Leadership

Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia (CSC-NS)
From 2013-2015, I served as the Executive Director of the Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia, an association of non-profit organizations within the province. As CSC-NS’s first Executive Director, my role was to lead the organization through its developmental phase, provide a robust and vibrant start-up, and establish the financial, strategic, and operational underpinnings for a sustainable future. I managed the organization’s $1.2 million start-up budget, identified strategic goals and research priorities, formed key partnerships, developed operational policies, protocols, and procedures, and led a 8-member staff team located in Halifax and across the province. I also served on a provincial advisory committee to oversee a government-initiated research project to create a statistical profile of the non-profit sector in Nova Scotia.
My start-up work with CSC-NS had many lasting achievements. An external review noted the primary accomplishments: Within the first two years of its operations, CSC-NS's staff and board had secured core funding for an additional 3-year period, had developed an exceptionally strong level of support from the non-profit sector that it represents, and had established positive relationships with senior bureaucrats and elected members of government and all three political parties.
From 2013-2015, I served as the Executive Director of the Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia, an association of non-profit organizations within the province. As CSC-NS’s first Executive Director, my role was to lead the organization through its developmental phase, provide a robust and vibrant start-up, and establish the financial, strategic, and operational underpinnings for a sustainable future. I managed the organization’s $1.2 million start-up budget, identified strategic goals and research priorities, formed key partnerships, developed operational policies, protocols, and procedures, and led a 8-member staff team located in Halifax and across the province. I also served on a provincial advisory committee to oversee a government-initiated research project to create a statistical profile of the non-profit sector in Nova Scotia.
My start-up work with CSC-NS had many lasting achievements. An external review noted the primary accomplishments: Within the first two years of its operations, CSC-NS's staff and board had secured core funding for an additional 3-year period, had developed an exceptionally strong level of support from the non-profit sector that it represents, and had established positive relationships with senior bureaucrats and elected members of government and all three political parties.

Adult Learning Knowledge Centre (AdLKC)
Canadian Council on Learning (CCL)
From 2005 to 2009, I served as Coordinator of this pan-Canadian knowledge centre for research, action, and network-building in the broad field of adult learning, which we defined as “all learning undertaken by adults”. As AdLKC’s chief administrative director, I worked closely with experts from post-secondary institutes, governments, and non-profit organizations, as well as staff and stakeholders at CCL’s sister knowledge centres located in regions across Canada: Aboriginal Learning in Saskatoon, Calgary, and Ottawa; Early Childhood Learning in Montréal; Work and Learning in Ottawa; and Health and Learning in Victoria.
My primary responsibilities were to foster partnerships, develop innovative programs, create knowledge exchange initiatives, and serve as an advocate and resource for the development, delivery, and evaluation of adult learning programs across Canada. AdLKC organized innovative activities for adult learning professionals, including workshops, lecture series, conferences, roundtables, and other events. Each year AdLKC organized an annual, national, bilingual symposium, which attracted participants from every province and territory across Canada.
I developed and implemented several innovative initiatives for AdLKC. For example, in partnership with the Canadian Commission for UNESCO and the Canadian Association of Statutory Rights Agencies, AdLKC created a national poster competition to promote adult learning as a human right. In partnership with the Aboriginal Learning Knowledge Centre, we organized a series of regional roundtables for post-secondary institutions on issues affecting Aboriginal adult learners. We produced a series of short videos to highlight the achievements of adult learners.
As documented by annual performance reviews conducted by CCL, I achieved a successful record in the areas of strategic planning, project management, communications, and partnerships. Under my direction, AdLKC exceeded expectations in establishing a national profile, developing pan-Canadian networks, and meeting program targets on-time and on-budget.
Canadian Council on Learning (CCL)
From 2005 to 2009, I served as Coordinator of this pan-Canadian knowledge centre for research, action, and network-building in the broad field of adult learning, which we defined as “all learning undertaken by adults”. As AdLKC’s chief administrative director, I worked closely with experts from post-secondary institutes, governments, and non-profit organizations, as well as staff and stakeholders at CCL’s sister knowledge centres located in regions across Canada: Aboriginal Learning in Saskatoon, Calgary, and Ottawa; Early Childhood Learning in Montréal; Work and Learning in Ottawa; and Health and Learning in Victoria.
My primary responsibilities were to foster partnerships, develop innovative programs, create knowledge exchange initiatives, and serve as an advocate and resource for the development, delivery, and evaluation of adult learning programs across Canada. AdLKC organized innovative activities for adult learning professionals, including workshops, lecture series, conferences, roundtables, and other events. Each year AdLKC organized an annual, national, bilingual symposium, which attracted participants from every province and territory across Canada.
I developed and implemented several innovative initiatives for AdLKC. For example, in partnership with the Canadian Commission for UNESCO and the Canadian Association of Statutory Rights Agencies, AdLKC created a national poster competition to promote adult learning as a human right. In partnership with the Aboriginal Learning Knowledge Centre, we organized a series of regional roundtables for post-secondary institutions on issues affecting Aboriginal adult learners. We produced a series of short videos to highlight the achievements of adult learners.
As documented by annual performance reviews conducted by CCL, I achieved a successful record in the areas of strategic planning, project management, communications, and partnerships. Under my direction, AdLKC exceeded expectations in establishing a national profile, developing pan-Canadian networks, and meeting program targets on-time and on-budget.

Leadership Mount Allison
Mount Allison University
From 2002 until 2005, I served as Director of Leadership Mount Allison, an innovative leadership development program that links experiential learning to community partnership. Leadership development is a key component of Mount Allison University's vision and identity. As Director, I worked closely with faculty, students, and community members to integrate leadership development initiatives within the academic curriculum as well as campus and community life. The program included a certificate program, speakers’ series, and local, national, and international experiential learning opportunities for students. I also organized conferences, roundtable discussions, workshops, and other educational and information-sharing events intended to develop a better understanding of leadership development theory and practice among students, faculty, and university administrators.
Mount Allison University
From 2002 until 2005, I served as Director of Leadership Mount Allison, an innovative leadership development program that links experiential learning to community partnership. Leadership development is a key component of Mount Allison University's vision and identity. As Director, I worked closely with faculty, students, and community members to integrate leadership development initiatives within the academic curriculum as well as campus and community life. The program included a certificate program, speakers’ series, and local, national, and international experiential learning opportunities for students. I also organized conferences, roundtable discussions, workshops, and other educational and information-sharing events intended to develop a better understanding of leadership development theory and practice among students, faculty, and university administrators.