Kathy comes to the task after holding senior management positions in private sector, government, and not for profit organizations. During the course of her career, which began at Halifax’s Tourism Department, Kathy has been an entrepreneur, worked in her family’s business, and led organizational change initiatives focused on the areas of human resource management and client service standards and measures programs. Kathy holds an MBA from St. Mary’s University and is a certified human resource management professional. Kathy also holds diplomas in management, tourism development and business administration and is certified as a trainer/facilitator by the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council.

Wayne brings over 25 years of experience as business analyst and partnership developer to CEED. His career has proven him to be persistent, innovative, and organized. Wayne is known to be committed to team advancement and mentoring, as demonstrated in senior level positions including Bell Aliant. Wayne is also an entrepreneur and consultant. Wayne holds an MBA from St. Mary’s University and a Bachelor of Commerce from Dalhousie University. Wayne’s skill set is broad; his training has ranged from Telecommunications Structured Cabling at NSCC through to Negotiations Training from Harvard University. Wayne lives with his wife Heather and their two daughters, Paige and Mikailee.

Phil Pelrine as CEED’s Financial Manager works with the various Managers to help them stay on track and on budget. Phil has a Bachelor of Commerce from Saint Mary’s University with a major in Accounting. Although new to CEED, he brings over 30years of accounting experience. Because of the diversity within CEED itself and the variety of clients he would like to be able to provide help to both staff and clients.

Christopher is a native of the Maritimes whose educational and professional experiences have taken him from coast to coast, and throughout the USA. After concluding his studies at the University of Manitoba, Christopher began a diverse career in Marketing, Sales & Franchise Management. Christopher is proud to be serving in an organization which he feels embodies his passion for business development and reflects the character associated with the not for profit sector. Christopher believes that community is the backbone of society; and the foundation and legacy of a community is built by the hands of its entrepreneurs.

With CEED since 2008, Heather holds a Bachelor of Secretarial Arts degree from Mount Saint University. Over the years, she has worked with various organizations throughout the HRM, providing her organizational support. Heather has enjoyed working environments where she was able to learn and witness positive organizational growth, especially at CEED. With her passion for lending a helping hand, Heather has been an invaluable part of our team’s ability to maintain a productive and positive workplace. She currently resides in Halifax with her husband and their two children.

Patricia Fenton joined CEED as Administrative Assistant in 2003. Her many roles include communications, event planning, inventory data-basing, managing various administrative duties as well as being a member of CEED’s HR Committee. Patricia has an Executive Office Assistant diploma from CompuCollege and a BA in Psychology from St. Mary's University.

Denise joined CEED in 2009 as the Manager of the Youth Employability Project. She has now taken a new position as Director of Education and Training in 2010. Denise’s career has been focused on employment and career counselling and development, adult education, research, community development work, and business operations. She has held various leadership roles with extensive experience working in the non-profit and private sectors, as well as providing training and consulting for various organizations.Denise is a graduate of MSVU and holds certificates/diplomas in counselling, adult education, career coaching, HR, and business administration. Denise is nearing completion of a Master of Arts (Education) program and is in the midst of writing a thesis.Originally from Newfoundland, Denise lives in Dartmouth with her daughter and husband.

Meghan is responsible for the coordination of CEED’s entrepreneurship education initiatives. She works to provide programming and resources to support students and educators at the elementary to post secondary levels. She focuses on supporting initiatives through the researching of current trends in entrepreneurship education from a variety of sectors, and working directly with our partners. Meghan graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in International Relations from Mount Allison University, and a Masters Degree in Political Science from Memorial University in Newfoundland, with a focus on policy analysis and evaluation.

Former Manager of the Youth Employability Project, Alison has been working with youth since 1999. Arriving at CEED in 2003, Alison quickly became involved in Ceed's Training & Development initiatives as a member of CEED’s training team. Her approach to applying entrepreneurial practices and CEED’s philosophy towards the development of community, career, work and life led to her current role as Manager of Training & Development. With a Masters in Adult Education and a background in community and youth development, Alison has a wide range of experience and interests that she brings to CEED including youth work, literacy, and family violence prevention. She received the 2008 Chuck Lake Distinguished Service Award, honouring her outstanding commitment as a member of the Nova Scotia Council for the Family.

Lisa Galway joined CEED in September 2005 and is the YEP Youth Navigator for the downtown Dartmouth and Halifax areas. She has taken position of Manager of YEP in 2010. Though her educational background is in sciences, the majority of Lisa’s work experience has been in social service and justice systems. Her work has been wide-ranging, from community agencies to a women’s correctional centre in her home province of Newfoundland, as well as an entrepreneurial stint as a freelance employment counsellor.

Deborah Emmerson is YEP’s Youth Navigator for the areas of Spryfield, Fairview/Clayton Park, Beechville/Lakeside, Sackville and surrounding communities. She has supported youth related initiatives as a member of a community education committee and through tutoring programs. She is also a member of a number of advisory boards and councils with the school system and the province. Most recently, Deborah worked with the Lucasville Upper Hammonds Plains Development Association as the Youth Internship Program Coordinator, where she worked with young people in a job readiness program. Deborah, in partnership with her husband, has operated several businesses and has a diploma in Community Economic Development.

Justin Gannon is YEP’s Youth Navigator for the Dartmouth / Cole Harbour communities, extending to the Sheet Harbour areas. He was born and raised in Halifax Nova Scotia, receiving a B.A. from Saint Mary’s University. Justin has had a variety of experience working with youth ranging from his work at the Community YMCA in Halifax, to positions with the IWK and N.S Department of Community Services. Justin’s combined passion for youth, Reggae music and barbeque chicken led him to spend two summers volunteering with a Youth Leadership program in rural St. Lucia. Justin is happy to be back at CEED and is excited to work with the YEP participants.

Shawn Cunningham, CEED Financing Program Manager, manages CEED’s loan portfolio and helps entrepreneurs develop their business plans and access small business financing via the Seed Capital Program, Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) and the Students In Business Program. He has over 29 years experience in assisting entrepreneurs throughout the Maritimes and operated a home-based business for three years, providing business management training seminars, conferences and business consulting. Prior to joining CEED, Shawn worked with the Business Development Bank of Canada for 20 years, delivering business training, consulting and financing programs.

As a Loans Officer with the CEED Financing Program, Robert Vaughan helps entrepreneurs develop their business plans and access small business financing via the ACOA Seed Capital Program and the Canadian Youth Business Foundation Program. Robert joined the CEED team in 2006 and served prior to that on CEED’s Loan Approval Committee. Robert has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Saint Mary’s University in Marketing Finance. His previous work experience included the role of Business Development Officer for the NS Department of Economic Development. He also has an extensive background in entrepreneurship—owning and operating several successful businesses.

Nikki is awesome. She is Excel Queen. She also loves working at CEED. Nikki is completing her second co-op term with the Loans Team as a Commerce student at St. Mary’s. We are glad to have her strong organizational skills and initiative back with us, as proven when she was inducted as a member of Beta Gamma Sigma International Honor Society – she is in the top 10% of her graduating class.

David Eisnor has been a part of the CEED team since 2001. Originally from Mahone Bay, NS, David is the son and grandson of entrepreneurs. He graduated from Acadia University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Business Administration. He took his knowledge from his degree, along with the experience he gained from a year travelling Europe, to open up his business, the Halifax Backpackers Hostel, the first hostel in Nova Scotia licensed by Tourism Nova Scotia. In 2004, he and business partner Michelle Strum won the Business Development Bank of Canada's Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. David sold this business to Michelle in 2008 and is now focusing on his passion for entrepreneurship through his role with CEED.

Business involvement has been a lifestyle for Elke. She grew up in a businesses household and owned several outright or with partners, the most challenging being an emu farm. She served as Chamber of Commerce Manager, where business advice and coordination was on top of her list. This position allowed her to develop and teach business courses at the local Community College. For seven years Elke had been assisting would be entrepreneurs to develop skills and start a business under the Self Employment Benefit Program in Powell River, BC. She is thrilled to share her wealth of experience with Self Employment Benefit clients here at CEED. Elke holds a Hotel Management Diploma from Germany and a Diploma in Adult Education from British Columbia.

Nancy Thompson has been a successful entrepreneur here in Nova Scotia for over thirty years. Her first business were located in Yarmouth, where she simultaneously operated a flower shop, a hardware store, and a furniture import company. However, it was not until she relocated to Halifax that she discovered her true passion, ‘encouraging and advising entrepreneurs’ to explore business opportunities beyond the boarders of Nova Scotia. Working in the craft industry sector she developed and facilitated export training programs that assisted entrepreneurs with taking steps to selling their products across Canada and into the US, to large retail chain stores. Thompson credits her “no barrier attitude” in assisting her with launching her final business, Canada’s first Women in Business Magazine, CHOICES, a publication that educated, gave direction and inspired women entrepreneurs across Canada.

Beth brings over a decade of business experience to CEED. She has worked and traveled abroad in Europe and more recently has worked in Canada’s renewable energy sector. Her experience with operations management, business plan development and market research is a great addition to CEED’s SEB team. Beth holds an undergraduate degree in business from Acadia University and completed an MBA from St. Mary’s University in 2008. Raised in an entrepreneurial, small business family, Beth enjoys her role as Business Development Officer in which she can assist aspiring entrepreneurs to achieve their goals of opening their own business.

Stephanie graduated from NSCC’s Business Administration program, specializing in Information Management. She completed a work placement at CEED, and soon after was hired on. Her first position was as Information Technology assistant and soon after became Second Chance assistant. Stephanie has now settled into her most recent role as Client Navigator, to assist aspiring entrepreneurs in the SEB program. Steph was born and raised in Halifax. Her hobbies include reading, traveling and laughing with her coworkers!

Ed Matwawana is the Manager of the Second Chance Program. Born in Angola (Southwest Africa) and raised in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ed moved to Canada at the age of 21. He attended Atlantic Baptist University and Acadia University and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology & Psychology, with a concentration in Community Movement and Advocacy. Ed has been involved in working with youth from various communities in Nova Scotia for more than a decade.

With more than fifteen years experience in social services, Shaun MacBeth brings a strong sense of leadership to Pictou County’s Second Chance program. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree with a major in Community Studies from the University of Cape Breton, a Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice from Carleton University, and an Occupational Heath and Safety degree from Nova Scotia Community College. Used to solving issues in a professional and understanding manner, Shaun believes in and is committed to the values of continued learning. Shaun has worked as a consultant for the Child Victim Awareness Program and as an Occupational Health and Safety Advisor. He is also an experienced social worker, having spent fifteen years with the Children’s Aid Society of Pictou and Colchester Counties. We look forward to having Shaun’s dedicated and energetic spirit on our team.

A native of Pictou County, Stephanie graduated from the NSCC Human Services program in 1998. Before coming to Second Chance, Stephanie enjoyed four years working with Summer Street Industries on various contracts including Life Skills, Individualized Programs, and Volunteer Promotion. An active volunteer herself, she is involved with organizations such as Pictou District Honour Choir and Kanokai Judo Club. Stephanie has a strong belief that social capital is a valuable currency and is horribly guilty of cross promoting organizations she works with.

Finley has over 20 years experience working with youth, and comes to the CEED’s Second Chance Program with the enthusiasm and personality to make a difference. Through his work, love of basketball, and as a member of the Hip Hop group Universal Soul, Finley has developed a knack for being able to relate to people, and youth in particular. In the late 90s, he studied Sociology and Communication at the University of Cape Breton. Before joining the CEED team, he was Employment Specialist with the YMCA Enterprise Centre and Project Facilitator with the L.O.V.E. Skills Link Employability Project.

Meaghan had a wonderful experience working at CEED in 2008 during a co-op placement, and is thrilled to return as Communication Officer. She is a graduate of Mount Saint Vincent University, with a Bachelor of Public Relations and Certificate in Marketing. In her spare time she dabbles in DSLR photography and tries to find new hobbies. Her favorite colour is yellow :)

Dan is an artistic graphic designer and technical genius. He moved to Halifax from Amherst, N.S., in 2006 to further his educational studies. He has a Multimedia Graphic Design & Development Diploma from Eastern College (formerly CompuCollege), and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Informatics at Dalhousie. Once CEED caught wind of this aspiring, young entrepreneur, we were happy to offer a full time position. With the use of Adobe’s Creative Suite, notepad and pencil, Dan’s talents CEED’s marketing materials from print to web. He enjoys the works of many artists such as Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, The Trews and may others.