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At the Pictou County Partnership, we're more than just an economic development organization – we're a dynamic team of passionate professionals dedicated to driving growth and prosperity in our community. With diverse backgrounds and a shared commitment to making Pictou County a thriving hub of opportunity, our team is here to support local businesses, foster innovation, and build strong, lasting partnerships. Get to know the faces behind the initiatives. Together, we're building a brighter, more prosperous tomorrow for Pictou County.
Wade Tibbo, Chief Executive Officer
Wade joined the Pictou County Partnership in the summer of 2022 as the Director of Business Development and Innovation, bringing with him a wealth of experience in commercial finance and senior leadership. His journey within the organization progressed as he served as Interim CEO before being appointed as the permanent CEO in January 2024. His commitment to community development and strategic planning is evident through his previous appointment on the New Minas Secondary Planning working group by the Municipality of the County of Kings and his active roles on the Planning Advisory Committee and Business Advisory Committee for the Town of New Glasgow. Wade's earlier years were marked by significant involvement in the business community of the Annapolis Valley. He is a past board member of the Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce, Kentville Business Development Corporation, VON Annapolis Valley, and the Rotary Club of Wolfville Mud Creek. Notably, he has served as the CEO of Careforce Home Health Care Co-operative and as a Project Manager for the Nova Scotia Cooperative Council. Originally from Liscomb, Wade spent considerable time in Pictou County during his childhood and now proudly calls it home, along with his wife, a Pictou County native, and their two boys. His deep-rooted connection to the region drives his passion for fostering prosperity for Pictou County.
Heidi Sinclair, Director of Strategy and Communications
Heidi (she/her) has spent more than fifteen years in communications, community outreach, and operations for not-for-profit and educational-based organizations. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from St. Francis Xavier University and a post-graduate certificate in Public Relations from the Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. As a lifelong learner, Heidi holds certificates in Digital Marketing and AI for Marketing and Communications, as well as many others.
Heidi has been part of the Partnership's team since its early years, holding multifaceted roles required of a new organization. Her passion is working collaboratively on projects that will support the economic and social health of Pictou County, creating a more prosperous community for all.
Heidi has held numerous leadership roles, including two acting CEO positions at the YMCA of Pictou County and an acting CEO role at the Pictou County Partnership while boards searched for new successors. These positions and her volunteer work with the Aberdeen Health Foundation showcase her leadership, dedication to organizational growth, community impact, and commitment to Pictou County.
What excites Heidi most about Pictou County is the deep sense of community. Plus, she’ll never tire of dipping her toes in the ocean after a long workday.
Lynne Jamieson, Manager of Strategic Initiatives
With over 30 years of management and leadership experience in the not-for-profit and post secondary education sectors, Lynne is excited to be using her expertise in managing people, processes, and projects to support initiatives at the Pictou County Partnership. Lynne was born in Scotland, raised in Montreal, and has lived in Ontario, British Columbia and New Zealand. After relocating to New Glasgow in the summer of 2022, she is proud to now call Pictou County her home and is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the Partnership to support economic development in the region. Lynne has 2 young adult sons who she hopes will choose to make Pictou County their home as well. In addition to her work at the Partnership, Lynne provides coordination support to the board of the David Suzuki Institute and operates a home organizing business. In her spare time, you will find Lynne in the garden, on her bicycle, beachcombing or doing a jigsaw puzzle.
David Crowell, Finance Officer
David Crowell spent 12+ years working for Sobeys in numerous departments and positions, including Budget Coordinator for Retail Operations, and Retail Accounting. It was through his work at Sobeys and on Hyperion’s software steering committee that he was offered a position with Syncor International (a radio-pharmaceutical company) in Woodland Hills, CA. After 3+ years of experience in California, David decided it was time to come home to Canada. He found work in the west, mostly within the Co-operative Retail System as Controller and General Manager of various Co-op locations. When he retired a couple of years later, he decided to dabble in the real estate market. When he noticed that the PCREN was looking for a Finance and Business Outreach, he jumped at the opportunity to help others trying to establish a new job in a new home.
david.crowell@pictoucountypartnership.com
Colleen Proudfoot, Manager of Business & Entrepreneurship
Colleen grew up in an entrepreneurial family in New Glasgow. She attended Bishop’s University in Quebec, graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration. Colleen has experience in economic development and working with small businesses, having worked at both Pictou Regional Development Commission and CBDC NOBL. She appreciates the important impact local businesses have in their communities and worked at her parent’s small business for several years prior to becoming a co-owner of the company. Following the successful sale of the business, Colleen joined the Pictou County Partnership. She looks forward to contributing to Pictou County’s growth and prosperity in her role at the Partnership.
Heather Poulin, Business Outreach & Engagement Officer
Born in Cornwall, Ontario, Heather was taught to be independent and inquisitive. Her family relocated often in her youth, usually to smaller towns, showing Heather firsthand how her mother’s involvement in community affairs could directly affect status quo. A family reunion brought her east in 2001, ultimately influencing her to relocate to the Maritimes permanently. Heather and her partner established their own small business, a restaurant in New Glasgow called The Bistro. The popular go-to, special occasions hot spot operated from 2002 to 2023, awarded ‘Community Builder’ recognition, ‘Small Business of the Year’ and published in ‘Where to eat in Canada’ every year since inception.
Cindy James, Business Counselor | Entrepreneur in Residence
Cindy James, a dynamic Silverpreneur, boasts a two-decade career with profound contributions to the pet industry, business development and higher education. Since 2016, she has focused on the joy of pet care, culminating in the establishment of Crafty Beasts Brewing Company in 2020. In education, Cindy's passion shines as an educator and small business coach. She innovatively shapes young minds and aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing inclusivity and lifelong learning. A captivating public speaker, Cindy has left lasting impressions at conferences, seminars, and workshops. Her writing further spreads awareness and knowledge about her life journey, shared through her recent podcast with The Success Journey.
Jamie Grant, Business Outreach & Engagement Officer
Jamie Grant, founder of Root Cellar Farms, is a driven entrepreneur who turned a simple side hustle into a thriving microgreens business. Jamie's journey began when his family moved to Nova Scotia. Recognizing a growing need for locally sourced greens in the community, Jamie decided to establish his microgreens venture. He’s transformed his basement into a productive space for Root Cellar Farms. Beyond the business, Jamie enjoys being a dedicated parent to his four children and supporting his wife's nursing career. Finding a comfortable balance between his personal and work life has allowed Jamie to enjoy life in Nova Scotia.
Jean-Luc Lewis, Project Intern for Economic Growth
Jean-Luc joined our team in March 2024 as the Project Intern for Economic Growth, focusing on the Investment Attraction project funded by the CanExport Community Investment grant. His primary responsibility is to conduct an asset inventory for Pictou County, which will serve as a critical component in developing materials to support a Foreign Direct Investment strategy for the region. Jean-Luc recently relocated to New Glasgow from Jamaica in December 2023. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of East London (UK) and a Bachelor of Science in Management Studies from the University of the West Indies (Jamaica). With over 8 years of experience in community and small business development, Jean-Luc brings his passion for local economic growth to his new role.
Becky Cowen, Director of Immigration and Community Integration
Becky joined the Pictou County Partnership team in November 2019. Originally from Moncton, New Brunswick, Becky has been on the move living in the U.K and throughout Atlantic Canada. Having now settled in Pictou County, Nova Scotia with her family, she wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. Becky holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree with an Honours in Socio-cultural Anthropology from the University of New Brunswick, and an Immigration Law Practitioner’s Diploma from the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants. Becky leads the Partnership’s immigration programs including work with the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) and the Kudos Employer Immigration Onboarding Program.
Sarah Santos, Community Connections Coordinator
Sarah Santos has 20 years of experience in strategic planning, events coordination, corporate communications, sponsorship, and advertising. Throughout her career, she worked for a variety of organizations in Brazil and Canada, from a symphony orchestra and an art museum to a large media group and a multinational natural resources company. Sarah moved from Rio de Janeiro to Pictou County in 2019 and recently joined the Partnership as our Community Connections Coordinator. In her new role, she will be working to connect local organizations with newcomers who have chosen to call Pictou County home.
Victoria Curtis, Immigration Readiness and Support Coordinator
Victoria originally hails from the UK. She pursued her academic passion and earned a degree in criminology at the University of Teesside, a field that reflects her commitment to understanding society's complexities. As a keen traveler, she embarked on a 2-year globetrotting adventure, exploring Canada, the USA, the South Pacific Islands, New Zealand, Australia, and China. Victoria has gathered a wealth of experiences and perspectives from her travels. With over 25 years of experience in customer service, Victoria is a natural relationship builder, adept at fostering connections and creating meaningful interactions. In August 2018, Victoria made the move to Pictou County with her husband, gaining permanent residency in July 2022. Victoria Joined the Pictou County Partnership in February 2024 as the Immigration Readiness and Support Coordinator, eager to give back to the community that has embraced her. With her passion for helping others and her diverse background, Victoria looks forward to making a positive impact and supporting newcomers on their own immigration journeys in Pictou County. An avid reader, Victoria finds solace and inspiration in books. If her head isn't stuck in a book, you can find her at the beach with her pup, Benjo.
Mary Ellen Makhlouf, Community Impact Programming Lead
Mary Ellen is a passionate entrepreneur with a dedication to innovation and a commitment to making a positive impact in our communities.
She is the founder of Forward Creative, a company born out of a desire to redefine the digital landscape and support Atlantic Canadian organizations, rooted in the belief that entrepreneurship is as a force for community prosperity, especially in rural areas. Her career has been focused on empowering entrepreneurs and non-profit leaders through strategic & business planning, branding, and digital transformation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she spearheaded initiatives to help local businesses transition online, ensuring they could sustain operations and maintain connectivity with customers. In 2023, she developed a technological solution aimed at addressing the housing crisis, further demonstrating her commitment to solving real-world problems through innovative solutions.
Mary Ellen is an EY Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist in Atlantic Canada and Women+ of Influence Nominee.