About Us

Tina Gillies, Co-Founder/ Director of Main Division - Alberta 

 

Tina brings military leadership as a Veteran and nonprofit expertise to guide the Kadence Legacy Fund. Her experience includes leading a combat imaging team in Afghanistan covering media outside the wire, managing projects across both the private and public sectors, and engaging in community advocacy.

​

With a background in marketing, senior proposal editing, fundraising events, communications, public relations, video, graphics, photography, and digital media, Tina supports all KLF divisions and expansion initiatives nationwide, ensuring each chapter remains aligned with the organization’s mission. She works in partnership with Holdfast K9 and Courageous Companions, with Courageous Companions serving as KLF’s CRA-registered charity partner, strengthening sponsorship opportunities and grant applications.

​

Tina ensures the organization stays focused on its purpose: changing lives through service dogs — one dog, one life at a time. Our training program continues to honor the legacy of Kadence and her service dog, K9 Sadie.

 

Derek Pimiskern, Co-Founder/Director of Operations - Alberta 

 

Derek is a combat veteran with over 20 years of military service, including a tour in Afghanistan as a combat engineer. During his career, he experienced firsthand the toll of PTSD, having served alongside members of his command who tragically took their own lives while serving their country. This personal experience fuels his dedication to mental health support for veterans.

​

At the Kadence Legacy Fund, Derek oversees operational support, grassroots fundraising, and program implementation. He is a passionate advocate for integrating service dogs into veteran care, understanding how these partnerships can transform lives. Through his leadership, every service dog placement is designed to create a lasting impact for veterans and individuals living with PTSD, reflecting his commitment to the “CHIMO” spirit of camaraderie, healing, and hope.

​

John Dugas, Alberta Certified Trainer, Producer - Government Approved, Holdfast K9

​

John brings extensive experience with 10+ years in service dog training, program development, and veteran support through his leadership roles with Courageous Companions and Holdfast K9. John is a 30 year veteran, 22 years of service as a Combat Engineer and Combat Diver. I then transferred to the Primary Reserve Force, serving an additional eight years, and retired as a Master Warrant Officer in 2015.

His military career included four operational tours in Yugoslavia (1992–1993, 1994, 2000, and 2003), and three domestic deployments supporting disaster relief operations during the Red River Floods, the Quebec Ice Storms, and the Swissair Flight 111 crash. As a diver, he participated in numerous recovery missions in support of law enforcement agencies. 

​

With a strong background in building and guiding service dog programs, John has helped expand access to professionally trained service dogs and supported the development of both fully trained and owner-trained service dog teams. His work focuses on creating reliable, high-standard training programs that support individuals living with PTSD and operational stress injuries.

​

As the founder and lead trainer of Holdfast K9, a Government of Alberta–approved service dog training organization, John works directly with clients and dogs to develop strong, effective partnerships that promote independence and stability. In his role as Executive with Courageous Companions, he has contributed to the organization’s growth, credibility, and impact within the veteran and service dog community, supporting placements, mentorship, and program development.

 

John works in partnership with the Kadence Legacy Fund to support the One Dog, One Life program, helping ensure training standards, program integrity, and positive outcomes for every team

 ​

​

Stephanie McMullen, Maritimes President of Atlantic Canada 

​

Atlantic Canada Regional Lead (NB, NS & PEI)

Stephanie is a retired Canadian Veteran who brings lived experience, compassion, and dedication to her role with the Kadence Legacy Fund Atlantic Canada division.

​

Based in the Maritimes, Stephanie will be leading our outreach and fundraising efforts across New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island, helping grow community partnerships while supporting our mission of providing professionally trained service dogs to Veterans living with PTSD.

​

Her military background gives her a deep understanding of the challenges faced by Veterans and their families. As a regional lead, Stephanie is committed to building strong local connections, raising awareness, and helping expand Kadence Legacy Fund’s impact throughout Atlantic Canada.

​

We are proud to welcome Stephanie to the KLF leadership team and look forward to the meaningful work ahead as we continue honoring Kadence’s legacy through service, support, and community.

​

Our Team is Built on Experience, Focused on Healing

Our environment is focused on moving forward. While we share a strong sense of camaraderie from our service, we are veterans now. We may still carry an “invisible beret,” but we are intentional about leaving behind the aspects of military culture that no longer serve our healing and growth.

​

Our team is made up of combat veterans and individuals with experience across all three elements of service, bringing lived experience, strength, and compassion to our mission.

 

Our training environment is not a military one. We are civilians, and we understand the impacts service can have — including combat exposure, chain of command dynamics, military sexual trauma (MST), racism, and complex PTSD.

 

We are committed to creating a space that is safe, supportive, and focused on progress, healing, and respect for every individual.

​

If you have any concerns or questions, please reach out to our team.​​