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.

Chi Dao

Associate Director

​Chi Dao is a graduate student at the University of Florida majoring in Management. She has always loved working with animals and has almost a decade of animal-related experience. She has worked at a wildlife center, a local animal hospital, and was a Registered Veterinary Technician at an animal hospital. She has four pets – 3 cats and 1 dog, all of whom are rescued or adopted. Working at Project Canis continues to further her goal to improve animal welfare and support others who also have the same passion. 

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.

Kendall Schlitt

Operations Manager

​Kendall Schlitt is a senior at the University of Florida majoring in Biological Engineering with a focus on Agricultural Productions and a certificate in Engineering Leadership. She has volunteered for multiple animal organizations, worked as a veterinary technician, and currently serves as the Treasurer of the People for Animal Wellness club at UF. Kendall has a rescue dog at home and fish tanks in college. Project Canis has provided her with the opportunity to learn how to make an impact on multiple animals around the world while supporting environmental efforts. 

Jillian Kopp

Communications Coordinator

Jillian is a San Diego State University alumni (class of 2020) where she studied Journalism and Communication. She has two dogs of her own (Ellie is a 3 year old German Shepherd mutt and Nala is a 9 month old German Pointer mutt). Passionate about animal welfare since she was young, she’s cared for just about any animal you can think of (rats, chinchillas, and frogs included!) and has previous volunteering experience with animal shelters as well. No dog should be left behind or forgotten!

Isabela Estrada

Outreach Coordinator

​Isabela Estrada is a senior BFA Acting major and Wildlife Ecology & Conservation minor 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 for being the best boy in the world.

Taylor Carlson

Senior Marketing Analyst

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.

Nicole Epelstein

Marketing Coordinator

Nicole Epelstein recently graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design, where she majored in Equestrian Studies. Her life has always been centered around animals: whether it was riding horses, helping out as a volunteer at a  lion sanctuary, or rescuing dogs from the streets. In aliment with her commitment to building a better tomorrow for everyone, volunteering has been a central aspect of her life. She is currently volunteering at Project Canis, which has given Nicole a chance to impact the lives of countless shelter animals while also helping out the environment.
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