Board of Directors

Chair

John Lindsay is Chairman of East Port Properties Limited, a realty advisory firm focusing on workplace real estate in Atlantic Canada.

Significant projects have included Purdy’s Wharf in downtown Halifax, the Bluefrog Business Campus and Wilkinson Warehouses in Burnside, 351 & 235 Water Street in downtown St. John’s and the Beclin Business Park in Mount Pearl.

These developments included the first office building seawater cooling system and the first internet as a building service in North America, as well as 10 LEED Certified buildings, including the first LEED Certified multiple occupancy warehouse in Canada, the first LEED Gold office in NL and the first LEED Certified warehouse campus in Canada.

A long-time YMCA volunteer, John is a past Chair of the Halifax YMCA and past Vice-Chair of YMCA Canada and is currently Chairman of the Capital Campaign for the new YMCA Centre of Community in central Halifax.

Vice-Chair

Anne-Marie Gammon brings over 30 years of executive business and senior financial leadership experience within diverse sectors, including clean technology, higher education, real estate and energy. Her extensive experience includes family-owned enterprises, publicly traded entities, not-for-profit organizations and start-ups.

Anne-Marie is actively involved in her community, volunteering on several boards and advisory committees. She is the past President of Financial Executives International Canada - Atlantic Chapter and past Vice President, at Large of the Canadian Academic Accounting Association.

Anne-Marie is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) with a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of New Brunswick (UNB) and a Master of Business Administration from Heriot-Watt University. She was nationally recognized with the prestigious Fellow of the Society of Management Accountants designation from CMA Canada, followed by the Fellow Chartered Professional Accountant award from CPA Nova Scotia. Anne-Marie was honoured to receive the Certificate of Achievement from UNB Fredericton in 2019 for outstanding service to the accounting profession, followed by the Top 50 CEO award from Atlantic Business Magazine in 2021.

Past Chair

Barbara Goit is a retired Certified Fund Raising Professional. Her professional career in the philanthropic sector includes positions as Philanthropic Counsel within various charitable organizations, Chief Development Officer with the QEII, Executive Director with the Colchester Regional Hospital Foundation and Director of Public Relations for the Colchester Regional Hospital.

Barbara holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Consumer Studies) from the University of Guelph.

She is a dynamic, dedicated senior management and fundraising professional with a proven record of success and demonstrated ability to assemble effective, productive teams with a donor-centred focus. During her career, Barbara has been responsible for leading several major fundraising campaigns and served as a volunteer with the Make Way Campaign – Truro Campus Community Appeal Committee. 

Her passion for NSCC stems from a sibling's experience as a mature student at the College and from witnessing the positive transformation in that person's life path.

She is a keen and active community volunteer, serving as a current member and Past President of the Rotary Club of Truro, and holds a leadership role in the Truro Christmas Index Program. Barbara resides in Valley, Nova Scotia.

Secretary Treasurer

Sharon Beasley is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and earned her Master of Business Administration from Saint Mary’s University. Sharon began her banking career in Toronto before moving to Halifax to start her own baking business. After ten years as an entrepreneur, Sharon moved into a senior finance position in the agricultural industry, where she spent 15 years as a CFO. Sharon now works as a Portfolio Chief Financial Officer with The CFO Centre Canada, ensuring clients are positioned for success by leading, developing and executing financial strategies. Sharon has a variety of experiences volunteering with organizations that support the development and education of young people.

Director

Mi'kmaw from Listuguj, QC, Houston Barnaby is a lawyer who is passionate about educating the wider public on issues of social justice and helping allies and those wishing to become allies understand what it means to be Indigenous in Canada.

His motivations come from growing up in an Indigenous community at a time when his community was constantly negotiating with the Federal and Provincial governments over resource allocation such as logging and fishing.

In 1981, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, alongside Sécurité de Quebec, raided his community with hundreds of officers beating citizens and seizing fishing nets.

These moments strengthened Houston’s resolve to join the fight in the courtrooms and at the negotiation tables where these discussions take place.

Now his passion is educating the wider public so these tragic incidents remain a thing of the past.

Director

Lindsay Cross currently serves as the Director, Brand Experience at Shannex Incorporated, a trusted leader and partner in healthcare, human-centred design and community development. In addition to collaborating with operating leaders to set and measure service excellence standards, Lindsay is a sought-after partner on initiatives that drive meaningful engagement for various brands, departments and audiences across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Ontario.

Prior to Shannex, Lindsay was the Director of Brand and Partnership Development at CUA, a full-service community banking institution that serves Nova Scotia residents and small businesses. There, she led marketing, communications, strategic partnerships and community investment programming. Drawn to experiential design, Lindsay has worked in manufacturing environments and as an event producer, where she built guest experience plans that left a lasting mark on client organizations. Lindsay is also an avid volunteer, most recently serving as Board Chair of the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia.

A self-professed advocate for lifelong learning, Lindsay holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Acadia University (2005), an Advanced Diploma in Public Relations from Nova Scotia Community College (2006), a Master of Public Relations from Mount Saint Vincent University (2015) and a Certificate in Leadership Excellence from Dalhousie University (2024). Lindsay has also worked and taught in post-secondary environments and values the fresh perspective students bring to any plan or project.

Lindsay lives in Bedford with her husband and two Boston Terriers, Rudy and Sydney.

Director

With more than 30 years of experience in Nova Scotia's construction industry, Howie Doiron is a respected leader and community advocate. As Regional Director for Cape Breton at Lindsay Construction, he oversees the delivery of complex projects, bringing a practical, people-first approach to leadership and project execution.

Raised in the Acadian village of Pomquet, Howie developed a strong work ethic and appreciation for the skilled trades through his father, a superintendent and tradesman. He earned a Carpentry Diploma from NSCC's Strait Area Campus in 1993, achieved his Red Seal certification in 1997, and has built a career defined by hands-on leadership, mentorship and strategic oversight.

Howie holds the Professional Gold Seal Certified (P.GSC.) designation from the Canadian Construction Association and has completed leadership and inclusion studies through Dalhousie University, TRIEC and the University of Alberta.

A dedicated supporter of education and workforce development, Howie served on the NSCC Board of Governors from 2016 to 2022, including terms as Vice Chair and Chair, and continues to champion the College through the NSCC Foundation. In 2025, he received NSCC's Alumni Service Award for his outstanding contributions as a volunteer, advocate and employer of NSCC graduates. He joined the NSCC Foundation Board of Directors later that year.

Beyond NSCC, Howie serves on the boards of the Cape Breton Partnership and the Nova Scotia Construction Labour Relations Association, and is a former board member of the Construction Association of Nova Scotia. He is also widely recognized for his community involvement and charitable work across Cape Breton, including his long-standing support of the Coats for Kids Campaign. Through volunteerism, mentorship and advocacy, Howie remains committed to building stronger, more inclusive communities.

Director

Sean Griffiths is the Chief Executive Officer of the Atlantic Pilotage Authority (APA), one of four pilotage authorities in Canada responsible for providing safe and efficient pilotage services across 30 ports and designated areas throughout Atlantic Canada. A graduate of the NSCC Nautical Institute, Sean began his marine career at age 18 and advanced through the ranks while working with shipping companies worldwide. By age 30, he had earned his Master Mariner certification, gaining both domestic and international command experience.

After 12 years at sea, he transitioned ashore, where he built extensive experience as a Marine Superintendent and Vessel Manager for both private and publicly traded companies. He joined the APA as Chief Operating Officer in 2014 and was appointed Chief Executive Officer in 2015. During this time, he also completed his Master of Business Administration through Middlesex University School of Business.

Sean is an accredited corporate director and joined NSCC Foundation’s Board of Directors in 2026, serving on the Strategic Engagement and Partnership Committee, and has served on the Boards of the COVE and the Halifax Mission to Seafarers. He also contributes to several regional and national marine and shipping industry committees. Sean lives in Bedford with his family.

Director

Jack Lessel is a native of Bedford, Nova Scotia and excels in client relationship management. Having spent the last few years in Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador, Jack moved back to the province in 2021. He is devoted to establishing genuine relationships with his clients and helping them achieve their wealth ambitions.

Jack has been a lifelong learner, always looking to the future and how he can offer more to his clients.

Caring, compassionate and honest are words that describe Jack’s approach as a Wealth Advisor. His clients’ best interests and specific goals always come first, which is apparent in his business process.

Jack prides himself on educating clients and delivering a high level of service. He is committed to delivering personalized wealth solutions with investment management, retirement and succession planning. Those are the pillars of his service offering.

Jack holds the Chartered Investment Manager designation (CIM®), the Fellow Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI®) and a Bachelor of Commerce from Saint Mary’s University.

His passions include golf, hockey and hiking with his dog, Blue.

Director

Bob MacEachern began his broadcasting career over 30 years ago and is the owner of Port Hawkesbury-based radio station CIGO-FM. In 2013, he received the Radio Television Digital News Directors’ Lifetime Achievement Award.

He is a partner in several companies based in the Strait Region. Bob is active with community organizations, including past President of the Strait Area Chamber of Commerce, past Vice Chair of NSCC's Board of Governors, the Inverness-Richmond Career Development Centre, Festival Antigonish and the Port Hastings Historical Society.

Bob is married to Brenda MacEachern and is a father of three.

Director

Liza MacDonald is a senior financial services executive with RBC, where she has built a distinguished leadership career serving in several Regional Vice President roles before her most recent role as National Director, Enablement. Throughout her career, she has led high-performing teams, developed future leaders and helped shape strategy and business growth across Atlantic Canada and at the national level. As she concludes her career later this year, Liza looks forward to dedicating more time to community leadership and volunteer service.

A proud two-time graduate of NSCC, Liza has long been an advocate for the College and its transformative impact on individuals, communities, and Nova Scotia's economy. She previously served six years on the NSCC Board of Governors and, as of 2026, is honoured to continue her commitment as a member of NSCC Foundation’s Board of Directors, serving on the Strategic Engagement and Partnership Committee. Her connection to NSCC is also deeply personal; she’s a proud “grad-parent” with two of her three children choosing NSCC as the foundation for their education.

Liza is passionate about lifelong learning, health and fitness and giving back to her community. She enjoys travelling, staying active, reading and spending time with family and friends. Liza and her family are proud to call Dartmouth home.

Director

Kyle Weeden is a Principal in Eckler Ltd.’s Halifax office, joining the team in 2011. He has over fifteen years of industry experience and delivers services to Eckler’s pension, foundation, endowment, insurance and trust clients across Canada. He advises clients in the areas of policy construction and implementation and has assisted multiple clients in designing their governance structures.

As a senior practitioner in Eckler’s Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) advisory practice, Kyle has participated in some of the largest OCIO due diligence reviews and provider searches in Canada. He has experience in both public and private markets, including various alternative asset classes. His expertise covers real assets, private debt, private equity and absolute return strategies, both domestically and internationally focused.

Kyle holds a Bachelor of Commerce, with distinction, from Dalhousie University. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) and Financial Risk Manager (FRM) designations. Kyle joined NSCC Foundation’s Board of Directors in 2026 and serves as the Chair of its Investment Committee, in addition to his prior experience as a board member of the CFA Atlantic Society, where he organized the CFA Research Challenge for Atlantic Canadian universities. He has also volunteered his time as a past member of the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) Investment Policy Advisory Committee.

Acting President

Anna Burke, Acting President of Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), is an experienced leader dedicated to the education of adult learners throughout Nova Scotia. She has devoted her career to advancing teaching, learning and leadership and has been involved in many regional and national initiatives to strengthen the College community.

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Ex-Officio

Ashley Power is the Executive Director of Nova Scotia Community College's Foundation and Alumni Relations team.

Ashley’s NSCC connection started as a student in 2000. During her five years of studies at NSCC, Ashley was heavily involved with student leadership and was part of the core team who developed the first Student Association common constitution for NSCC.

Having completed Applied Communications Arts, Graphic Design, Radio Television Arts (now Radio, TV & Journalism), and Public Relations programs at NSCC, a path that was only made possible through student awards and bursaries, Ashley worked for several years in non-profit with Skills Canada-Nova Scotia leading both provincial and national events, along with program management and volunteer coordination.

As alumni, she remained keenly involved in the life of the College, participating in NSCC’s strategic planning, along with being an ambassador for the College and a mentor to students.

She eventually returned to NSCC in 2007, when she was hired to explore a new college-wide alumni program. Ashley developed that concept into the robust pan-provincial program it is today, with an alumni community of over 100,000 and over $1 million raised in contributions to the Alumni Engagement Fund. After her return, she also served as a staff representative on the NSCC Board of Governors.