Our Team
Alexandra Smith
Founder and CEO of Canine Innovation
Alex is the CEO and founder of Canine Innovation. She was inspired by the constant demands of her poodle, Wiggle. After creating a way for Wiggle to exercise on her own to reduce the effort that it takes to keep her happy, she realized other dogs would benefit from the same and created her company, Canine Innovation.
Alex has since rallied a fierce founding team who all share the same motivation: giving back to the animals that have given their hearts to us.
Wiggle
Top Dog
Wiggle is a three-year-old entrepreneurial Poodle. Her titles at Canine Innovation include “Primary Course Tester” and “Goodest Girl”. Here is her Instagram.
Dennis Dayman
President and Advisor of Canine Innovation
Dennis Dayman is an industry Chief Security and Privacy Officer with over 30 years of experience as a leader in security and privacy. Specifically, a focus on information security and data privacy, data governance issues, protecting and improving data through industry policy, regulatory policy relations, and technical solutions.
He has also held executive leadership roles at several other organizations, including Maropost, Return Path, and Eloqua/Oracle. Additionally, Dennis is an appointed Advisor to the Data Privacy and Integrity Committee by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary.
Morgan Ferrans
Cofounder of Canine Innovation
Morgan Ferrans is a PhD student in Canine Cognition at Duke University. Morgan’s work is focused on understanding dogs’ physiology, temperament, and social behavior across the lifespan. To this end, she is establishing social and motivated tasks to characterize behavior and make comparisons within and across species.
Her ultimate goal is to understand dogs' behavior to improve the lives of both our furry friends and their human families. Beyond her work, Morgan volunteers her time to train service dogs for people with disabilities and lives in Durham, NC.
Greg Adams
Tech Advisor of Canine Innovation
Greg Adams is an experienced executive who has built and cultivated cross-functional teams in various industries. He created and led the digital transformation for the world's largest USGBC LEED for homes provider. Greg currently leads the technology strategy for Texas's fastest-growing private real estate investment company.
While actively funding deep tech investments in AI/ML, semiconductors, and quantum sensors, he advises CEOs, founders, and business leaders across multiple industries on technology and business strategies. Greg lives in Oak Cliff with his wife, two kids, and a lovable pit mix.