Staff and Regional Convenors

Arlene brings to the position her experience as executive director of the Pictou County Women’s Centre. Arlene is an active community leader, volunteer and advocate for the non-profit/voluntary sector.

amacdonald@csc-ns.ca

902-396-8456

Laurie Cook is serial social entrepreneur with over 20 years experience in community development.  She has been a community developer with the city of Halifax, worked in the film and television industry and is an active volunteer in her home community of Musquodoboit Harbour.  She also has a Masters in Adult Education specializing in community development from St. Francis Xavier University.  Laurie's passion is the great outdoors, and hiking the Musquodoboit Harbour Rail Trail whenever possible.  

lcook@csc-ns.ca

902-719-7621

Nicole Cammaert has over 20 years experience working with communities at the grass roots level. She also contributes years of experience working in diverse fields such as marketing and outdoor adventure tourism. Nicole brings a balanced, holistic and entrepreneurial ethos to her work as a community organizer, embracing complexity through systems change and social innovation. She has served in various community development capacities including most recently as Director of Community Engagement and Education for New Dawn Enterprises, as well as co-founder and manager of the North River Centre for the Performing Arts, Co-Chair for the St. Ann’s Bay Development Association, and Coordinator of the St. Ann’s Bay Community Health Centre, and Director of Marketing and Product Development for Tourism Cape Breton. Nicole is a recent graduate of the Coady International Institute’s program, Canadian Women’s Foundation Leadership Institute.

ncammaert@csc-ns.ca

902-549-0309

Alexandra has worked in healthcare, non-profit, and post-secondary education. With over 8 years’ experience in administration, human resources, and project management as well as years of volunteer work – including acting as Chair for the Springhill, Oxford, Amherst, and Region (SOAR) Community Health Board from 2011-2015 – she is passionate about community engagement and seeing businesses succeed. Alexandra recently achieved a Bachelor of Business Administration from Mount Saint Vincent University in Marketing and Management and is enthusiastic about applying that education and her experience to help community organizations thrive.

atheroux@csc-ns.ca

902-223-7691

Tara Jaskowiak has a passion for volunteer management and working with community organizations. Her instinct for bringing people together and developing great ideas has drawn her to creative leadership roles - from instructing at a YMCA outdoor centre in the Rocky Mountains and providing leadership to organizations on Vancouver Island, to supporting women and girls at Second Story Women's Centre and developmental evaluation with YouthScape Canada. She also has a strong background in event coordination and a penchant for volunteering herself. Currently, Tara is also the part-time Navigator with the Lunenburg Queens Volunteer Partnership and is dedicated to making connections and building capacity within the community.

tjaskowiak@csc-ns.ca

Dana Perry is the Regional Hub Convenor for the Nova Scotia Community Sector Council, specifically administering the Annapolis Valley(West Hants, Kings County, Annapolis County and Digby County).   Dana’s background includes a 20+ year career in the film industry, a lengthy musical career, and most recently as a Regional Coordinator for the Nova Scotia Community Access Program.   His work related experiences in addition to his educational background in Science and History makes for a diversified approach to the Community Sector Council.

dperry@csc-ns.ca

Philip Girvan brings over a decade of adult education experience, and extensive training in network development to his role as Highland Region Hub Convenor. His professional projects and interests include citizen journalism, documentary film production, public health, community health, event production, publishing and IT. His volunteer experience includes serving as the Chair of Antigonish Town and County Community Health Board, as co-editor of the All-of-Us Society For Art Presentation Zine, and as a member of the Sustainable Antigonish Leadership Team.

pgirvan@csc-ns.ca

My name is Brandi MacCuish, I am 24 years old from Pictou County and a recent graduate of Cape Breton University with a Bachelor of Arts and Community Studies. I am a new intern for the Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia and will be closely working with the other convenors to expand my knowledge in the Community Sector. I am excited to be given the opportunity to work with the sector and keep my roots in my beautiful province of Nova Scotia.

bmaccuish@csc-ns.ca

Brown Turtle Woman (Mi'kmaq Spirit Name) – Nadine Bernard from We'koqm'aq First Nation brings 20 years of a diverse background and experience in the areas of finance, business, health, commercial fishing, natural resources and social justice. This diverse background has led to creative partnerships and projects that has given her an opportunity to offer an Indigenous perspective and input in development phases. Her professional projects focus areas offer creative ways to apply and/or adopt the Truth and Reconciliations Calls to Action. Nadine’s volunteer interests include Treasurer for Island Justice Society, Commissioner on the CBRM Board of Police Commissioners, Island Food Network sub-committees Strategic Planning & Food Policy, and United Way Food Security/Poverty Reduction Committee. Past volunteer commitments include Willow House Transition House Foundation board member, Advisory Council on the Status of Women, NS Advisory Committees Family and Children Services a Act and Maintenance Enforcement. She is also owner and founder of Slow Cooked Dreams Consulting Services. Nadine is a recent graduate of the Coady International Institute’s Indigenous Women in Leadership program.

nbernard@csc-ns.ca

My name is Kathleen Rose, I am 19 years old, born and raised in Musquodobit Harbour. I'm currently taking Office Administration online through NSCC while raising my two-year-old son. When I'm not working on school, we spend our days outside exploring new places around our new home in Dartmouth, like Shubie Park. I am very excited to be starting this work placement and to be a part of the team!