Christine Luckasavitch is Madaoueskarini Algonquin and mixed settler, living in her ancestral territory at the headwaters of the Madawaska River. Her work is centred 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, centred around the history of Madaoueskarini Algonquins.
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.
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 and 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.
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.
Robyn is the Chief Business Development and Marketing Officer at Burnet Duckworth and Palmer (BD&P) Law, where she drives the firm’s growth strategy and client engagement efforts. A proud Calgarian, Robyn brings deep expertise in economic development, innovation, and storytelling that drives business growth.
Before joining BD&P, Robyn was Vice-President of Business Development at Calgary Economic Development. She co-led the city’s high-profile Amazon HQ2 bid, developed a Calgary–Silicon Valley strategy, launched a global foreign direct investment program, and helped position Calgary as a hub for digital transformation in energy. She also led international trade missions and developed Calgary’s first economic strategy for the cannabis industry.
Robyn was the founder of WORKshift, a national initiative supporting future-of-work strategies, and author of Workshift: Future-Proof Your Organization for the 21st Century.
A proud Acadia University alum, Robyn shares a special bond with her lifelong best friends from her time there. Her Acadia connection runs deep - her mother and brother are also alumni.
Outside the office, Robyn is most at home skiing in the Rockies with her family or travelling the world in search of new perspectives and great stories.
Quincy Cochrane ('23) was born in Ottawa and grew up across Ontario. Following in the footsteps of his grandparents (Acadia classes of '75 and '76), he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with Honours from Acadia University. During his time, he was a Dean's List student, MacNeill Scholar-Bursary recipient, and active member of the Acadia Investment Council.
In 2020, Quincy completed a co-op with the Acadia Alumni Association, conducting research that laid the foundation for the University's Career and Experiential Learning Office. That experience sparked an interest in consulting, which he now pursues as a Business Analyst at Deloitte, specializing in Technology Strategy and Transformation.
Based in Dartmouth, NS, Quincy enjoys pickleball, gaming, and reading. He is joining the Alumni Association Board to give back to the Acadia community that played a formative role in his personal and professional growth.
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.
A small-town girl from New Glasgow, NS - Rebecca arrived at Acadia in the mid-90s to study science and found a second home. Outside the bio lab, she was a Resident Assistant (RA), a S.M.I.L.E. instructor, a student alumni association (S.M.A.R.T.T.) volunteer and waitstaff at the AXE lounge. She looks back on her Acadia days with deep pride – as a Golden A recipient and Life President of the Class of 2000. After Acadia, Rebecca completed a master’s degree in nursing at McGill, then returned to Nova Scotia to build her career and raise her family in Upper Tantallon. Now, nearly 25 years later, she is thrilled to return to Acadia in a new way, reconnecting with the community that shaped her.
Over the past two decades, Rebecca has become a trusted leader in nursing, recognized for her dedicated, principled and forward-thinking approach to strengthening health systems. With experience in interprofessional practice, clinical research and operations, she now leads primary care design and planning for Nova Scotia, focused on building and supporting a sustainable health workforce.
Rebecca is especially proud of her volunteer work, including a recent term as president of the Canadian Association of Paediatric Nurses, where she advocated for right-sizing children’s health systems and helped develop national pediatric nursing standards, along with a certification exam. She also co-founded the Maritime Children’s Hospice Society in 2022, a non-profit, registered charity working towards a vision of opening Atlantic Canada’s first children’s hospice, offering specialized palliative and respite services for families.
Rebecca is a daughter, wife and proud mother of three active boys and a labradoodle named Bauer. Much of her free time is spent at the baseball field, rugby pitch and hockey rink with her family.
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 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, 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 in the woods with his dog or working in gardens or some other project. 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 (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. 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.
Fiona McGuinty (’17) was born and raised in Ottawa, ON. She graduated from Acadia University with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Economics and Political Science. While at Acadia, Fiona was a member and captain of the Acadia women’s volleyball team and an Academic All-Canadian in all four years of study. She was also a volunteer with the Kinderskills and S.M.I.L.E. programs. Her time in Wolfville left a lasting impression, and she is proud to remain connected to the Acadia community as a passionate alumna.
Following her graduation, Fiona pursued a Master’s degree in International Relations at Central European University in Budapest, Hungary, as well as a dual common and civil law degree from McGill University. She was called to the Ontario Bar in 2023 and currently works as a Competition & Foreign Investment Lawyer at Stikeman Elliott LLP in Toronto. Her practice focuses primarily on the review of transactions under the Competition Act and the Investment Canada Act.
Fiona has also worked as a Competition Law Officer at Canada’s Competition Bureau and as an assistant to a panel member for a Canada-United States-Mexico (CUSMA) hearing at the Canadian International Trade Tribunal.
Outside of work, Fiona volunteers as a volleyball coach and enjoys running marathons, discovering new coffee shops and travelling.
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) 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 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.
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 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.
Emily Wooder MacLeod (’17) was born and raised in Fredericton, New Brunswick. She graduated from Acadia University with a Bachelor of Arts in Canadian Studies in 2017. During her time at Acadia Emily was a member of the Acadia Women’s Basketball team from 2013 to 2017, a volunteer with the Sensory Motor Instructional Leadership Experience (S.M.I.L.E.) program, a volunteer athlete with the Junior Axewomen basketball program, and the student-athlete representative of Acadia’s Athletic Department for the Student-Athlete Mental Health Initiative (SAMHI). Emily cherishes her time at Acadia and the Annapolis Valley continues to have a special place in her heart. She is honoured to serve as a member of the Board of Directors for the Acadia Alumni Association and stay connected to the Acadia community.
After graduating from Acadia, Emily returned to Fredericton to fulfill her lifelong goal of attending law school at the University of New Brunswick. Emily was called to the bar in 2022 and has since cultivated a practice in the areas of Family Law, Wills and Estates and Real Property. She is currently a lawyer with the firm Ashford Law and Dispute Resolution in Fredericton.
Emily is an active volunteer in the New Brunswick basketball community, having coached several levels since returning to New Brunswick in 2017. She is also involved in the New Brunswick legal community, holding positions with both the York Sunbury Law Society and the Canadian Bar Association Mid-Winter Committee.
Outside of the office and her volunteer efforts, Emily is an avid skier, golfer, reader and runner.
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.
The elected Grad Class Life President of 2026 is Sophie Vertanness. Sophie is from Calgary, AB and is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Kinesiology. Sophie has loved living on the East Coast and has fully immersed herself in campus life and the Wolfville community.
Throughout her time as an Acadia student, Sophie has exhibited a strong sense of community engagement and leadership. Sophie has been part of the Sensory Motor Instructional Leadership Experience (S.M.I.L.E.) as a volunteer for one year and as a leader for the past two years. Sophie truly enjoys giving back to the community.
In her spare time, Sophie is passionate about creating healthy connections through sport and physical activity. Sophie has enjoyed taking part in volleyball intramurals while at Acadia. Sophie has also been excited to share her love of volleyball as a Head Coach of the Grade 7 girls volleyball team at the Wolfville School since 2023.
Following graduation in 2026, Sophie hopes to continue her studies by pursuing a Master's in Occupational Therapy. Sophie desires to study OT in order to blend her love of supporting the lives of others with her passion for lifelong learning. Sophie is determined to continue to make a difference in the lives of others and to positively contribute to society in meaningful ways.
