Meet Our Speakers

Minister Jill Balser became the first female MLA for Digby-Annapolis, after winning the riding during the 41st Provincial General Election in 2021. She is proud to serve Nova Scotia as the Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration; Minister responsible for the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act; Minister responsible for the Workers’ Compensation Act (except Part II);
Minister responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women Act and currently sits on the Treasury and Policy Board. 

Her commitment and contribution to community development includes previously being the Project Lead for the Inspiring Communities initiative for Turning the Tide in Digby (Weskewinaq), Nova Scotia.

Minister Balser also worked as the YREACH Immigrant Settlement Staff Member at the Fundy YMCA in Cornwallis (Apji’jkmujue’katik), Nova Scotia. Here, she assisted newcomers in settling into their new communities and schools, by giving them direct access to the necessary tools and requirements they need to thrive. 

In recent years, Minister Balser has devoted much of her time giving back to the people around her, participating on boards, volunteering at events, and welcoming newcomers, including being the Co-Chair of the successful Refugee Sponsorship Group ‘Team Rima’ in Digby (Weskewinaq), Nova Scotia. 

Minister Balser is proud to be a part of the vastly changing population of Nova Scotia. Recently the province surpassed the one million population milestone and is now on its way to making its goal to grow that number to two million by 2060. 

Minister Balser was born and raised in Digby (Weskewinaq), Nova Scotia. She received her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology and a certificate in Business Administration from the University of New Brunswick. Afterwards, she received her postgraduate diploma in Sport and Event Marketing from George Brown College and is currently working on completing a Master’s Degree in Community Development through the University of Victoria. 

Ava Czapalay was appointed Deputy Minister and Chief Executive Officer of Labour, Skills and Immigration in September, 2021, following a six-month term as Deputy Minister and CEO of Immigration and Population Growth. Ava’s Department includes responsibility for the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency, Skills and Learning, Labour Services, Safety, Immigration and Population Growth and the Workers Compensation Board.

Prior to these appointments, Ms. Czapalay was the Associate Deputy Minister of the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education and, from 2012-2019, the Senior Executive Director of the Higher Education Branch at Labour and Advanced Education. From 2005-2012, Ms. Czapalay served as founding President and CEO of EduNova, a cooperative organization focused on the global marketing and promotion of Nova Scotia’s education and training sector.

Ava holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree (English), a Bachelor of Education degree and a Masters of Education degree, all from Dalhousie University. In 2020, Ava completed a Masters Certificate in Workplace Innovation from Royal Roads University. Ava is past chair of the Atlantic Chapter of the International Women’s Forum.

Ava is mother to three adult children and three adult step-children. She resides in Chester, Nova Scotia with her husband, John, and her grand-dog, Dukie. Outside of work, Ava stays busy with her bees, gardens and studying French.

Sandra is renowned for her ability to operationalize long-term transformational strategies, while simultaneously delivering measurable short-term success. As a workforce development expert, management consultant, writer, and speaker, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. Her passion for helping organizations thrive and her dedication to the art of effective leadership make her a valuable asset in any professional endeavour.

Mike Milloy is the Manager of Research and Analysis with the Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration. Mike works collaboratively with a team of economists/analysts and a broad network of partners to provide quality labour market information that supports the government and all Nova Scotians in making important employment, education, business, or policy/program decisions. Mike has a background in both economic and environmental studies and brings a wealth of public and private sector experience to understanding and addressing Nova Scotia’s labour market challenges and opportunities. 

Brian Watson is the Director of Strategy and Business Innovation with the Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration. He has over 30 years of experience working in provincial labour and economic development departments. He currently manages initiatives that promote program excellence, federal/provincial stakeholder relations and accountability and innovation projects that support the participation, attachment, and productivity of the Nova Scotia workforce. Brian regularly analyses and communicates economic and labour force data and provides insights to help inform policy decisions.  He has an MBA in marketing from Dalhousie University. He enjoys sailing with his family and playing basketball. 

She is the CEO and Founder of A Team Coaching. A lawyer, educator, community mobilizer and Senior Advisor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at McInnes Cooper. She is the former MLA for Preston and the first African Nova Scotian Deputy Speaker of the Nova Scotia Legislature.  

Angela inspires courageous leadership and guides others in realizing their potential. Driven by a passion and commitment to create, impact and social change, Angela has been able to help organizations and individuals realize their full potential by harnessing her experience in law, business, and advocacy. Understanding how to build inclusive equitable organizations, fostering critical thinking and intentional leadership, and equipping teams with strategies to recognize the importance of healthy relationships and reducing workplace-harm are the foundation of her training.  

Angela’s work and expertise on the historical injustice and systemic discrimination with the Land Titles Clarification Act impacting African Nova Scotian Communities has received national attention with support from the United Nations Working Group. Her extensive work and unique abilities have been used as a fundamental tool to address racism, genderism, sexism, ableism, and barriers impacting individuals most vulnerable to structural, systemic inequalities in our society. Angela was recognized as one of the top 100 most accomplished Black women in Canada.  

Angela is an African Nova Scotian, from Cherry Brook and lives in North Preston. with her husband Dean for more than 29 years; She is the proud mother of three Antonio (AJ), Angelina, and Adré, and “little Nanny” to Amari and Adonis.  

Angela believes in life lifelong learning, when you are learning, you influence opportunities for teaching, and teaching transforms lives.

Michelle Hurlburt’s unique ability to quickly understand an issue by asking the right questions, breaking it down into manageable parts, and taking decisive action to get the desired results is her superpower. She is a multiple-time business owner, educator, mentor, and coach for women in business and leadership. Michelle is also a social and emotional learning facilitator and consultant, and the Director-Founder at 3DLife Inc., a leadership development company for businesses and organizations. 

With over twenty-five years of international and national experience, Michelle is passionate about enhancing the human experience by supporting people and workplaces to be the best they can be.

As the founder/CEO of Intentional Connection, Bernice Williams offers training, facilitation and business match-making support to help build entrepreneurship and business capacity. Bernice is certified as a guide on the side and facilitates the NAIL IT!®Cohort program of the Career Story Project. This work is designed to increase the engagement and capacity of employees, and has been touted as an antidote for “quiet quitting”. In her own practice, she is an author and publisher, working to help increase visibility and equality for women in business. You can find her most recent collaboration book “With Grace and Grit: Inspirational Guideposts for Women in Business” on Amazon.

As the founder/CEO of the Career Story Project, Karen Kelloway offers keynotes, consulting and workshops for individuals and organizations from a variety of professions. Her book NAIL IT!® now in its second edition, was called “insightful and utterly enjoyable” by the Globe and Mail and is now a trademarked online career pathing program. Organizations welcome Karen’s relatability and her commitment to engaging you with thought-provoking exercises that help you create more meaning in your work and develop a stronger team dynamic. Karen lives in Nova Scotia with her husband, two teenage children and their fluffy black and white Havanese named Chewie. 

Jennifer has been with the Safety Branch for the past 2 years and leads an exciting team of Safety Advisors and Awareness and Outreach Officers that focuses on awareness, education, and outreach to all Nova Scotians

Jennifer is also the Family Liaison Officer with the Safety Branch which works with the families that have lost their loved ones as a result of a workplace tragedy. 

Before joining the Safety Branch, Jennifer worked at the Workers’ Compensation Board for 18 years as a Relationship Manager, championing safety culture change in workplaces across the Province of Nova Scotia. 

Jennifer is a safety champion, and her goal is to see everyone come home safely at the end of the day every day. 

Troy is responsible for factory wide lean transformations with improvements spanning years and not months. Through a combination of lean practice, metric development, employee engagement and staff development he has built world beating processes that have created consistently excellent products. Troy is an Expert at building lean across an entire business and making continuous improvement methodologies show consistent improvements to the company bottom line. He helps manufacturers to build better processes, engage their staff more and by doing so keep the best customers and build bigger margins and benefits every month that are sustainable and predictable. 

Geneve Newcombe is a dedicated leader in Nova Scotia's agricultural community. She is an integral part of Cornwallis Farms Ltd, a 10th-generation family-owned operation that dates back to 1761. The farm's diverse operations include dairy, poultry, egg production, crop cultivation, and an on-farm feed mill.

In 2021, Cornwallis Farms received the prestigious Agriculture Minister's Award for "Outstanding Employer," recognizing their commitment to excellence in the agricultural industry. Geneve herself is a graduate of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, holding a BSc in Agriculture.

Her passion for agriculture extends beyond the boundaries of her own farm. She has actively participated in various agricultural boards and initiatives, including serving as a mentor in the Egg Farmers of Canada's "Women in the Egg Industry" program, empowering the next generation of women in agriculture. Geneve's dedication to her community and the agricultural sector has earned her accolades from the Province of Nova Scotia and her alma mater.

Tonya is a remarkable artist hailing from Nova Scotia, with a rich and diverse cultural background. She proudly identifies as Nova Scotian Black, Mi'kmaw, and Cree, a blend of identities that resonates through her artistry. Her distinctive style is a beautiful fusion of her feminine Native and Indigenous Black heritage, with each piece bearing a part of her unique identity. 

As a traditional beader, quiller, and regalia designer, Tonya has a deep-rooted connection to her Cree and Mi'kmaq cultures. She was raised with the teachings, language, and traditions of her Indigenous heritage, which allowed her to flourish into the person she is today. Her upbringing included invaluable experiences such as sitting with elders, listening to stories, drumming, singing, beading, and dancing, all of which shaped her artistry. 

Tonya also embraced her Black culture wholeheartedly, with exposure to Black activists like Rocky and Joan Jones, who instilled a strong sense of self and pride in her identity as a Black woman. In 2015, she discovered her talent for painting, and since then, her artwork has rapidly gained recognition and has been sold across the country. 

Travis Woodworth (he/him) proudly represents Millbrook First Nation near Truro. His journey with Glooscap Health and Safety commenced in September 2021, following his successful completion of the Occupational Health and Safety Program at NSCC. Travis's career in the safety field was inspired by his diverse work experiences, ranging from food processing to electrical and labour positions.  

Throughout these roles, he consistently observed a critical gap in workplace safety compliance—frontline employees often hesitated to voice their safety concerns, and comprehensive job site safety training was lacking. Travis was motivated by a desire to be a catalyst for change, committed to empowering employees by ensuring their concerns were not only heard but also addressed by management. 

Travis's true passion lies in creating engaging training sessions tailored to frontline employees. His approach aims to instill enthusiasm for workplace safety and drive positive changes in current safety programs. 

Ann's education includes the University of Cambridge Institute of Sustainable Leadership graduate. A Master’s in Human Resource Management, BA in Sociology with Honours, Post Graduate Diploma in Social Work from London UK. The Instructional Skills Workshop Certificate, and the Federation of Coaching Certificate. 

Ann is an accomplished businesswoman, known and respected for her professionalism and willingness to support, coach and mentor others. Her business provides extensive strategic guidance and influence in cultural and organizational change and social justice issues. Her work has impacted individuals, and private and public sectors at national and international levels.  

Prior to emigrating to Canada, in 2004, Ann held several senior leadership positions in government in London, UK, and in 2014, she retired as a leader from the government of Nova Scotia, to start her journey to entrepreneurship.  

Ann’s work is strongly influenced by her values in human rights and people management. Her unique style combined with adult education principles has brought her recognition in her skills in leadership development, change management, board governance, diversity and inclusion, women in leadership and unconscious bias, inclusive leadership, neurodiversity, and trauma-informed practice. As a thought leader, Ann benefits from her circle of subject matter experts who brings first voices to these critical factors in the physical and virtual workspaces.  

Ann is a strategic thinker, and her goal is to support the business environment, government, public and private sectors, and their employees to bring their authentic selves to work.  

Brady Paul is a community member of Sitansisk, St. Mary's First Nation, which is one of the 8 Wolastoqiyik communities that make up the Wolastoqey Nation (6 communities are in New Brunswick, 1 in Quebec, and 1 in Maine, USA). 

Professionally Brady is a specialist, Truth & Reconciliation and Indigenous recruitment at KPMG, with the aim of advancing KPMG’s Truth & Reconciliation Action Plan and advising on the firm's Indigenous recruitment strategy. Brady is also a strategic advisor with Placemaking 4G. 

Outside of his professional capacities, Brady also shares his time as the EDI Committee Chair with Atlantic University Sport, an EDI Committee member with the Halifax Wanderers, and is pursuing a Masters part-time at Saint Mary’s University. 

Through the Wabanaki Group, Brady works with many organizations outside of the Indigenous community to drive strategic innovation in Indigenous community engagement and Indigenous best practices. These are crucial for preserving Indigenous language, culture, and sovereignty. 

Alanna Hutchinson is a distinguished panelist with a strong commitment to fostering inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility. With a Bachelor of Arts and, more recently, a Bachelor of Social Work, Alanna’s career in the human services field spans seven impactful years.

Currently serving as an Employment Facilitator with The Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work, Alanna plays a pivotal role in facilitating employment opportunities for individuals with varying abilities. In this capacity, she has gained extensive practical experience and insights into the challenges and triumphs of individuals facing diverse barriers in the workplace.

Alanna proudly identifies as a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community as well as a queer and disability advocate, combining her passion for promoting diversity and equality with their academic and practical expertise. As a panelist, Alanna will offer valuable insights into personal identity in various job roles and what contributes to individuals feeling included, valued, and appreciated in the workplace.

Alfred Burgesson is a Founder & CEO. Alfred is recognized as a 30 Under 30 Innovator by the Atlantic Business Magazine, and a Changemaker by Globe and Mail’s Report on Business.

Alfred is the Founder & CEO of Tribe Network, Tribe is a leading technology, entrepreneurship and innovation hub for racialized (ie, Black Indigenous and Persons of Colour) communities — they provide members access to relevant resources (ie, Community, Coaches and Capital) so they create wealth and make the world a better place.

Alfred is a member of the Board of Directors at the Black Opportunity Fund and a member of the Board of Governors at Halifax Grammar School. Alfred is a former Prime Minister’s Youth Council member — he is also the co-chair of Canada’s first-ever ‘State of the Youth’ Report. 

For over 30 years, Bill has been helping groups from 12 to 1200 laugh at what’s trivial while helping them think deeply about what counts. Bill helps people see their world in new and exciting ways. His unique blend of humour and insight inspires laughter and consideration, offering his audience a fresh perspective on what they face every day. At the root of all of Bill’s work is the use of humour to help people reflect on their own innate human nature and understand who they are in a greater social context. 

Bill believes that empathy and compassion must take centre stage in all our human interactions and seeks to deepen his audience’s understanding of the interrelated nature of our reality. Combining the latest developments in interpersonal neuroscience with his gleanings from a lifelong study of ancient philosophical writings and spiritual practice, Bill shares insights old and new into how our minds work individually and collectively.   

With over 15 years of experience combined in the social services and healthcare industries, Fantanesh Attomsa is passionate about empowering others on their wellness journey. Her vision and purpose are to create therapeutic and inclusive spaces within our communities led her towards entrepreneurship, where she founded her wellness company Sacred Lotus Holistic Wellness, and her non-profit organization, Canadian Blue Wellness Association.  

As a skilled Registered Massage Therapist and compassionate leader in the wellness world, Fantanesh aims to increase representation in her industry by creating wellness programming, facilitating community wellness workshops, and providing mentorship to entrepreneurs for the global majority. Her practices provide holistic services and education, culturally diverse workshops, and inclusive events in both workplace and community settings. 

Fantanesh has also been nominated for RBC's "Woman of Influence", as well as Halifax Chamber of Commerce's "Small Business of the Year" - and is a proud mother of three. 

Phil is a graduate of the British Army’s Royal Military Academy of Sandhurst, arguably the world's best leadership school. He has served with the British, Canadian, and US Army. By his midtwenties he was leading soldiers in overseas combat, going on to serve as a senior leader working alongside nations and cultures from around the world. His subsequent journey led him to become an executive in both the provincial and federal governments, as well as an academic leadership instructor, before launching two successful businesses, one being his boutique leadership development business. 

Jillian is the Chief Operating Officer with Anchored Recruiting & HR Solutions. Jillian has worked as the Executive Director of three Nova Scotia Works Employment Resource Centres across the island. Prior to that, she worked at Cabot Cape Breton as the Director of Strategy and Planning while helping lead the HR team for over three hundred employees. As the Director of Strategy and Planning, she was responsible for the development and implementation of internal processes, policies, employee engagement, employee wellness, and training programs as well as the annual internal audit process to improve both the employee and guest experience.  

Jillian spent almost two years in the North working with Indigenous communities and organizations as an HR advisor with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation in Inuvik, NWT. While there, she served on the Regional Training Partnership committee which had representatives from across the Beaufort Delta Region, aiming to improve training and employment prospects for their communities.  

Jillian has her Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management (Cape Breton University), Bachelor of Business Administration (Cape Breton University) and her Advanced Diploma in Human Resources (Nova Scotia Community College) along with her CPHR designation (Chartered Professionals in Human Resources).  

While being a strong community advocate Jillian is a past board member of the Cape Breton Partnership and is a current Board member of the National Advisory Committee for the Future Skills Framework Project with Tourism HR Canada. 

Temi Ologbenla stands out as a beacon of excellence, innovation, and resilience. With a track record as a multi-award-winning entrepreneur and a guiding force in business and career coaching, her accolades are a testament to her skill in turning challenges into victories. She pours her energy into mentoring others to discover and realize their greatest capabilities, leading to personal and professional growth.

Currently pursuing her executive MBA with straight “A”s, Temi embodies commitment, productivity and sharp intellect. In the tech industry, she's a Senior Scrum Master at Canada's premier bank where she leads multiple, globally located project teams.

Temi's influence extends beyond her career; she's also a devoted Mum and Wife, fervently advocating for BIPOC representation and equity.

Robert Newcombe, a seasoned Professional Industrial Engineer (P. Eng.), is a consultant, coach, and trainer for transformation in organizational productivity. With a robust decade of consulting experience, Robert's expertise is underpinned by an MBA, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, and a passion for productivity and leveraging AI tools.  

Robert's professional journey is marked by a trail of success stories, having honed processes and crafted strategies for public sector entities like Passport Canada, School Sport Nova Scotia, and Halifax Transit; SMEs such as Eden Valley Poultry, The Station Food Hub, and Shivani’s Kitchen; and non-profits like Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture, Inspiring Communities, and COVE. Robert has trained hundreds of Nova Scotia public servants on optimizing Microsoft Outlook and using top time management strategies. 

Fueled by a passion for propelling productivity in Nova Scotia, Robert isn’t just about improvement; he’s about revolutionizing how organizations work. Robert has spent hundreds of hours over the past year researching, experimenting, and helping others use AI technologies like ChatGPT. He’s at the forefront of integrating cutting-edge AI technologies, effectively and responsibly, at all levels of an organization. 

Kateryna, a seasoned professional with a Master's degree in Management, boasts over two decades of dedicated service in the dynamic hospitality industry. Embodying the philosophy, "choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life," she embarked on her remarkable journey early on, achieving the position of General Manager at the age of 24.

At 25, Kateryna was entrusted with the role of a hotel start-up manager, successfully spearheading the launch of a 4-star hotel featuring 50 rooms. Throughout her illustrious career, she demonstrated her expertise by overseeing the openings of multiple business and resort hotels in Kyiv and various parts of Ukraine.

In October 2022, Kateryna, alongside her husband and three children, made a significant move to Canada, where she seamlessly transitioned into hotel operations. A customer-centric professional, she is thrilled to contribute her skills and enthusiasm to Nova Scotia, recognizing the region's profound importance in hospitality and tourism.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Kateryna is a dedicated family person with a passion for travel and education, particularly focused on enriching the lives of her three children. Finding solace and inspiration in nature, she enjoys moments by the ocean and pursues the art of gardening. Kateryna's diverse experiences and unwavering commitment make her an invaluable asset to any team, fostering a harmonious blend of professionalism and genuine passion.