About Us

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

 

Tina Gillies (Retired MCpl) is an Afghanistan veteran, Imagery Technician and Co-Founder of the Kadence Legacy Fund, where she leads strategic growth, partnerships, and development initiatives across the organization.

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With a professional background in public relations, fundraising, communications, marketing, and digital media, Tina brings a results-driven approach to building awareness, securing sponsorships, and advancing mission-based work. Her experience includes proposal writing, government engagement, project management, and campaign development within both public and private sectors.

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She has contributed to children’s cancer advocacy through her work in communications with the Terry Fox Foundation and has volunteered her time as a photographer supporting veteran-focused organization Solider On, further reflecting her commitment to community, service, and storytelling.

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Her expertise in storytelling, brand positioning, and fundraising strategy enables the organization to expand its reach, strengthen partnerships, and deliver meaningful impact at a national level.

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Tina continues to guide the organization’s vision, operations, and growth, ensuring the legacy behind the Kadence Legacy Fund is carried forward with purpose and professionalism.

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

 

Sergeant (Retired) Combat Engineer with over 20 years of service, Derek is Co-Founder of the Kadence Legacy Fund and leads operations and strategic partnerships.

 

His lived experience with PTSD, combined with a strong family legacy of military service, with both parents, his grandfather, and great-grandfather serving in the Canadian Armed Forces, provides a deep foundation for developing programs grounded in understanding, structure, and real-world impact.

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Derek plays a critical role in day-to-day operations, the operational setup and coordination of events, military connections, and strategic relationship building. His leadership supports program delivery and ensures strong partnerships that contribute to meaningful, lasting outcomes for veterans and first responders.

 

Alex Munro, Program Ambassador - Alberta 

 

Program graduate and retired Signal Operator, Alex provides peer support to veterans and first responders within the One Dog, One Life program.

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After experiencing significant challenges navigating daily life with PTSD, Alex connected with Tina Gillies, which led to an introduction to John Dugas. Through this journey, she was matched with and accepted Morgan as her service dog, marking a critical step toward rebuilding independence and stability.

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Alongside her service dog, K9 Morgan, she supports mentorship, community engagement, and program awareness, offering lived experience and guidance to those navigating their own journey.

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John Dugas, Alberta Certified Trainer, Government Approved Service Dog Provider, Holdfast K9, Service Dog Trainer and Provider for the One Dog, One Life Program

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Master Warrant Officer (Retired) with 30 years of service, John Dugas is the service dog trainer and provider for our One Dog, One Life program.

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After an incredible journey with Courageous Companions, where he served as Executive Director since 2016, John has transitioned into the role of Director of Training and Standards. During his tenure, he made a profound impact, helping hundreds of veterans and first responders find their service dogs and supporting their journey toward stability and independence. In this role, John continues to advance training procedures and standards while contributing to program development in a sustainable way as he manages his disability.

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As a key connection between organizations, John plays an important role in strengthening the partnership between Courageous Companions and the Kadence Legacy Fund. Through this collaboration, we are able to expand access to trained service dogs and enhance the support available to our program participants.

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Holdfast K9 and his longstanding role with Courageous Companions, John supports the Kadence Legacy Fund by providing training guidance, mentorship, and the continued development of service dog programming.

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​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.

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Stephanie leads regional outreach, fundraising, and partnership development while supporting veterans through lived experience and strong community engagement. Her leadership is focused on building sustainable growth, raising awareness, and expanding access to service dogs across Atlantic Canada.

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Stephanie is leading the expansion of our team across the Maritimes, bringing valuable experience in grant funding, corporate partnerships, event fundraising, bookkeeping, and nonprofit operations. Our team is entirely volunteer-based, made up of dedicated individuals from the veteran and first responder community.

Email: KLF.maritimes@gmail.com

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Our Team

​​Our team brings lived experience across military and emergency services, with an understanding of the realities many face, including trauma, operational stress, and complex PTSD.

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We are continuously expanding our team across grant funding, corporate partnerships, event fundraising, bookkeeping, and nonprofit operations. While we are proud to have strong support in marketing, public relations, program delivery, and veteran-focused services, we are always looking to strengthen our foundation.

 

If you have experience that could support and elevate our mission, we encourage you to connect with

the Kadence Legacy Fund team.