TARA CLARKE

TARA CLARKE

Profession: Executive Director, Fort McMurray SPCA
Age: 38 • Years in Wood Buffalo: 6

Working to make a difference.

Born in Ontario, 38-year-old Tara Clarke is the eldest, and only girl, of four children. Living in Toronto, Tara earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the Ontario College of Art and Design, and was very involved in the arts community.

However, her interests expanded past arts to include travel - to areas like India and Romania, Bosnia and Serbia. She credits her extensive travel as the inspiration for her work in the social profit sector. Tara volunteered with the June Callwood Centre for Young Women, and served as the U=Me=We Program Coordinator, Africa’s Children - Africa’s Future education and awareness program empowering children and youth to actively engage in the issues surrounding HIV and AIDS through the arts in both Toronto and Tanzania.

Six years ago, Tara and her longtime partner moved to Fort McMurray with their beloved pets: Stella, a border collie, and her adopted cat, Ben. It was here that began her tenure with the Fort McMurray SPCA, as the communications coordinator. She eventually took over as Executive Director, driving the organization’s many programs and services.

Working to make a difference and save lives by promoting humane care, education, programs and protection of all domesticated animals to prevent cruelty and suffering, she helps to find creative, culturally appropriate solutions, and to improve outcomes for companion animals as far north as Fort Chipewyan, and as far south as Conklin.

In addition to her professional role, Tara is involved in many volunteer pursuits, including working with the Fort McMurray Youth Justice Committee, and as a member of the Family Violence and Bullying Council, and the Social Recovery Task Force.

Tara’s commitment the humane treatment of animals, as well as her work in the social profit sector are just some of the reasons she’s been named one of YMM’s Top 50 Under 50.