14 minute read
Members in the News
How our members are growing Halifax
DEBORAH ROSATI FEATURED IN MSVU BUSINESS & TOURISM FIRESIDE CHAT SERIES
Following a very successful first year,
Mount Saint Vincent University’s Business & Tourism Department’s
(virtual) Fireside Chat series kicked off its second year on September 28, featuring new stories and perspectives from Canada’s business and tourism leaders. The webinars are open to all. The first event for the 2021/2022 series took place on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 and featured governance and leadership guru and entrepreneur Deborah Rosati. Deborah is the founder and CEO of Women Get on Board, a 700+ member-based social purpose company that connects, promotes and empowers women to corporate boards.
TANGENT STRATEGIES INC. INTRODUCES NEW CORPORATE DIVISION
SALES HR at Tangent Strategies Inc. helps North American companies affordably recruit, interview and hire the BEST-selling talent. We believe selling should be a long-term profession populated by women and men that buyers can easily welcome, get to know well and with whom they can conduct profitable business for years to come.
SONA LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE
At SONA, we are so pleased to announce the launch of our brand NEW website! Our redesigned platform allows users to easily access in-depth information on the payment solutions we offer, discover who we are as a company and the areas we serve, and gain quick access to local support when they need it most. We can’t wait for you to see it and look forward to hearing your feedback. www.sonapay.ca
CMHA NS OFFERING RESILIENCE WORKSHOP
When something goes wrong, do you tend to bounce back or fall apart? When you have resilience, you harness inner strength that helps you rebound from a setback or challenge, such as a job loss, an illness, a disaster, or loss. Resilience won’t make your problems go away — but it can give you the ability to see past them, find enjoyment in life, and manage stress. This workshop from the Canadian Mental Health Association Nova Scotia is being offered in communities across the province and offers tips and techniques to manage stress, strengthen coping skills, and learn to thrive. To find out when it’s available in your community, visit www.novascotia.cmha.ca
A NEW FUND FOR FRENCH LEARNERS
Last November, Alliance Française Halifax (AFH) created a new fund “Coup de Pouce” for those wishing to learn French, but who are experiencing financial limitations. 17 recipients of all ages benefited from this grant. Thanks to 45 donors, $4,395 was raised which AFH topped up to reach the round number of $5,000. It was the first time AFH undertook this type of fundraising campaign and what a success, given that it took place in the context of the COVID19 pandemic. We are pleased to announce that this year again in November, funds will be raised for “Coup de Pouce.”
EDUNOVA WELCOMES NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO
We would like to give a very warm welcome to Shawna Garrett, who joined EduNova as president and CEO on September 27, 2021. Originally from the Maritimes, Garrett joins us from the College of the North Atlantic, where she is the transformation and change leader for the registrar’s office. She has held registrarial and enrolment management positions at Acadia University, NSCAD University, College of the North Atlantic — Qatar and Mount Allison University. She has also worked as a superintendent, principal, and dean at international schools in Japan and China. Her wide-ranging experiences in student recruitment, retention and affairs give her invaluable insight into the education sector. “I am delighted that we will have the experience of Shawna Garrett to lead EduNova through this crucial time for international education,” says EduNova board chair Dr. Peter Ricketts, “and I welcome Shawna on behalf of the board of directors.”
MEET BENJAMIN BRADBURY!
Ben’s parents were worried about him feeling included growing up as an amputee, about the challenges he would face, or the disappointment he might feel when he couldn’t run, jump, skate, ride a bike, or participate in sports like other children. That’s when they discovered Easter Seals Nova Scotia’s Take PART program. Now each week, Ben and his dad drive from New Glasgow to Halifax to participate in Learn to Wheel and other Take PART recreation programs. At Easter Seals Nova Scotia we’re happy to see stories like Ben’s, because inclusion is an important part of every child’s quality of life. Take PART helps fill a gap in inclusive sports for youth in our community.
ECIC LAUNCHES CCA PROGRAM
East Coast Language College (ECLC) has launched a private career college division, East Coast International College (ECIC). It will offer its first Continuing Care Assistant (CCA) program in early 2022. With a focus on international recruitment, ECIC will help alleviate Nova Scotia’s shortage of health care workers, and contribute to NS’s immigration targets. ECLC and ECIC have been acquired by the Oxford International Education Group, a company with schools in North America and Europe. “With Oxford International’s support with the recruitment efforts for ECIC’s CCA program, it is an exciting time for health care in Nova Scotia,” said Sheila Nunn, Director, ECLC and ECIC. www.eclccanda.com
Lighthouse Transport LTD. was featured in the Port of Halifax Magazine (Issue: Fall 2021), where Colleen O’Toole (CEO) was interviewed to discuss about the elements that led her company to grow during the pandemic. We were so pleased to see that we were making a difference in our community, and that we were able to serve our clients in the best way we could. Our efforts were noticed, and we appreciate every person who contributed to our growth and success.
ATLANTIC LOTTERY BOARD ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT & CEO
The Board of Directors of Atlantic Lottery is pleased to announce the appointment of Patrick Daigle as the organization’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Daigle began his tenure with Atlantic Lottery in 1997 and served as Chief Financial Officer prior to being appointed Interim President and CEO in February 2021. Sean O’Connor, Chair of Atlantic Lottery’s Board of Directors, said Daigle’s nearly 25 years of senior leadership experience will be a valued asset to the organization in its ongoing evolution as a modern gaming experience company. “The Board of Directors’ succession committee followed a rigorous hiring process to ensure we identified the best candidate for this position,” O’Connor said. “We are pleased that candidate was Patrick Daigle, who brings many years of proven experience and knowledge of Atlantic Lottery’s operations to the role.”
SOBEY FAMILY GIVES $1 MILLION TO HELP THE NOVA SCOTIA NATURE TRUST PROTECT TWICE THE WILD
Land conservation in the province has received a huge boost from the Sobey family, with a $1 million donation toward the Nova Scotia Nature Trust’s campaign to protect Twice the Wild. Their gift makes big wins possible in protecting the province’s most outstanding and treasured wild spaces. “The Sobey family’s gift is game-changing for land conservation in Nova Scotia. It brings the campaign target within sight, and means we can move even more quickly in saving Nova Scotia’s most significant and threatened natural areas,” says Bonnie Sutherland, Executive Director of the Nature Trust. “We hope others will be inspired by their incredible generosity and leadership in protecting Nova Scotia’s natural legacy.”
CYCLESMITH ANNOUNCES LIVING WAGE POLICY
Cyclesmith is excited to announce that it will be implementing a Living Wage policy, effective September 1, 2021. Cyclesmith owner, Andrew Feenstra, believes that this move is the right thing to do for his team, the business, and the community, and hopes that other businesses will follow suit. Cyclesmith, located on Agricola Street in Halifax’s North End currently employs twenty permanent full-time staff. “Recruiting and retaining quality staff has always been a challenge, but Covid-19, the bike boom, and the housing crisis have made it more difficult than ever,” says Feenstra. “We believe that paying a real living wage is not only the right thing to do, but provides us with a competitive advantage in hiring the best people in Halifax. I want people to know that working for Cyclesmith is a long-term, viable career.”
CEED LAUNCHES NEW MENTORING PROGRAM
Do YOU know someone who would be a great mentor? Someone passionate about entrepreneurship? Someone who is willing to share their knowledge to empower others? CEED, the Centre for
Entrepreneurship Education and
Development, is proud to announce that we are launching the CEED | Elevate Mentorship Program! Elevate will be a unique opportunity for mentors and mentees alike to develop ongoing relationships and connections to community through learning and dialogue, and discovering new challenges. The power in Elevate is training … CEED will leverage our years of experience and best practise in advancing entrepreneurship across Nova Scotia and provide both mentors and mentees with a foundation from which they can build their relationships.
FATEN ALSHAZLY NAMED ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Founder, award-winning mentor and Chief Creative Officer at WeUsThem, Faten Alshazly has been named Entrepreneur of the Year by the Divas of Colour International Women’s Forum. This award recognizes some of the world’s highest achieving leaders in diverse sectors, and honouring women of colour for their efforts as they navigated challenging circumstances during the pandemic. Faten has been recognized for her outstanding achievements, her creative excellence and inclusive leadership four times this year alone, being named WXN Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100, one of the Top 25 Atlantic Women in Business along with the Women get on Board Award for Eastern Canada. From advocating for workforce diversity to mentoring mid-senior executives and women reintegrating into the workforce, Faten is helping pave the way for young professionals and seasoned leaders through numerous networks like the Women’s Executive Network, Women in STEM, Women In Technology and the Women’s Employment Outreach.
NEW PODCAST TELLS IMPORTANT STORIES
Somebody Must Say These Things has been produced for THANS (Transition House Association of Nova Scotia) by Podstarter. It highlights the voices of women who have been the victims of domestic violence and those who help them every day. The purpose of the podcast is to use rich, emotional storytelling to convert listeners into advocates for change. Six awards were distributed to the winning Atlantic Canadian individuals, companies and supporters at Volta’s third annual Ecosystem Impact Awards, proudly supported by RBC. The event took place virtually on September 23. The Ecosystem Impact Awards were launched in 2019 to acknowledge and celebrate the changemakers, community leaders and supporters who are rapidly transforming the startup ecosystem in Atlantic Canada.
VOLTA CELEBRATES ECOSYSTEM IMPACT AWARD WINNERS
The award categories included:
Catalyst:
Joint Economic Development Initiative
Community Leader:
Digital Nova Scotia
Corporate Supporter:
Microsoft Canada Disruptor: Outcast Foods
Positive Impact – Organization:
Food for Thought Software Solutions
Positive Impact – Individual:
Alfred Burgesson, Tribe Network
BRIGADOON’S $12.5 M EXPANSION UNDERWAY
Nova Scotia is home to Canada’s largest not-for-profit pediatric medical camp and it’s growing so more kids can shine on. Brigadoon Village launched its “Shine On!” Capital Campaign on Oct. 21 where it announced a $12.5 million goal for the project. Thanks to generous donors, Brigadoon has so far raised $10.9 million. The camp is now asking the community to join them on the “Shine On” journey to raise the remaining funds by February 1, 2022, in time to welcome campers back to the expanded facility. Funds raised will allow the camp to host more children and provide enhanced accommodations for medical staff. Visit www.shinonforbrigadoon.ca for more information.
SETTING POLICY GOALS FOR NS LEGISLATURE
As the new sitting of the legislature opens, the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers (NSCSW) has addressed a new open letter to the Premier, his government and all members of the Legislative Assembly, to share the policy goals held by social workers in the province. The open letter provides Nova Scotia’s elected officials with a long list of challenges that the new government must tackle including the housing crisis, climate crisis, health care crisis, substance use and mental health crisis, and crisis in the provision of child welfare. Alec Stratford, executive director and registrar of NSCSW, states, “the challenges arose from prior governments’ lack of resolve to tackle growing income inequality in Nova Scotia, thus that is where this new government can find its solutions.” The open letter cites data on the growth of income inequality, and on its adverse effects on health care, mental health, and provision of child welfare.
WISE CRACKS CELEBRATE THIRTY YEARS
Thirty years ago (October) a Maritime success story was born here in Halifax, Nova Scotia. A system and business that would extend coast to coast — from Newfoundland to British Columbia — through franchising. In the basement of the founders in 1991, a basement leak repair company named “Wise Cracks” was born. The main focus of the business is cracks in foundations; while the name may seem funny, they are very serious about what they do. Wise Cracks repairs cracks and defects in basement walls using our proprietary “Wise Seal®” resin sealant, manufactured in-house in Nova Scotia. Co-founder, President and CEO, Andrea Mackey has been at the helm of the company for decades, keeping Wise Cracks #1 at what they do. In fact, they are the recipients of the Consumer Choice award for Foundation Repair ten years in a row.
PEOPLECAN TRAINING HIRES FIRST CO-OP STUDENT AND REMOVES BARRIERS TO BUSINESS SUCCESS
Debbie Adams, CEO of PeopleCan Training and Development is a legally blind business owner who faces significant barriers to success. She recently attended the in-person Chamber conference with her co-op student Keira Prette who acted as “sighted guide.” The Hire a Co-op Student program funded by provincial and federal government has helped Debbie level the playing field. It has also allowed her to experience the remarkable talent and vision that students bring to business. This won’t be the last hire through this program.
ONLINE ACCOUNTANT PRESENTS TO NYSSCPA
On November 4, 2021, Louis Buhrmann presented to the New York Society of CPA’S on his journey and how he set up an online Bookkeeping and Accounting Practice. The presentation focused on the use of the online software Dext and Quickbooks Online. Dext is used to collect bookkeeping support via the Dext phone app or by direct email of support to the Dext web app. Quickbooks is used to auto-collect bank information, perform bookkeeping tasks, and perform balance sheet reconciliations.
Prof. Dawn Russell, President and Vice-chancellor, St. Thomas University, Fredericton, NB, has been appointed Chair, Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU). The AAU is an advocacy organization working on behalf of the region’s 16 universities (learn more about the AAU at www.atlanticuniversities.ca). Prof. Russell will lead the AAU for the next two years. She was appointed by her colleagues during the AAU Council’s recent Fall meeting. During AAU Council’s Fall meeting, university Presidents reported a “positive start” to the Fall semester as well as their institutional and collective commitment to promoting “safer COVID-living” on their respective campuses and local communities. “By all accounts, students are happy to be back on campus and return to what would be considered a ‘normal’ university experience of in-classroom learning, campus residence living and the fullrange of activities that make university such a special, life altering experience,” said Prof. Russell.
TWIRP LAUNCHES SEASON 2 OF #BEFLAWSOME
Anita Kirkbride, owner of Twirp Communications Inc., is excited to launch season two of #BeFlawsome: The Good Enough Podcast. Available on most major podcast players, #BeFlawsome encourages entrepreneurs to embrace their flaws, promote their business without shame on social media, and grow it to support the life they truly want to live. Season two is a mix of interviews from inspiring entrepreneurs who are managing their own social media and Anita’s own thoughts on how to improve your social media presence.
NEW ONLINE COURSE OFFERING
PowerUp Leadership is starting a new, on-demand course: “How to Launch an Impactful Leadership Coaching Program.” Monthly information webinars will be held to support you and your organization through the launch. We would love to see you there!
