Meet the HAWS team.
Founded in 2014, HAWS is powered by a passionate team of volunteers with boots-on-the-ground knowledge and experience. Co-founders Darrell Glover and Barb Robinson lead field monitoring and rescue efforts from the North 40 Ranch, supported by Sylvain Jette (IT and Security) and Michelle Remillard (Policy and Communications), who bring decades of technical and government policy expertise. Anita Resnechenko leads equine therapy and animal welfare initiatives, while Kalena Cummings manages digital communications, bridging fieldwork with online advocacy. Together, this team combines hands-on horsemanship, citizen science monitoring, policy know-how, and digital outreach to protect and preserve Alberta's free-roaming Mountain Horses for future generations.
Darrell Glover
President and Founder
Darrell Glover grew up in Niagara Falls, Ontario, where he developed the persistence that would define his life's work. After serving as a medic in the Canadian military, he moved to Alberta in 1978 for a long career in the Oil and Gas Safety Industry.
After retiring in 2004, Darrell settled at his North 40 Ranch in central Alberta. The rescue of an orphaned colt named Kai, combined with his opposition to government-sanctioned culls, led him to co-found the Help Alberta Wildies Society (HAWS) in 2014.
As President, Darrell draws on his field experience to lead HAWS's monitoring efforts for the Alberta Mountain Horses. A retired pilot, he oversees a network of over 75 trail cameras, drone surveillance, and aerial helicopter counts across the Equine Management Zones, providing science-based data that has helped debunk myths about the horses' impact on the land.
Darrell's commitment is year-round, remaining on standby for critical injuries or foal abandonment. He has built a global following of over 750,000 people and, in 2018, hauled 15,000 lbs of feed to California to help horses displaced by wildfires. He remains a vocal critic of current government management strategies and works to secure the long-term survival of the wildies.
Barb Robinson
Vice President, Treasurer
Barb Robinson has been a steadfast partner to Darrell Glover for over 35 years, serving as a foundational pillar and Co-Founder of HAWS since its inception in 2014. An accomplished rider and lifelong horse lover, Barb is a constant presence in the field, frequently joining Darrell in the rugged Alberta backcountry to monitor bands, document herd dynamics, and track the health of the Alberta Mountain Horses.
When the mission shifts from observation to rescue, Barb's dedication is unmatched. At the North 40 Ranch—the sanctuary and "home base" for HAWS operations—she serves as the primary caregiver for rescued and orphaned foals, stepping into gruelling 24/7 rotations to manage the intensive feeding and monitoring required to stabilize the most vulnerable wildies. Her expertise in foal rehabilitation and her ability to integrate orphans with adoptive nurse mares have been the difference between life and death for dozens of horses.
Beyond the field, Barb is the heart of the homestead and the logistical engine behind the society, balancing roles as skilled chef, craftsperson, and general leader of the ranch's daily operations. Whether navigating a quad through mud to save a trapped foal or managing legal and social advocacy for horse preservation, her passion for equine welfare is the heartbeat of HAWS.
Sylvain Jette
Director, IT and Security
Sylvain joined HAWS to continue his journey of documenting and protecting the province’s incredible free-roaming horse populations. The proximity to these wildies keeps Sylvain inspired and driven every day.
In his professional life, Sylvain is a strategic leader in global telematics. He oversees high-level escalations and complex problem resolution, drawing on decades of operational experience to bridge stakeholders and technical solutions. He balances creative problem-solving with a rigorous commitment to security, compliance, and operational integrity, ensuring his teams have the tools needed to support global growth while protecting the customer experience. He also embraces modern technology to simplify the complex, recently integrating AI tools to standardize technical communications for global partners. At his core, Sylvain is a team-builder who takes pride in mentoring the next generation of support specialists and managers.
Outside his professional life, Sylvain's world revolves around a shared devotion with his wife, Lynn, to animal advocacy and the outdoors. A 2018 career move brought them to Las Vegas, where Lynn joined a non-profit rescue, and Sylvain discovered his passion for documenting the American wild horses. The couple has fostered 45 cats and dogs over the years, often focusing on those with complex medical needs.
On their return to Canada, Sylvain and Lynn settled in Calgary, with new fosters of five cats and two dogs. Lynn continues her mission with the MEOW Foundation, and Sylvain continues his passion for documenting wild horses, applying his skills to help HAWS achieve its mission.
Michelle Remillard
Secretary and Director, Policy and Communications
Michelle is an accomplished policy leader with 30 years of experience designing and implementing impactful policy and regulatory frameworks within the federal government. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and Wildlife Biology from the University of Guelph, which informs her data-driven approach to wildlife advocacy.
During her career with the federal government, Michelle transitioned from food safety and virus laboratories into senior policy roles, leading complex, multi-stakeholder projects that balanced the interests of industry, patient groups, healthcare providers, and international regulators. Her expertise spans the entire policy lifecycle, from initial issue identification and analysis to high-level consultations and implementation.
In her second career, Michelle has pivoted this expertise toward wildlife protection, serving as a strategic voice for Alberta's Mountain Horses. Driven by a lifelong passion for horses and having had the privilege of owning a Canadian horse, she brings a personal commitment to her work.
As a member of the HAWS team, she advises on government relations, crafts formal correspondence to officials, and develops communication toolkits to empower fellow advocates, while also contributing to ad campaigns that elevate the profile of the Alberta Mountain Horses. She also operates as a policy consultant, developing management plan options grounded in ecological evidence and legislative precedent, and uses social media to bridge scientific management and public education.
Anita Resnechenko
Director, Equine Therapy and Animal Welfare
Anita has called her Alberta ranch home for more than 20 years, where she lives with her husband and their three children. Horses have been central to her life since childhood; she grew up competing in 4-H and American Quarter Horse Association shows, later moving into coaching, training, and competing in events affiliated with the American Paint Horse Association.
Professionally, Anita has spent her career serving others. She has been a school bus driver since 2003, dedicated 16 years as a foster parent, and is currently in her 14th year as a support worker for individuals with special needs.
Volunteerism has always been a natural extension of Anita's life. She has spent countless hours giving back as a 4-H leader and assisting at equine events, sharing her knowledge and passion for horses with young riders and the broader horse community.
Anita's commitment to animal welfare deepened when she adopted two wild foals and a domestic miniature horse in distress, all rescued by HAWS. The little horse, now known as Nugget, quickly became part of her family and herd of miniature horses. Today, Nugget is in training in a therapy program Anita leads, together visiting schools, seniors' residences, and hospitals to educate the public about Alberta's Mountain Horses.
Kalena Cummings
Digital Communications and IT Administrator
Kalena's lifelong journey with animals has been defined by a deep-seated commitment to rescue and rehabilitation. From managing a feral cat colony and raising orphaned livestock to working on cattle and guest ranches, she has extensive hands-on experience in animal husbandry.
In 2008, Kalena became involved in equine therapy, transitioning from client to dedicated volunteer and professional, assisting children and adults with physical and mental disabilities. Her passion for Alberta's free-roaming horses was sparked during the pandemic when she discovered HAWS. After participating in a "Find Wild Horses, Find Yourself" retreat—an experience she describes as transformative—Kalena became a devoted advocate for the wildies.
Her years of equestrian experience, combined with her heart for equine therapy, support her ongoing commitment to protecting and appreciating Alberta's Mountain Horses.
Today, Kalena bridges the gap between the field and the digital world. Her strong technical aptitude has been instrumental in managing the HAWS Facebook page, where she applies her digital skills to streamline operations and enhance the society's online presence.