The Honourable Jill Balser was first elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly as MLA for Digby-Annapolis in 2021 and was re-elected in 2024.

She has been Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration and member of the Treasury and Policy Board and is currently the Minister of Cyber Security and Digital Solutions as well as Service Nova Scotia.

Tim Houston was first elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the 2013 provincial election. He was re-elected in 2017 and in 2018, he was elected Leader of the PC Party of Nova Scotia.He was sworn in as Premier of Nova Scotia on August 31, 2021, and started his second term in office in December 2024.

The Honourable Jill Balser was first elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly as MLA for Digby-Annapolis in 2021 and was re-elected in 2024.

She has been Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration and member of the Treasury and Policy Board and is currently the Minister of Cyber Security and Digital Solutions as well as Service Nova Scotia.

Bringing different perspectives and experiences together to tackle complex social challenges is Matt’s passion, with prior Collective Impact experience in areas such as Affordable Housing, Education, Access to Healthcare, and Food Security. 

Matt loves being part of a diverse and talented team that is growing GEO Nova Scotia into a major force for digital inclusion across the province. 

Matt lives in Dartmouth with his wife Amy, their three children, and assorted flora and fauna.

Katie Heard is Head of Research and Data Insights at Good Things Foundation.  She is responsible for helping Good Things Foundation understand the progress it is making towards Fixing the Digital Divide in the UK. Experienced in multi method research for health, education and public sector and surfacing seldom heard voices. Her insightful approach has impacted and influenced policy, service and strategy development and plays a significant role in telling the story of excluded populations.

Claire Quirion is a senior leader with nearly a decade of experience in the digital and technology sector. For the past five years, she has been part of the leadership team at Digital Nova Scotia, driving projects in digital adoption, workforce development, and innovation. With expertise in marketing, project management, and business strategy, Claire excels at building strong stakeholder relationships and leading teams to deliver high-impact results, supporting the growth of Nova Scotia’s tech ecosystem.

J. Royden Trainor, K.C. is a veteran public policy leader, social action agent, and advocate with three decades of experience shaping governance, innovation, and community transformation. He has advised Premiers ,Ministers , led legislative reform, and guided major institutional change across education, natural resources, and the bioeconomy.

Today, as Executive Director of Greenspring BioInnovation Hub, he works to build inclusive, future-ready systems that connect policy with people. Royden’s credo: “Progress is built on trust, collaboration, and ensuring every voice has a seat at the table — because that is where innovation, creativity, and true community-based problem solving flourish.”

Jacqueline (Jacquie) Gahagan, PhD (Medical Sociology) (They/Them) is a Credentialed Evaluator, the Associate Vice-President Research, and a Full Professor at Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Jacquie’s program of mixed methods health promotion research focuses on developing and evaluating policies and programs to identity and address structural drivers of health inequities among equity-deserving populations, including 2SLGBTQI+ populations. Jacquie's funded studies include scaling-up of access to innovative HIV testing strategies, improving health outcomes of 2SLGBTQI+ populations through access to safe and affirming housing and healthcare, access to post-secondary education among care experienced youth, and 2SLGBTQI+ end-of-life decision-making.  

Tara Moore is a social worker and the SchoolsPlus Provincial Coordinator at the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development since SchoolsPlus began in October 2008. SchoolsPlus is a collaborative interagency approach that provides wrap-around support to children, youth and families with the school as the center of service delivery. Tara is a board member of Valley Restorative Justice and the President of the Prospect Area Garden Club.

Kristine Windover is a Registered Social Worker working as a SchoolsPlus Facilitator in HRCE.  In this role she supports students and families by connecting them to vital community resources.  Through her work, she has seen firsthand how digital inclusion can transform access to education and other supports, helping families thrive in an increasingly connected world. 

Kayla Borden is an African Nova Scotian/Jamaican Maroon creative entrepreneur and producer passionate about representation, mental health, and community empowerment through the arts. Since 2009, she has worked across Nova Scotia’s music and arts scene as a promoter, talent manager, juror, creative director and outreach coordinator. Currently  Program Coordinator at Unity. She believes, “The sky is not the limit, because beyond it is so much space.”

Jahsara Gardner is the Manager of Business Is Jammin’, the youth charity of the Black Business Initiative. BIJ empowers Black and racially visible youth (ages 8–35) across Atlantic Canada through free, accessible, experiential learning in education, career, and entrepreneurship. With a focus on building business acumen, leadership skills and confidence, BIJ works to strengthen the Black business economy and inspire the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs.

Koda has an educational background in social service work and has spent the last year working with children and youth in foster care. They are looking forward to learning and growing as a Digital Inclusion Facilitator.

When not working, Koda enjoys keeping themselves busy. They love taking walks in nature, listening to live music, playing board games, and painting. Koda is particularly fond of Dungeons & Dragons and plays every Friday night.

Othell joined GEO Nova Scotia following a career in customer service and Information Technology.

He always tries his best to be involved with youth in his community, working with leadership programs and after school activities like music production, mentorship, and other life skills.

Othell lives in Dartmouth with his girlfriend and their son who he loves spending time with and teaching him what it means to lead a fun and fulfilling life.

Jennifer has been with Nova Scotia Health for 25 years. She started out as a Registered Nurse in Critical Care and, for the past 7.5 years, has been a Health Services Manager in Mental Health and Addictions, focusing on Recovery and Integration. She’s currently the Manager of Connections Dartmouth, where she supports clients, team members and community partners in building strong, recovery-focused mental health services.

Norma is an Occupational Therapist and has worked with the Mental Health and Addictions program of Nova Scotia Health for 26 years, initially providing direct support to people with serious and persistent mental illness and later as health service manager with  Recovery and Integration portfolio.  She is currently the manager of Connections Sackville and Halifax. 

Josie’s passion for helping others is what drives her. She has had vast experiences sharing her love and zest for life with people she meets throughout this journey of life. She’s worked in various roles in education, Information Technology, and administration and enjoys helping to find ways to grow and develop organizations our communities need. Josie attended the Computer Technology program at NSCC and completed her certificate in Adult Learning Fundamentals from Dalhousie University. 

Erin (she/they) believes strongly in the importance of deep collaboration and meaningful data to create impact. As the Director of the Quality of Life Initiative at Engage Nova Scotia, her work and studies focus on gathering data to better understand the strengths and gaps present in communities across the province. Erin holds an M.A. in Educational Psychology from McGill University. The fields of community development and adult education also inform her approach and research. 

Laurel began her career as a Computer Programmer before attaining her accreditation as a Certified Career Development Practitioner. She has held various community support roles including Provincial Team Lead of CMHA-NS Project HOPE.

She is a tireless advocate for full inclusion for all Nova Scotians and is currently the Chair of her town’s Inclusion and Accessibility Committee. Her philosophy encompasses a belief we all have multiple abilities and strengths. Laurel lives in the beautiful Annapolis Valley with her husband and is the proud parent of 2 adult children.

Othell joined GEO Nova Scotia following a career in customer service and Information Technology.

He always tries his best to be involved with youth in his community, working with leadership programs and after school activities like music production, mentorship, and other life skills.

Othell lives in Dartmouth with his girlfriend and their son who he loves spending time with and teaching him what it means to lead a fun and fulfilling life.

The Honourable Scott Armstrong was first elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly as MLA for Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley in 2024.

He sits on the Treasury and Policy Board.

Mr. Armstrong is a former school principal and served as the Member of Parliament for Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley from 2009 to 2015.   

He is a member of the Assembly Matters Committee.

Caroline Kovesi is an independent digital accessibility consultant and specialist. She is a member of Nova Scotia's Information and Communication Standard Development Committee as well as the former Awareness and Education Coordinator for the Nova Scotia Accessibility Directorate. She specializes in accessible social media content and has presented about it to a variety of audiences. She enjoys educating through workshops and is passionate about making accessible communications feel achievable by all! 

Laurel began her career as a Computer Programmer before attaining her accreditation as a Certified Career Development Practitioner. She has held various community support roles including Provincial Team Lead of CMHA-NS Project HOPE.

She is a tireless advocate for full inclusion for all Nova Scotians and is currently the Chair of her town’s Inclusion and Accessibility Committee. Her philosophy encompasses a belief we all have multiple abilities and strengths. Laurel lives in the beautiful Annapolis Valley with her husband and is the proud parent of 2 adult children.

Josie’s passion for helping others is what drives her. She has had vast experiences sharing her love and zest for life with people she meets throughout this journey of life. She’s worked in various roles in education, Information Technology, and administration and enjoys helping to find ways to grow and develop organizations our communities need. Josie attended the Computer Technology program at NSCC and completed her certificate in Adult Learning Fundamentals from Dalhousie University. 

Kristina’s great grandparents created an orchard and sold apples, her great great grandfather built a ship and was a licensed Merchant Marine Captain. Familial roots of entrepreneurship and self actualization manifested into Kristina’s 40 year career as professional actress, director and producer for stage and screen. Returned to her beloved Nova Scotia, Kristina was named Director of the Zoe Valle Memorial Library in Chester. Her vision for this underused asset was to create community and connection in safe space while celebrating the written word and she pitched GEO  to partner with.

Tyler grew up in Eskasoni, Nova Scotia where he currently resides. Tyler’s passion for technology led him to pursue an IT Web Programming diploma at NSCC Marconi Campus, where he excelled and graduated with honours. Building on his success, he then enrolled at Dalhousie University in Halifax, pursuing an undergraduate degree in Applied Computer Science. With only one year of courses remaining, Tyler decided to take a break from full-time studies to gain practical work experience.

Outside of work, Tyler likes to live an active lifestyle, play video games, and stay up-to-date with new developments in technology. He also works on improving his own software development skills when he has the spare time.

With over 15 years of experience in the homelessness sector, I bring both lived and professional experience to my work. From street outreach to low barrier emergency sheltering to housing first programs to establishing non-profits, I strive to develop and implement evidence informed, strengths based standards and service delivery. My work is grounded in the belief that housing is a fundamental human right and that everyone deserves safe, adequate and affordable housing.

I am the Housing for Individuals Team Lead with YWCA Halifax’s Supportive Housing Programs, providing leadership to a team that supports women, 2Spirit, and gender-diverse individuals in achieving housing stability. Through a Two-Eyed Seeing approach, I mentor staff in person-centered, harm reduction, and culturally responsive practices within a Housing First framework. My work fosters collaboration, inclusion, and decolonization, empowering staff to deliver equitable supports while amplifying the voices of those experiencing intersectionality.

HR and Finance specialist with many years of experience in the affordable housing field.  Past Chair, current Treasurer of Beacon House Interfaith Society, responsible for the first pallet shelter opened in Nova Scotia.  

Cheryl is a Past Chair of Halifax Water, CPHR NS, and CCHRA.

Amanda has been working with POSSE since 2019 - approaching this work from a human centred, harm reduction lens. Amanda is a dedicated outreach worker and community educator, focused on meaningful connection, in all its forms. 

I am a System Planner specializing in homelessness response in the Lunenburg and Queens County of Nova Scotia. I manage the region’s Coordinated Access system and By-Name List, working to ensure that services are effectively connected and responsive to community needs. Through planning, coordination, and a data-driven approach, I focus on strengthening local housing support systems and fostering collaborative solutions that improve outcomes for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

As the Executive Director, Planning and Preparedness with the Department of Emergency Meredith leads the team responsible for the NS Guard, government Business Continuity and Policy and Planning.  Her team in undertaking a comprehensive approach to emergency management, incorporating all aspects of best practices, and is committed to empowering local communities to ensure that all communities in Nova Scotia remain connected, resilient, inspiring, and vibrant after emergencies and disasters.

Andrew L. Mitton is Director of Regional Operations and Infrastructure at Nova Scotia’s Department of Emergency Management. With a paramedic background and extensive emergency services experience, he leads the departments regional operations division of the department. Andrew focuses on building strong partnerships between government, first responders, and communities to enhance emergency response and resilience across the province.

With over two decades of experience in pubic relations, emergency management and major event planning, Neal understands the role effective communications plays in helping organizations navigate and manage the most challenging situations. As director of the Guard he leads a team that works to mobilize and co-ordinate community volunteers and response during times of emergencies. 

Dawn has been employed with County for 30 years and was Interim CAO at the time wildfire occurred

Tyler grew up in Eskasoni, Nova Scotia where he currently resides. Tyler’s passion for technology led him to pursue an IT Web Programming diploma at NSCC Marconi Campus, where he excelled and graduated with honours. Building on his success, he then enrolled at Dalhousie University in Halifax, pursuing an undergraduate degree in Applied Computer Science. With only one year of courses remaining, Tyler decided to take a break from full-time studies to gain practical work experience.

Outside of work, Tyler likes to live an active lifestyle, play video games, and stay up-to-date with new developments in technology. He also works on improving his own software development skills when he has the spare time.

Kamalpreet (Kamal) is originally from India and came to Canada as an international student. With a background in STEM, she brings experience in teaching, coaching, community engagement, and data analytics. Passionate about innovation and problem-solving, Kamal is dedicated to addressing environmental and societal challenges. She believes digital inclusion is essential to empower those historically excluded by socio-economic barriers, particularly in today’s era of AI and rapid technological change. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, exploring big questions, and appreciating Halifax’s natural beauty.

Ernie Chan is a Project Manager at Employment Nova Scotia, where one of his primary roles is overseeing the province's digital employment service platform - novascotiaworks.ca. He combines a keen eye towards service design with a wealth of subject matter expertise on public employment service delivery to ensure that in-person and digital services are seamlessly aligned with user needs.

Colleen Hollohan brings inspiration and a fierce energy to her role as Intake Coordinator and Digital Facilitator. Her ability to connect meaningfully with participants through the screen is exceptional. Through her leadership, workshops have been shaped to empower participants, foster respect, and promote equity. Colleen takes great pride in representing our Centre to the community and business partners. She is especially proud to offer digital programs that provide individuals across the province with access to opportunities they might not have had through in-person programs.

Currently Executive Director, Atlantic Region with NPower Canada, Fiona is an experienced leader with previous roles in not for profit, corporate and EdTech sectors. She is passionate about workforce development and has expertise in WIL, adult education and digital literacy enhanced by teaching experience at several post-secondary institutions. Fiona’s work currently focuses on employment in the Atlantic provinces and leading a remote team to deliver accessible programs in IT, Data Analytics and Cyber Security.  

M'ikmaw from Wasoqopa'q First Nation, Clayton has been with the Aboriginal Peoples Training and Employment Commission for over three years, first as a Case Manager, and now as Public Relations/ Promotions Coordinator- working to build resources and partnerships across the province that could benefit the rural and off-reserve Indigenous Nova Scotians.

Amin Zribi (Senior Member, IEEE) holds Engineering, M.Sc., and Ph.D. degrees in ICT, along with a Habilitation from University Tunis El Manar. He has served as Assistant Professor at ISETCom since 2010 and held research and visiting roles in France, Japan, Burkina Faso, and Algeria. Now Project Manager at Digital Nova Scotia, he designs and delivers bilingual ICT, cybersecurity, and data analytics programs, deploying AI-powered training tools and micro-credentials in Generative AI.

Dr. Luc S. Cousineau is Program Director of Recreation Management in the School of Health and Human Performance at Dalhousie University and the co-founder and Director of Research with the Canadian Institute for Far-Right Studies (CIFRS). His research explores the roles and impacts of involvement with masculinist groups online, gender, power, and feminist ethics of care. His work has been featured in Leisure Sciences, Qualitative Inquiry, and a variety of edited volumes including The Research Handbook on the Sociology of Leisure and Fostering Social Justice Through Qualitative Inquiry.

Anita Stewart is the Executive Director of the Antigonish Women’s Centre, with nearly 30 years of community leadership and advocacy. A retired first responder and one of Nova Scotia’s first female Deputy Fire Chiefs, she helped establish safety protocols for the Havre Boucher Fire Department. Anita has served on boards including Antigonish Transit and A Roof Over Your Head, and in 2025 received the Patrick Hanley Community Builder Award for her exceptional service.

Jonathon (BA, BEd, MEd) sustains NGM’s reputation for reliable and high-quality program delivery within the field of gender justice, and contributes to NGM’s expertise on boys and masculinity through ongoing research, knowledge translation, and advocacy.

Rhiannon Wong is the Project Manager of Women’s Shelters Canada’s Technology Safety Canada project, focused on technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV). She develops survivor-informed resources and trains anti-violence workers nationwide, addressing how technology can both protect survivors and be misused by a current or former partner for domestic violence, stalking, or harassment. Beyond building frontline capacity, Rhiannon advocates for private sector accountability by promoting safety-centered policies and design. She was part of Canada’s delegation to the 67th UN Commission on the Status of Women.

Shiva Nourpanah joined the Government of Nova Scotia in 2021, as a Director for Status of Women, following extensive experience in community and academia. As a trained anthropologist, she places high value on the knowledge gained from community, and is dedicated to the cause of supporting women and their families in this beautiful province she has chosen to call home.    

Koda has an educational background in social service work and has spent the last year working with children and youth in foster care. They are looking forward to learning and growing as a Digital Inclusion Facilitator.

When not working, Koda enjoys keeping themselves busy. They love taking walks in nature, listening to live music, playing board games, and painting. Koda is particularly fond of Dungeons & Dragons and plays every Friday night.

Kamalpreet (Kamal) is originally from India and came to Canada as an international student. With a background in STEM, she brings experience in teaching, coaching, community engagement, and data analytics. Passionate about innovation and problem-solving, Kamal is dedicated to addressing environmental and societal challenges. She believes digital inclusion is essential to empower those historically excluded by socio-economic barriers, particularly in today’s era of AI and rapid technological change. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, exploring big questions, and appreciating Halifax’s natural beauty.

Local tech entrepreneur driven by a fiery passion for digital inclusion, I focus on bridging gaps by connecting people and organizations that can create real impact. Believing that access to technology is access to opportunity, I work to empower businesses through innovation, collaboration, and purpose. The word “no” is rare in my vocabulary, because I know that with the right networks and a sprinkle of determination, we can transform possibilities into realities.

Josie’s passion for helping others is what drives her. She has had vast experiences sharing her love and zest for life with people she meets throughout this journey of life. She’s worked in various roles in education, Information Technology, and administration and enjoys helping to find ways to grow and develop organizations our communities need. Josie attended the Computer Technology program at NSCC and completed her certificate in Adult Learning Fundamentals from Dalhousie University. 

My name is Alejandra and I have recently joined the GEO team as the new Partner Support Lead. I bring a few years of experience working in non-profits, and I cannot wait to begin my work in this new role. 

Stephanie Watson is the Executive Director of the Truro Housing Outreach Society (THOS), leading efforts to address homelessness and housing insecurity in Colchester, Truro, and East Hants. Passionate about building strong community partnerships, Stephanie works to create innovative, client-centered solutions that remove barriers and foster lasting stability. With a background in frontline service and leadership, she is dedicated to empowering both clients and teams to create meaningful, sustainable change.