Board Mission

We strive to create an open and nonjudgmental environment where board members feel welcome to be themselves and express themselves. We understand that board members have diverse lived experience and are on their own journey of personal discovery. We will support, learn from, and not hinder, their journey. 

We strive for diversity, equity, and inclusion to be reflected in our board, our policies, and all our operations. We will educate ourselves, learn from each other, and support each other during this continuing journey. 

Board Members

  • KJ Conyers-Steede, Board Chair, smiling with glasses and a goatee, wearing a beige turtleneck and gold jewelry, standing outdoors in a snowy landscape with trees.

    KJ Conyers-Steede

    Board Chair (Windsor, West Hants)

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  • Dana Decent, Director, with short brown hair, smiling, wearing a red shirt and red earrings, standing against a plain light yellow background.

    Dana Decent

    Director (Peggy’s Cove, HRM)

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  • Bailey Dunyo, Director, with long red hair smiling outdoors surrounded by purple flowers.

    Bailey Dunyo

    Secretary (Dartmouth, HRM)

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  • Elphas Gweru, Treasurer, a Black man with a beard, wearing a black blazer and a blue patterned dress shirt, outside with trees and houses in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

    Elphas Gweru

    Treasurer (Bedford, HRM)

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  • Susan Hirshberg, Director, with gray hair wearing a purple knit beanie and black jacket lying on mossy ground with brown and green moss, looking at the camera.

    Susan Hirshberg

    Director (Halifax, HRM)

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  • Tahirih Paul, Mi'qmaq woman, with blonde highlights wearing a blue top smiling at the camera.

    Tahirih Paul

    Director (Chapel Island, Richmond)

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  • Gem Roberts, Director, with dark curly hair, wearing an orange dress, smiling, standing against a black background.

    Gem Roberts

    Director (Blockhouse, Lunenburg)

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  • Rejoice Shumba, Director, with dark braided hair wearing a red blazer smiling at the camera.

    Dr. Rejoice Shumba Mtisi

    Director (Sydney, CBRM)

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Directors are also responsible for:

  • Participating fully at Board meetings and reviewing information necessary to make decisions.

  • Acting in the best interests of the Rural Communities Foundation of Nova Scotia.

  • Declaring conflicts of interest and refraining from voting on such issues.

  • Sharing with other directors in being accountable to the Foundation's stakeholders including donors and the community at large.

  • Identifying and soliciting potential donors.

  • Acting in accordance with the philosophies and values of the Foundation.

  • Support the Foundation's mission through donations to the Foundation as appropriate to personal circumstances

  • Being an advocate for the Foundation with contacts and professional colleagues.

  • Ensuring effective financial and audit controls are in place to protect invested funds and safeguard donor information.

Staff

  • Close-up of Penny Day, Administration, with long, wavy, grayish-brown hair, smiling and showing her teeth.

    Penny Day

    Administrator (Upper Tantallon, HRM)

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  • Erika Rolston

    Erika Rolston

    Executive Director (Bear River, Digby)

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