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Meet Our Four New Board Members

Within the past couple of months, we have welcomed four new members to our Board of Directors: Maha Brauch, Roy Hosek, Joy Johnson-Lind, and Heather Leide. These four are joining our other board members to bring the total number of board members to 15, not including Jeff Johnson. We are excited about the knowledge and experience they bring to the group!

man sitting on front porch with arm around brown Spaniel wearing red service vest; both are smiling at the camera

Roy Hosek

Roy is retired after a diverse professional career. He began work as an equine veterinarian, then transitioned to the veterinary pharmaceutical industry. There, he held a variety of positions, including leading a multi-continent drug development project. After completing business school, Roy moved to the human medical device industry. At St. Jude Medical, he led the marketing teams supporting mechanical and tissue heart valves. For the final years of his career, Roy owned an independent sales organization, representing innovative new products in the cardiac fields.

Roy is now focused on using his energies to support people with disabilities. The positive and behaviorally beneficial connection he observed between his brother, who had significant cognitive deficits, and their family dogs, was heartwarming. Multiple dogs have always been a major part of the Hosek household, with his wife, Paula, and their two now adult daughters sharing the canine enthusiasm. The opportunity to combine their love of dogs with helping those with disabilities made Can Do Canines a natural fit for Roy and Paula. They have been supporters of the organization for many years.

In 2022, with Roy experiencing ever-increasing hearing loss, their family Boykin Spaniel, Wrigley, was accepted into the Can Do Canines Owner-Provided Dog program. Participating in the training and certification process while working with the dedicated and talented people from the organization solidified his desire to get more involved with Can Do Canines. He was honored to be asked to serve on the Board starting in January of 2025.

Roy also enjoys road biking, hiking - especially with his wife, backcountry camping, leading a large giving garden at his church, and volunteering at an adult day program serving those with developmental deficits.

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Joy Johnson-Lind

Joy joined the Board of Can Do Canines in January of 2025. She is also a member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Joy brings over 20 years of pediatric healthcare experience related to child and family services at Children's MN. During her time at Children's, Joy implemented the very first facility dog program on the St. Paul campus in partnership with Can Do Canines. This is where Joy's passion and commitment to the mission of Can Do Canines was ignited.

Joy currently works at the University of Minnesota as the Senior Director of Mental Health. Joy is responsible for directing mental health services, including counseling, therapy, and psychiatry to meet the needs of diverse students at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. It is an absolute highlight and moment of pride for Joy when she sees U of MN students and their Can Do Canines service dog in training on campus as part of the FETCH program.

Joy lives in the West Metro with her husband, Bob, and son, Charlie. Joy enjoys spending time with her family and their beloved Golden Retrievers (Seve and Walker) who are excellent road trip companions. Joy and her family love the outdoors and enjoy trips to Montana, beautiful Lake Vermilion, and state and national parks. Joy's spring and summer are also spent at the baseball field watching Charlie play baseball.

woman crouching on walking bridge with hand on black Lab wearing red Can Do Canines service cape; both are smiling at camera

Heather Leide

Heather is a licensed architect, with over 25 years of experience in the profession. She is currently the Director of Airport Development – Project Initiation at the Metropolitan Airports Commission where she oversees design and construction projects at MSP and their six reliever airports.

Heather received her first Diabetes Assist Dog, Becca, from Can Do Canines in 2011 and received her successor, Franny, in 2023. In December 2024, she was honored to accept a position on the Can Do Canines board.

In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, knitting, reading, dining with friends, and learning more about inclusive design.

professional head and shoulders photo of woman with dark hair smiling at camera

Maha Brauch - 

(Information coming soon)