Our Team

Leading the Change in Humane Tourism

Our Advisory Team

 Darci Galati

Founder | Entrepreneur | Advocate for Ethical Tourism & Animal Welfare

Darci Galati is a seasoned social entrepreneur and visionary leader with a passion for creating meaningful impact through innovation, strategy, and compassion. As the founder of CANDi-Cats and Dogs International,

she has dedicated her career to transforming tourism into a force for good—protecting stray cats and dogs in travel destinations around the world.

Darci currently lives in Kelowna, BC, Canada with her family and a lively crew of rescued pets: three dogs—Louie, Kylo, and Livy—and Fitz-Roy, a charismatic hairless cat. Her home is a reflection of her values: love, rescue, and second chances.

 

 

Tracey Buyce

Photographer | Advocate for the Voiceless

Tracey Buyce is an award-winning photographer and lifelong animal lover who joined CANDi International’s mission after a life-changing trip to Cancun in 2012. What began as a tropical vacation

quickly turned into a call to action when Tracey witnessed the heartbreaking reality of hundreds of stray dogs—sick, starving, and suffering—just blocks from luxury resorts.

“Horrified and in tears,” she returned to her hotel and searched for local animal welfare groups. That’s when she discovered CANDi.

“I want to tell their story,” Tracey said. “I want to help them.”

She returned to Mexico in January 2012 to document one of CANDi’s clinics, capturing powerful images of the animals and the compassionate volunteers working to save them. Her photography has since become a vital storytelling tool for CANDi.

One image that stays with her is of a friendly pit bull with sad eyes, dragging a chain. “He put his head in my lap and I was overwhelmed with empathy, love, and sadness,” she recalled.

Tracey continues to volunteer her time and talent to support CANDi’s mission. She also advocates for local shelters in her hometown of Ballston Spa, NY, where she lives with her three corgis—Stanley, Sydney, and Bobbi Jo.

Her work reminds us that compassion doesn’t stop at borders—and that every image has the power to change a life.

Cassandra Cooper

International Freediver | Animal Welfare Advocate

Cassandra Cooper’s journey with CANDi International began in 2006, when she was just five years old. During a family trip to Mexico, she witnessed the suffering of stray animals near tourist resorts—an experience

that deeply shaped her understanding of animal welfare and sparked a lifelong commitment to the cause.

As she grew up, Cassandra continued to support CANDi’s mission by attending spay/neuter clinics across Mexico and the Caribbean, working alongside her mother and CANDi founder, Darci Galati. These early experiences instilled in her a passion for community-based, humane solutions to the global stray crisis.
In 2023, Cassandra founded the Camotes Aspin Project in the Philippines, where she now lives part-time. The project has since sterilized and rehomed nearly 200 animals, while also educating and empowering local communities to care for their street dogs. Her work as a freediver and global traveler has only deepened her commitment to protecting animals in tourism destinations.
Cassandra brings to the CANDi board a unique blend of athletic discipline, grassroots activism, and global perspective. She lives between Canada and the Philippines with her two rescue dogs, Rosa and Gaia, and her cat, Carlo.
“The best way to make an impact on animals is to show compassion to the people in their communities.” – Cassandra Cooper

Shawn Talbot

Entrepreneur | Strategic Advisor

Shawn Talbot is one of the world’s premier architectural and hospitality photographers, with over 20 years of experience capturing iconic spaces for global brands. His work has been recognized by National Geographic, 

The Globe and Mail, and the Smithsonian Institute, and he is among a select group of photographers approved by Marriott International to shoot their premium hotel and resort properties.

Beyond the lens, Shawn is a seasoned entrepreneur and business strategist. As an Advisory Board member of CANDi International, he brings a sharp business perspective to brand development, partnerships, and long-term growth. He lives in Kelowna, BC, with his rescue dog, Wilbur

 Doug Braun

Business Operational Manager  | Advocate for Ethical Tourism & Animal Welfare

Doug Braun is a business operational manager in the disaster restoration industry, where precision, organization, and responsiveness are key. His experience managing complex operations and logistics translates seamlessly into his work with CANDi,

where he provides essential administrative support and operational structure.

He lives in Kelowna, BC, with his wife and beloved menagerie of rescue pets, each one a reflection of his compassion for animals. Doug’s commitment to ethical animal care and structured systems makes him an invaluable part of CANDi’s mission to create a more humane world for stray cats and dogs in tourism communities.

 

Len Butticci

Executive Advisor for Organizational Growth

Len is passionate about animal rescue and welfare and is a regular donor to many animal welfare organizations. In addition to his volunteer work with various rescues, Len is the President and CEO of DataSource Technologies Inc., an insurance services company.  Len has a proven history of successfully building management teams that are driven to succeed in rewarding stakeholders. 

Len’s strengths include executive team building, organizational management, finance, and strategic planning. 

Len’s experience with animal welfare volunteer work includes being:

  • a current Board Director with Potcake Pals Rescue
  • former Chair, Board of Directors, Humane Society of Durham Region in Toronto
  • former Director, Ontario SPCA and Humane Society
  • ongoing Advisor to several other animal welfare groups 

Len loves his Potcake “Jackson” and his two rescue beagles, “Rosie” and “Miley”.  Len and his wife rescued Jackson from Turks and Caicos back in 2012.  Since then, Len has been deeply involved in helping rescue over 2,000 Potcake dogs and cats from the Caribbean and other areas, getting them to Toronto and helping to find loving homes for all of them.

Coming Soon

Fitz is a Sphynx who, at times, thinks he’s a dog…