Our Team

In 1991, Ali and his wife fled their home in Somalia due to the civil war. After spending seven years in a Kenyan refugee camp, they came to Canada to build a better life for their family. Since 2004, Ali has worked for the Halifax Regional Fire Department as a firefighter and spent time as the fire department’s Diversity and Community Liaison Officer. Ali’s inspiring story has been featured at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights as a testament to his hard work and dedication to build a new life for him and his family.

Ali has devoted his life to the community by advocating for a mosque and a community centre that provides a place for his family and neighbours to gather. As a father of eight, Ali has been a strong ally for youth and coordinated a free basketball program for immigrant youth at St. Andrew’s Community Centre as well as a swimming program at the Canada Games Centre. Ali has been involved with a number of community boards, including the Maritime Muslim Academy Board.

Angela is from Cherry Brook, Nova Scotia and now resides in the community of North Preston. She is a dedicated social justice advocate and esteemed lawyer who has used her voice to promote equity for African Nova Scotians. Most notably, she is the author of the report, “This Land Is Our Land: African Nova Scotian Voice from the Preston Area Speak Up.” Earlier this year, Angela was named the Executive Director of the Land Titles Initiative in the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism where she works to address the legacy of systemic racism in historic African Nova Scotian communities.

Angela has been recognized for her leadership and has been the recipient of the Judge Sparks award, Burnley “Rocky” Jones Human Rights Award, and was recently acknowledged as one of the Top 100 Most Accomplished African Canadian Black Women in Canada in 2020. Angela has worked as the Manager of Equity and Access to Justice for the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society and completed her articling at Nova Scotia Legal Aid after graduating from the Schulich School of Law in 2017. Angela has been married to her husband Dean for 22 years and they are the proud parents of three children.

Braedon grew up in Bedford and attended Dalhousie University and Carleton University before working in politics and journalism across the country. He returned to Nova Scotia in 2014 to work as a political assistant to both Minister Lloyd Hines and Minister Mark Furey. Braedon once again calls Bedford home, this time with his wife Caitie, and their two young children, Beau and Heidi.

Braedon is a tireless advocate for his community. He served as the assistant coach of the CPA boys’ basketball team for three seasons. Braedon has also served as a dedicated volunteer with the SPCA, the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS), and has served on the board of the Halifax West Liberal Association. Currently, Braedon works for NATIONAL Public Relations, helping his clients tell their stories better and make a positive impact in Nova Scotia.

Carman is proud to have been born and raised in Annapolis County. After graduating from Dalhousie with a Bachelor of Science degree, he had a successful career as an executive, entrepreneur, and consultant in the tourism sector here in Nova Scotia and across Eastern Canada.

Carman has a passion for helping people and is a proven problem-solver, consensus builder, and facilitator. He is deeply committed to working hard to ensure that his communities succeed in a post-pandemic world.

Fred was born and raised in Northside-Westmount and currently resides in Sydney Mines with his wife, Jean. For the past 30 years, Fred has held various leadership positions in a variety of industries including retail, construction, fishing, and harvesting, as well as post-secondary education. For the past twenty years, he has held senior management positions at Nova Scotia Community College, Marconi Campus and has been Principal for the past eight years.

Fred has played a significant role in the development of the new NSCC campus on the waterfront in Sydney and is very active in the community. He was elected to the Cape Breton Victoria Regional School Board in 2004 and served until 2018, including two terms as Vice Chair. Fred currently sits on the Cape Breton Partnership Board, is chair of the CBRM Regional Enterprise Networks, and has been involved in the Little League Canadian Championship and Canadian Cancer Relay for Life event.

Ben was proudly elected to represent his hometown of Hammonds Plains-Lucasville as MLA in 2013. Since then, he has served on numerous committees, including Veterans Affairs, Private & Local Bills, and Public Accounts. Most recently, Ben had the honour of being appointed to Premier Iain Rankin’s cabinet as Minister of the Public Service Commission.

Ben attended all three levels of school in his riding before going on to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation Management from Acadia University. Ben’s passion for advocating for youth began when he served as President of the Students’ Union at Acadia University and as a member of Students Nova Scotia and the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations. Ben is heavily involved in his community and actively volunteers as a coach for youth soccer and hockey.

Brendan was first elected to the Nova Scotia Legislature in 2013 as the MLA for Halifax Atlantic. Since being elected, Brendan has served as Deputy Speaker and Ministerial Assistant to the Minister responsible for Housing Nova Scotia. In Premier Iain Rankin’s new government, Brendan had the honour of being appointed Minister of Municipal Affairs.

Prior to entering politics, Brendan worked with the Halifax Water Commission as a sales representative and technician. His ability to connect with his constituents is unmatched, which led him to be named the Best Member of the Provincial Legislature by The Coast for three years in a row. Brendan and his wife, alongside their three children, live happily in his riding of Halifax Atlantic.

Derek has served his constituents in the Nova Scotia Legislature since 2015. Since then, he has served as the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Minister of Energy and Mines, and Minister of Lands and Forestry. Under Premier Iain Rankin’s leadership, Derek had the honour of being appointed Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development. 

Derek attended Cape Breton University and served as both President and Vice-President of the Student Union. He also worked as the coordinator of entrepreneurship support initiatives for Cape Breton University and the Nova Scotia Community College. For four years, Derek served on Cape Breton Regional Municipality council before successfully running as MLA for Sydney-Whitney Pier in 2013. Derek is a proud resident of Sydney, Cape Breton, where he lives with his wife and two daughters.

Iain Rankin grew up in Timberlea where he was active in sports and music. Summers were spent crossing the province to be with family. To Bridgewater for a walk around the duck pond with his grandmother. Day trips to Summerville Beach with his aunt, stopping at Seaside Seafoods for lunch.

In Mabou, Iain was immersed in his rich Gaelic culture, hearing the tales of his ancestors alongside his 47 first cousins, 24 aunts and uncles, and his grandparents. Two weeks a year were spent at the Gaelic College to learn about his heritage, practice the Gaelic language, and refine his talents on the bagpipes, the instrument he would go on to play as part of the Dartmouth Pipes and Drums band.

Throughout high school and later as a student at Mount Saint Vincent University, Iain helped manage the family business, a gas station in Beechville. The gas station was a gathering point for many in the close-knit community, a familiar place to grab a coffee and catch up with neighbours and old friends about everything from the personal to the political. It’s here at his family’s gas station where Iain learned about the harrowing history of Beechville, a community that faced generations of encroachment and discrimination. This experience taught him how important it is to listen and to learn in order to lead, and it set him on lifelong a mission to fight injustice.

After graduating from university, Iain moved to Jasper, Alberta and later to Ottawa, Ontario to pursue his career in business. But neither place felt like home. Missing his family and life-long friends, he yearned to be back in Nova Scotia, surrounded by the vibrant culture he grew up in.

Iain moved back home to Nova Scotia, and it wasn’t long after that he felt the call to public service. Being away from home showed him just how much love he had for his province. He wanted to dedicate himself to building a better Nova Scotia, and to make a positive difference for those who felt unheard or left behind.

In 2013, Iain was elected as the Liberal MLA for the riding of Timberlea-Prospect, and he was re-elected in 2017. As MLA, Iain has been a strong and dedicated representative for his community, always putting people first. Known for being an engaged and accessible MLA, Iain has forged a deep bond with the constituents he is honoured to serve, and he has gone to bat time and time again for his community and their interests.

In 2017, Premier McNeil appointed Iain to cabinet. Iain has served as Minister of Environment and as well as Minister of Lands and Forestry. As a climate advocate and leader, Iain has put fighting the climate crisis at the centre of his work in both of these roles, staying focused and committed to the delicate yet crucial balance between environmental sustainability and responsible economic growth.

Today, Iain lives in Timberlea with his wife Mary and their dog Weston. Weekends are often spent exploring the many hiking trails, lakes, rivers, and shores our beautiful province has to offer. Other weekends are spent attending events in his community, or paying a visit to Mary’s family in Antigonish.

Keith was first elected as MLA for Kings South in 2013. Keith has held numerous roles as a member of the Liberal team, including caucus chair and Deputy Speaker. Most notably, he was appointed as Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Chair of Treasury and Policy Board  in Iain Rankin’s new government. 

Before entering politics, Keith worked as an architect for many years. He also had the privilege of serving on Wolfville Town Council and Iqaluit Town Council.

Kelly has been representing her community of Bedford Basin in the Nova Scotia Legislature since 2009. Since then, she has held a variety of cabinet positions and currently serves as the Minister of Community Services, Seniors, and the Minister responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women. Most notably, Kelly had the honour of being appointed Deputy Premier of Nova Scotia in the government led by Premier Iain Rankin.

Prior to politics, Kelly received an honours degree from the University of Waterloo’s Co-op English Program. She has worked as an award-winning television director, producer, and writer.  Kelly has lived with her husband Geoff Regan in Bedford since 1993, and they have three children.

Patricia has proudly called Nova Scotia home for her entire life. She graduated from Dalhousie University/University of King’s College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree before receiving a Bachelor of Education from Mount Saint Vincent University. Patricia worked for a number of years as a teacher in Halifax before returning to school to complete her Masters of Education in Counselling from Acadia University. During her time as a guidance counsellor and teacher at Forest Heights Community School in Chester Grant, Patricia had the opportunity to work with Dr. Stan Kutcher, piloting his mental health curriculum, which has since been adopted nationally.

A career in politics was a natural fit for Patricia who had been an active volunteer in her church, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the IWK, and the Diman Association of Canada. She has had the privilege of serving as MLA for Fairview-Clayton Park since 2013 and in 2017 was appointed to cabinet. She currently serves as Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Internal Services.

Tony has proudly represented his community as MLA in the Nova Scotia Legislature since 2013. During his time in government, Tony has served as Minister of Communities, Culture, and Heritage, the Public Service Commission, and currently serves as the Minister of Communications Nova Scotia. Additionally, Tony has served as the Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs where he has served as a tireless advocate for African Nova Scotians across the province.

Before entering politics, Tony worked as a counsellor with the Department of Community Services, helping at-risk youth, families, and incarcerated individuals navigate the system. He also worked as a project coordinator with the Black Educators Association and as a patient attendant at Victoria General Hospital.

Rafah was first elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly as MLA for Clayton Park West in 2017. Currently, Rafah serves as the Liberal Caucus Chair and Whip. As a resident of Clayton Park West for over 36 years, she has been a passionate advocate for her community and continues to take initiatives around women’s empowerment, youth involvement in the community, and litter prevention.

Rafah is a parishioner of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, and a member of the Italian Cultural Centre. She speaks five different languages and has worked as a medical interpreter for new immigrants and refugees for close to 30 years.

Zach has worked tirelessly for the constituents of Yarmouth since his election in 2010. Prior to entering politics, Zach attended Saint Mary’s University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 2007. He served as National Director of the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations from 2007 to 2009 before his successful election bid as Liberal MLA for Yarmouth.

Zach has been a proven advocate for all Nova Scotians. In 2013, he was appointed to cabinet as Minister of Natural Resources. Since then, he has been responsible for numerous portfolios, including Municipal Affairs, Communications Nova Scotia, Education and Early Childhood Development, and currently as the Minister of Health and Wellness. Zach is a proud resident of Yarmouth, alongside his wife, Katie, and their two young daughters.

Ronnie is a fisherman from Meteghan and spent his fishing career in Baie Sainte-Marie. In 2000, Ronnie was first elected to the Municipal Council of Clare. He was elected Deputy Warden in 2008 and later Warden in 2012, where he continues to serve today. During his time in council, Ronnie has been an instrumental leader in many projects, including the Clare Health Centre (Centre Médical Dr. Lionel d’Entremont), the Municipality’s Doctor Recruiting and Retention Committee, and a municipal project to implement high speed internet throughout the community.

Currently, Ronnie is the Vice President of the Board of Governors at Université Sainte-Anne. Ronnie is a strong advocate for rural economic development and lends his time to the Board of Conseil de Développement Économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse as a vice-chair. Ronnie proudly lives in Meteghan with his wife, Tina, and daughter, Mattea.

Lorelei previously served as HRM Councillor for 12 years, and served as Deputy Mayor in 2015. During that time, she participated in the Regional Plan Review and promoted the development of the Cole Harbour Basin Open Space Plan. She represented HRM Council on the boards of the Halifax Partnership, Halifax Water, Trade Centre Limited and Destination Halifax, and the Canadian Urban Transit Association. Lorelei was the second woman to be Deputy Mayor in the Halifax Regional Municipality.

Lorelei was born in the small Acadian fishing village of Petit-de-Grat on Isle Madame on Cape Breton Island. Lorelei and her husband have called Cole Harbour home for over 36 years. In addition to serving on HRM Council, she has been active in the community since this time. She has also served as Chair of School Advisory Councils at all three levels of schools, as a board member of the Cole Harbour Outdoor Pool & Tennis Complex, as the founding Chair of the long running Cole Harbour Harvest Festival, and a member of the board of Cole Harbour Place.