Malcolm Shookner (ASI President) has an extensive background in community development, social research, health promotion and public policy in the non-profit, academic and public sectors. He has worked on many projects that use indicators to measure the quality of life, sustainability, health and well-being of communities. Malcolm was formerly the Chief Statistician for Nova Scotia Community Counts (retired), a provincially supported website that provided information for and about communities.
Patsy Beattie-Huggan (ASI Coordinator) is the founder and President of The Quaich Inc., a PEI based health promotion and consulting company. Patsy has a broad background in nursing education and health system redesign, and is firmly committed to building capacity within communities. Her creative work in health promotion, including leadership to the development of the Circle of Health, has been widely recognized.
Karen Clarke is a social worker focused on public policy related to child, youth, family, and community wellbeing. She has worked for several years with the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador (GNL), starting in frontline child protection and moving into project management and policy development. She’s also worked with the Public Engagement and Planning Division with GNL as Manager of Youth Programs, working with various community and youth organizations. Karen is known for making connections and facilitating collaboration. She continually seeks opportunities to develop professionally and enhance her ability to positively contribute to a healthier society.
Susan Hartley PhD has spent a lifetime working as a clinical psychologist, an educator and human rights advocate. She has served in leadership roles in her profession, including as President of the Association of Psychologists of Nova Scotia, and in community volunteer work. Through her work and volunteering, Susan has been exposed to a wide range of human experience, and has developed a strong sense of social justice that has led her into activism, humanitarianism and politics. She was a long-standing director of the non-governmental organization, Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan (CW4WAfghan), is a Rotary Peace Scholar, a conflict resolution professional and a consultant in community engagement and facilitation. Susan served as the Green Party of PEI’s Shadow Critic for Health & Wellness from 2016 – 2019. Most recently Susan taught Adolescent Social-Emotional Health as a Sessional Instructor in the Department of Education at UPEI.
Rick Hutchins, Renaissance College (UNB)
Lindsey Hynes, Community Sector Council NL
Charlene Kippenhuck was raised in Charlottetown, Labrador. She is an Inuit who is an avid hunter, fisher and outdoorswoman. She currently holds the position of Natural Resources Manager with NunatuKavut Community Council. She has over a decade of experience in administering aspects of land and resource management programs in the Northwest Territories and Newfoundland and Labrador, particularly in program administration and financial management She has a rich history in public service, having held a number of positions. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts and Certificate in Criminology from Memorial University.
Terri-Anne Larry, Principal, Natoaganeg School
Linda Liebenberg, PhD., is a researcher and evaluator with a core interest in children and youth with complex needs, and the communities they live in. Her work explores the promotion of positive youth development and mental health through development of community resilience, focusing often on initiatives driven by organizations and service providers. As a key component of this work, Linda reflects critically on how best to conduct research and evaluations with children and their communities, including participatory action research using image-based methods; sophisticated longitudinal quantitative designs; and the design of measurement instruments used with children and youth across multiple cultures. Linda has presented internationally and published extensively on these topics of research and youth.
Arianne Melara was born and raised in El Salvador and currently lives in New Brunswick, Canada. She graduated from St. Thomas University with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Economics and International Relations. Her personal and professional background is characterized by her passion for diverse social issues and her strong dedication to make her community better through collaboration. Arianne has 6 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector. Before joining NBMC, she worked with an international organization supporting experiential service-learning programs with educators and students in Ontario. Arianne is the Manager of Youth Initiatives, Policy Lead and Stakeholder Engagement for the New Brunswick Multicultural Council, and one of her most notable accomplishments has been to lead the provincial and bilingual youth leadership program called Imagine NB. Some examples of additional initiatives she has led include Curricula advocating forrecommendations to improve how multiculturalism and immigration is taught in K-12 schools, including the contributions of immigrants to Canada and New Brunswick, as well as supporting educators in creating culturally inclusive and representative school communities. Arianne has received notable recognitions such as: her nomination for the Top 25 Immigrants in Atlantic Canada Award; being featured as a “Young New Brunswicker to Watch” by Huddle Today and as one of seven “Young Women of Conviction” by CBC. When she isn’t at work, Arianne is sipping a cup of coffee, reading a non-fiction book, or hiking trails with Guacamole, her 4-month old, Weimaraner, furry son.
Tyler Simmonds is an Award Winning, Canadian Film Director and Keynote Speaker on mental health and mindfulness. Tyler has spoken at many notable events such as TEDx and We Day. His is clearly a message that resonates with many. In 2016, the Huffington Post named him one of the “10 Inspirational people under 30 you should be following on Twitter.”. Within the film world, Tyler continues to use his storytelling abilities to create impactful and engaging films that in hiswords are “Made to touch your soul.”
Maggie Snow, Clarkes Beach, NL. Executive Director of the SPLASH Centre – a non-profit, registered charity for at-risk youth and other marginalized groups. Responsible for all day-to-day operations, human resources, strategic planning, and financial management under direction of a volunteer Board of Directors. Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Bachelor’s Degree in Arts: Sociology and Gender Studies. Proven ability to make meaningful connections and involved in numerous nonprofit groups and organizations throughout the Eastern Region of Newfoundland, including Co-Chair of Communities Against Violence Board of Directors, Co-Chair of the Eastern Regional Wellness Coalition Steering Committee, Co-Chair of the All Hallows Elementary School Council. Dedicated to providing adequate access to services and resources, while acting as an advocate dedicated to creating programs and opportunities while promoting policies that help foster equity within our communities.
Nathalie Boivin, PhD – NB. Nathalie Boivin, nurse by training, completed her Master’s degree (Community Health, Health Promotion option) and her PhD. She worked in academia for 21 years in the fields of community health and health promotion. She then spent a few years in knowledge mobilization. She is currently, and on a temporary basis, a Health promoter for Public Health for all of Vitalité Health Network in New Brunswick. Passionate about health promotion, in addition to her professional activities, Nathalie has been involved with the Mouvement Acadien des Communautés en Santé du N.-B. (MACS-NB) and the NB Conseil pour le développement de l’alphabétisme et des compétences des adultes. These involvements have been the springboard for the development of initiatives such as healthy schools, by young people, as well as health literacy projects, all in collaboration with community partners. “My joining the board is definitely motivated by a desire to have more people involved in Health promotion and working at the root causes of health for all. As well, I would like to contribute to having more francophone health promoters be involved in the ASI.”
Tadiwa Ronald Rushambwa – St. John’s, NL. Ronald is a dedicated professional with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Memorial University which he obtained in May 2022. With a background in settlement services, entrepreneurship, and a passion for supporting newcomers, Ronald has gained valuable experience as a Settlement Officer at the Association for New Canadians. In this role, Ronald facilitated the settlement and integration of newcomers by providing personalized support services and counseling. Additionally, Ronald has a strong entrepreneurial spirit, having successfully launched Ronald’s Delicacies Treats, an African-inspired baked goods business, showcasing strategic planning and business acumen.
Ronald served as a Program Coordinator for Newcomer Services at YMCA NL, focusing on Newcomer Employment Support. In this capacity, Ronald was dedicated to assisting newcomers in finding meaningful employment opportunities, empowering them to build successful careers in their new community.
Currently, Ronald serves as an Education and Awareness Coordinator for a YMCA national program named Youth for Entrepreneurship. This program helps youth have an awareness of entrepreneurship. Ronald has a genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of people in the community. Ronald is committed to creating inclusive programs and fostering a sense of belonging for individuals transitioning to a new chapter in their lives. Ronald participated in the Youth Leadership Program at ASI 2024.
Gage Sabattis – Eskasoni, NS. A Mi’kmaw youth from Eskasoni , he works as a Planning Coordinator for the Union of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq and is on the youth advisory council for integrated youth services across Canada and for Indigenous communities. He has a strong vested interest in youth mental health as it pertains to community resilience. He has a background in administration, project management, community engagement, mental health first aid, peer support, and conflict resolution. He has hands-on experience organizing and facilitating community events, engaging with diverse populations, and supporting the successful execution of various health and social programs. He has a Human Resources Administration diploma and extensive training in communications, human resources, and mental health. He has acted as Administrative Assistant for Eskasoni Mental Health and Project Coordinator for the Social Supermarket (Food Bank) in Eskasoni. Their work has included overseeing caseloads, managing food security projects, and providing frontline support to individuals in need, always maintaining a high level of confidentiality and professionalism. “I am particularly passionate about advancing the well-being of communities and fostering collaboration across sectors. I am excited about the opportunity to join the ASI board and contribute to the Institute’s important work in promoting healthy and safe community.
Emyn Hayden- St. John’s, NL. Emyn Hayden is a multi-disciplined, professionally trained, and self-taught artist with a unique specialization in dry hair cutting and a deep passion for the performing, literary, and visual arts. Through exploration of numerous creative mediums, Emyn discovered the profound importance of art in fostering connections with oneself and their community. This laid the foundation for his leadership style and guiding his focus on accessibility and creation of safe spaces. Since 2022, he has participated in and organized 30+ community events offering hair care services and following a pay-what-you-can structure. This involved encompassing multiple roles like marketing, administration, content creator, digital artist, and sometimes counsellor. Through his ability to transform each session into a deeply personal experience, he has allowed people the chance to feel heard and seen, quickly falling into the niches Gender Affirming Hair Care and Sensory Friendly Appointments. Dedicated to fostering safety and inclusivity in every room he steps into, Emyn brings a unique and invaluable perspective to the ASI Board and is eager to bring his skills to ASI next summer. Emyn participated in the Youth Leadership Program at ASI 2024.