About Us
Meet the Team
Founded in 2014, HAWS is made up of a passionate team of volunteers with boots-on-the-ground knowledge and experience.
Darrell Glover
President and Founder
Darrell Glover grew up in Niagara Falls, Ontario, where he developed the persistence and “Type A” drive that would later define his life’s work. After serving as a medic in the Canadian military, he moved to Alberta in 1978, transitioning into a successful, decades-long career in the Oil and Gas Safety Industry.
Upon his retirement in 2004, Darrell settled into private ranch life at his North 40 Ranch in central Alberta. It was here that a chance encounter changed his trajectory: the rescue of an orphaned colt named Kai from deep snow. This experience, combined with his opposition to government-sanctioned culls, led Darrell to co-found the Help Alberta Wildies Society (HAWS) in 2014.
As the President of HAWS, Darrell utilizes his extensive field experience to lead sophisticated monitoring efforts for the Alberta Mountain Horses. A retired pilot, he employs a mix of modern technology and traditional observation, overseeing a network of over 65 trail cameras, drone surveillance, and aerial helicopter counts within the Equine Management Zones. His work has been instrumental in providing science-based data to debunk myths about the horses' impact on the land and their natural predation. HAWS is known as the source of truth for the Alberta Mountain Horses.
Darrell’s commitment is a year-round, 24/7 responsibility. He remains on constant standby to intervene in cases of critical injury or foal abandonment—emergencies where "Mother Nature" requires a helping hand. His reach extends far beyond the foothills; he has built a global community of over 700,000 followers, and in 2018, he even hauled 15,000 lbs of feed to California to assist horses displaced by wildfires.
When time permits, Darrell leads international visitors and Canadians into the backcountry to witness these horses in their natural habitat, sharing the stories of well-known stallions like Sterling and Maverick. Through these experiences, he aims to elevate the status of these animals as culturally and historically significant icons. Darrell remains a vocal critic of current government management strategies, making it his personal goal to challenge deficient policies and ensure the long-term survival of the "Wildies" against modern threats.
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 the Help Alberta’s Wildies Society (HAWS) since its inception in 2014. An accomplished rider and lifelong horse lover, Barb is a constant presence in the field. She frequently joins 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 grueling 24/7 rotations, Barb manages the intensive feeding and monitoring shifts 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 literal 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. She seamlessly balances her roles as a skilled chef, avid craftsperson, and the general leader of the ranch’s daily operations. Whether she is navigating a quad through a mud-bog to save a trapped foal or managing the complex legal and social advocacy for horse preservation, her deep-seated passion for equine welfare is the heartbeat of HAWS. Barb remains an indispensable advocate, dedicated to the protection, genetic survival, and heritage of Alberta’s Mountain Horses.
Sylvain Jette
Director, IT and Security
As a strategic leader in global telematics, Sylvain oversees high-level escalations and complex problem resolution, leveraging decades of operational experience to bridge the gap between stakeholders and technical solutions. With decades of experience, he balances this creative problem-solving with a rigorous commitment to security, compliance, and operational integrity, ensuring his teams have the precise tools needed to support global growth while protecting the customer experience.
Sylvain also embraces modern technology to simplify the complex—recently integrating AI tools to standardize technical communications for global partners and enhance technical efficiency. At his core, Sylvain is a team-builder who takes great pride in mentoring the next generation of support specialists and managers, fostering global analytical and operational excellence with a first-class, customer-centric mindset.
Outside of Sylvain’s professional life, his world revolves around his wife, Lynn, and their shared devotion to animal advocacy and the outdoors. Their journey took a pivotal turn in 2018 when a career promotion brought Sylvain and Lynn to Las Vegas. This move allowed Lynn to transition from a 32-year career into a meaningful chapter with Hearts Alive Village, a non-profit rescue where they both dedicated their time. It was there, 45 minutes south of the city, that Sylvain discovered his passion for documenting wild horses.
As devoted advocates, Sylvain and his wife have fostered 45 cats and dogs over the years, often focusing on those with the most complex medical needs. Their current family includes five cats and two dogs, featuring a resilient paralyzed cat and a courageous three-legged dog. When a family health situation brought them back to Canada, Alberta was their only choice. This move allowed them to settle in Calgary, where Lynn continued her mission with the MEOW Foundation, and Sylvain joined HAWS (Help Alberta Wildies Society) to continue his journey of documenting and protecting the province’s incredible wild horse populations. The proximity to the "wildies" keeps Sylvain inspired and driven every day.
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, a foundation that informs her data-driven approach to wildlife advocacy.
During her extensive career with the federal government, Michelle transitioned from food safety and virus laboratories into senior policy roles. There, she led complex, multi-stakeholder projects that required balancing the interests of industry, patient groups, healthcare providers, and international regulators. Her expertise spans the entire policy lifecycle—from initial issue identification and deep-dive analysis to high-level consultations and final 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. Her work also includes contributing to targeted ad campaigns to elevate the profile of the Alberta Mountain Horses with goals of preserving their heritage and future.
In addition to her board service, Michelle operates as a policy consultant, researching and developing sophisticated management plan options based on ecological evidence and legislative precedent.
Leveraging social media, Michelle works to bridge the gap between scientific management and public education, sharing the beauty and enduring legacy of Alberta’s Mountain Horses with a broader audience.
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 a central part of 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 in service to others. She has been a school bus driver since 2003, and has also dedicated 16 years as a foster parent. She 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 joined her herd of miniature horses. Today, Nugget is in training in a therapy program Anita leads. Together they visit schools, seniors’ residences, and hospitals, helping educate the public about Alberta’s Mountain Horses while bringing comfort and connection to those they meet.
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, her hands-on experience in animal husbandry is extensive.
In 2008, Kalena became involved in equine therapy, where she transitioned from client to dedicated volunteer and professional, assisting children and adults with physical and mental disabilities.
Her passion for Alberta’s wild horses was sparked during the pandemic when she discovered the Help Alberta Wildies Society (HAWS). After participating in the "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, along with her heart for equine therapy, combine to support the protection and appreciation of 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.
Whether she is riding in wild horse country or managing complex digital workflows, Kalena’s dual passions ensure that the story of Alberta’s Mountain Horses reaches and inspires a wider audience.