Executive Director 

I am thrilled to be taking on the role of Executive Director at Caregivers Nova Scotia. My background is in Gerontology, and I have worked in the community coordinating various programs for seniors for over 10 years before joining the team at Caregivers Nova Scotia. 

I had the privilege of working with caregivers and care recipients in my previous role in the community and saw the many impacts of caregiving on individuals' lives. I have also supported my parents in person and from a distance as they care for my adult brother.

I am humbled by all that caregivers are doing daily for their family members and friends and I am grateful to be part of this organization that offers meaningful support to caregivers in Nova Scotia.

Contact Jenny: Director@CaregiversNS.org | 902.421.7390

Caregiver Support Coordinator
Capital Region

As a returning member of the CNS Team, I am glad to be back and supporting caregivers in the Halifax region. Seven years ago, it was my honour to work with caregivers in Cape Breton, Guysborough and Antigonish counties.

My background in mental health and as a trained Behaviour Interventionist, has been helpful in walking around challenges caregivers can have, and problem solving solutions and strategies that preserve dignity and respect. 

As a caregiver myself, I know how heavy the load can be, and how complicated situations can get, very quickly. Bringing every service and support to bear in assisting caregivers as much as possible, is our role. Thanks to the caregivers I have worked with over the years, with CNS, and around the world with other organizations, I have learned very much. We are your partners in care and here to help. 

Contact JoAnne: Halifax@CaregiversNS.org  |  902.421.7390

Caregiver Support Coordinator
Capital Region

Coming from a rural community with established family roots, caregiving was part of our culture. My first experiences involved caring for my grandmother who had Alzheimer’s disease. As a teenager, I was a small part of a very organized family system arranged to support her at her home.

My interest in caregiving led me to a career in social work where for almost 35 years I supported families and children. In recent years, as a working family caregiver with family responsibilities of my own, I have been impacted by my father’s diagnosis of dementia and his eventual death. My husband, also a caregiver for the past 15 years, has been supporting his extended family members who have required our assistance due to terminal illness and the challenges of aging.

The navigation of the various systems and emotions during these caregiving journeys led me to my interest in Caregivers Nova Scotia. Being a caregiver has provided me with a unique perspective and experience. I recognize both the rewards and challenges of family and friend caregiving and feel I have something to contribute to the organization.

Contact Therese: Support@CaregiversNS.org  |  902.412.7084

Caregiver Support Coordinator
Eastern HRM Region

I am excited to join Caregivers Nova Scotia as a Caregiver Support Coordinator for Eastern HRM. My professional education is in Social Work. I have worked in healthcare for over 20 years in community care with people impacted by chronic illness, cognitive impairments, and disabilities. 

On a personal level, my own family members were impacted by life-threatening illnesses, Alzheimer's disease, and stroke. I  am aware of the stress, anxiety, and uncertainty associated with caregiving. 

Family and friend caregivers are the backbones of our healthcare system, providing countless hours of care to loved ones so that can remain at home and have a good quality of life. Caregiving can bring satisfaction, but it can also be stressful, lonely, and overwhelming.  

I am looking forward to doing my best to support caregivers in their journey of caregiving. 

Contact Lisa: EasternHRM@CaregiversNS.org  |  782.321.5744

Caregiver Support Coordinator
Western Region

I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to fill a term role with Caregivers Nova Scotia in the Western Region. I am a new retiree from a career helping to support individuals with intellectual disabilities in both residential and vocational settings, a career of which I am very proud. I still need to support others. With Caregivers Nova Scotia I hope to build my knowledge from this amazing supportive team to help others within my own community. 

I am a mom of 5 amazing children and as of now a grammie of 6 beautiful grandchildren. Living away for all my married life in Ontario, Newfoundland, and Cape Breton. It is an amazing feeling to be in my home community with the opportunity to meet and connect in a meaningful way. 

As a caregiver to several family members, I understand the frustrations of trying to navigate through the system to find adequate supports. The load can sometimes be heavy and isolating. None of us were meant to walk this path alone. I am grateful to have the opportunity to share some of my knowledge with others while providing support, education, and advocacy to those who need it. I look forward to your calls, emails, and meeting you in support groups. I am only too happy to help where I can. 

Contact Sheila: Western@CaregiversNS.org  |  902.514.1281

Caregiver Support Coordinator
Cape Breton Region

I count myself fortunate to be your new Coordinator here in Cape Breton. 

Professionally I have worked as an LPN for over 10 years in both primary and tertiary care. 

In my personal life, I have been a caregiver. Paramount to my ability to care for those who are closest to me was being cared for myself by solid support systems. In turn, I have cared for them; my father died seven years ago after a battle with cancer and my mother had an emergency admission that resulted in a long road of recovery. As well, when both my aunt and my grandmother received a diagnosis of dementia, I assisted in their care and supported them as they transitioned from their home to living in a home. For me, caregiving has been an experience of giving back to those who have given so much to me in life. 

I am honoured to have this role; to be the gentle nudge someone may need towards caring for themselves, or the hand that guides them through the often choppy waters we all navigate during difficult times.

It truly does take a village in all stages of life – and I am looking forward to meeting more of my community and working together to stay well, empowered, and supported.

Contact Lyn: CapeBreton@CaregiversNS.org  |  902.595.0128

Caregiver Support Coordinator 
Northern Region

I am very excited to join the Caregivers Nova Scotia team.  I am learning how much work this organization does to support Caregivers; I will do my best to contribute as a Caregiver Support Coordinator.

In the past and present, I have been a caregiver and continue to provide care to various family members.  I understand the valuable role caregivers play and how demanding it can be. I have personal experience as a care provider working as a CCA in a long-term care facility and most recently worked for the Senior Safety Program. I am honoured to be able to help others.

As Caregiver Support Coordinator for the Northern Region, I will continue to learn and share knowledge and will strive to be a valuable team member to Caregivers Nova Scotia.

Contact Leanne:  Northern@CaregiversNS.org  |  902.229.8464

Caregiver Support Coordinator
Valley Region (Annapolis, Kings, and West Hants counties)

I am very excited to be part of Caregivers Nova Scotia and have the opportunity to support the amazing caregivers in the Valley Region.

As the youngest in my family, and being the last at home, I cared for my mother during her open heart and colostomy surgeries. I also had the privilege of being able to return home to support my parents and be my father’s primary caregiver during his last year living with cancer. I have experienced the highs and lows of caregiving and was eternally grateful to have the support of the palliative care VON nurses which prompted me to become a palliative care VON volunteer on my return to Nova Scotia as a way to give back. I have extensive experience supporting youth, adults and their families, who live with physical, cognitive or mental health disabilities. My previous work has deepened my compassion and appreciation for the caregivers in our communities.

I do my best to lead with my heart and look forward to learning from my colleagues and the caregivers I will have the privilege to serve.

Contact Jennine Wilson: Valley@CaregiversNS.org | 902.680.8706

Executive Officers:

Ruvi Nora Mugara - Chair
Wendy Menczel  - Vice-Chair
Brittany Keough - Treasurer 
Lindsay Jones - Secretary
Patricia Murray - Immediate Past Chair

Members at Large:
Maggie Roach-Ganaway
Sherri Mitchell 
Paula Blackmore
Kelli MacDonald
Catherine Morley
Mary Elizabeth MacLellan
Steven Neatt
Nancy Day