our board
Holly Roberts
Board Chair
myTalk107.1, Producer, On-Air Talent
Holly met Danielle and was inspired by how the organization leverages the power of the human-animal connection to create more empathy in the world. Her primary function is to raise awareness by building connections in the community, hosting fundraisers, providing social media strategies and tapping into her professional network to secure public relations opportunities. She enjoys being outside with her dog and spending time with family and friends.
Jill Spencer
Board Secretary
American Indian Equity and Integration Liaison
at Mounds View Public Schools
After getting a new puppy, Livy, in the Spring of 2021, Jill had a student that was struggling to communicate with school staff. Within one visit with Livy the student began to open up and communicate when Livy was by his side. It was then that Jill began to think about training for herself and Livy. Searching began and she found Canine Inspired Change, was impressed with the mission and felt it would be a perfect fit. Jill has worked in education for over 20 years in higher education, private and public education with people of all ages. Jill currently works for Mounds View Public Schools as the American Indian Equity and Integration Liaison.
Maisha Giles
Board Member
Experience in behavioral health leadership, systems change, and equity-centered practice. She currently serves as the Executive Director of Hamm Clinic, a community-based mental health clinic in St. Paul dedicated to accessible, culturally responsive care.
Maisha holds a master’s degree in Community Psychology, graduate certificates in Marriage and Family Therapy and Addiction Studies, and a PhD in Management and Public Service. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker.
Maisha is honored to serve on the CIC board and deeply believes in the organization’s mission and the meaningful, lasting impact it has in the community.
Outside of her professional work, Maisha is a devoted dog lover and believes dogs have superpowers humans simply don’t have—unconditional presence, emotional intuition, and the ability to make any day better. She experiences this daily with her miniature dachshund, Coco Moon.
Steven Freedman
Board Member
CEDES Chief Revenue Officer / President
Steven came to find CIC while searching for an opportunity to give back to the community in a way that fit closely to his passions and values. As a lifelong, neurodiverse dog dad, and as someone who spends part of his time in a wheelchair, he has seen first hand how dogs can help people with special needs through periods of anxiety and stress and how the unconditional love and acceptance a dog provides can be deeply meaningful in a world that can be challenging for many people. Steven is excited to bring his broad experience from the corporate world to help CIC reach and help as many of the most vulnerable members of our community as possible and strongly believes in the immense good that a dog and their human can do together in the world.