Premier's Council for Recovery and Growth

The Council for Recovery and Growth includes Islanders from various backgrounds and organizations who will work with Islanders and organizations of Prince Edward Island to create a plan to harness growth and build opportunity.

Meet the Council Members

Jason Aspin

Aspin Kemp and Associates (AKA)

Jason Aspin co-founded AKA in 1996. Since graduating in marine engineering from the Canadian Coast Guard College in 1987 he has specialized in power engineering and systems integration and built over 30 years of progressive experience in systems engineering in the industrial, marine, and offshore environments. As an innovator, he dedicates his time to designing solutions which are both socially and environmentally responsible with a focus on improving reliability for mission critical systems. He often collaborates with other global innovators to develop new technologies, of which several have been patented and have made a significant contribution in reducing the environmental footprint, increasing reliability and reducing operating costs for critical land-based and marine power generation and propulsion systems worldwide. In 2007 the company had to decide where to establish the next stage of development; the capacity to manufacture their innovative designs. With many global options available, Jason decided that he wanted to bring this home to PEI. He moved back in December with his wife Chunying Li and they established what is now AKA’s base for all global operations.

Steve Bellamy

Confederation Centre of the Arts

Steve Bellamy is CEO, Confederation Centre of the Arts. With more than 25 years in the arts and heritage sector, Steve has worked across Canada as an arts administrator, entrepreneur, educator, and music producer.  Since 1998 he ran a successful music production business out of Montreal and Toronto and was founding president of Addo Records jazz label. He has engineered and produced more than 200 commercial recordings with leading jazz and classical artists across North America, and his recordings have received several JUNO awards and nominations. Steve has been a faculty member or invited lecturer at McGill University, Humber College,  Banff Centre for the Arts and the University of Hartford, and was dean of the Humber School of Creative & Performing Arts in Toronto before returning to Charlottetown in 2018. He is a proud graduate of UPEI (music), McGill University (sound recording), and the Queen’s School of Business (advanced executive management). As CEO at Confederation Centre of the Arts, Steve works with hundreds of dedicated staff and volunteers to deliver on its mission. He is especially committed to effective governance, positive work environments, strategic planning, sustainable business models for creative industries, partnership development, and world-class programming.

Dawn Binns

Insight Brand & Marketing Studio

Dawn Binns is the co-owner of Insight Brand and Marketing Studio. Insight Studio is a full-service branding and marketing agency with nine full-time experts in a variety of areas including video production, graphic design, social media marketing, online digital marketing and web development. As a company, Insight Studio works with businesses large and small, municipalities and non-profit organizations, providing a vast experience and understanding of the Island economy and communities.  

Julia Campbell

North Shore Group

Julia Campbell is the co-owner of North Shore group, a family business comprised of wholesale lines and retail stores. They own and operate the Anne of Green Gables Museum, the Anne of Green Gables Stores, and design and produce a giftware and souvenir line. Julia also operates JEMS Boutique, clothing and accessory store and designs and produces Go2 Clothing, which is sold in the boutique and to several stores across Canada.  Julia is the mother of a four-year-old and a two-year-old, and lives with her partner Brendon in Charlottetown, PEI. She believes in having a confident style and owning and loving the body you have today. Go2 Clothing represents as many women as possible, empowering them to do what they do best, and in style. They support many local causes through their business, including CMHA-PEI division; Sharing the Microphone; IMHM; Blooming House; and Anderson House. Julia believes that providing amazing customer service experiences can help further Prince Edward Island into tourism preeminence.

Mike F. Cassidy

T3 Transit

After graduation in 1975 from St. Mary’s University, Mike Cassidy worked in a corporate marketing department of a national oil company, received his chartered accountancy designation with a PEI accounting firm, co-owned and operated a mid-size international trucking company, operated a diversified training and consulting practice through his companies Cassidy Associates and Focus Marketing Inc., and completed Charlottetown’s largest private heritage development project with the restoration of the Inns on Great George in historic Charlottetown.

His ownership in a regional motor coach group of companies led him to develop a municipal transit system on PEI and a passenger and same-day parcel delivery service in the Maritimes. His business ownership interests over the past 33 years have crossed many sectors including long haul trucking, waste management, retail automotive, tourism and hospitality, real estate development, business consulting, sales and marketing, bus transportation, environmental research and development, climate-controlled greenhouse production and sustainable farming initiatives. Today, his group of companies has close to 450 employees.

For 25 years, Mike was a member of the UPEI Business Faculty teaching accounting and entrepreneurship. In 2013, he was elected to the Fellowship in the Institute of Chartered Accountants of PEI, receiving this honour for outstanding contributions as an educator, mentor and role model. He has been recognized as one of Atlantic Canada’s Leading Entrepreneurs during the 2017 EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, inducted into the PEI Junior Achievement Hall of Fame in 2018, received the 2019 Transport Action Atlantic’s Public Transportation Award and the 2019 Downtown Charlottetown President’s Award and acknowledged in 2020 as a leader in Grant Thornton’s Faces of a Vibrant Community program.

Mike and his wife Mary Jane live in Charlottetown and have four adult children, Matthew (Cheryl), Stephen, Christine and Ryan, and two grandchildren, Keefe and Molly.

Mitch Cobb

Upstreet Brewing

Mitch Cobb is the co-founder and CEO of Upstreet, a brewery and beverage company working to create a positive impact in their community. Upstreet is the first company on PEI to become B Corporation certified, a designation demonstrating positive social and environmental standards. Mitch has twice been named one of Atlantic Canada’s Top 50 CEO’s by Atlantic Business Magazine. He is a member of the Order of the Wallace McCain Institute, and sits on a number of national, provincial and community boards including the Canadian Craft Brewers Association, the Food Island Partnership and Forage Food Symposium. Prior to starting Upstreet, Mitch taught in the Business Administration Program at Holland College. He has a bachelor of arts in anthropology and international development from the University of New Brunswick, a graduate diploma in education from Murdoch University in Perth, Australia and a master of business administration (MBA) from UPEI.

Mark Coffin

Tronosjet Maintenance Inc.

Born in the Maritimes and a graduate of Acadia University, Mark Coffin has spent the last 25 years working in various fields within aerospace. Prior to joining Tronosjet Maintenance as CEO in 2008, Mark spent 12 years flying commercially and working in aircraft maintenance. While at Tronos, Mark has overseen the aircraft leasing operations, fire fighting airtanker modifications, and heavy maintenance operation. In 2016 Tronos opened one of the most advanced manufacturing operations in eastern Canada that specializes in CNC machining and research and development in metallic additive manufacturing (3D printing). With Tronos having had aircraft leased and operating on six continents the operation has had to interact with multiple cultures and jurisdictions.  Mark is also currently a board member of the Atlantic Canada Aerospace and Defence Association (ACADA) and has previously held positions on other boards, including with the Tourism Industry Association of PEI (TIAPEI). Mark’s family roots date back to homesteads in both Murray River and Cherry Hill.

Stefanie Corbett

Island Capital Partners

Stefanie Corbett is the associate and director of operations with Island Capital Partners, a seed-stage venture fund, based in Charlottetown. Island Capital Partners was founded in 2017 and had been a critical part of boosting the local early-stage innovation community. They invest and mentor innovative founders who have developed a solution or product and require capital and extended networks in order to achieve substantial growth. Prior to joining Island Capital, Stefanie worked in the Canadian financial sector with entrepreneurs and professionals to grow their companies and managed high growth sales teams. She is also a graduate from UPEI. Stefanie serves as a director on multiple boards, including the Charlottetown Airport Authority, the Startup Zone and Synapse.

Isabelle Dasylva-Gill

Société Saint-Thomas-d’Aquin

Isabelle Dasylva-Gill is originally from the Parisian region, in France. She moved to Canada a little over 15 years ago and has been living in Prince Edward Island for over 12 years. She is now the executive director of the SSTA, the official organization that speaks on behalf of Prince Edward Island’s Acadian and Francophone community. From 2009 to 2018, Isabelle served the provincial government in various capacities, including as a policy and planning analyst and as a population growth officer. Previously, she worked for the Association for Newcomers to Canada, where she helped new Islanders settle in their community. Her leadership, volunteer work and contributions have been recognized by several awards, including the Diversity Champion Award. Isabelle has been actively engaged in her community for a number of years, including as a board member for several organizations in the areas of community development, multiculturalism, access to justice, the Francophonie and the status of women and children. She also sits on the board of governors of the University of Moncton. Isabelle has a Master’s degree in Political Science (Research and Marketing Strategy) from Paris as well as a certificate in Collaborative Leadership: Facilitating the Process from UPEI. She is fluent in French, English, Spanish and Senegalese, and has a basic knowledge of Portuguese. Isabelle lives in Prince Edward Island with her husband and their three children.

Esther Dockendorff

PEI Mussel King

Esther Dockendorff is president and CEO of PEI Mussel King Inc. With over 35 years experience in the seafood industry, she has extensive knowledge in the growing, processing, and sales of cultivated mussels to markets around the world. Esther was a member of the board of directors of the Fisheries Council of Canada from 2004-2011. She was president of the Seafood Processors’ Association of Prince Edward Island from 2004-2008. In 2017, Esther was appointed as PEI’s delegate to the Atlantic Growth Strategy Group. She is a strong advocate for and a staunch supporter of the seafood industry in the Maritime region. 

Adam Fenech

UPEI Climate Research Lab

Dr. Adam Fenech has worked extensively in the area of climate change since the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change First Assessment Report in 1988. He has represented Canada at international climate negotiating sessions; written climate policy speeches for Canadian Environment Ministers; and authored Canadian reports on climate change to the United Nations. Dr. Fenech has taught at the University of Toronto as well as the Smithsonian Institution for over 20 years, and lectures regularly at universities across Canada and around the world. Dr. Fenech shared in the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for his work with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. He is presently the associate dean (interim) of the School of Climate Change and Adaptation at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI). He is also the director of UPEI's Climate Research Lab that conducts research on the vulnerability, impacts and adaptation to climate change, where his virtual reality depiction of sea level rise has won international awards including one from MIT for communicating coastal science. He maintains the largest fleet of drones at a Canadian university including the largest drone in the country with a four metre wingspan.

Chad Heron

Cows Inc.

Chad Heron was born and raised on Prince Edward Island. He attended Charlottetown Rural and UPEI pursuing his Chartered Accountant designation. While studying towards this designation, he worked with Grant Thornton in Charlottetown and had the opportunity to learn about many exciting local businesses and the people behind them.  Business, and in particular startups, has always been an interest of Chad’s, which led him to leave PEI and work with a class at Techstars in Boston, Massachusetts. Chad returned home to a position with the provincial government, before transitioning to his current employer COWS, where he is now the CEO. Chad lives in Mermaid, PEI, with his wife Laura Heron, daughter Julia and two cats. His interests outside of work and family include technology, science, astronomy, sports, video games, and many more.  Chad and his family also enjoy traveling whenever they have the opportunity and learning about different parts of the world. He is passionate about PEI and making it the best place to live and raise a family.  He is looking to give back to the community and making the province as welcoming and supportive as it can be to all.

Amy Hsiao

University of Prince Edward Island

Dr. Amy Hsiao is an engineering professor in the Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering (FSDE) at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI).  Her research focuses on the processing and characterization of novel materials for sustainable energy, advanced manufacturing, and biomedical applications.  She is passionate about applied research, having worked with both innovative SMEs and multinational R&D companies in her career.  Dr. Hsiao also conducts research in engineering entrepreneurship, engineering management, and strategy and organizational behaviour of technology-based ventures.  She has guided many engineering students in their Canadian start-ups through the years.  Amy is a leader in promoting diversity, inclusion, and gender parity in the engineering workplace.  She created Promoting Girls in Research in Engineering and Sustainability (ProGRES) at the FSDE in 2017 that engages girls in Grades 11 and 12 in engineering research through an authentic mentorship experience.  Dr. Hsiao received her bachelor of science in materials science and engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, her master of science and doctor of philosophy in materials science and engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, and her master of business administration from Memorial University of Newfoundland.  She is a Fellow of Engineers Canada and a licensed professional engineer. 

Karen Jackson

PEI Union of Public Sector Employees

Karen Jackson is currently president of the Prince Edward Island Union of Public Sector Employees, and has held numerous positions during her 32 year involvement with the union. She is a strong advocate on labor issues but also on social issues affecting all Islanders. She has lobbied for paid domestic violence leave, a fifteen dollar minimum wage, prevention of workplace violence and the value of public services.  She sits on the board of directors for the National Union of Public and General Employees and the PEI Federation of Labour. In her other professional life Karen worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse in long term care and acute care settings for over 30 years. She sits on the Provincial Violence Prevention and Reduction Steering Committee. She is a community minded person and has held leadership positions in many community organizations. She is currently the co-president, with her husband Gordon, of the PEI Plowing Match and Agricultural Fair and sits on the board of the PEI Association of Exhibitions. Karen is proud of her community and has strong rural values. Together, they live in Strathcona and have two grown children and four grandchildren. 

Amber Jadis

Bricks 4 Kids

Amber Jadis lives in Abegweit First Nation with her two young children and husband Jacob Jadis. Raised by parents who were teachers, education was always a priority for Amber and her brother. Her formal education started at Mount Stewart Consolidated and took her to UPEI and Dalhousie where she completed an electrical engineering degree in 2004 and an executive master of business administration (MBA) in 2011.  In 2013, after ten years working for an electrical engineering consulting firm, with one little one at home and another one on the way, Amber decided to put her recently acquired MBA to use and started coSolved Consulting.  Through coSolved Consulting, Amber works in close collaboration with clients to develop solutions specifically in the three areas she is passionate about – engineering, education and Indigenous economic development. In 2014, she started a Bricks 4 Kidz© franchise on PEI and in 2018 she founded the STEAM PEI non-profit organization. Through fun, hands-on workshops, classes, camps and parties, Amber and her staff inspire youth in science, technology, engineering, art, and math.

Ray Keenan

Rollo Bay Holdings

Ray Keenan, along with  his brother Alvin, own and operate Rollo Bay Holdings LTD, a large potato growing and packaging operation located in Souris. The company has enjoyed loyal support from major chain and food service customers in both Canada and the United States for many years. The operation is market driven and consumer responsive as it engages in the present and embraces the future needs of the consumer. The company is one of the largest employers in the Souris area securing work for more than 40 people on a year-round basis. Ray was also one of the founders of Agra West Foods. Apart from his commitment to the business, Ray has served in his community on several boards including as a director of the Souris Hospital Board, chairman of the Business Hall of Fame, director of the PEI Potato Board and recent vice chair of the UPEI Global Learning for the Inspire campaign. He is the present chairman of the United Potato Growers of Canada. Ray and his wife Betsy live on Souris River and have two grown children, Shannon and Ryan, and four grandchildren. Both Ryan and Shannon are active managers in the company.

Cynthia MacLeod

Musical artist

For more than twenty years, fiddler Cynthia MacLeod has been a part of the Island's entertainment community. Her experience includes operating the Brackley Beach Ceilidhs (2004-2013), performing in Tara MacLean's "Atlantic Blue" (2016-current), working in arts administration with both Music PEI and the Festival of Small Halls, and showcasing PEI music and culture during tours in Canada and the US, Tourism PEI events, and onboard Norwegian Cruise Line.

Chris Matters

Llink Consulting

Chris Matters, president and senior consultant of Llink Consulting, has over two decades of experience in food and consumer products manufacturing.  A Prince Edward Island native with farming roots, Chris earned a degree from the University of Prince Edward Island in 1994. Chris immediately joined the Irving Group, one of Canada’s largest privately held group of companies for the 17 years with responsibilities in the following divisions: food processing, transportation, tissue and diaper manufacturing.

In 2011, Chris founded Llink Corporation to take his experience and extensive network of international contacts to provide advice and solutions to manufacturing companies throughout North American and Europe. Chris’ primary focus includes support to companies within food processing, consumer products and equipment manufacturing, to eliminate waste while becoming more efficient, flexible, automated and profitable. Chris’ experience and innovative approach has proven to be valuable in developing Llink Consulting as a leader in assisting companies reinvigorate their businesses and become world leaders within their industries. Llink has advised business owners and management to think strategically about their future and adopt methods to enact concrete, meaningful change that drives innovation, new clientele, sustainability and ultimately, profits.

Darren Mitchell

Trout River Industries

Darrin Mitchell is owner of Trout River Industries. Darrin has grown a manufacturing business in rural PEI and has been involved in large scale infrastructure projects on six continents. He has been involved in marketing, sales, supply chain management and intellectual property projects in dozens of countries. He has also been the recipient of several innovation, export, growth, entrepreneurial, manufacturing and human resource development awards. He has a strong passion for business innovation, organizational alignment and resourcefulness.

Mohammed Moin

Somru Bioscience

Mohammed Moin is the co-founder and CEO of Somru BioScience Inc., an innovative biotechnology company developing solutions to accelerate biologics and biosimilar drug development. Moin is responsible for leading the company’s strategic direction, operations, and growth. He is the winner of Synapse Inspiring Young Innovator Award 2019, and Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2018 in Health & Life Science. Moin has a proven executive management track record and over 14 years of experience driving growth in the technology industry. Prior to Somru, Moin was solution architect at Accreon, a leading health care technology company. Before joining Accreon, Moin was a software architect at MAXIMUS Canada where he oversaw the design and development of various province-wide drug information system. He earned a BSc degree in computer science from UPEI.

Moyna Murphy-Matheson

Samuel’s Coffee House and SipT

Moyna Murphy-Matheson, a mother of two and an entrepreneur from Summerside is a proud Islander  who is passionate about her community , tourism, and small business. Moyna spent much of her life working in the tourism and hospitality industry. After several years of operating an educational tour company, she opened Samuel’s Coffee House in downtown Summerside in 2011 as a collective effort to create employment, revitalize the downtown and contribute to the local community. In 2015, a second location opened in Cavendish and in 2017, she added a wholesale tea company, SipT.
Since moving to Summerside in 2009, Moyna has served on the board of directors for North Cape Coastal Drive Tourism, Summerside Chamber of Commerce, Bedeque Bay Environmental Management and is now in her second term with Downtown Summerside Inc. She is a long-time member of the PEI Business Women’s Association and is active in promoting and encouraging women in business. In 2019, Moyna created  the Brewing for Better Balance Fund to encourage and support women in small business start-ups. Moyna is an advocate for collaboration, innovation and sustainable business practice.

Terry Nabuurs

Wheel House and Terry’s Berries

Terry Nabuurs, 29, is a red seal chef, farmer, teacher and entrepreneur. Born in Cardigan in a farming family, he began his career in professional kitchens at 13, and after attaining a BScK with a concentration in biology from Dalhousie University and a bachelor of education from UPEI, he moved west for work before returning home to open up Terry’s Berries, a 75-acre blueberry farm and food truck. He is an active community volunteer, and brings experience in the lobster industry, having fished for three seasons. Terry has five years of culinary teaching experience, and for the last three years has been teaching at Bluefield High School. He now also operates the Wheelhouse in Georgetown, a restaurant focusing on Island cuisine, and has served on the board of directors of the Tourism Industry Association of Prince Edward Island for the past two years.

Michele Oliver

Holland College West Prince campus

A graduate of the UPEI MBA program in evidence-based management, with over 15 years’ experience as an entrepreneur, in the hospitality industry; owning and operating a restaurant, pub, dinner theatre and craft shop. Michele has a passion for entrepreneurship and business and is involved with various boards and committees in this capacity. Currently, she is vice president of the Western Economic Development Organization. She has also been involved in the development and direction of various local dinner theatres at the Stompin’ Tom Centre and Mill River Experience. In 2012, Michele began with the Holland College, West Prince campus, as a learning manager in the business program. Her current role is program manager with oversight of programs in business, health, and trades, as well as, safety training for programs across the college. Michele is from Skinner’s Pond, PEI and proud mom to daughter, Winna.

Debbie Plouffe

Centre for Aquaculture Technologies Canada

Dr. Debbie Plouffe is co-founder and executive vice president of business development for the Center for Aquaculture Technologies (CAT). A full-service contract R&D company, CAT develops customized solutions to improve productivity, efficiency, and sustainability in the aquaculture industry. In her role with CAT, Debbie oversees sales, marketing, communications, and strategic partnerships with the company’s portfolio of clients and collaborators worldwide. An alumna of the University of Alberta, Debbie graduated with a BSc in invertebrate biology and a PhD in physiology and cell biology and has held leadership roles at the National Research Council (NRC) and AquaBounty Canada. An Islander by choice, Debbie is based out of Souris and is proud to serve on the executive of the PEI BioAlliance and as vice president of the Aquaculture Association of Canada. In her spare time, she volunteers with Girl Guides of Canada and enjoys exploring the trails and water ways of beautiful Prince Edward Island.

Sydney Seggie

Fellow Earthlings

Sydney Seggie is the co-founder and CEO of Fellow Earthlings, a PEI-based eyewear manufacturer located in Guernsey Cove. Born in PEI and raised in Asia - after attending Dalhousie, she worked in the eyewear industry, internationally before returning home to bring eyewear manufacturing back to PEI, which at one time had been a very important industry on the Island. With a focus on sustainability, Fellow Earthlings has developed a world exclusive in-house recycling program converting would-be manufacturing waste into new recycled materials. Recently nominated for the Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards (CAFA) 2020 Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent in Accessories, Fellow Earthlings eyewear is proudly and sustainably made on Prince Edward Island.

Chef Michael Smith

Restaurateur, Innkeeper, Author, Food Network Host, Sustainability Advocate, Nutritional Activist

Chef Michael Smith, one of Canada’s best-known chefs, is a passionate advocate for simple, sustainable home cooking and an inspiration for families creating their own healthy food lifestyle. He’s the host of numerous cooking shows seen on Food Network Canada and in more than 100 other countries. Chef Michael and his wife Chastity are the proprietors of The Inn at Bay Fortune on PEI. They’ve re-launched the property where Michael gained international fame in the 1990s with a new spirit of five-star hospitality and an innovative dining experience, the FireWorks. In 2019 they debuted The Inn at Fortune Bridge. Michael is a member of the Order of Canada, Prince Edward Island’s food ambassador; a best-selling cookbook author, innkeeper, educator, professional chef and home cook. His 10 cookbooks have all been best sellers and he regularly travels the globe hosting special culinary events. Michael is an avid map collector, long-time windsurfer and novice kite sailor. While he is a true chef at large his favourite role is Dad, at home on the Island with his wife Chastity and his children: Gabe, Ariella and Camille.

Treena Smith

Canadian Mental Health Association

Treena Smith is the executive director of the Canadian Mental Health Association – PEI Division. She is an Island girl and proud to be a graduate of both UPEI and Holland College. She has worked within mental health and community development for over 25 years on the Island and Central Canada. Treena developed a strong work ethic in her father’s and uncle’s landscaping business, watering and growing trees.  That passion for nurturing and growing things continues with her dedication to community development. A desire for developing, helping and supporting people are her proven strengths. Treena’s early career working in treatment programs, hospitals and hands on with troubled youth has morphed into insight of how promising things could be for struggling persons, young and old alike. She brings energy, focus and fun to her teams. Although she enjoyed her time in Toronto, the Island called her back. Being a part of the PEERS Alliance Board of Directors and providing support and education around HIV/AIDS awareness has been a volunteering highlight and has reinforced friendships within the community. Working with students and focusing on family have both been priorities for Treena over the past 16 years. She lives in rural PEI with her partner and is excited to see what comes next.

Oliver Technow

BioVectra

Oliver Technow is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BioVectra Inc., a Charlottetown based, global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) that serves pharmaceutical and biotech companies with full-service solutions for active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and intermediates. BioVectra operates several facilities in the Maritimes and employs more than 400 highly skilled individuals.
Oliver joined BioVectra in late 2015 as president and was appointed as CEO in 2019. He has more than 30 years experience in the global BioScience’s sector. Prior to joining BioVectra, he held management roles with Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals and Eisai Pharmaceuticals which included responsibilities on the global level as well as local mandates in Canada, Europe and the USA.  Born and raised in Europe, Oliver relocated to North America in 2007 and has lived and worked in both, Canada and the USA since. Oliver serves as a director of the board of the PEI BioAlliance, BIOTECanada and as a steering council member of Innovative Medicines Canada (IMC).  He is an appointed member of the Canadian Health / BioScience Economic Strategy Table (HBEST), a federal initiative that gets advice from the private sector for Canada’s future economic success.

Joanne Thompson

Thinking Big

Joeanne Thomson is chief executive officer (CEO) of Thinking Big.  She is passionate about growing and scaling Canadian small businesses. Before joining Thinking Big, she was the general manager and vice president of development for a market intelligence agency growing its business throughout the US in the legal and healthcare markets. At Royal Bank Ventures Inc, she supported the commercialization of seed investments in biotechnology, advanced material and manufacturing, agribusiness and e-technologies and is focused on tapping into the same socio-economic development opportunities with Thinking Big. Following her work at Royal Bank Ventures, Joeanne was an early member of the management team at AOL Canada where she was responsible for business development and international interactive marketing.  After that she was general manager in the interactive division for CanWest Media Works, Canada’s largest media company at the time, managing the national roll out of social network products for the organization.

Jenene Wooldridge

L’nuey

Jenene Wooldridge is executive director of L’nuey – the Epekwitk Mi’kmaq Rights Initiative. She is passionate about her community and committed to advancing the interests of the Mi’kmaq and all Islanders.  Jenene is a proud Epekwitk Mi’kmaq and a member of Abegweit First Nation. Prior to her leadership role with L’nuey, she served for over a decade in senior management with Abegweit First Nation. Jenene graduated with honours from UPEI in 2004 and has attained the Certified Aboriginal Professional Administrator designation through AFOA Canada. She has participated as a member of numerous Indigenous boards and initiatives, both regionally and nationally, and has led numerous comprehensive community planning exercises, helping First Nation communities set a strategic path to healthy, successful futures. In recent years, Jenene has represented Mi’kmaq interests at numerous negotiation tables and has coordinated consultation and engagement efforts in her own community and many others. Jenene’s goal is to make Epekwitk better for future generations and she is excited to help do that through her role with the Premier’s Council for Recovery and Growth. She resides in Rocky Point with her husband and two children.