About Us
About (22)
Bio to come...
Jamie (He/Him) has joined HEAL NS as the Fund Development & Marketing Intern for the fall.
He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce Co-op program with a focus on marketing. With a rich background in event security and management, along with experience in digital marketing and design, he brings a unique perspective to his role.
Passionate about fostering inclusive and safe environments, Jamie is dedicated to carrying this commitment into all his future endeavors. As a corporal in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves, he understands the importance of community engagement in every aspect of his work.
Outside of work he is an avid sports fan cheering for teams like Baltimore Ravens and Washington Capitals. You can also catch him often playing video games such as Overwatch.
Chana (They/Them) is the HIV+ Support Coordinator at HEAL NS.
They hold a Bachelor of Social Work and a BA with a specialization in counselling. With over five years of experience in social services, Chana's work has spanned front-line support, policy development, and research, focusing on improving health outcomes and advocating for 2SLGBTQ+ communities, among others. Passionate about fostering inclusive care, Chana is eager to bring their diverse expertise and compassionate approach to HEAL NS, ensuring that all individuals receive the support they deserve.
Outside of work, Chana appreciates creative hobbies, such as theatre, crafting, and D&D. At home, they share their space with four cats, who provide endless cuddles... and cat hair!
Ashley (She/Her) was born and raised in Halifax, however spent half her adult life living on the West coast, before moving back East. She attended St. Francis Xavier University, graduating with an Arts degree in 2007. Ashley has spent the past 10+ years working across a variety of leadership roles within TD Bank. In her current position, Assistant Market Manager – TD Private Wealth Management, she leads a team of Private Bankers across Atlantic Canada. Ashley is deeply committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within TD and the broader community – As Chair of TD's 2SLGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group in Atlantic, and as a member of the Wealth Forever Proud core committee, Ashley actively advocates for equality and representation. In her spare time, Ashley can be found skiing, cycling, running or enjoying the great outdoors with her wife and their two dogs.
Olivia (They/Them) is a Health and Wellness Coordinator at ACNS.
Olivia is a non-binary, queer, and white person with a background in non-profits, community health initiatives, scientific research, and youth programming. They have a BSc from Dalhousie University where they studied Biochemistry and Neuroscience and obtained a certificate in Data Analytics. Olivia is passionate about building joyful and inclusive queer community and dismantling health inequities to create safer and more accessible care for Nova Scotians.
In their free time, Olivia loves to cook, enjoy the ocean and lakes around Nova Scotia, and cuddle their cats and dog.
Hanley (They/Them) is a Program Coordinator at HEAL NS / ACNS
Hanley is a non-binary activist and community leader who has 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.
ACNS was overdue for a refresh...
Consultations Completed!
Thanks to all who participated in our Community Consultations, and supported our planned changes at the Annual General Meeeting special resolution vote...
Watch out for our rebranding launch to come in Spring 2024!
- - -
FROM FALL 2022 - SUMMER 2023 ...
If you would like to be part of the ACNS community consultation process, please email Chris at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and put “Community Consultation” in the subject line. We will email the Zoom consultation details to all who expressed interest.
The proposal that ACNS will be seeking feedback on is:
“to expand our mandate to address broader sexual health, mental health and substance use issues – and to do so for all 2SLGBTQIA+ Nova Scotians”. This is the possible future that we wish to work towards. This is the proposal we now wish to present to our existing clients and HIV priority populations, as well as to the broader 2SLGBTQIA+ communities in Nova Scotia.
First off, we want to be clear that we are not planning on giving up any of the HIV support and prevention programs and services we currently offer. ACNS will continue to address HIV issues for all impacted populations in Nova Scotia. However, to survive (or even thrive!) to be able to offer those HIV-specific services we need a broader foundation. Also, we’ve long been aware of the obvious overlaps and synergies between HIV work and broader 2SLGBTQIA+ health work.
HIV-specific funding – at both the provincial and federal level – continues to shrink each and every year! In addition, fund-raising for all charities has continued to get more and more challenging as the fundraising landscape gets increasingly crowded and competitive (and that was before COVID-19).
Back in 2018-2019 the ACNS staff and Board of Directors had gone through a detailed strategic planning process to assess the direction of the organization in both the short-and-long-term. We looked at the work we have been doing, the work we want to be doing, the challenges and opportunities that new developments in HIV treatment and prevention have presented, and we especially looked at the challenges and opportunities that changes in funding for programs have presented.
Out of that strategic planning process, new ideas and directions emerged that we need to discuss with our clients, and the populations we already serve... and the populations we may be adding to our service!
To finalize this process we were planning on doing consultations across Nova Scotia in the spring of 2020. COVID-19 interrupted that process. This spring we're back on track - offering Zoom consultation sessions. If Zoom does not work for you, let us know and we'll make alternative arrangements.
ACNS wants to hear your thoughts and input on our proposal, and we’re hoping to have in-depth discussions about how we can best serve our communities moving forward. Our community consultations will include an HIV+ client focus groups, and broader 2SLGBTQIA+ consultations.
If you would like to be part of this consultation process, please email Chris at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and put “Community Consultation” in the subject line.
Thanks!
Jordan Parker (He/Him) is the Fund Development & Communications Manager at HEAL NS / ACNS. He has a Masters in Investigative Journalism from the University of King's College, and an Advanced Diploma in PR from NSCC Ivany campus.
A freelance journalist and owner of arts and entertainment firm Parker PR, Jordan is an award-winning writer and communicator. He works part-time doing event planning, and has worked on events including the Halifax Comedy Festival and the Halifax Buskers. He has a passion for non-profit and helping the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
He's a huge movie fan and owns 2,500 DVDs and BluRays. During the NHL season, you can usually catch Jordan rooting on his Toronto Maple Leafs.
More...
Mise'l (Michael) Davies-Cole, apukji’j (mouse clan)
Written by Joomla! Administrator
Michael (Negm/Negmow 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 province 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.
Marc (He/Him) was raised in Westville, Nova Scotia, and is a lawyer at muttarts law firm in Kentville. He earned his Bachelor of Laws from the University of New Brunswick, and studied towards a Masters at Osgoode Hall. His masters’ work was on LGBT youth and the discrimination they face in the law. Marc’s work has an emphasis in family law, child protection law, immigration and refugee law, and general human rights work. He has a particular interest in health law and is on the board of various health and community-oriented organizations, including LGBT organizations and health facilities. He is also an avid actor.
Sheena (She/Her) is a registered social worker with many years’ experience in the fields of community development, sexuality, and gender. She currently works as the Community Navigator with the Halifax Public Libraries. When she’s not reading all the books, she’s working with the many visitors to the branch every day. Her proudest accomplishment lately is swimming across the Halifax harbour for the United Way.
Nakie (She/Her) is a dynamic fitness expert who has worked professionally within the fitness, health and science field for over 10 years. She is a senior level personal trainer and team training coach within GoodLife Fitness. She is particularly focused on exercise as a form of therapy and pain management. Nakie has roots within the historic African Nova Scotian community and in Ghana, West Africa. She is a founding member of the community led organization AfriScotian, which is dedicated to sharing Black history with Nova Scotian youth. She has served as a youth mentor, organized charity events, and is a dedicated volunteer, and is a reoccurring guest speaker in Nova Scotian public schools and the Nova Scotian Freedom School for her expertise in health and fitness, along with other organizations!
