Board of Directors

Roddy provides human resource and governance consulting services to clients in the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. He brings more than 30 years of leadership experience gained across multiple industries including manufacturing, transportation, municipal government, and commercial crown corporations.

In addition to Feed Nova Scotia, Roddy serves on the Board of Governors of Saint Mary’s University, where he is Chair of the Governance Committee. He served for seven years on the board of Symphony Nova Scotia, where he has chaired both the HR and Governance committees. He has also served on the board of directors for a national retail chain, where he was a member of the Technology Committee and chaired the Governance Committee.

Roddy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto, and a Master of Business Administration from Saint Mary’s University. He has a Certificate in Negotiation & Conflict Management from Dalhousie University. He holds a Chartered Professional in Human Resources designation (CPHR), as well as the governance designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD.D).

Since joining the Feed Nova Scotia board in 2021, Roddy has served as Secretary and as a member of the Audit Committee; last year he also served on the Governance Committee. He is excited to be part of the Feed Nova Scotia team seeking to understand and address the root causes of food insecurity in Nova Scotia.

Cynthia Dorrington is the President of Vale & Associates Human Resource Management and Consulting Inc. Established in 2004, Vale & Associates is a boutique international consulting firm specializing in providing strategy and advisory services as well as customized training and development for organizations. As President, Cynthia undertakes consulting work with small to medium-sized organizations across various industry sectors from start-ups, to businesses undergoing growth, to mergers/acquisitions with an emphasis on strategic positioning of its human resources and managing change. Expertise in areas such as organizational strategy and design; people strategy and human resources; business growth strategies; equity, diversity and inclusion strategies; supplier diversity; change management; and board governance have allowed Vale & Associates the opportunity to provide consulting services to several clients locally, nationally and internationally.

Cynthia is currently a member of the Board of Governors of St. Francis Xavier University and was recently appointed by the Province of Nova Scotia to Chair the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission, the first African Nova Scotian female to do so since its inception in 1967.  Cynthia Chairs both the Black Business Enterprise and Black Business Consulting, in addition to sitting on Feed Nova Scotia, she is on two national boards, the Canadian Urban Institute, and VON Canada. Cynthia was the first African Nova Scotia and first Black female to Chair the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, the oldest Board of Trade in North America dating back to 1750. She currently is a Life-Time Member of the Board of Governors for the Halifax Chamber of Commerce. 

Mohammad Ali Raza immigrated to Canada to reunite with his family in 2014. He practices corporate law with Cox & Palmer supporting businesses in a wide variety of sectors. From drafting complex contracts to advising on consumer protection laws, Mohammad Ali is keen to provide practical solutions to the challenges his clients face at every stage and aspect of their business operations. He is currently the chair of the firm’s Ocean Innovation group.
Mohammad Ali joined the Feed Nova Scotia board in 2019. In addition to his work with Feed Nova Scotia, he is also Director of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce and Director of Marine Renewables Canada. 

Mark Fullerton is the Director of Corporate Development at Resolute Health, a private healthcare service provider primarily focused on the testing and treatment of patients with sleep apnea and snoring. At Resolute, Mark’s role involves expanding Resolute’s footprint organically and through acquisitions to serve patients across the country. Mark graduated from Saint Mary’s with a Bachelor of Commerce in 2012 and proceeded to obtain the Chartered Professional Accountant designation in 2013.

Mark also volunteers his time in support of youth soccer in Halifax and the QEII Health Sciences Centre Foundation.  He knows that access to sufficient food and nutrition is a cornerstone of helping all Nova Scotians achieve their potential, and is looking forward to helping address the food insecurity challenges we face.

Mary Ellen Greenough is Director, Legal and Regulatory, with the Eastern Clean Energy Initiative at Nova Scotia Power Inc., working on achieving clean energy goals for our region. Mary Ellen possesses a broad legal background with over two decades of experience focused in the areas of commercial, construction and regulatory law.

Mary Ellen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Mary’s University and a Bachelor of Laws degree from Dalhousie University.  She was admitted to the Nova Scotia Bar in 1999. She is a member of the Canadian Bar Association and the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society and a past member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association. Mary Ellen appreciates the opportunity to work with Feed Nova Scotia in its mission to end hunger in our communities by tackling the underlying economic and social causes of food insecurity.

Anita Basque works at the Potlotek First Nation where she is currently the Elder Liaison.  In 2020 as a Band Counsellor for the Mi’kmaq community in Richmond County she championed the opening of the community’s first food bank to address food insecurity.  In addition to other roles Anita has been a fisheries manager for Potlotek where she championed environmental protection and sustainable aquaculture and oyster picking.  

Anita has been recognized with the Remarkable First Nations Elder Award presented by Town House Citizens Service League of Glace Bay as well as with the Queen Elizabeth Platinum Award from the Province.  

She has been described by members of her community as a Grandmother who inspires people to be “more truthful, fierce and rooted in our values every day”. Someone else told us that Anita is “a trusted leader and mentor whose dedication to community well-being and Mi’kmaw governance has long inspired me. I believe Anita’s lived experience and leadership would bring a powerful and grounded voice to any table.”

Pat completed her term as Dean of the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary’s University in May of 2018 and retired from the University in September of 2022.  Her research interests include governance of non-profit organizations, change management and organizational power and politics from an intersectional feminist and social justice lens. She is currently active as a consultant and facilitator in the areas of strategic planning and non-profit governance.

Kim has lived and worked her entire life in rural Hants County, Nova Scotia. She is the past Director of the Kids Action Program and current chairperson of the Hants North Community Food Bank. She has been involved in many local boards and committees that are committed to making a difference in people’s lives.

You can often find Kim working the front line at the Hants North Food Bank where they are often making referrals, problem solving, or simply lending an ear. There have been lots of challenges over the past couple of years including COVID, and natural disasters. In the last few years, they were able to purchase a new building, and have update their service model to a Market Model food bank. Food security should be everyone’s daily experience. 

Barbara M. Campbell is a serial health and life sciences entrepreneur. In her founder roles and with her consulting clients, Barbara propelled emerging technologies and companies through proof of concept, prototype development, clinical validation, and multinational partnerships. Barbara is a go-to resource for startups in the Atlantic Region with her hands on experience commercializing medical technologies; natural health products; alternate protein ingredients; bioproducts and biofertilizers. Barbara is an alum of Université de Strasbourg, Mount Allison University (Hons BSc. Biochemistry, B.A. French), and Simon Fraser University (M.Sc. Biochemistry and Immunology).

Barbara’s current role as Regional Director of Natural Products Canada -a not for profit national organization- spans the entire food system, from agriculture to processing to consumer goods. Barbara works diligently to support and advance innovation for upcycling of food waste, making our food systems more efficient while emphasizing natural ingredients and functional foods.

Joseph (Joe) Fraser (he/him) is the Director and CEO of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission, bringing with him more than twenty years of experience and leadership in human rights, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Prior to joining the Commission, Joe spent three years with the Nova Scotia Community College as Director of Human Rights and Equity Services where he led the College’s work in accessibility, conflict resolution, equity, inclusion, human rights, mental wellness, and sexual violence.

Joe began his career working with adults with disabilities, including as Executive Director of Highland Visions Society. He then joined the Province of Nova Scotia and worked in various roles, including Executive Officer of the Labour Standards Tribunal, Appeal Commissioner with the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Tribunal, and Director of Respectful Workplace & Corporate Diversity with the Public Service Commission.

Joe is a graduate of Cape Breton University and Dalhousie University’s Schulich School of Law. He holds designations as a Certified Diversity Executive and a Chartered Professional in Human Resources. Joe also has certificates in executive leadership development, conflict management, and Mi’kmaw studies.

Joe has spoken at a number of provincial and national conferences and has served as a volunteer director on various boards.

A proud member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, Joe lives in Bedford with his husband and is the parent of two adult children.

Jenny Hackney brings a wealth of experience and expertise in food safety and health system management to her role on the board of directors for Feed Nova Scotia. She holds a BSc in Food Science and Nutrition from Sheffield Hallam University, which laid the foundation for her distinguished career in the food safety industry.

Jenny began her professional journey with Bakkavor, where she held various roles in food safety, which brought her to Canada in 2011. For 6 years she continued to hold roles within food production facilities across Ontario and the US.

In 2017 Jenny and her husband decided to move to NS to be closer to family and began working for the Nova Scotia Government. There, she managed the Food Safety and Meat Inspection Program for 6 years, ensuring the highest standards of food safety across the province. Most recently, Jenny has been serving as a Director in the Health Transformation Office, where she supports the Health System Workforce Initiative, driving critical improvements in the health system.

Jenny’s extensive background in food safety, coupled with her strategic leadership in health system transformation, and her commitment to ensuring safe, healthy food align perfectly with the mission of Feed Nova Scotia.

April Howe is the Founder and CEO of Crayon Strategies, an Organizational Culture consulting practice. As an MBA and a Chartered Human Resource Professional, she has over 20 years of experience across corporate, government, Not-for-Profit, and community leadership. She describes her firm as working collaboratively with organizational leaders to shape cultures where true inclusivity thrives, integrating DEI principles and coaching leaders to create sustainable change. 

April was Deputy Minister of the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, was with the Nova Scotia Department of Justice as Senior Executive Advisor to the Deputy Minister and also had oversight of the Indigenous Justice and Restorative Justice programs.  Additionally, she was Executive Director with the Public Service Commission overseeing the People & Culture Division’s five corporate units: Corporate Diversity & Engagement, Recruitment Services, Internal Communications, Organizational Development, and the Corporate Learning Center. Before that she was a Partner with Knightsbridge Robertson Surrette for 16 years leading their Career Solutions practice.  

April currently sits on the Executive Board of the Neptune Theatre, and the Tribe Network. Previous board experience includes the International Women’s Forum, North End Community Health Center, the IWK Foundation, the Halifax Partnership, United Way Halifax, and the Black Business Initiative. April is a descendant of Africville and was a founding board member and then went on to chair the board of the Africville Heritage Trust.

Corey Mattie is a proud Canadian with Historic British and Mi’kmaq Ancestry, hails from Kjipuktuk and is a co-founder of Indigenous Treaty Partners. As a member of the Indigenous Professional Association of Canada, he has dedicated his career to navigating Canadians through intricate issues. Renowned as a professional keynote speaker, Corey has addressed international forums such as the G7 Research Summit, United Nations Canada, and Parliament Hill, advocating fervently for environmental enhancement, social responsibility, and ethical business practices. With deep roots in Mi’kma’ki (Atlantic Canada), he emphasizes the significance of embracing Indigenous practices and advocates for a triple bottom line approach in corporate Canada.

Corey’s academic credentials include a Bachelor of Commerce from Saint Mary’s University, Certificates in ISO Management from the University of Toronto and Ryerson, a Certificate from the Foundation for Environmental Stewardship, a LEED Accreditation, and Antiracism training from both the Human Rights Commission and InterActivist. His diverse expertise spans the Canadian economic sector and ethical management.

Currently, Corey is furthering his education at Harvard University’s Kennedy School, where he is immersed in an Executive Program focused on Energy and Climate Change.

Miranda is a Senior Associate in the Financial Advisory team for a Big 4 advisory firm. The focus of her role is enabling clients to achieve their fiscal and operational objectives. Miranda has experience in providing consulting services and financial restructuring strategy to a diverse range of individual and corporate clients.

Miranda holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Memorial University. Miranda is a Chartered Professional Accountant and is currently an Articling Associate of the Canadian Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Professionals.

As a member of the BIPOC community in Nova Scotia, development issues, particularly those affecting minority groups, is something that is close to her heart, which is why she is rallying behind Feed Nova Scotia’s mandate.

Miranda also served as a board member for the Black Business Community Investment Fund Limited.

Crystal Nicholas is an experienced leader in economic development, holistic environmental sustainability and strategic management. She is currently serving as the President & Interim General Manager at Wskijinu’k Mtmo’taqnuow Agency Ltd. (WMA). She oversees the agency’s executive functions and drives its strategic initiatives, working closely with the 13 Chiefs of the Mi’kmaw First Nations to promote sustainable economic growth. 

Crystal’s extensive career includes key roles in advancing Potlotek First Nation’s development, where she served as Acting Economic Development Manager, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Executive Officer. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Cape Breton University and has completed advanced programs in Management Essentials and Negotiation Mastery at Harvard Business School. Crystal is also pursuing a JD at Dalhousie University. Crystal brings valuable skills in financial management, project leadership, and strategic planning to WMA. Crystal is a proud member of Potlotek First Nation. 

Crystal also sits on several Boards and brings an interest in creating governance models that are more inclusive and that honors the wisdom and leadership of Indigenous communities. In interviews she has stressed the need to recognize that we are all interconnected and that the health of the Earth is inseparable from our own well being.