Meet our Board of Directors

Karn Nichols - Chair

Karn has been on a mission to make a difference in her community by following Social Architect, Bill Strickland’s lead. In addition to her ‘heart work’ with the MacPhee Centre, Karn can be found at the Sobey School of Business, Saint Mary’s University where she is Manager of Graduate Career Services supporting our Nova Scotia youth in finding their own sweet intersection of passion and purpose. Karn is also the owner and Principal at Karn Nichols - People Solutions where she has supported a variety of business needs, including performance management and strategic planning. She is deeply committed to both her family and community and has held a number of volunteer positions throughout the years. Karn feels privileged to be working with the dedicated team at the MacPhee Centre and enjoys being able to connect her passion with her purpose every day of her life.

Stuart Clow - Secretary

Stu is a proud alumnus of both Acadia (BSc) and Saint Mary's (MBA), and works in business analysis for Bell Canada. He is passionate about social justice and building a sustainable Nova Scotia for future generations.

Doug Nugent - Member

Is currently a Group Rental Manager in Atlantic Canada with Enterprise Holdings. He has 20 plus years of experience in operations, sales and key account management. Doug currently sits on the Board of Directors of Atlantic Canada’s Better Business Bureau.

Joshua Santimaw - Member

Josh was born in Poughkeepsie, New York and earned his Bachelor of Arts Cum Laude from SUNY University at Buffalo in 1997. He obtained his Juris Doctorate from Pace University School of Law in 2000. Josh was admitted to the New York State Bar and the United States District Court - Southern District of New York in 2001.

Courtney Connor - Program Chair

Courtney is a social services professional who possesses a passion for youth leadership and community engagement. She's a natural hard worker whose strong commitment to work in the non-profit sector.

Jeffrey Thoms - Member

Jeff holds a Masters in Social Work from the University of British Columbia. He has been working with the IWK Community Mental Health & Addictions programs since 2013. Currently, he is in the role of Concurrent Disorders Clinician and facilitates the community partnership with HomeBridge Youth Society. He is also a sessional instructor in the School of Social Work at Dalhousie University where he has taught Community Development and Social Work with Adolescents.

Sean Beukema - Treasurer

Sean Beukema is a professional accountant with a CPA, CMA and MBA. He is passionate about working with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Non-profits to streamline their systems by helping companies navigate through complexity.

Kendra Coady

Kendra has an extensive background in sales and client management having worked in the radio advertising industry for almost two decades. When she is not developing business and furthering client relationships, you will likely find her on the golf course or planning her next travel adventure.

Kenney Fitzpatrick - Member

Kenney is a passionate educator committed to youth and equality advocacy with an extensive background in management, event planning and marketing having spent the last 20 plus years devoted to student service.

Sheila Blair-Reid - Member

Sheila built Atlantic Canada’s largest magazine publishing house – Metro Guide Publishing, serving seven sectors and over 3 million readers. In 2010, Sheila sold Metro Guide Publishing and started a new company - Spring Business Solutions.

Caleb Johnston Currie - Youth Member

Meet CJ, they started coming to the MacPhee Centre two years ago and they liked it so much we can’t get rid of them! They joined our Program Committee shortly after starting in our programs and recently became the first youth to join our Board of Directors.

Meet our Advisory Council

Karn Nichols - Chair

Karn had the privilege of hearing Bill Strickland speak after taking a leap of faith and leaving her 20-year career at Maritime Travel to pursue an MBA.

Kendrick Douglas - Founder

Kendrick is the co-founder of MCCL alongside David Graham who were both inspired by Bill Strickland to replicate a youth arts and technology centre.

Dan Allain

As a partner/financial advisor at Eastport Financial Group, Dan is in the business of helping people achieve their goals and as an active Board Member of MCCL, he feels strongly about giving back to the community and helping youth achieve their personal goals as well.

Nancy Smithers

Nancy has more than 25 years of business experience in financial management, accounting, personnel management, marketing, strategic planning and...

Matthew Brunt

Matthew is a partner at J.W. Bird and Co. Ltd. He is responsible for the Construction Products Division and manages the Dartmouth office.

David Graham - Founder

David is the president of Atlantic Developments Inc. which includes a portfolio of projects in and around Halifax Regional Municipality: Theatre Lofts...

Nikki Robar

Nikki is a chartered accountant and chartered business valuator with the Atlantic Canada Consulting & Deals Group of PwC, working in the area of business...

Rick Emberley

Rick has been a leading marketing communications and research expert for over 25 years, and is senior counsel at the M5 Group where his principal responsibilities lie in corporate development, and business development.

Tammy Milbury

With a diverse background in education, banking and entrepreneurial ventures, Tammy’s career has been marked by her ability to put herself in other people’s shoes in order to break down barriers, uncover new ways of dealing with challenges and work with people to find innovative solutions.

Annual Reports

Colour – Annual Report 2020

2018
2016
2015