About Dogtopia

Support team

Canine Coach holding a dog in her arms

Our team invests in YOU. We foster a culture of collaboration and respect amongst our franchisees as a true partnership from one CEO to another. At Dogtopia, we own the BRAND…you own the BUSINESS.

This ensures our leadership, Support Office Team and franchisees are all on the same page. We are all determined to enhance the brand and grow across the United States and Canada. Our work ethic is fueled by the confidence in this industry, our team, and tenacious franchisees because we believe that there truly is no limit on where we can take our brand.

Experienced Franchise Support office Team of subject matter experts That Consists of:

  • Chairman and Board of Directors
  • CEO/President, Neil Gill
  • Executive Leadership Team with Franchise experience
  • Environmental Biologist and Canine Behaviorist
  • Specialized professionals to support your success:
    • Real estate
    • Marketing/branding/digital/PR
    • Leading-edge technology providers
    • Operations
    • Finance & accounting

CANADIAN TEAM

Yarden Jordan Zilber

Yarden Zilber, Chairman

Yarden Zilber is an accomplished entrepreneur with over 30 years in corporate leadership and business development. Born in Israel, Yarden moved to Canada in 2015 after 12 years in China. He holds a B.Sc. in Electronic Engineering from Tel-Aviv University, an executive MBA from CEIBS in Shanghai, and completed Harvard’s Venture Capital and Private Equity program. Yarden founded Sheng-BDO Ziv Haft, leading the $2.5 billion Shanghai Bright Food acquisition of Tnuva. He chaired Niricson Software (2020-2023), and has been a Partner in Dogtopia of Seattle and Board Member of Dogtopia Canada since 2019, becoming Chairman in June 2024. Active in the EO Network Vancouver Island Chapter, he chairs the Canada Global Student Entrepreneur Award program and serves on the THOMAS GSEA FOUNDATION board. Yarden enjoys family activities, hiking, and boating with his three children and goldendoodle.

M Bowling

Matt Bowling, Interim President

Matt joined the team at the Dogtopia Support Office in 2015 helping in construction & design and in 2017 worked overseeing the Dogtopia Corporate Store locations in Maryland and Virginia until a new District Manager was appointed. In 2019 Bowling accepted the role of VP of CM/PM Services for Dogtopia Canada and was responsible for providing strategic construction and project management solutions to produce best in class dog daycare centres in Canada.

Now, Matt Bowling is a Senior Asset Manager at TPI, with over 35 years of experience in automotive, estate, construction, and property management. He has a proven track record of success in managing complex projects and achieving exceptional results.

Headshot of Peter

Peter H. Thomas, Board Member

Peter Thomas was one of the leading real estate developers and lenders of his time in North America, developing several billion dollars of projects. He brought the franchising rights of Century 21 Real Estate to Canada and developed it into the largest franchise in the world.

Dee

Deanna Delyea, Board Member

Deanna has been an Officer of Dogtopia Enterprises Canada Inc. since its inception in January of 2013.  Deanna is the co-owner and Controller of GAD Industries Inc. providing administrative and accounting services to several organizations.  She is the Controller of the Thomas Family Office in Canada whose interests include real estate development, investment fund management, franchising and charities. She previously administered a Small Business Loan portfolio and coordinated a training program for would-be entrepreneurs.

She is the Director of Dogtopia Enterprises LLC, the Chair of the Compensation Committee and a member of the Audit Committee in the US.

SUPPORT TEAM

Headshot of M Waitzer

Michael Waitzer

Franchise Development Canada

Talin

Talin Frankian

Director of Operations

M.McKee with dog

Melissa McKee

Field Marketing & Operations Manager

Stephanie Donnelly

Executive Assistant

M. Wright

Mitchell Wright

Accountant

Illustration of Dogtopia's dog Scruffy

Blessanca Manalang

Digital Marketing Manager

Illustration of Dogtopia's dog Scruffy

Nicole Silva

Digital Marketing Specialist