Meet Our Team

Paris Miller

Founder, Executive Director

Paris Miller is a senior in the University of Florida Honors program double majoring in Business Administration and Sustainability Studies and minoring in Nonprofit Organizational Leadership. She has volunteered over 700 hours at the Humane Society of North Central Florida, and she is currently President of the People for Animal Wellness club at UF. Paris loves to foster cats and has her own foster fail, Cardi. She founded Project Canis to help further the important work of animal shelters to make sure all pets can find loving homes.

Drew Wiltsie

Finance Manager

Drew Wiltsie is a third-year student at the University of Florida with a major in Finance and a minor in Economics. His love for animals led him to get involved in Project Canis and he is excited to bring joy to the shelter animals' lives. He has a cat named Santa and an English bulldog named Ryder. Project Canis gives him the opportunity to further his passion of animals.

Sophia Paulitz

Operations Manager

​Sophia Paulitz is a fourth-year student in the University of Florida Honors Program with a major in Health Science and a minor in Linguistics. Sophia’s passion for animals has led her to become involved in Project Canis. She first got involved in volunteer work with animals after she adopted her dog, Bee Bee, from an animal shelter in 2015. She has volunteered in the processing department of her local animal shelter where she helped administer vaccinations and medical treatment to new animals.

Uma Raja

Communications Coordinator

Uma Raja is a fourth-year student in the University of Florida Honors Program with a major in Public Relations and a concentration in Nonprofit Organizational Leadership. Uma has loved animals her entire life and has volunteered at animal shelters and wildlife sanctuaries since middle school. In college, Uma fostered rabbits until she fell in love with her bunny Cocoa, and she volunteers regularly at the local Humane Society. By being a team member of Project Canis, Uma hopes that every animal can find the comfort and happiness that they deserve.

Isabela Estrada

Outreach Coordinator

​Isabela Estrada is a third-year Theatre major at the University of Florida. Growing up around animals has inspired her love for them, in turn causing her interest in Project Canis. Isabela has a history of working with animals, beginning in middle school when she volunteered at an equine therapy center. She believes in the power of giving back and is proud to continue that work with Project Canis. She'd love to give a big shoutout to her dog Teddy and her fish Simon for being the best boys in the world.

Taylor Carlson

Marketing Coordinator

Taylor Carlson is a fourth-year student at the University of Florida with a major in General business, specialization in International Studies and a minor in Geography. Her background in animal welfare started when she started volunteering at an animal shelter in high school. Currently, Taylor has volunteered over 250 hours and fosters at the local Humane Society in Gainesville. By being involved with Project Canis, Taylor will use her passion for animal welfare to help even more animals.

Cali Williams

Marketing Coordinator

Cali Williams is a 3rd year Marketing major with a minor in Mass Communications. Cali has grown up with and loved animals for as long as she can remember. She also has been involved in volunteering at animal shelters by walking dogs and engaging cats in enrichment activities. Cali was led to get involved in Project Canis because of the organization’s combination of helping animals in a unique and innovative way that involves members of our community with environmental sustainability.