board of directors, Governance & Committees
Chair - SEAN ELLIOTT
Sean is a Director of Digital Health Enablement - Healthcare Infrastructure Projects with the Department of Cyber Security and Digital Solutions and in coordination with Build Nova Scotia. Sean’s leadership extends to strategic roles within IPAC’s national governance structure, where he holds positions such as Second Vice-President and Chair of the Regional Group Council. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Alberta and an undergraduate degree in Commerce from MacEwan University.
Vice 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.
Past 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.
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 - David Kerr
Culturally sensitive and internationally traveled leader who is eager to work with public and diverse populations to establish genuine rapport with prospects and clients. Dynamic, results-oriented problem solver with confident, articulate, and professional bilingual communication and proven abilities in coordinating projects, liaising between key personnel in multi-stakeholder projects, relationship building, product management, and business development.
Communications
& Marketing ChaIR - eunice abaga
Eunice (she/her) is a Policy Entrepreneur with post graduate education and over 20 years experience as planning and development officer- Policy Analyst.
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.
Dalhousie School of public admin Rep - Markus Sharaput
Professor Sharaput’s research interests include policy learning and capacity building in government organizations, innovation in government, innovative industrial policy, and regional economic and community development.
Programs Co-Chair - Chioma Azubike-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 - Divya Thomas
To be updated soon
Socials Chair -
Natalie McMullin
To be updated soon
MeMbership Chair -
Cindy O’Driscoll
Cindy O’Driscoll is the Regional Manager for Procurement Assistance Canada, part of Public Services and Procurement Canada. She leads a dynamic team committed to opening doors for small and diverse businesses in federal procurement, helping them access opportunities and navigate government processes. A seasoned public sector leader, Cindy brings expertise in green procurement and supplier diversity, along with strong governance experience as former Board Chair of Halifax Public Libraries. She holds an Executive Doctorate in Business Administration, an MBA, a Master of Science in Coastal Zone Management, and Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Archaeology.
Dalhousie school of Public Admin Student Rep - Emma King
Emma King is the Dalhousie School of Public Administration Student Representative with IPAC NS and currently serves as President of the Public Administration Student Society for the 2025–2026 academic year. She holds a Bachelor of Management from Dalhousie University and is completing her Master of Public Administration. In her role, Emma is dedicated to strengthening student engagement with IPAC NS and fostering opportunities for professional development and network building.
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 Vice President of Clinical Support and System Integration at IWK Health. Stacy had spent most of her 25-year career at IWK Health in various frontline nursing positions, moving to system leadership positions starting in 2011. However, prior to her most recent position prior Stacy spent two years in government on a secondment to the Department of Health and Wellness as Executive Director for Clinical Care, Delivery and Capital. 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 and nominating 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:
Jasmine Awino
Matt Campbell
Tanja Keselj
Mary Lynn van Tassel
Sainath Yeminedi
Membership committee
Support IPAC’s growth through strategic recruitment and retention initiatives for membership.
Chair: Noel Guscott
Members:
Sean Elliott
Robert McMichael
Programming Committee
Help design and deliver events that highlight current trends and strengthen the public administration community.
Co-Chairs: Muriel Cookey & Chioma Azubike-Okoro
Members:
Robert McMichael
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:
Tanja Keselj
Zara Palevani
Past Chairs, IPAC Nova Scotia Regional Group
Emma Miller
Cynthia Ryan
Matt Campbell
Darryl Eisan
Stephen MacKenzie
Bill Greenlaw
Norma Macisaac
Tracey Williams
Jeannine Lagasse
Jane Fraser