Association Board of Directors
Executive
President: Christine Luckasavitch ('11)
Christine Luckasavitch is Madaoueskarini Algonquin and mixed settler, living in her ancestral territory at the headwaters of the Madawaska River. Her work is centered around creating spaces for Indigenous peoples to share their knowledges, both in physical and digital spaces, and encouraging the re-emergence of ancestral kinship ties. She is the owner of Waaseyaa Consulting and Waaseyaa Cultural Tours, two small businesses dedicated to reviving and celebrating Indigenous ancestral knowledge and culture-based practices through educational opportunities. She is the co-owner of Algonquin Motors, a woman-led motorcycle clothing company that celebrates the land now also known as Algonquin Park. She is the former Executive Director of Native Land Digital, the Indigenous-led non-profit behind Native-Land.ca. Christine is a graduate of Acadia University, and she is currently finishing her Master’s at Trent University, her thesis offering a critique of Algonquin Park as a constructed wilderness space and the continued impacts on her Algonquin community. She is also working on her first book, centered around the history of Madaoueskarini Algonquins.
Vice-President: Paul Black ('00)
As an immigrant from “the troubles” of Northern Ireland, Paul Black (’00) has lived a life of great good fortune in Canada. He earned a BA(H) in Political Science at Acadia, a Master’s in Political Science at Dalhousie and Executive Education in Canada, the US, UK, India and South Africa. Paul has worked in government, business and with NGOs, so he’s “trilingual.” He provides counsel to a variety of private and public entities - building bridges, negotiating solutions and “getting proximate” to both opportunities and problems. Paul enjoys cycling and getting out to explore the diverse nature of this world. He has monitored elections as an International Observer in the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe.
A craft beer, good conversation and laughter make him happy. His kids do, too. He has more fiction than non on his bookshelf and often listens to the Hip or Snow Patrol and some current affairs podcasts on his playlist. Paul has lived in Northern Ireland, Manitoba, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, and currently resides in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. He believes that where you spend your time shows what you value in life. Besides his family and his health, Paul is committed to supporting a number of worthy organizations and people doing amazing work.
Treasurer: Matthew Saunders ('09)
Born and raised in the islands of the Bahamas, Matthew Saunders (’09) moved to Canada in 2005 to begin university at Acadia. It was his first time living outside the Bahamas, but he instantly fell in love with Wolfville and had an amazing university experience, doing everything from serving as a Residence Assistant (RA) in Chase Court to DJing at the Axe. In 2009, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Mathematics and Statistics with Business) and moved to Halifax to begin his career in finance. He would later earn his Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Project Management Professional (PMP) and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt designations. Currently, Matthew works as a Director of Finance Change, leading continuous improvement programs and finance technology implementation projects.
In recent years, after realizing the immense value of representation an belonging, Matthew has become actively involved with DEI initiatives in his professional and personal life. He helped launch the Black Employee Resource Group at his workplace, serving as chair from 2021-2023. This group worked to raise knowledge and awareness, positively impact the African Nova Scotian community, and eliminate barriers for black employees and prospective employees. Since February 2023, serving as President, Matthew has led the launch of the Bahamian Association of Nova Scotia, whose vision is to “Establish and elevate the presence, impact and culture of the Bahamas in Nova Scotia.” Outside of work and volunteering, Matthew is a new dad who enjoys spending time with his family and friends, travelling, volleyball and golf.
Secretary: Barb Anderson ('77)
Barb Anderson (’77) recently retired as Director of the School of Nutrition and Dietetics at Acadia University, assuming that position in 2009 after a 30-year career with Nova Scotia Public Health. Her research focus is food security, having been involved with Nova Scotia Food Security projects for over 20 years. Barb is interested in working with the local community around healthy food issues and, as a result, through courses she taught, supported the development of a partnership between the Wolfville Farmer’s Market and the School of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Barb was President of the Nova Scotia Dietetic Association, Chair of Dietitians of Canada, and President of the Canadian Foundation for Dietetic Research. She is a Fellow of Dietitians of Canada and a Life Member of both the Nova Scotia Dietetic Association and Dietitians of Canada. She was the ‘nutrition voice’ on the CBC Radio Maritime Noon phone-in program for 20 years and has been an invited speaker at over 40 provincial, national, and international conferences. Barb lives in Wolfville with her husband, Norm.
Past President: Matt Rios ('14)
Matthew is originally from Vancouver, British Columbia. He graduated from Acadia University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts in Politics. While at Acadia, Matthew served as the President of the Students' Union and was actively involved in the broader campus community. After his time at Acadia, he lived in Ottawa working as the Director of Government and Stakeholder Relations at a not-for-profit focused on post-secondary education. In 2018, Matthew moved to Melbourne, Australia to pursue a Master of International Business at Monash University. Upon the completion of his graduate degree, Matthew left the sunny beaches of Australia and returned to Nova Scotia. He is now living in Halifax and is working as a Public Sector Consultant with Davis Pier Consulting. Matthew joined the Alumni Association in May of 2014 and continues to be deeply invested in the future of the institution that has given him so much.
Directors
Taylor Baker ('19)
Taylor Baker (’19) is an Indigenous woman with both Coast Salish and Gitxsan ancestry, and is a Member of Tsawwassen First Nation. Her lineage runs deep in other Coast Salish territories, such as Musqueam and Stz’uminus. Born and raised on her Nation’s Lands, Taylor moved to Wolfville, Nova Scotia in 2015 to pursue her post-secondary education. Taylor has a Bachelor of Arts in Politics (2019) with a minor in History from Acadia University.
She is elected to Tsawwassen First Nation Executive Council for the 2022-2026 term. In this capacity, she works alongside and collaboratively with Chief and Executive Council on providing strategic direction and decision-making to the CAO and the Tsawwassen Government. Executive Council is responsible for passing regulations; directing policies, programs and services; and preparing laws and budget considerations for the Tsawwassen First Nation Legislature. She also represents her Nation at various regional, provincial and federal meetings and gatherings. Taylor is also heavily involved in reconciliation initiatives at the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.
As a Committee Member on the Speaker’s Indigenous Reconciliation Advisory Committee, she works alongside Hon. Raj Chouhan, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of B.C., and other First Nation leaders of B.C. to collaborate and provide advice toward true action for reconciliation.
Emma Cochrane ('13)
Emma Cochrane (’13) grew up in Hebbville, Nova Scotia. She is proud to be the third generation in her family to graduate from Acadia, receiving her Bachelor of Arts Honours in Politics. While at Acadia, she was actively involved in the campus community, serving as Arts Senator on the Acadia Students’ Union and President of the Acadia Politics Association. Emma helped establish the award-winning Acadia Students for Enthusiastic Consent, a sexual violence awareness initiative that resulted in hiring the first-ever on-campus female sexual assault response officer and mandatory frosh week training.
After her time at Acadia, Emma pursued her Master of Arts in Communications as a Social Sciences and Research Council of Canada graduate scholar at the University of Ottawa. This led her to Calgary, where she worked in dynamic communications and government relations roles in the energy sector. After close to a decade of working across the country, her strong ties to Nova Scotia brought her home for an opportunity at NATIONAL Public Relations, leading client files spanning healthcare, economic development, and post-secondary. She is now living in Halifax and working in Corporate Affairs at Emera, a diverse energy services company that is leading an ambitious clean energy transition in North America.
Emma is motivated by what can happen when a group of passionate people come together to solve big challenges. She feels deeply invested in the future of Acadia and is excited to give back to an organization that gave her so much.
Allison Dean ('14)
After completing an internship in her first field, Allison, a native of The Bahamas, decided she wanted to pursue her love of music. She was encouraged to apply to Acadia by her great-aunt who had studied music at Acadia. Allison applied, was admitted, and decided not to apply anywhere else. She arrived at Acadia in fall 2011 and graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. During her time at Acadia Allison was the accompanist for the University Chorus, several music students, and an organ scholar in the Manning Memorial Chapel. Allison was also the organist at St. John’s Anglican Church in Wolfville.
After leaving Acadia, Allison went to Wycliffe College at the University of Toronto, where she obtained her Master of Divinity in 2017. While there she was the College’s chapel organist and a substitute organist at various churches in the Toronto area. Upon returning to The Bahamas, Allison served as organist at two Anglican churches, and an occasional rehearsal pianist for the Bahamas National Youth Choir. During this time, she also obtained her teacher’s certification and taught at a local high school. Allison was ordained in the Anglican Diocese of The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands in November 2020.
Allison is also a certified swim coach and president of a local swim club. She is passionate about her work with children and young people, loves a good book, and travelling, having been to 20 countries and counting.
Emma Duinker ('12)
Emma grew up in Cambridge, Nova Scotia, not far from her alma mater, Acadia University. Emma’s academic path led her to Acadia in 2007 to complete a BSc in nutrition. As a varsity basketball athlete, she finished her career as a five-time Academic All-Canadian, second team all-CIS, earned numerous conference and university awards, and won the Haley Medal, awarded to “the female graduating student who has made the most outstanding contribution to varsity athletics, other extracurricular activities and scholarship.”
Emma later attended the University of Windsor, where she earned her master’s in Sport Management. While studying in Windsor, Emma was an assistant coach with the five-time National Championship women’s basketball team and held one year as the interim head coach in 2018.
During the time between Emma’s academic ventures, she pursued a career as a professional athlete, playing basketball for three years in Germany in the first and second Bundesliga. Emma had numerous successes, including winning a league championship with the Osnabruck Panthers.
After completing her master’s, Emma joined the North American basketball company, PGC Basketball, as a Basketball Development Coordinator. Her passion for youth sport development has taken her all over North America through her work with PGC and has guided her to join Basketball Nova Scotia as the Manager of Sport, Technical Programs.
Emma currently lives in Halifax with her husband Gabriel, and children, Akine and Mia.
Natalie Irwin ('01)
Natalie Irwin resides in the Unceded Algonquin Anishinaabe Territories (Ottawa) where in addition to completing an MA, Sustainable Energy Policy part-time at Carleton University, she is Director of Stakeholder Engagement at Efficiency Canada, the national voice for an energy efficiency economy. Prior to joining the national think-tank, Natalie managed the successful trade-ally program for EfficiencyOne, the franchise holder that operates Efficiency Nova Scotia for the province. As a Professional Business Relationship Manager, her role encompasses stakeholder engagement with North American energy efficiency organizations, partners, and associations.
<>Upon graduation from Acadia University with her Bachelor of Business Administration, Natalie received the Golden A Award for her volunteer work with the Acadia Student's Union, as a student member of the Board of Governors, and as SMARTT President, of the former student-alumni group. Since then, Natalie has continued to be an active volunteer and in 2019 was awarded the national Chapter Volunteer Leadership Award from the Canada Green Building Council and in 2016 received the Best Super-Connector Award by Halifax Partnership for her work with their Connector Program.
Eric Levy ('05, '07)
Eric grew up in the small community of Upper Vaughan, Nova Scotia. Growing up in a rural community sparked Eric’s desire to explore. After finishing his BA Sociology in ’05 and Honours in ’07, Eric began his first career in education by moving to South Korea. Eric spent 10 years teaching English in South Korea, Vancouver, Thunder Bay, and Halifax. In 2017, Eric decided to change his career and completed a Master of Public Administration at Dalhousie and began a new career in municipal government. Eric has spent his new career working primarily in organizational development and equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Currently, Eric is the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of the Town of Mahone Bay, and lives in Sherwood, Nova Scotia, where he has spent the last few years working on building a homestead. In his personal time, Eric can be found cutting firewood, working in gardens, walking the woods with his dog, or tirelessly trying to outsmart the raccoons to protect the chickens. Eric still has that passion to explore and takes road trips and international adventures from time to time. Eric is a third generation Levy in his family to graduate from Acadia. The University has been a large part of the Levy family and Eric is glad to be able to have this opportunity to continue contributing to the Acadia community and carry on the legacy.
Moira MacLean ('85)
Moira MacLean (BBA '85), lives in Dartmouth, N.S. She met her partner Bill MacLean, also BBA, '85, at Acadia and went back to get married in the Chapel surrounded by many of their lifelong Acadia friends in 1990. Both of their children (Maddie '18 and August '20) also benefited from the Acadia experience.
Moira worked in the pharmaceutical industry for 19 years and now works with the MacLean Wealth Management Group in a marketing and team support role.
Moira has always been passionate about health and wellness, which has been the focus of much of her personal and volunteer efforts over her lifetime. She is most proud of her work creating and running wellness workshops for children; raising funds and devoting time to organizations for children with health challenges whether they live locally or abroad; working to help feed local children; providing positive experiences in sport; or raising funds for children to attend life-changing summer camps at Brigadoon Village. She is excited to bring her passion, positivity and perspectives combined with her love for Acadia to her new role with the Acadia Alumni Association Board.
Dr. Ron Malcolm ('82, '83)
Dr. Malcolm (’82, ’83) was born and raised in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. He completed his BA and BEd at Acadia. He also has an MEd (Université de Moncton), MA (Gallaudet University), MS (Fort Hays State University), and an EdD (Northern Arizona University).
Following graduation from Université de Moncton, Dr. Malcolm moved to the United States and began his career teaching deaf and blind students. During his career, he has been a classroom teacher, counselor, special education coordinator, assistant principal, high school principal and assistant director of special education. In addition, he has been an adjunct faculty member working with both undergraduate and graduate level students aspiring to become educators. His academic and research interests include deafness, blindness, dual sensory impairments, applied behaviour analysis as well as children with autism. He publishes regularly in Autism Parenting as well as Exceptional Needs Today magazines. Dr. Malcolm is also fluent in both American Sign Language and Braille.
Dr. Malcolm has received many awards, including Special Education Teacher of the Year, Employee of the Year (for the state by the Governor`s Committee for the Employment of the Disabled), Young Alumnus of the Year, High School Principal of the Year (for his work with mental health concerns with students), Citizen of the Year, the Fox 4 Crystal Apple Award – Educator of the Year, and the Mortar Board Outstanding Educator Award from the University of Kansas. For the past three years, he was named the Top Educational Writer for Autism Parenting magazine. In 2021, he was named Top Parenting Solution Writer by Exceptional Needs Today magazine. In addition to raising three children (Joel, Chelsea, and Andrew) with his wife Sherrie, he has been a foster parent to approximately 56 foster children. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, gardening, teaching Sunday School and spending time with his family. Dr. Malcolm recently retired and has relocated to a remote fishing village in Alaska to work with children with significant disabilities.
Kierstyn Palmer ('22)
Kierstyn grew up in the small town of Summerside, Prince Edward Island. She graduated from Acadia with a Bachelor of Science in biology in 2022. Kierstyn was an active volunteer with Acadia’s Sensory Motor Instructional Leadership Experience (S.M.I.L.E.) program, the Wolfville Farmers’ Market, and the Valley Regional Hospital. She found her place within the Acadia community as a representative of the Biology Society, Vice-President of the Pre-Health Society, and takes great pride in holding the role of Life President of the Class of 2022. In her spare time, she loves to stay active and get outdoors - whether it be going the gym, playing pick-up basketball or doing yoga.
Kierstyn has recently made the move from coast-to-coast and now calls Kelowna, BC home. She is currently in the first year of her master’s in Health and Exercise Science, where she is researching the effects of exercise on pain in people with spinal cord injury at the University of British Columbia Okanagan. She is excited to be continuing her studies and is enjoying the thrill of living in a new city so far. In the future, she plans to keep drawing from her love for science and get her medical degree. It is her second year serving on the Alumni Association Board of Directors as an ex-officio member, a position she found great value in holding as a student and now young alumni. She feels extreme gratitude for her experiences on the Board thus far and is honoured to be nominated as a full-time Board Director.
Véronique Russell ('16)
Véronique Russell ('16) is a native of Markham, ON. She currently lives in Fredericton, NB and is a Bachelor of Education candidate at the University of New Brunswick. At Acadia University, Véronique was a women’s varsity rugby team member. In her final year as an Axewoman, she was a member of the 2015 AUS championship team, named to the AUS all-star team, an All-Canadian athlete, and most recently was named as one of the Top 15 Women’s Rugby Athletes of the Decade (2010-2019).
After graduating from Acadia, Véronique pursued a post-graduate certificate at George Brown College and proceeded to work in financial marketing for four years until she realized she was no longer passionate about her work and wanted to do something more meaningful. Véronique took a leap of faith and decided to pursue a career in education. With both her mother and sister as educators, she believed this was only fitting. Véronique is a curriculum builder and workshop speaker for the Get Real movement and a research assistant for the University of New Brunswick.
At the end of August 2022, Véronique will head to Trinity College in Dublin to pursue her Master’s in Education in Critical Perspectives on Education. Her goal is to develop curriculums and methodologies that will engage educators and governments to integrate the untold histories of visible minorities within Canadian provincial curriculums.
Olivia Shive ('21)
Olivia Shive ('21) was born and raised in Elmsdale, Nova Scotia. She graduated from Acadia University with a Bachelor of Science in biology. She was heavily involved in many volunteer activities in the Wolfville community such as the Cornwallis Veterinarians in Kentville, the S.M.I.L.E. Program, the Hants Community Hospital, and teaching dance at the Acadia Dance Community Club. Olivia comes from a long line of veterinarians and always aspired to work in the veterinary field. Right out of her undergraduate degree, she secured a contract position at Elanco Animal Health as a veterinary pharmaceutical sales representative. Her territory being in the west of Canada (the areas of Edmonton South to Calgary North and Saskatoon), she packed up and made the move to Edmonton, Alberta. She has been actively traveling in her new role and loves every minute of it.
Outside of her education and career, she has a deep love for the art of dance. She had been an avid member of Dance Acadia during her time at Acadia and in her final year became the co-captain. She is enjoys taking on leadership roles. Olivia is the Life President for the 2021 graduating class, and with that became part of the Alumni Association. She believes in staying connected to the Acadia family and is extremely honoured to now serve as a full-time member of the Board of Directors for the Acadia Alumni Association.
Shaq Smith ('16)
Shaq is a digital marketing consultant who graduated from Acadia University with a Business degree. With a keen interest in technology and marketing, he honed his skills in digital marketing and has since become a sought-after consultant in the industry.
Shaq's success is not limited to his professional accomplishments. He has also made a significant impact in the community by leading various social causes and initiatives. Shaq's community engagement has helped him build strong relationships with people from all walks of life. Shaq has helped many businesses grow and succeed in the digital space. He understands the importance of building relationships and takes a human-centric approach in his work. Shaq's ability to connect with people, combined with his technical skills, has earned him a reputation as a trusted consultant in his community and beyond.
Kelton Thomason ('07, '10)
With a Master of Education, and Bachelor of Recreation Management both from Acadia, Kelton hopes to bring valuable skills, knowledge, and experience to his role on the board and is delighted to work and serve with our alumni community.
Until recently, he worked in Higher Education with a focus on student life and improving the student experience. This work included positions within Acadia Student Services and with Residence Life at the University of Prince Edward Island. He is always willing to share his thoughts on student support and creating conditions for student success.
His university experience was somewhat unconventional as he returned to university to complete his education later in life, joining his first class at Acadia more than twenty years after high school and giving up a career in industry, manufacturing and sales. He was inspired to return to university after realizing he was the last member of his family to earn their degree, with his father returning to university in his early 60s. His decision to study at Acadia was based on its reputation.
Kelton is currently the Director of Parks and Recreation for the Town of Wolfville and continues to support students and the Acadia community directly and indirectly. He grew up in Seabright, NS and currently lives in Berwick, NS.
Payton Wood ('18)
Payton is originally from Brantford, Ontario. She was proud to be the second generation in her family to graduate from Acadia, receiving her Bachelor of Business Administration in 2018. During her time at Acadia, Payton was involved with Acadia’s Sensory Motor Instructional Leadership Experience (S.M.I.L.E.) program and had the opportunity to help establish the Acadia Students’ Union Food Cupboard – the first student-run emergency food resource on Acadia’s campus.
After graduating from Acadia, Payton attended the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University, where she received her Juris Doctorate in 2021. Deciding to put down permanent roots in Nova Scotia, she now works as a lawyer at the law firm of McInnes Cooper in Halifax. Payton primarily practices in real property, assisting clients with residential and commercial transactions, commercial financing and condominium matters.
In her free time, Payton can be found running, cycling, and forever cheering for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Sam Zhang ('05)
Sam Zhang was born and raised in Shanghai, China. He graduated from Acadia University in 2005 from the Bachelor of Business Administration program. During his time at Acadia, he was heavily involved with the Wong International Centre, connecting with other international students attending Acadia.
Upon graduation, Sam decided to stay in Nova Scotia and pursued his Certified Management Accountant designation (now Chartered Professional Accountant) and completed the MBA program at Saint Mary’s University in 2010, as well as Queen’s Executive Program offered through the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University in 2017.
Sam is the Manager of Asia Trade for the Halifax Port Authority (HPA). In his role, he oversees growth and seeks new opportunities related to containerized Asian cargo through the Port of Halifax. Locally, Sam is the Vice-Chair of the Hong Kong Canada Business Association Atlantic Chapter and serves as a Board Member at Squash Nova Scotia.
The time spent at Acadia University was a great, exciting adventure for Sam that helped to shape the course of his life in Nova Scotia. He is thrilled to join the Alumni Association Board.
Ex-Officio
Emily Patterson ('24)
Grad Class Life President of 2024 and an ex-officio board member Emily Patterson is a Nova Scotian who began her academic journey to pursue a business degree in 2020.
Throughout her time as an Acadia student, Emily exhibited a strong commitment to community service. In her second year, she actively participated in the Acadia Business Society as a representative and contributed to various events and weekly meetings. In her third year, she dedicated her time to volunteering with the Sensory Motor Instructional Leadership Experience (S.M.I.L.E.) program, demonstrating her passion for giving back to the community.
In her final year at Acadia, Emily and her peers founded the Acadia Women in Business Society, aimed at providing networking, mentorship, and professional development opportunities to empower female students to succeed in their future careers. Additionally, she became involved with the Investment Council as the Vice-President of Investor Relations, competing in the prestigious annual Venture Capital Investment Competition held at Saint Mary's University.
Following graduation, Emily will move to New Brunswick to work as a strategic business analyst at J.D. Irving Limited, an endeavour for which she is very excited. When she's not engrossed in academic pursuits and extracurricular activities, Emily loves spending time outdoors, reading, or socializing with friends. Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Learn as if you will live forever, live like you will die tomorrow," and this is a motto that Emily fully embraces.
Rachel MacMillan ('25)
The elected Grad Class Life President of 2025 is Rachel MacMillan. Rachel is a proud Nova Scotian, born and raised in Halifax. Currently pursuing her Bachelor of Business Administration at Acadia University’s F. C. Manning School of Business, Rachel has immersed herself in campus life and the Wolfville community.
As a founding executive of Acadia’s Women in Business Society, Rachel serves as Vice-President of Finance, demonstrating her commitment to empowering and bringing female students together. In addition to her involvement in the Women in Business Association, Rachel is a junior analyst for the Acadia Investment Council, where she participates in stock pitches.
Outside of her academic and extracurricular pursuits, Rachel balances her time by working at Annapolis Cider Company. She loves this job because it allows her to build relationships with all the regulars consisting of students and locals. In her free time, Rachel likes to go for walks on the Wolfville dykeland and hang out with her roommates.
Following graduation in 2025, Rachel hopes to spend time travelling before beginning a career in finance. Drawing inspiration from her entrepreneurial family, Rachel has aspirations of eventually carving her own path. Whether it’s through creating her own venture or contributing to established institutions, Rachel is determined to make a meaningful impact on the business world.
