Board of directors
DIANA NICHOLS NELSON
Chair
Diana began her career working as an agrologist with over 21 years experience with the federal government in food inspection, policy and regulation. Diana then transitioned to The Canadian department of Foreign affairs and International Trade working in trade policy and business development with a focus science based sectors. Most deftly Diana was Based at the Canadian embassy in Bern, Switzerland where she was the Senior Trade Commissioner. Diana Currently works with the Dalhousie University's Brain Repair Centre focusing on strategic planning and operations.
JOEY ROMKEY
Treasurer
Joe Romkey is a Financial Securities Advisor with R&R Wealth Management. He is a licensed mutual fund and insurance representative. His company focuses on developing financial plans for Nova Scotia families and business owners. Joe serves on the board of directors as 'new member liaison' for Advocis Nova Scotia. Advocis, The Financial Advisors Association of Canada, is the oldest and largest voluntary professional membership association of financial advisors and planners in Canada.
In addition to the world of finance, Joe is an avid triathlete and runner. He races in Ironmans and marathons around North America. As treasurer, Joe is happy to lend his financial knowledge and expertise and is thrilled to be apart of this exciting venture.
HANA NELSON
Member
After completing a Bachelor of Science in biology and international development as well as a Master of Science in agroecology and field experiences in Sri Lanka, Hana came home to Halifax looking to make her mark in the world of humanitarian aid. Driven by her convictions that emergency sanitation could be inexpensive, durable and mobile, Hana worked with Andrew Larsen to found Aerosan.
With several years of experience working in international settings and a passion for sanitation, Hana is a natural leader for the Aerosan team. Since started Aerosan in 2012, Hana has been integral to developing our product and range of services as well as completing extensive field research, including spending more than two months in Haiti following the earthquake of 2012. Hana speaks English, French, and Spanish and can be found most summer nights on an Ultimate Frisbee field.
LEE SEYMOUR
Member
Lee lives in Halifax with her husband and dog, a black lab. She has worked with charitable organizations all her life, primarily as a fundraiser, first with Oxfam Canada and, most recently, as Co-Director of Development with Amnesty International in Ottawa, until 2010. After six years of fundraising consulting, Lee is now finally retired and enjoying being a grandmother, gardening, and volunteering.
She has served on many Board as both Director and Chairperson. She was most recently Chairperson of the Halifax Refugee Welcome group, which brought five Syrians to Canada over a year ago. Lee has also served on the Board of the Halifax based environmental group, The Ecology Action Centre and was Chairperson of the Nova Scotia Citizens Health Coalition for five years.
MARGIE MACDONALD
Member
Margie Macdonald was delighted to join the board in January 2020. A sociologist, her first career was in international development, initially working in Papua New Guinea with women, then part of a team introducing the primary health care program in a peaceful southern Sudan and finally in international and multicultural education in Halifax. Subsequently, she worked for close to 20 years with the federal government supporting community groups in their applications for and roll out of projects addressing the determinants of health. Close to retirement, she volunteered in Slovakia and in Swaziland to support the work of community organizations. Now she is retired and works once a week with a group of seniors who spent 18 years of their lives in refugee camps in Nepal.