governance & board of directors

board members

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  Tammy Milbury

  Chair

  A Haligonian at heart, Tammy has spent the majority of her career working with individuals and businesses to make great things happen across the Halifax Regional Municipality. Most recently, she serves as an advisor to homebuilders, real estate investment companies and construction services businesses. She is a proud MSVU and SMU alumnae who has been involved with amazing organizations such as: MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning, Youth Art Connection, Halifax Urban Folk Festival and the East Coast Music Association.

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  Rodney Small

  Vice Chair

  Rodney is a change maker, community builder, mentor, coach, and entrepreneur. Raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Rodney is a seventh-generation African Nova Scotian who has established a passion for its people and communities, working hard to help ensure those individuals and communities thrive. A graduate of Dalhousie’s Bachelor of Management program focusing on innovation and entrepreneurship, Rodney is well-known for his forward-thinking and innovative ways of dealing with issues that have affected marginalized communities. Through his work at One North End Community Economic Development Society as their Executive Director and as a community volunteer for over 25 years with the local Community Y.

  Rodney is a positive influence in his community through his actions, which speak louder than his words. He is a founding partner of Ascension Grooming, a barbershop located on the Dalhousie University campus that focuses on hiring marginalized youth looking to accommodate their academic schedules. He also continues to advocate for social justice through his experience as RDS (Rodney Darren Small), a young offender accused of numerous allegations that led to several charges at the age of 15. The case went to the Supreme Court of Canada with the support of the Late Great Burnley “Rocky” Jones, helping to set precedence in our Canadian legal system as the leading case when it comes to discussing racism in our criminal justice system; aka the “apprehensions of bias.”

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  Tyler Farmer

  Treasurer

  Tyler Farmer is a dedicated not-for-profit professional motivated by connecting people and communities across Nova Scotia and Canada through effective grassroots engagement. Currently, Tyler leads communications for Canada’s national centre of expertise for the digital economy, where he regularly participates in research and policy development with the organization’s think tank. Prior experience includes building a robust cross-province network while collaborating with communities to develop world-class programs and projects focused on demand-side innovation, skill development, capacity building, and labour market research.
  
  Tyler holds a degree in Marketing and Information Technology, a certificate in Public Policy and Management, and is trained as a Certified General Accountant (CGA). Through his journey, Tyler remains passionate about connecting Nova Scotians eager to help others and ensuring communities can empower those who want to call our province home.

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  Kayla Smith

  Secretary

  Kayla Smith is an aspiring Human Resource professional. During her post-secondary endeavors, she obtained a Diploma in Business Management from Nova Scotia Community College. From there she went on to Saint Mary’s University to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce with a Major in Human Resources and Industrial Relations.

  Kayla is currently employed with The One North End Community Economic Society as the human resource lead where she has helped to develop policies and procedures to ensure the organization can flow professionally. She has also created processes in terms of onboarding, performance evaluation, and offboarding.

  Kayla especially enjoys her work with One North End because of the rewarding work her team does within the African Nova Scotian Community.

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  Shiv Manchanda

  Member

  A first-generation Canadian, Shiv’s educational background includes a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s in Business Administration. He has extensive entrepreneurial experience and is currently working as a Project Lead spearheading the ERP transformation for his employer: Guillevin International, an electrical equipment distribution company. Shiv is a vocal proponent of financial literacy, animal rescue & care, and affordable housing. When there isn’t a pandemic lingering, Shiv loves to travel with his family and their 3-year-old German Shepherd: Chester.

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  Elaine Brunn Shaw

  Member

  After retiring Elaine moved to the south shore area of Nova Scotia in 2021 and is continuing to volunteer in, and contribute to, her new community.

  Elaine’s lengthy career in community planning in Ontario helped to guide growth and change in small to medium-sized municipalities. This experience often provided her with opportunities to use her facilitation, negotiation, and critical thinking skills as part of teams working together to find solutions to issues and problems.

  During her final decade of working in senior level positions, being involved in initiatives that helped creating more affordable housing became an important focus for her. She believes that everyone should have an opportunity to have safe, decent, affordable housing if they wish.

  Elaine has served as a municipal advisor to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario – Affordable Housing Task Force about various provincial policies and initiatives about affordable housing and is a graduate of the Leadership Waterloo Region program, a social profit organization working to build vibrant, resilient, and inclusive communities.

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  Melissa Berry

  Member

  Melissa was born and raised in Halifax and currently resides in Bedford, overlooking the ocean. Having been a Realtor for thirteen years, she holds an associate brokers license and is on the Provincial Municipal Affairs Committee with the Nova Scotia Association of Realtors. Melissa has extensive experience in new home construction, and development of entire communities. Her real passion lies in sharing the excitement with individuals and families to help them find their new home. A natural connector and someone with a polished reputation in the industry, Melissa is someone with a wealth of experience who will lead her clients on an enjoyable experience in selling or purchasing a home.

  Aside from work, Melissa often supports worthwhile causes like Alice House, and the Nova Scotia Mental Health Association, having been a recent performer for A Different Stage of Mind fundraising Gala to help raise over $50,000.00 for this important cause. She is drawn to helping those in need, and regularly gives her time and her heart to have a positive impact on those around her.

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  Nathalie Amirault

  Member

  Almost 20 years ago, Nathalie began her accounting career at a large national accounting firm, Grant Thornton LLP, where she received her Chartered Accountant designation.  In 2005, she joined that tax practice and stayed in that department until her recent departure from the firm at the end of 2021.  While in Tax, Nathalie had the opportunity to join the leadership team of the firm in 2018.  Nathalie now is the VP Finance and Taxation at HanMac Capital, a family-owned investment firm.

  Nathalie is very passionate about giving back to the community.  She is currently the President of a Minor Hockey Association, and she was the Association’s Treasurer for the 3 years prior to this.  Nathalie has also spent many hours volunteering at various fundraising events, while she was a member of the Canadian Progress Club Halifax Citadel.   When not at work or volunteering, Nathalie can be found camping with her family in the Valley.

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  Donna Williamson

  Chief Executive Officer (Ex-Officio)

  Donna has over twenty years of proven experience leading not for profits in generating community impact through fund development, program delivery and building collaborative relationships. In her most recent role as Regional Manager – Atlantic Canada with March of Dimes Canada, Donna was responsible for strategic development, implementation and expansion of the After Stroke Program as well as community-based programs in Atlantic Canada. Donna’s leadership and passion in giving back to the community is well known and she has been volunteering since she was a teenager. Currently, Ms. Williamson is the immediate past Chair of the Board for Brain Injury Association of Nova Scotia and has served on numerous boards including Cobequid Community Health Board, Canadian Progress Club (CPC) Halifax Cornwallis, CPC East Regional Board as well as the CPC National Board.

  Donna strongly believes in leading an active/healthy lifestyle. She and her family love to hike, bike and walk their one-year-old Golden Retriever, Nelly. Donna Williamson is originally from Pictou, Nova Scotia, and now lives in Fall River with her family.

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  Todd Brayman

  Member

  Todd is an operations and procurement specialist with certifications as both a Supply Chain Management Professional and Professional Logistician. A proud graduate of Mount Saint Vincent University’s business program, he has always remained active, volunteering as Project Manager for the Greater Hammonds Plains and Lucasville Cenotaph construction project, Veteran speaker for Historica Canada’s Memory Project, and most recently as Business and Tourism Representative on the Halifax Regional Municipality Special Events Advisory Committee. Todd brings a wealth of placemaking experience having been active in supporting development and programming initiatives on the Halifax waterfront, in Peggy’s Cove, and Lunenburg. Core to his personal and professional motivations are his deep love of family, community, country, and of course, the Toronto Maple Leafs.

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