Advisory Board

Honourable Mayor Mike Savage

On October 15, 2016, Mike Savage was elected Mayor of Halifax Regional Municipality for a second term based on a platform of sustained progress in making the Halifax region a place where residents can live, belong and thrive. Mayor Savage has demonstrated community leadership in social, health and cultural organizations, as a board member for the IWK Health Centre and Neptune Theatre, as a former President of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia, and through his involvement with Junior Achievement, The Red Cross, Canadian National Institute for the Blind and the United Way.

 

Allyson England

Allyson is the owner of Cedardog Distribution, a Halifax-based distribution company that represents Atlantic Canadian products and companies. Her focus is on helping them grow by exporting their products. Allyson has tremendous belief in the artisans and talents of Nova Scotian Entrepreneurs and showcases their work in her newest venture Nova Box. These seasonal gift boxes are carefully curated with items that not only reflect the spirit of each season, but also highlight the incredibly talented makers, artisans and business owners in Nova Scotia. Named in 2015 as one of Atlantic Canada’s Top 50 under 40, Allyson is also the Founder of 100 Seeds$ Atlantic.

 

 

 

 

Don Mills

Co-founder of Corporate Research Associates Inc., one of Canada’s foremost market research and public opinion experts, strategic public affairs consultant, active industry and community volunteer.  When he’s not being CRA’s Agent Provocateur, Don is a passionate community activist, and likes to play guitar. 

 

 

 

 

Lauren Sears

Lauren Sears is the Managing Director of Common Good Solutions, a consultancy focused on changing the way business is done. CGS works to build capacity in communities, entities across the business spectrum, and purpose-driven leaders to create greater impact. Specializing in consulting and training, CGS is also a partner of the Social Enterprise Institute, the world's online school for social enterprise. She's also co-founder of P4G, the first CIC recruitment firm aiming to attract and retain young talent in Atlantic Canada. Lauren actively supports young athletes and budding entrepreneurs through coaching, and sits on the boards of Volleyball Nova Scotia and 100 Seed$ Atlantic.  

 

Lisa Haydon

Lisa is a leadership development consultant, executive coach, mentor and founder of Pivotal Coaching. She is a leader in growth, sales and change. Lisa brings to her work a track record of results for helping teams and clients grow. Her client's success is realized through coaching, a keen eye for opportunities and ideas, a strategic lens for execution, an ability to build trusted relationships, and a growth mindset.

 

 

 

Darren Nantes

Darren serves as Acting President and CEO of the Guildfords Group of Companies. He is also Chair and CEO of Nantes Capital Inc. and the Nantes Group of Companies. Darren has owned and operated a number of industrial and commercial business operations in Atlantic Canada. He has served as a Board Director on numerous charitable, community and industry organizations including the Nova Scotia Securities Commission, the NS Design and Construction Institute, the NS Construction Labour Relations Association and the Construction Association of Nova Scotia. He currently serves on the Board of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce and the Maritime NHL'ers for Kids Society, and is past National Chair of the Children's Wish Foundation.