Board of Directors

Cory Bell (Chair)

President & CEO, Lindsay Construction

Cory Bell is the President & CEO of Lindsay Construction since 2009. Starting as a Project Engineer, Cory progressed through all operational positions within the organization. Under Cory's leadership, Lindsay Construction has grown into one of Canada's leading diversified construction firms and named one of Deloitte's Best Managed Companies in each of the past five years.

Widely regarded for his commitment to philanthropy and community, Cory is a long-time supporter of causes around children and cancer. He co-founded Trailblazer for Cancer, a flagship community fundraiser. He sits on the Board of Directors of both the IWK Foundation and Children's Wish Foundation, and is also an active supporter of the United Way, Queen Elizabeth Health Sciences Centre, Habitat for Humanity and Halifax Hospice. In 2016 he received the Courage to Give Back Award from Family S.O.S. and in 2017 he received the Inspire Award from Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Cory has been named a five-time Top 50 CEO by Atlantic Business Magazine, and in 2019 was inducted into their Hall of Fame. He also received the 2018 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the Business to Business Category. Cory is a graduate of Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Science and of the Technical University of Nova Scotia with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering.

Donna Alteen (Vice Chair)

CEO, Time + Space

As the founder of Time + Space, Donna is a seasoned entrepreneurial executive, leading the business strategy for the organization. As well, she is an active consultant with organizations and internal teams providing strategic counsel grounded in measurable business outcomes. Her professional experience spans a broad scope of industry sectors; both nationally and internationally, including Tourism, Energy, Economic Development, Telecommunications and Consumer Packaged Goods. Donna leads the business strategy for Time + Space.

A dedicated lifelong learner, Donna holds a BBA with a major in Marketing, as well as a number of additional credentials in leadership, digital business models, coaching and corporate governance. Donna is a frequent speaker at colleges, universities and industry organizations. She is an active volunteer in the local and national NFP community serving on a number of committees and boards. She is also a recipient of the Women of Excellence Award for Entrepreneurship.

Dr. Alice Aiken

Vice President, Research & Innovation, Dalhousie University

Professor Alice B. Aiken, CD, PhD, MSc, BScPT, BSc, ICD.D

Dr. Alice Aiken is the Vice President – Research & Innovation at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada, she was formerly the Dean of the Faculty of Health at Dalhousie. She is a full Professor in the Faculty of Health. Her research focuses on health systems transformation and evidence-informed policy-making with a concentration on military and Veteran health. Dr. Aiken is the Vice Chair of the Governing Council of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). She holds her ICD.D designation from the Institute for Corporate Directors.

Sarah Buckle

Partner | Sustainability & Climate, Deloitte

Sarah is an experienced sustainability leader with over 20 years effecting positive and transformative change through strategy and innovation. Sarah was recently appointed as the Executive Director and Chief Climate Investment Officer leading the newly established Halifax Climate Investment, Innovation and Impact (HCi3) Fund. HCi3 is one of seven Centres that make up the Low Carbon Cities Canada (LC3) network, in collaboration with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund. A subsidiary of EfficiencyOne (which provides cost-effective electricity efficiency and conservation services in Nova Scotia), HCi3’s goal is to help Halifax reach its full emissions reduction potential and unlock co-benefits for local communities.

Prior to joining the LC3 network, Sarah held a variety of private and public sector roles providing strategic direction and overall leadership in the development and implementation of sustainability programs, including climate action plans and low-carbon fleet strategies, carbon credit programs and the green bond and sustainable investing programs.

In 2019, Sarah was a recipient of Canada’s Clean50 award recognizing her leadership in sustainability. Prior to relocating to Halifax, Sarah served on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Urban Transit Research Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC) and the BC Environmental Managers Association.

Carrie Cussons

President & CEO, Events East Group

Carrie Cussons is President & CEO of Events East Group managing the Halifax Convention Centre, a 120,000 sq. ft. Convention Centre in the heart of downtown Halifax, Scotiabank Centre, the largest multipurpose facility in Atlantic Canada with a seating capacity in excess of 10,000 and Ticket Atlantic, the region’s primary ticket provider.

Since joining the organization in 2009, Carrie has been a strategic lead in all areas of the business with a core responsibility for ensuing the efficient delivery of corporate and operational initiatives to support business growth and success.

Prior to her appointment as President & CEO, she was Chief Financial Officer and led the Corporate Services group, including finance, human resources and technology. In this role, she was responsible for the strategy for the new Halifax Convention Centre and the lead executive who championed the development and activation of the organization’s approach to prepare its team and operations for a successful transition to the new corporate structure and opening of the new Centre. This included a particular emphasis on change management and process improvements. Having been involved since the new convention centre project began, she was instrumental in the facility’s design and has worked closely with the organization’s partners, and employees to ensure the facility meets client and community expectations.

Carrie brings a diverse business background, including over two decades of management experience with a concentration in financial and operational leadership. She has held executive leadership and finance roles in a variety of public and private sector organizations including the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation, the CCL Group and Ernst and Young. She has played a lead advisory role on business strategy, measurement and financial reporting. A graduate of Acadia University, she received her CPA, CA designation in 1991, and in 2015, she completed the Director’s Education Program through the Institute of Corporate Directors. Carrie is currently a member of the Women’s Leadership Collaborative and the International Women’s Forum of Canada, Secretary of NAIG 2023 (North American Indigenous Games), and Past Chair of the 2020/21 IIHF Women’s World Championship. Carrie also holds international memberships in IAVM (International Association of Venue Managers) and AIPC (International Association of Convention Centre Centres) and ICCA (International Congress & Convention Association) and in 2020 was named a Canadian Progress Women of Excellence Award Winner.

Patrick Fitzgerald

Partner, Cox & Palmer

Patrick is a partner in the Halifax office of Cox & Palmer, one of the largest law firms in Atlantic Canada. He has practiced business law and delivered strategic advice in Halifax and across the region for more than 20 years and has been involved in many transactions that have helped shape the economy in Halifax Regional Municipality.

Along the way, Patrick developed a particular interest in the technology industry and developed a client base centered on innovation based businesses in Atlantic Canada. He is actively involved in Nova Scotia’s start-up ecosystem having championed Cox & Palmer’s participation in a number of incubator and accelerator programs and hubs, as well as providing pro-bono advice to various start-ups across Nova Scotia.

Patrick has served in a number of leadership roles within Cox & Palmer and is currently a member of Cox & Palmer’s Halifax Executive Committee with specific responsibility for leveraging its innovation culture and identifying, assessing and implementing innovative processes, improvements and technologies to Cox & Palmer. Patrick is also in the final year of a multi-year commitment as a director of the Canadian Technology Law Association.

A firm believer in an active lifestyle, Patrick is a member of the Halifax Triathlon Club, is a running and cycling enthusiast and has completed dozens of cycling, running and triathlon events.

Andrea Forbes-Hurley

Managing Partner, KBRS

Andrea is a Managing Partner with KBRS, a Halifax headquartered human resources consulting firm with over 70 professionals in offices in Halifax, St. John’s, Toronto and Moncton that provide support and trusted counsel to clients across Canada and the United States in executive search, academic search, recruitment, HR consulting, leadership development and career transition.

Andrea is committed to providing strategic advice and building lasting partnerships with her clients and has been instrumental in the successful completion of hundreds of executive search assignments over the past 14 years. While Andrea has worked with clients across both the public and the private sectors across Atlantic Canada and beyond, her particular focus is in the recruitment of leaders for post-secondary, government, health care and not-for-profit organizations.

In addition to leading and facilitating executive searches, Andrea provides strategic oversight to the firm’s executive and academic search practices and contributes to the day-to-day management of KBRS.

Andrea has a keen interest in effective board governance and is a member of the Maritime Chapter Advisory Executive for the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) of Canada and serves as the Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors for 211 Nova Scotia. She also believes strongly in the importance of organizational diversity and inclusion and in supporting and welcoming new Canadians and volunteers as a professional mentor through the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS).

Andrea earned a Master of Business Administration from Saint Mary's University and a Bachelor of Arts with honours in Psychology from St. Francis Xavier University. She obtained her CPHR designation through CPHR Nova Scotia in 2009 and completed the Diversity and Inclusion Certificate program with Cornell University in 2020. Andrea resides in Halifax with her husband Sean and their sons Kenny and Tommy

Mike Johnston

President & CEO, REDspace

Mike Johnston is the founder and CEO of REDspace, a 22 year old, 300 employee software engineering company based in Bedford. REDspace has become a global centre of excellence in digital video delivery, helping media networks like Paramount, Warner Media and Sony Pictures to create the streaming video experiences we all use to watch shows and movies on our many digital devices.

REDspace is in growth mode in the highly competitive IT industry, attracting talent from across Canada, and increasingly around the world. They have been recognized for their leadership in diversity, youth employment, export success, and innovation. REDspace was named the 2021 Halifax Business of the Year.

Mike hails from Truro, and launched REDspace as a small IT consultancy after returning home from an early tech career in Boston. He and his wife Angela have three young adult children who fill them with pride. Outside of work, Mike plays clarinet and saxophone in various community bands. He is a board member of the national Loran scholarship, the Atlantic Canada selections lead for Harvard, and a supporter of various medical research and youth technology programs. Mike holds a magna cum laude degree in biochemical sciences from Harvard University.

David Landrigan

General Counsel & Vice President, Business Development, Emera Newfoundland and Labrador

David joined Nova Scotia Power in 2010 and is presently Vice President, Commercial.

David is responsible for championing our committed focus on our customers – putting Nova Scotian families and businesses at the center of everything we do. David’s responsibilities include customer solutions, key accounts, load forecasting, analytics, as well as the fuels portfolio for all Nova Scotia Power generating stations – namely, Nova Scotia Power’s coal, natural gas, biomass, and hydroelectric plants, wind farms, imported power, and renewable energy purchased from independent producers.

Previously, David was Vice President, Fuels and Energy for Nova Scotia Power, Vice President of Regulatory and Legal Services for Nova Scotia Power, following on experience as Assistant General Counsel for Nova Scotia Power and Vice President of Legal and Regulatory Affairs for Emera Energy. David has provided strategic advice on a broad range of corporate and commercial issues, as well as mergers and acquisitions.

Having previously worked with Aliant and the Government of Nova Scotia as a Director of Policy and Regulatory Affairs, David is well-versed in the complexities of regulatory environments. He began his legal career as an advocate at Stewart McKelvey Stirling Scales.

David earned a combined LLB and MBA from Dalhousie University and also has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Saint Mary’s University. He was admitted as a member of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society in 1996.

David served two terms as a board member with the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association and is committed to advancing the practice of law through continuous professional and personal development. David is on the Board of Canadian Cancer Society (Nova Scotia Division).

Nicola Ray Smith

Senior Vice President, Atlantic Region, Scotiabank

Nicola Ray Smith is the Senior Vice President, Atlantic Region for Scotiabank. She assumed the position in June 2022 and provides senior leadership to our Scotiabank network across Atlantic Canada.

Nicola joined Scotiabank in 2002 from the consulting industry. She began her career on the trade floor, providing derivative financing solutions to institutional investors. Over the years she assumed increasingly senior leadership roles in sales, operations, and business control functions across our Global Banking & Markets division. In 2021, Nicola joined the Canadian Banking Team as Vice President, Commercial Banking, Atlantic Region.

Nicola currently sits on the boards of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and Halifax Partnership, and is a member of YPO. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Simon Fraser University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Queen’s University.

Nicola has lived and worked across Canada and in major financial centres around the world. She now lives in Halifax with her husband and their two children.

Vinita Savani

Regional President, Atlantic Canada, RBC

Vinita Savani is responsible for ensuring best in class performance and delivery of RBC’s advice, products and services to more than 800,000 personal and business clients in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island.

Since joining RBC in 1997, Vinita has held a wide range of diverse roles in Branch Sales, Finance, Procurement, Canadian Banking Strategy, Group Risk Management, Home Equity Finance, and Personal Savings and Investments. Prior to assuming her current role in 2021, she was Vice President, Retail Delivery Model and Advisor Role Strategy, where she led the development and implementation of the retail distribution model which included leader and advisor role strategy, practice management, skills and capability development, performance management and incentives, as well as sales conduct and controls.

Vinita holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Toronto, an MBA from the Schulich School of Business and is a CFA charter holder.

A believer in giving back to community, Vinita has been involved in numerous volunteer activities. She has been involved with the Epilepsy York Region board for 16 years, as a member and as Chair. She currently sits on the boards of the QEII Foundation and the Halifax Partnership.

Vinita, her husband and two sons live in Halifax.

Anita Swamy

Vice President, Operations, Medavie Blue Cross

Anita is an Executive with over 20 years of progressive experience in business transformation, operations, complex project management and process optimization. She is consistently recognized as an influential leader who creates high-performing teams through establishing a clear vision, collaborative partnerships, and effective communication.

As Vice President of Operations at Medavie Blue Cross, Anita provides strategic leadership and oversight of Customer Experience and operational activities, including individual and group administration, claims and contact centre to deliver a superior customer experience as defined by shifting customer demand.

Over her distinguished career, she has led large-scale transformation programs, championed Customer Experience program design and implementation, and led Contact Centre and Back-office Operations. She has also consulted in the Financial Services, technology, utilities and telecommunications space on business transformation, M&A integration and project management.

A graduate of Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Commerce she holds the designations of Project Management Professional (PMP) and Project Management Institute’s Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP). She currently holds positions on the Board of Directors at Halifax Partnership and De-Cell Technologies.

Waye Mason

Councillor, Halifax Regional Municipality

Waye Mason is an activist, entrepreneur and educator and municipal councillor. First elected to Halifax Regional Council in 2012, re-elected in 2016, he is known for his social media savvy and relentless constituency work. Waye has grown businesses, led member organizations and developed the arts and culture sector in Nova Scotia for over two decades. His career in the music industry spanned artist development to live event production, and he has become a well-known business and strategic consultant both inside and outside the cultural sector.

As councillor, he currently serves as Chair of Halifax’s Community Planning and Economic Development standing committee and as a Police Commissioner, as well as being a member of several other boards and committees. Waye is currently Deputy Mayor as well as Vice President of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities.

Cathy Deagle Gammon

Councillor, Halifax Regional Municipality

A resident of Fall River for 28 years, Cathy Deagle Gammon was elected to represent District 1 – Waverley-Fall River-Musquodoboit Valley on Halifax Regional Council in October 2020.

Currently Serving On the following boards:

• Regional Council

• North West Community Council

• Accessibility Advisory Committee

• Appeals Committee

• Audit and Finance Committee (Vice Chair )

• Environment and Sustainable Committee

• Grants Committee (Chair )

• North West Planning Advisory Committee

• Halifax Water Commission

After growing up in Inverness, Cape Breton, Cathy moved to Halifax to obtain a Bachelor of Child Studies degree from Mount Saint Vincent University, followed by a 40-year career in the non-profit sector. Cathy excelled at establishing and maintaining partnerships, negotiating with all three levels of government, and inspiring corporate and business communities to share in her vision of an inclusive society.

Cathy has held numerous leadership roles including founding President of the Social Enterprise Network of Nova Scotia (SENNS). Under her guidance, SENNS developed a Social Enterprise Strategy that was adopted as the paradigm through which the provincial government will engage with the sector.

Nominated for the RBC Canadian Women of Excellence Award Cathy was the 2017 Finalist for the Social Change Award. Cathy was named a Paul Harris Fellow by The Rotary Foundation, received The Workplace Diversity Award from Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters. She was also named a Woman of Excellence: Health & Wellness by the Progress Club and was the recipient of the Canada 150 Award.

Cathy exemplifies life-long learning, leadership and advocacy. Her commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and giving back to her community make her a beacon of change in HRM, Nova Scotia, and beyond.

Scott Farmer

Deputy Minister, Department of Economic Development, Government of Nova Scotia

Scott Farmer is the Deputy Minister of the Department of Economic Development. The Department’s mandate includes creating the climate for private sector growth and leading and aligning government efforts to expand business growth.

Scott holds an engineering diploma, and a Bachelor of Commerce from Mount Allison University and a law degree from Dalhousie University. He was called to the bar in 1996.

Before joining the provincial government in 2007, Scott worked in corporate development and regulatory affairs at Bell Aliant and as a lawyer in a Halifax law firm.

Chuck Maillet

Vice President, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency - Nova Scotia Region

Chuck Maillet was appointed the Vice-President for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency for Nova Scotia in 2017. He joined the Agency in 2002 as a Community Economic Development Officer and, in 2005, became Manager of Community Economic Development. He was appointed Director of Community Development in 2008 and, subsequently, assumed the position of Director General for Regional Operations at ACOA Nova Scotia in 2010.

Before joining ACOA, Chuck spent a number of years working in both the private and non-profits sectors, where he gained valuable insights into the challenges of starting and growing businesses. Chuck is passionate about encouraging entrepreneurship and supporting innovation and technology development in Nova Scotia. He feels privileged to be helping businesses benefit from ACOA programs, and enhancing economic opportunities for the province.

Mike Savage

Mayor, Halifax Regional Municipality

On October 15, 2016, Mike Savage was elected Mayor of Halifax Regional Municipality for a second term based on a platform of sustained progress in making the Halifax region a place where residents can live, belong and thrive. Mayor Savage was first elected on October 20, 2012, running on a platform to make Halifax the most liveable, entrepreneurial and inclusive city in the country; principles that continue to shape his work at City Hall and in the community.

In the fall of 2015, Mayor Savage became president of the World Energy Cities partnership, an international organization of cities with significant energy sector interests. Prior to his election as Mayor, Mike Savage served as Member of Parliament for Dartmouth-Cole Harbour from 2004 until 2011. Mayor Savage has also had a career in business as General Manager of S. Cunard and Co., Director of Sales and Marketing for Nova Scotia Power Inc., Vice President at Knightsbridge Robertson Surrette, and Vice President at M5 Communications.

Mayor Savage has demonstrated community leadership in social, health and cultural organizations, as a board member for the IWK Health Centre and Neptune Theatre, as a former President of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia, and through his involvement with Junior Achievement, The Red Cross, Canadian National Institute for the Blind and the United Way. Mayor Savage and his wife Darlene have two children, Emma and Conor, and continue to make their home in Dartmouth where Mayor Savage grew up and attended school before graduating from Dalhousie University.

Captain(Navy) A.W. MacKenzie, CD

Captain (Navy) Andy MacKenzie was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Waterloo. Upon graduation he component transferred from the Artillery Reserve to the Regular Force for MARS Officer training.

Captain (Navy) MacKenzie served in the surface fleet as an Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer and quickly realized that life as a submariner would be the best option for him. This coincided with the opening of Victoria Class submarine training when he was finally able to volunteer for the ‘Silent Service’, a pursuit that was Captain (Navy) MacKenzie’s life-long ambition.

After serving underwater in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets, Captain (Navy) MacKenzie graduated from the RAN Submarine Warfare Officer’s Course and was posted as the Combat Officer of HMCS WINDSOR. Captain (Navy) MacKenzie remained with HMCS WINDSOR as an A/XO until he was posted to the Canadian Forces Naval Operations School as the first instructor of the SMORO Course.

Captain (Navy) MacKenzie graduated from the RAN Submarine Executive Officer’s Course and was appointed for a second tour as XO this time in HMCS CORNER BROOK. In 2010 he graduated from the USN Submarine Command Course and finally, he had the pleasure of graduating from the Norwegian Submarine Command Course, Perisher, in 2011 and honoured by being appointed Commanding Officer of HMCS WINDSOR.

In 2014, Captain(Navy) MacKenzie assumed Command of Sea Training (Submarines), in 2015 he spent a year at the United States Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, followed by serving as the Deputy Commander of the Canadian Submarine Force and then as Commanding Officer of both HMCS VICTORIA and Sea Training (Submarines). Captain (Navy) MacKenzie joined the Naval Staff in NDHQ in 2018 working in Naval Requirements and was promoted to his current rank, worked as the Director of Naval Information Warfare and most recently as Director of New Capability Integration. In 2020 he earned a master’s degree of Science in Justice and Homeland Security from Salve Regina University in Rhode Island.

On 25 July 2022, Captain (Navy) MacKenzie assumed command of CFB Halifax.

Cathie O'Toole

Chief Administrative Officer, Halifax Regional Municipality

Cathie O’Toole, as of January 1, 2023, is the first female Chief Administrative Officer of Halifax Regional Municipality, since amalgamation. Cathie is known for her inspiring, collaborative leadership, and has a proven track record of effective financial and operational management.

Cathie brings more than three decades of leadership and public sector experience to the role. Most recently she was the General Manager of Halifax Water, a role she had held since 2019. From 2011-2019, Cathie was the Director of Corporate Services/CFO for Halifax Water. Prior to joining Halifax Water, she worked with the Halifax Regional Municipality for 10 years in a variety of roles, including Director of Finance/CFO and Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management.

Cathie has a Master of Business Administration from Laurentian University and a Bachelor of Arts from Dalhousie University. Cathie is a Chartered Professional Accountant and has been recognized as a Fellow of the Chartered Professional Accountants (FCPA) of Nova Scotia. Cathie is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors and currently services on a number of Boards.