Meet The Team

Jennifer White

An innovative and results oriented non-profit senior executive, Jennifer has been professionally fundraising for nearly 3 decades. She has been recognized for her ability to conceive, implement, and oversee highly successful campaigns and projects. Over her career she has helped organizations raise more than $200 million.

Jennifer began her career in University Advancement with Queen’s and McGill before transitioning to a focus on healthcare philanthropy roles.  She has spent the past decade as the Executive Director for the Cambridge Memorial Hospital Foundation and Norfolk General Hospital Foundation. In 2020 Jennifer was appointed to the Grand River Grant Review Team for the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Jennifer holds a BA in Religious Studies and Political Science and a Master’s in Theological Studies from Queen’s University.  She and her husband Darrell have been married for 20 years and reside on 6 acres of Carolinian Forest in Brantford, Ontario.  She has a passion for travel and all things Disney.

Tom Priestly 

An experienced volunteer, Tom has been serving his community for over 20 years. When not at the Aviary Tom is serving on the front line of the global pandemic as a registered nurse at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton. 

 Kimberly O'Hare

​Former Treasurer from 2018 to 2022, Kimberly has a strong background in database management and as a community advocate for the aviary. Outside of the Aviary she is wildlife biologist at Environment and Climate Change Canada and has been working with birds for 25 years. 

Caitlin Smyth

Caitlin has had a lifetime love of birds and got involved with the Aviary in 2015 when she was an undergrad Physics student at McMaster University. Since then she has worn many hats including volunteer, crew leader, tour guide, committee chair and Board Member. She is passionate about THA's capacity to promote education, enrichment and conservation. 

Stephanie Watson 

A member since 2019 and a life-long bird lover, Stephanie was thrilled to find The Hamilton Aviary, a place to share her life-long passion and advocacy for parrots. Outside of her community service Stephanie is the Regional Manager for Revera Inc.

Marissa Casale

A member since 2018 and parent to a beloved parrot at home, Marissa is passionate about educating people on the beautiful beings parrots are and the importance of proper avian welfare. Outside the Aviary she works as the Office Coordinator for a naturopathic centre in Oakville. 

Mirnaly Saenz de Miera 

Mirnaly grew up waking up to the sounds of Macaws and Yellow-crowned Amazon parrots. She has been interacting with birds for over 30 years. Her love of birds led her to volunteer and lead crews at THA since 2020. Outside the Aviary she is a proud Research Engineer for Natural Resources Canada. 

Kimberly Calderbank

Kimberly fell in love with the Aviary from the minute she set foot inside. A strategic and experienced leader in the communications and marketing sector, as Co-founder and Director of Marketing and Communications at Yellow Robot. Kimberly is a true believer in the power of community. She works extensively with not-for-profit organizations in the Halton and Hamilton communities. She has been a member of various Boards within her community and is a a sought-after public speaker, Television Host and Mom of two fierce community champs. She looks forward to “bringing a voice to the birds.”

Marika Gulyban

Marika has always been in awe of all things avian.  She is a backyard birding enthusiast and has 2 very spoiled budgies.  Marika holds a B.Sc. in Chemistry and an MBA. She is a retired financial professional with over 30 years of experience in financial controllership, strategic planning, and project management.