Meet our team and board, the driving force behind AEL Advocacy's fight for a more compassionate and sustainable future
Kira Berkeley, BFA, JD
Co-Director and Counsel
Kira is head of AEL Advocacy's animal law division. She is currently the Research Associate in Animal Law at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law.
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Kira holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music from York University in Toronto and earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law in June 2020. During her academic journey, Kira actively contributed as an executive member of uOttawa’s Animal Justice Association and interned in animal law at organizations including Animal Justice, Breder Law (Vancouver), and Gartner & Associates Animal Law (Toronto). Kira also served as an associate lawyer at OLLIP Professional Corporation, handling cases before the Trademarks Opposition Board, Federal Court, and Federal Court of Appeal. Her commitment to pro-bono work during this time helped those in need access justice. Prior to working at UofT, Kira practices law at Scott Law Group, where she launched the firm's animal law department.
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Outside of her work, Kira plays piano, holds a black-belt in Wado-Kai Karate, and is an active member of the Latin social dance community. While Kira’s diverse prior legal experience includes trademark & copyright law, real estate law, wills & estates law, and business law & franchise law, her true passion has always been in animal and environmental advocacy.
Kira lives in Ottawa, Ontario with her partner and their rescue cat, Honey.
Credentials
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Law Society of Ontario, 2021
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Juris Doctor, University of Ottawa, 2020 (Cum Laude)
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Bachelor of Fine Arts, York University, 2017 (Summa Cum Laude)
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Indigenous Canada Certificate, University of Alberta, 2021
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Email: kira@aeladvocacy.ca
Krystal-Anne Roussel, BA, JD
Co-Director and Counsel
Krystal is head of AEL Advocacy's environmental law division. She also holds the role of Research Associate in Animal Law at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law.
Krystal has a Bachelor of Arts from St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick, and received her Juris Doctor from the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law in June 2020. While completing her studies, Krystal took part in the uOttawa-Ecojustice Environmental Law Clinic and worked as a legal intern with East Coast Environmental Law, Animal Justice, and the Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick. She completed her articles with the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) and subsequently served as a staff lawyer and water policy coordinator at CELA before starting AEL Advocacy.
Outside of her work, Krystal is an active human and animal rights advocate. She is a member of Lawyers for Climate Justice, a multi-disciplinary group of lawyers and law students from across Canada focused on advancing climate justice within the Canadian legal profession; and an advisor for The Canadian Law Review.
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Krystal lives in Ottawa, Ontario with her partner, two children, and two rescue cats, Simba and Bagheera.
Credentials
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Law Society of Ontario, 2021
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Juris Doctor, University of Ottawa, 2020 (Cum Laude)
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Bachelor of Arts, St. Thomas University, 2016 (With Distinction)
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Certificate in Humane Education & Advanced Animal Legal Issues, Thompson Rivers University, 2016
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Email: krystal@aeladvocacy.ca
Ryan Boros, HBA, JD
Student-at-law
Ryan is a Law Society of Ontario licensing and Law Practice Program candidate at Toronto Metropolitan University. He has an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Law from Carleton University and received his Juris Doctor from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2024.
Due to his personal experiences, Ryan is a passionate advocate for persons with disabilities. He believes the strength of community support is key to accomplishing any good work. A lifelong animal lover, Ryan seeks to use legal skills and advocacy experience in a new arena to benefit the mission of AEL Advocacy.
Outside of his work, Ryan is an avid reader. He will take any opportunity he can to lose himself in a book while sitting by the water. He is also a consumer of science fiction and a devout fan of the Toronto Blue Jays, Maple Leafs and Raptors.
He currently lives in Port Colborne, Ontario with his family and dog, Gryffin.
Credentials
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Juris Doctor, Osgoode Hall Law School, 2024
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Honours Bachelor of Arts in Law, Carleton University, 2020​
Email: ryan@aeladvocacy.ca
Becky Carpenter
Board Member
Becky has worked primarily in the health care field throughout her career, focusing on patient care and health equity initiatives. She has worked in health policy roles with both the government of Ontario, and for non-profit organizations. She is also passionate about advancing One Health approaches, and the links between animal, human, and environmental health.
Becky holds Master’s degrees in public policy and archaeology. As a former Research Assistant, she completed research focusing on traditional Indigenous human-animal relations and how these relationships can underpin cultural reconciliation and revitalization initiatives. Outside of work, Becky enjoys spending time with her family and friends, volunteering at the local humane society, and exploring and learning about new places.
Our Team
Our Volunteers
​AEL Advocacy has a wonderful team of passionate volunteers working behind the scenes, including:
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Emma Peckham, BA (Student-at-Law)
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Adam Clasky, BSc, MPH (Student-at-Law)
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Mark Snyder Jr, BA, MEd (Student-at-Law)
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Russell Berkeley, BSc (Tech Support)
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Joseph Kim, CPA, CA (Treasurer)
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Tyler Hodgkinson (Director of Marketing)
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​Shannon Nickerson, BJourn (Photographer/Videographer)
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Kirsten Marsh, JD (Lawyer)
