Meet Our Team

 Scott Ferguson, CEO

In November of 2021, the Pictou County Partnership named Scott Ferguson its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Scott brings more than 30 years of experience in economic development. Most notably, he was CEO of the World Trade Centres Association (New York), a global association dedicated to the effective operation of World Trade Centers (WTCs) as instruments for real estate investment and international trade. Ferguson also held the role of President and CEO of Trade Centre Limited, an organization that operated the World Trade Center Halifax, Scotia Bank Centre, and the Halifax Convention Centre.

 scott.ferguson@pictoucountypartnership.com

 

 

Heidi Sinclair, Director of Strategy and Communications

Heidi has spent more than ten years in Communications and Community Outreach for not-for-profit and educational-based organizations. Heidi has a Bachelor of Business Administration from St. Francis Xavier University and a post-graduate certificate in Public Relations from Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. Heidi has applied her education to positions at the YMCA of Pictou County, the National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health (NCCDH), and the Coady International Institute. Over the years, Heidi has taken multiple education programs, including completing several leadership programs through YMCA Canada and a certificate in Digital Marketing from York University. Heidi served as acting CEO for the YMCA and the Partnership while organizations searched for new successors.

 heidi.sinclair@pictoucountypartnership.com

 

 

Heather Knight, Marketing and Communications Officer

heather.knight@pictoucountypartnership.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wade Tibbo, Manager of Business Development and Innovation

Wade has spent the last ten years actively involved in the business community in the Annapolis Valley. He attended both Acadia University and the Nova Scotia Community College studying Business. Wade served as the President and Vice President for the Kentville Development Corporation, Director and Chair of Advocacy for the Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce, and many other volunteer boards including the Rotary Club of Wolfville Mud Creek and the VON. Wade was also appointed to the New Minas Secondary Planning working group by the Municipality of the County of Kings. Wade has a wide range of experience in business including commercial/agricultural banking, insurance/risk management, and senior management. Previously the CEO of Careforce Home Health Care Cooperative, and Project Manager for the Nova Scotia Cooperative Council, Wade has experience and knowledge of the cooperative sector as well. Originally from Liscomb, he spent significant time in Pictou County throughout his childhood. He now calls Pictou County home, with his wife who grew up here, and their two boys. 

                                                                        wade.tibbo@pictoucountypartnership.com

 

 

Cindy James, Business Counselor | Entrepreneur in Residence 

cindy.james@pictoucountypartnership.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 jamie.grant@pictoucountypartnership.com

 

 

 

David Crowell, Finance Officer

David Crowell spent 12+ years working for Sobeys
in numerous departments and positions, including Budget Coordinator for Retail Operations. 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. Family issues brought him back to Nova Scotia and working again for Sobeys as a Retail Accountant. 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 (Province/Country).

                                                                        david.crowell@pictoucountypartnership.com

 

Becky Cowen, Manager of Workforce Development and Immigration

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.

becky.cowen@pictoucountypartnership.com

 

 

 

 

 

Lynne Jamieson, Project Coordinator (Workforce) 

With over 30 years of management and leadership experience in the not-for-profit and post secondary education sectors, Lynne is excited for the opportunity to utilize her passion for connecting with people and helping them realize their goals on the workforce development and immigration team at the Pictou County Partnership. Lynne holds bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Education from Queen’s University and a masters degree in Natural Resource Management from Simon Fraser University.

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.

                                                                       Lynne.Jamieson@pictoucountypartnership.com 

 

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.

sarah.santos@pictoucountypartnership.com

 

 

 

 

Colleen Proudfoot, Business Counselor and Resource Navigator     

connect@pictoucountypartnership.com