the visibility and impact of VWB. Her legacy includes launching One Health programs in Canada’s North, strengthening veterinary response capacity in conflict-affected regions, and advancing equity and access in animal health through mobile clinics, tele-triage innovations, and Indigenous partnerships.
“It has been the privilege of a lifetime to lead this organization,” Charmaine shared. “Veterinarians Without Borders is doing critical, life-changing work at the intersection of animal welfare, public health, and sustainable development. I’m incredibly proud of the dedicated teams, volunteers, and partners who make this impact possible every day.”
As we prepare for this transition, VWB’s Board and senior leadership team remain fully committed to continuing the important work Charmaine has championed. Guided by our 2025–2030 Strategic Plan, the organization will continue to strengthen animal health systems, support community resilience, and deliver impactful One Health programming across the globe.
Dr. Jennifer Ogeer (BSc, DVM, MSc, MBA, MA), Board Chair, also expressed appreciation for Charmaine’s remarkable contributions: “Charmaine has led VWB through a period of remarkable growth and global collaboration. Her strategic leadership, deep empathy, and unwavering commitment to One Health have left an indelible mark. We are grateful for her service and excited to see the impact she will bring to her new role.”
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Charmaine for her outstanding leadership and wish her continued success as she takes the helm of one of Canada’s leading animal welfare organizations.
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About VWB/VSF: Founded in 2005, Veterinarians Without Borders North America / Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Amérique du Nord (VWB/VSF) is a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to improving community health through enhanced animal health. Using a “One Health” approach, we work with diverse partners to strengthen community-centered animal health systems, directly benefiting the people and environments that rely on them. As the North American affiliate of VSF International, VWB/VSF operates independently, with ongoing programs in Africa, Asia, Northern Canada, and Europe. Our efforts focus on disease prevention, sustainable livelihoods, equitable access to resources, capacity building, and humanitarian relief, reaching over 1 million people annually. Learn more: www.vwb.org
Media Contact:
Tanja Kisslinger
Director of Communications
VWB/VSF North America
tanja@vwb.org / +1 613 413 5776
