board of directors, Governance & Committees
chair - EMMA MILLER
Emma (she/her) is an Associate with Davis Pier Consulting, where she spends most of her time working on change management and engagement-focused projects in the social policy space. She holds a Masters of Public Administration from Dalhousie University, as well as an undergraduate degree in Political Science, with minors in French and Hispanic Studies, from Mount Allison University.
Vice Chair - SEAN ELLIOTT
Sean is a Client Services Manager with the Government of Nova Scotia's Digital Service team. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Alberta and an undergraduate degree in Commerce from MacEwan University.
Past Chair - Cynthia Ryan
Cynthia Ryan is Project Executive at Government of Nova Scotia, Continuing Care Sector. Cynthia holds a MSc in Applied Mathematics from Western University and a BSc from St. Francis Xavier University.
Secretary -
Katrina Campbell
Katrina is a Senior Policy Analyst with the Nova Scotia department of Health and Wellness. She holds a Masters of Public Administration from Dalhousie University as well as a Masters of English Literature from Lancaster University. She has spent the last 7 years working in Healthcare and Education.
Treasurer - aBIGAIL RAE
Abigail is a Consultant with Deloitte's public sector Strategy and Operations practice. She is a recent graduate of the Bachelor of Commerce Co-op program at Dalhousie University with a major in Finance.
Communications
& Marketing ChaIR - Byungmin Kang
Byungmin (she/her) is an Analyst with Regulatory Affairs Sector at Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. Her work primarily focuses on international regulatory cooperation with the United States and the European Union. In her previous roles, Byungmin supported an external advisory committee at TBS’s Stakeholder Relations, and interned with Nova Scotia’s Department of Transportation and Active Transit. She holds a Master’s in Public Administration at Dalhousie University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education and Mathematics at Acadia University.
Awards & Recognition Chair - Christopher McCreery
Christopher McCreery is the author of fourteen books on Canadian history and the honours system. A fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, he is currently private secretary to the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia and executive director of Government House Halifax.
Chris holds a doctorate in Canadian history from Queen's University.
Programs co-Chair - Muriel Cookey
Muriel is a Senior Policy Advisor with the Joint Regional Transportation Agency (JRTA). Before joining the JRTA, she held several positions within the Department of Natural Resource and Renewables. She holds a Master of Laws (LLM) and Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Nottingham Law School, Nottingham Trent University, England. She is an internationally trained lawyer and was called to the Nigerian bar in 2016 as a Barrister and Solicitor. She also holds a Certificate of Qualification from the National Committee of Accreditation of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada and aspires to be called to the Nova Scotia Bar. Muriel has played a crucial role in advancing key government priorities for developing a clean economy in Nova Scotia, including electricity generation and distribution, tidal energy, offshore wind, and green hydrogen, as well as supporting the development of a regional transportation agency for the Province.
Programs Co-Chair - Chioma Okoro
Chioma is a Policy Analyst with the Nova Scotia Department of Advanced Education. She has gotten to work in various provincial Departments such as: Community Services, Natural Resources & Renewable and Labour, Skills & Immigration. She holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Dalhousie University and an undergraduate degree in Sociology from the University of Prince Edward Island. Since her Master's degree, Chioma has worked in the not-for-profit and public sector.
New Professionals Chair - Stewart Grant
Stewart Grant currently serves as a Supply Team Leader for the Acquisitions Directorate at Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC). His work largely focuses on the procurement of major crown real property projects for federal departments and agencies throughout the four Atlantic provinces. He holds a Master of Public Administration from Dalhousie University and an undergraduate degree in Economics from Acadia University.
Socials Chair -
Sean Williams
Sean (he/him/his) is a dynamic and bilingual leader with a dedication to positive change in a modern and evolving Federal Public. Sean is an (acting) National Program Manager at Veterans Affairs Canada, currently on assignment with the Public Service Pride Network (PSPN) until March 2024. As a 2SLGBTQI+ advocate, Sean has demonstrated his commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive public service, including coordinating events, influencing policy changes, and promoting interdepartmental collaboration. With a background in education, Sean combines his leadership skills and pedagogical expertise to amplify his impact. Sean is excited to bring his passion for positive change, advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and his leadership to IPAC NS.
MeMbership Chair -
Noel Guscott
Noel (he/him/il) is a Senior Digital Policy Advisor with the Nova Scotia Department of Cyber Security and Digital Solutions. He is a public policy, issue management and project management leader with a background in healthcare, digital, and intergovernmental policy whose career has spanned the public, not-for-profit and academic sectors. He has a passion for leading complex, cutting edge, multi-partner initiatives to enable strategic and tactical success while managing multiple priorities and teams. Previous roles include leading the development and implementation of health innovation initiatives at the Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub, delivering labour market analyses and successful grant applications at Digital Nova Scotia, teaching and assisting public policy research at Dalhousie University, and serving briefly with the Canadian Army as a communications operator from 2014 to 2018. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and will be graduating with a Master of Arts in Political Science in Spring 2025, both from Dalhousie University.
Dalhousie School of public admin Rep - Jenny Baechler
To be updated!
Dalhousie school of Public Admin Student Rep -
Jonathan Bertram
Jonathan is serving as a liaison between IPAC Nova Scotia and Dalhousie's Public Administration Student Society (PASS). He is looking forward to being a proud public servant and is excited to work with IPAC as he completes his studies at Dalhousie. His inclusion with IPAC affords PASS members greater awareness of educational opportunities and encourages students to become involved in the broader public service community.
Federal Member at Large - Robert Armstrong
Robert is the Regional Manager, HR Programs, for Public Services and Procurement Canada. He is an experienced manager and public service leader with a demonstrated history of working with client organizations and individuals. Skilled in training delivery, policy analysis, organizational development, adult education and performance management, Robert inspires colleagues to strive for better outcomes on behalf of those they serve. At ease with any level of the hierarchy in either official language, Robert’s advice is sought by colleagues inside his organization and beyond.
Provincial MemBEr at Large -
Rany Ibrahim
Rany brings experience working with several private and public sector organizations. Rany worked Full-Time for the Nova Scotia Provincial Government Immigration and Labour and is now with the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables as the Director of Economic Development and Trade Division. He is also a Part-Time Faculty of Management at Dalhousie University teaching Strategy, Management, Marketing, and International Business at the BCOM, BMGMT, MBA, MPA, and MEC Programs. He is also a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD). Rany is actively involved in public service and governance, holding positions such as a Ministerial appointee on the Board of Governance of CBU. Also, he was a member of the Nova Scotia Minister of Immigration Advisory Council, a Trustee on the Halifax Regional Library Board among several other public leadership appointments. Rany’s contributions have been recognized nationally, with honors such as the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference membership, Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award, and numerous accolades for community involvement and leadership, including the Nova Scotia House of Assembly recognition, Volunteer of the Year Award from both Halifax Regional Municipality, and the Province of Nova Scotia, and was among Atlantic Canada’s 50 Most Inspiring Entrepreneurial Leaders Under 40.
Municipal MemBEr at Large - britt wilson
Britt has over 25 years of experience in Human Resources at both the Federal level with the Canada Revenue Agency and at the Municipal level at the City of Calgary and HRM. Britt has been with HRM since 2009 when he started as the Manager Total Rewards and was promoted to Executive Director Human Resources in 2023. Britt’s primary areas of expertise include Pension and Benefits design and administration, Compensation design and administration including Executive Compensation, Job Design and Analysis and Market Analysis, and Organizational Design. Britt has also previously lead teams involved in Talent Acquisition and Health and Safety. Britt was born and raised in Ottawa where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Law at Carleton University. Britt currently holds a Chartered Human Resources Professional designation and has been a Certified Compensation Professional.
Health Sector Member at Large -
Stacy Burgess
Stacy Burgess is the current Executive Director for Clinical Care, Delivery and Capital at the Department of Health and Wellness. Prior to this role Stacy had spent her entire 25-year career a the IWK Health Center in various frontline nursing positions, moving to system leadership positions starting in 2011. Her most recent position prior to taking a secondment to the Department of Health and Wellness was Interim Vice President of Clinical Care. Stacy holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master's in Health Administration and is a Certified Health Executive. She has a passion for leading complex healthcare issues and is strong advocate for effective collaboration, system integration and system accountability.
Committees
Governance Committee
Assist with identifying any changes required to the IPAC NS governing documents, policies, and procedures, as well as proposing amendments to be brought forward for approval.
Chair: Emma Miller & Sean Elliott
Members:
Membership committee
Support IPAC’s growth through strategic recruitment and retention initiatives for membership.
Chair: Noel Guscott
Members:
Programming Committee
Help design and deliver events that highlight current trends and strengthen the public administration community.
Co-Chairs: Muriel Cookey & Chioma Okoro
Members:
Socials Committee
Support the development and delivery of networking and social events that bring people working within the public sector and government together.
Chair: Sean Williams
Members:
Past Chairs, IPAC Nova Scotia Regional Group
Cynthia Ryan
Matt Campbell
Darryl Eisan
Stephen MacKenzie
Bill Greenlaw
Norma Macisaac
Tracey Williams
Jeannine Lagasse
Jane Fraser