HEAL NS welcomes your inquires and feedback.
Whether you need information about our programs and services, volunteering, information for school, or just to say hello – we are here for you. Please know that all submissions are carefully considered and we maintain the strictest confidentiality.
HEAL NS Staff
All successful organizationshave a team whose goal is meaningful change. Each HEAL NS staff member makes their own unique contribution to our success. We are proud of the level of dedication and commitment they embody in making Nova Scotia a better place through support, education and empowerment.
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Chris Aucoin
Executive Director
902.425.4882 ext 227
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Chris (He/Him) moved up to the Executive Director chair in December 2019 after having worked as the Gay Men’s Health Coordinator for over a decade.
An educator, writer, freelance designer as well as a health educator and advocate, Chris has a master’s degree in Educational Psychology, a diploma in graphic design, and broad community-based experience in cultural industries and social justice stretching back more than three decades. His work in social justice has included poverty and food security, and a wide range of 2S/LGBTQIA+ support, social and political causes.
His current passion is singing weekly with the Halifax Gay Men's Chorus! Chris loves dogs, dancing, and hopes to get back to rewrites for his first completed theatre script A Boy And His Dog which he workshopped at the 2014 Queer Acts Festival.
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Mise'l (Michael) Davies-Cole, apugji’j (mouse clan)
Equity & Diversity Project Manager
902.221.1628
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Michael (Nekm/Nekmow They/Them) comes from a large family that holds its roots deep within the NS Black and First Nations communities. Being an Indigenous Two-Spirited and Black Nova Scotian has been the driving force for Michael’s work within the Queer, First Nations, and NS Black communities.
With a media technical background through NSCC, NSCAD, and ACADIA, Michael has worked in visual art since the early 90s, and some of their works have crossed into how they view society and its use or misuse of gender. Having worked within advocacy and consulting they spends much of their time on unpacking social equity in policy and procedures defined within working groups.
Michael is proud to have been part of many queer organizations and boards during their work in advocacy. This work has seen inclusion in Transgender Health legal advocacy with researchers and publication in Indigenous 2S knowledge. They have a long standing connection to Queer advocacy within the Atlantic provinces and have been greatly involved in the past with Halifax Pride, NSRAP, the Youth Project and OutLaw to name a few. They are a member of the Wabanaki Two Spirit Alliance, and a current Board member of NSPIRG.
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Taylor Yeomans
Client Support
902.403.7169
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Taylor (She/Her) is the HIV+ Support Coordinator at HEAL NS.
Taylor brings close to a decade of experience in client support and project management in disability, health, and 2S/LGBTQIA+ nonprofit organizations. Having pursued graduate studies in Critical Disability Studies, and drawing from lived experience as a multiply disabled person, Taylor approaches her work with both professional expertise and lived experience.
She is passionate about supporting people navigating health challenges and disability, and has spent much of her career designing and facilitating workshops on sexuality, disability, access, and identity. Taylor is also the founder of the Bisexual+ Network of Nova Scotia, a community network centering bisexual+ people, and is an advocate for bisexual+ visibility and activism.
Outside of her professional work, Taylor is a local performer in the performing arts community, a crocheter, and a big reader.
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Hanley Smith
Program Coordinator
782.774.8178
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Hanley (They/Them) is a Program Coordinator at HEAL NS.
They have developed and implemented numerous queer youth and queer health-focused programs. Their award-winning contributions reflect years of volunteer service and professional experience, showcasing their passion for advocacy. With a strong interest in sexual health information and the evolving nature of prevention work, especially in relation to mental health, Hanley has collaborated with researchers to integrate trauma-informed practices into various initiatives and expand knowledge in these areas. As a musician and disabled artist themselves, Hanley has enjoyed being able to support the success of disabled artists within the community. Their work extends to other projects that intersect with their areas of expertise and interest.
Outside of their non-profit work, Hanley is an avid fan of Dungeons & Dragons, with a special love for dice – their collection bag is larger than their head! They have been part of a home game that has lasted over four years and are always excited to share their enthusiasm for the game.
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Wren Tian
Program Coordinator
782.774.8178
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Wren (They/He) is a Program Coordinator at HEAL NS.
They are coming into the position with over five years of experience as a sexuality and gender educator, facilitating workshops that span topics such as pleasure, kink, sexual health, and supporting trans communities. For him, part of harm reduction includes making knowledge accessible so people can feel empowered to advocate for themselves and make informed decisions about sex, substances, and their health.
Beyond their work in sexual health, Wren has a background in visual arts as an administrative arts programmer and artist.
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Zach Nicholson
Fund Development Officer
902.473.9023
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Zach Nicholson (He/Him) is the Fund Development Officer at HEAL NS.
He has a strong background in nonprofit leadership, event coordination, and community engagement that he is excited to bring to HEAL NS. Zach is committed to uplifting the 2S/LGBTQIA+ community and currently serves as the Board President of the Halifax Gay Men’s Chorus. He previously worked for Unison Choruses Canada as the Event Coordinator for the 2023 Unison Festival, Canada’s largest 2S/LGBTQIA+ choral festival. Zach holds a BA from St. Thomas University and a Juris Doctor from the University of New Brunswick.
When not at work or singing with HGMC, Zach enjoys camping, hiking and listening to history podcasts.
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Labiba Noor
Fund Development and Marketing Intern
647.456.2554
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Labiba (She/Her) is a Fund Development and Marketing Intern at HEAL NS, and a third-year Bachelor of Science in Psychology student at Saint Mary’s University.
With a strong interest in people, community needs, and meaningful communication, Labiba brings experience in marketing, event management, and student leadership.
Creative and detail-oriented, Labiba enjoys designing graphics and short-form videos that support clear messaging and engaging storytelling. Outside of work and school, she loves dancing, especially blending classical styles with hip-hop,cooking traditional Bengali food, and connecting with new people through meaningful conversations.
