Circle of Associates

Joanne Linzey

Joanne Linzy Joanne is currently managing a national project for the Human Resources Council for the Voluntary and non-profit sector. This project is focused on raising awareness and developing strategies on labour force issues that are affecting the sector in partnership with sector leaders and provincial governments. Joanne also provides consulting services to non profit organizations on a range of issues including work with the Odebrecht Foundation in Brasil.

Prior to this work Joanne Linzey was the Vice-President of Community Impact for United Way of Canada/Centraide Canada, reflecting the organization's commitment to creating lasting, measurable change in community conditions.

A key part of her portfolio in 2005-2007, Joanne was executive lead for Action for Neighbourhood Change (ANC). ANC was a collaboration of five national non-governmental organizations working in five so- called distressed Canadian neighbourhoods. This action research project, funded by the federal government, was citizen centred and designed to help improve the quality of life in these neighbourhoods. ANC created an enormous body of knowledge of promising practices on both citizen engagement and neighbourhood renewal.

Prior to assuming a national role, Joanne was Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Halifax Region (UWHR) for 11 years where she fostered an asset-based approach to the organization's community work and led the organization through transformational change. With more than 30 years of diverse experience working with the volunteer sector, Joanne was the founding director of ABC Canada Literacy Foundation.

From 2000-2005 she worked as a consultant on CIDA-funded community development projects in southern Brazil, supporting the development of effective asset-based community collaborations. She has also worked for the federal civil service; serving for ten years in the former Secretary of State department in Whitehorse, Yukon, Ottawa, Ontario and Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Her current volunteer activities include Chair, Peter Gzowski Foundation for Literacy, mentoring non profit executives and serving on the steering committee of The Coady Institute and the ABCD Institute of Northwestern University, Chicago, developing a forum on "Deepening the Practice of Asset-based and Citizen-led Development".

Joanne, a dedicated gardener and reader, lives with her husband in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia.

To view Joanne's Resume, please click here

Darcy Santor

Darcy Santor is a Full Professor at the School of Psychology at the University of Ottawa and a Senior Research Scientist at the Provincial Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health at CHEO in Ottawa Canada. His research interests are in the areas of adolescent mental health, mood disorders across the life span, as well as interpersonal conflict and depressive vulnerability factors. Other interests include the application of item response models and growth curves to the analysis of symptom inventories. Darcy has pioneered the use of internet-based applications to facilitate help seeking and the early detection of illness. He is co-director of YooMagazine, an interactive internet-based health magazine for young people, parents and teachers.

To view Darcy's Resume, please click here

John Colton

John Colton is an Associate Professor at Acadia University’s School of Recreation Management, Director of the Centre for Rural Sustainability, and is an Associate for The Natural Step - a sustainable development training organization. With degrees from the University of Washington (BA Geography) and University of Alberta (Ma Geography; PhD Recreation and Sustainable Tourism) and professional experience managing and operating wilderness expeditions throughout northern Canada and Alaska, he works to lend both theory and practice through applied community development projects. John’s research interests are in Aboriginal Tourism Development, Nature-Based Tourism, Environmental Issues and Sustainable Community Development. John has worked with the following communities: Little Red River Cree First Nation in northern Alberta (1996-1999), Lennox Island First Nation in Prince Edward Island (2001-2005), Taku River Tlingit First Nation in northern British Columbia, and the Wildcat First Nation, a Mi’kmaq community in southwest Nova Scotia. He is the east coast sustainable tourism development evaluator for National Geographic's ‘World Legacy Program. Recent publications include two book chapters: one addressing the links between aboriginal ecotourism development and community development (CABI) and aboriginal tourism in the context of aboriginal sustainable forestry management (Captus Press).

John has been an ecotourism guide for 20 years in western and northern Canada, leading 14-21 day river and sea-kayak expeditions for ecotourists and National Geographic film teams. He has extensive experience in training ecotourism guides and served on ecotourism curriculum development committees for several ecotourism and aboriginal ecotourism programs in Alberta and Ontario.

John’s recent projects include a business and strategic plan for the Nova Scotia Festivals and Events Council, marketing and product development plan for the Hector Exhibit Centre in Pictou, Nova Scotia; and an economic impact study on the restoration of wharves in Harbourville, Nova Scotia funded by ACOA. John also directed the development of the addendum to the 10-year aboriginal ecotourism strategy for Lennox Island, PEI.

To view John's Resume, please click here

Nicole Priddle

Nicole has a Masters’ Degree in Public Administration from Dalhousie University, and a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Sociology from Saint Mary’s University. As a recipient of the Faculty of Graduate Studies Achievement Scholarship and Tom Merklinger Award, she has educational and practical background in policy and planning, public sector management, particularly evaluation and organizational behavior and culture.

Her 10 years experience in the federal government has enabled her to work with communities and stakeholders on in a range of subject areas including strategic planning, event planning, facilitation, program evaluation, policy analysis, integrated planning, risk management, needs/options analysis, and project management. Nicole is an experienced facilitator, presenter and adult educator and has worked with a variety of groups from external community organizations, government and not for profits.

Nicole has worked in government organizations such as internal common services, real property planning, fisheries and health and social areas including health promotion/population health, sexual and reproductive health and promoting mental health. She has a special interest in social, legal and health programs targeting women, children and marginalized groups.

Her passion for human rights and public policy began with her love of children and her deep respect for the many women and children internationally and locally, who are marginalized. Nicole has become an advocate of participatory research, policy development, evaluation and citizen engagement.

Nicole lives in Enfield, Hants County with her family. She enjoys outdoor recreation, theatre, music, baking and gardening.

To view Nicole's Resume, please click here

Clare LeBlanc Northcott

Clare LeBlanc Northcott For the past 6 years, Clare was National Director of Organizational Transformation for United Way of Canada – Centraide Canada (National Office). In her role, she was the primary support to local United Ways in the implementation of the Standards of Excellence and the development of learning opportunities for the local leadership. Prior to her work at the National office she was an Executive Director for a Local United Way in the Province of New Brunswick.

Clare has spent 22 years in the non profit sector in leadership positions with extensive knowledge in governance structures, human resources, resource development and financial accountability. Her past work in the not for profit field have enabled her to strengthen her skills in turnaround and restructuring strategies in organizations that have been struggling through various capacity, amalgamation or crisis issues. She has worked in senior leadership position in the YMCA movement, Municipal Recreation departments and the University of New Brunswick.

Clare has a Bachelor of Recreation Management Degree from Acadia University so it’s no surprise to see her hobbies and interests revolve around outdoor sports and health and fitness.

She lives in Quispamsis, New Brunswick with her family where she has recently April 2011 opened her own consulting business.

To view Clare's Resume, please click here

Bob Kanygin

Bob Kanygin came to Nova Scotia in 1979 after spending 6 years in the NWT and Yukon. He retired in June 2008 after working in administration for 23 years for Capital Health and its predecessors (VG, QEII). He earned a graduate degree in Health Services Administration from Dalhousie and an undergraduate degree in Recreation from Acadia.

He is married to Joyce Halpern and they have a 22-year-old daughter, Erin who is currently living in Toronto. Bob loves to make music: he plays tuba with the Halifax Concert Band, bass guitar with Chebucto Big Band and has played bass guitar in several rock bands. He also plays guitar and banjo.

He has been a blood donor for many years and has given more than 100 donations. He has been a volunteer with many organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Help Line, Planned Parenthood, United Way, Capital Health Volunteers, Atlantic Jazz Festival, Atlantic Film Festival and NS Tattoo. He has a small business to develop MS Access databases called Bonnyfate Databases (www.bonnyfate.ca). He is also a part-time instructor with Mad Science.

To view Bob's Resume, please click here




	Circle of Associates Joanne Linzey Joanne is currently managing a national project for the Human Resources Council for the Voluntary and non-profit sector. This project is focused on raising awareness and developing strategies on labour force issues that are affecting the sector in partnership with sector leaders and provincial governments. Joanne also provides consulting services to non profit organizations on a range of issues including work with the Odebrecht Foundation in Brasil. Prior to this work Joanne Linzey was the Vice-President of Community Impact for United Way of Canada/Centraide Canada, reflecting the organization's commitment to creating lasting, measurable change in community conditions. A key part of her portfolio in 2005-2007, Joanne was executive lead for Action for Neighbourhood Change (ANC). ANC was a collaboration of five national non-governmental organizations working in five so- called distressed Canadian neighbourhoods. This action research project, funded by the federal government, was citizen centred and designed to help improve the quality of life in these neighbourhoods. ANC created an enormous body of knowledge of promising practices on both citizen engagement and neighbourhood renewal. Prior to assuming a national role, Joanne was Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Halifax Region (UWHR) for 11 years where she fostered an asset-based approach to the organization's community work and led the organization through transformational change. With more than 30 years of diverse experience working with the volunteer sector, Joanne was the founding director of ABC Canada Literacy Foundation. From 2000-2005 she worked as a consultant on CIDA-funded community development projects in southern Brazil, supporting the development of effective asset-based community collaborations. She has also worked for the federal civil service; serving for ten years in the former Secretary of State department in Whitehorse, Yukon, Ottawa, Ontario and Halifax, Nova Scotia. Her current volunteer activities include Chair, Peter Gzowski Foundation for Literacy, mentoring non profit executives and serving on the steering committee of The Coady Institute and the ABCD Institute of Northwestern University, Chicago, developing a forum on "Deepening the Practice of Asset-based and Citizen-led Development". Joanne, a dedicated gardener and reader, lives with her husband in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia. To view Joanne's Resume, please click here Darcy Santor Darcy Santor is a Full Professor at the School of Psychology at the University of Ottawa and a Senior Research Scientist at the Provincial Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health at CHEO in Ottawa Canada. His research interests are in the areas of adolescent mental health, mood disorders across the life span, as well as interpersonal conflict and depressive vulnerability factors. Other interests include the application of item response models and growth curves to the analysis of symptom inventories. Darcy has pioneered the use of internet-based applications to facilitate help seeking and the early detection of illness. He is co-director of YooMagazine, an interactive internet-based health magazine for young people, parents and teachers. To view Darcy's Resume, please click here John Colton John Colton is an Associate Professor at Acadia University’s School of Recreation Management, Director of the Centre for Rural Sustainability, and is an Associate for The Natural Step - a sustainable development training organization. With degrees from the University of Washington (BA Geography) and University of Alberta (Ma Geography; PhD Recreation and Sustainable Tourism) and professional experience managing and operating wilderness expeditions throughout northern Canada and Alaska, he works to lend both theory and practice through applied community development projects. John’s research interests are in Aboriginal Tourism Development, Nature-Based Tourism, Environmental Issues and Sustainable Community Development. John has worked with the following communities: Little Red River Cree First Nation in northern Alberta (1996-1999), Lennox Island First Nation in Prince Edward Island (2001-2005), Taku River Tlingit First Nation in northern British Columbia, and the Wildcat First Nation, a Mi’kmaq community in southwest Nova Scotia. He is the east coast sustainable tourism development evaluator for National Geographic's ‘World Legacy Program. Recent publications include two book chapters: one addressing the links between aboriginal ecotourism development and community development (CABI) and aboriginal tourism in the context of aboriginal sustainable forestry management (Captus Press). John has been an ecotourism guide for 20 years in western and northern Canada, leading 14-21 day river and sea-kayak expeditions for ecotourists and National Geographic film teams. He has extensive experience in training ecotourism guides and served on ecotourism curriculum development committees for several ecotourism and aboriginal ecotourism programs in Alberta and Ontario. John’s recent projects include a business and strategic plan for the Nova Scotia Festivals and Events Council, marketing and product development plan for the Hector Exhibit Centre in Pictou, Nova Scotia; and an economic impact study on the restoration of wharves in Harbourville, Nova Scotia funded by ACOA. John also directed the development of the addendum to the 10-year aboriginal ecotourism strategy for Lennox Island, PEI. To view John's Resume, please click here Nicole Priddle Nicole has a Masters’ Degree in Public Administration from Dalhousie University, and a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Sociology from Saint Mary’s University. As a recipient of the Faculty of Graduate Studies Achievement Scholarship and Tom Merklinger Award, she has educational and practical background in policy and planning, public sector management, particularly evaluation and organizational behavior and culture. Her 10 years experience in the federal government has enabled her to work with communities and stakeholders on in a range of subject areas including strategic planning, event planning, facilitation, program evaluation, policy analysis, integrated planning, risk management, needs/options analysis, and project management. Nicole is an experienced facilitator, presenter and adult educator and has worked with a variety of groups from external community organizations, government and not for profits. Nicole has worked in government organizations such as internal common services, real property planning, fisheries and health and social areas including health promotion/population health, sexual and reproductive health and promoting mental health. She has a special interest in social, legal and health programs targeting women, children and marginalized groups. Her passion for human rights and public policy began with her love of children and her deep respect for the many women and children internationally and locally, who are marginalized. Nicole has become an advocate of participatory research, policy development, evaluation and citizen engagement. Nicole lives in Enfield, Hants County with her family. She enjoys outdoor recreation, theatre, music, baking and gardening. To view Nicole's Resume, please click here Clare LeBlanc Northcott For the past 6 years, Clare was National Director of Organizational Transformation for United Way of Canada – Centraide Canada (National Office). In her role, she was the primary support to local United Ways in the implementation of the Standards of Excellence and the development of learning opportunities for the local leadership. Prior to her work at the National office she was an Executive Director for a Local United Way in the Province of New Brunswick. Clare has spent 22 years in the non profit sector in leadership positions with extensive knowledge in governance structures, human resources, resource development and financial accountability. Her past work in the not for profit field have enabled her to strengthen her skills in turnaround and restructuring strategies in organizations that have been struggling through various capacity, amalgamation or crisis issues. She has worked in senior leadership position in the YMCA movement, Municipal Recreation departments and the University of New Brunswick. Clare has a Bachelor of Recreation Management Degree from Acadia University so it’s no surprise to see her hobbies and interests revolve around outdoor sports and health and fitness. She lives in Quispamsis, New Brunswick with her family where she has recently April 2011 opened her own consulting business. To view Clare's Resume, please click here Bob Kanygin Bob Kanygin came to Nova Scotia in 1979 after spending 6 years in the NWT and Yukon. He retired in June 2008 after working in administration for 23 years for Capital Health and its predecessors (VG, QEII). He earned a graduate degree in Health Services Administration from Dalhousie and an undergraduate degree in Recreation from Acadia. He is married to Joyce Halpern and they have a 22-year-old daughter, Erin who is currently living in Toronto. Bob loves to make music: he plays tuba with the Halifax Concert Band, bass guitar with Chebucto Big Band and has played bass guitar in several rock bands. He also plays guitar and banjo. He has been a blood donor for many years and has given more than 100 donations. He has been a volunteer with many organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Help Line, Planned Parenthood, United Way, Capital Health Volunteers, Atlantic Jazz Festival, Atlantic Film Festival and NS Tattoo. He has a small business to develop MS Access databases called Bonnyfate Databases (www.bonnyfate.ca). He is also a part-time instructor with Mad Science. To view Bob's Resume, please click here	News Resources & Activities Contact Us Staff Login