Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is a volunteer role, member are recruited through the Nominations committee of the Board. The board is responsible for the overall governance of Experiences Canada, with principal responsibilities for strategic planning, financial and administrative oversight. Appointments are for a two-year period with a maximum limit of three consecutive terms or 6 years of service. It meets twice a year in person and conducts the rest of its work largely via teleconference.
Judith Sullivan-Corney – Chair
Halifax, NSJudith Sullivan-Corney is a Senior Consultant with Royer Thompson and Associates working in all areas of management development including organization design, executive recruitment, problem solving and business analysis.
She has extensive experience in the public sector, including human resources, aboriginal affairs, leadership development, mentorship and coaching. She has successfully led aboriginal and intergovernmental consultation for the province of Nova Scotia where extensive relationship building efforts resulted in agreements between multi-party groups. Judith has established a proven ability to respect the input of stakeholders and to provide leadership in policy development and implementation.
Judith spent 4 years as the Deputy Minister, Intergovernmental Affairs, Military Relations and Protocol Office in Nova Scotia. Prior to this she served as Deputy Minister, Office of Aboriginal Affairs and the Status of Women. From 1998-2002 she was the Public Service Commissioner/Deputy Minister of Human Resources for the province of Nova Scotia.
Adam Young
Ottawa, ONAdam is an Education Specialist with the Bank of Canada Museum where he helps build programs and outreach to educate Canadians on the economy.
A former teacher and language camp coordinator, Adam has taught at the university and K-12 level, specializing in sustainability and inquiry. He leads the national environmental learning network EECOM, and has developed projects for Scouts Canada and other ENGOs.
Adam has been active with Experiences Canada since his role as a youth ambassador for Canada 150 & Me. He is passionate about diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation within exchanges, and the power of collaboration to solve global issues.
Alena Jackson
Winnipeg, MBAlena Jackson is Assistant Manager, Investment Operations at Canada Life Assurance Company. She holds a CPA, CMA designation and a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a major in Finance and a minor in International Business from the University of Manitoba. This is her first national board role, but has been involved in a number of community involvement activities in Winnipeg including the Winnipeg Jazz Festival and the Manitoba Weightlifting Association.
Daniela Pico
Toronto, ONDaniela Pico is a leader in education and technology innovation. As the Strategic Partnership Lead at Outlier.org, Daniela helps leading institutions provide access to best in class online learning at an affordable cost. Prior to joining Outlier, Daniela held various roles at Riipen, including as Director of Account Management and Director of Strategic Partnerships. Under her leadership, over 75,000 work integrated learning experiences were delivered to students across North America. In the community, Daniela has led the Global Shapers of the World Economic Forum based inToronto as the former curator, runs the Immunocity podcast, is an OnDeck Fellow, and is a mentor with Girls in Tech.
Paige Percy
Ottawa, ONPaige Percy first joined Experiences Canada as a Fora: Network for Change’s Rise on Boards Young Director in 2022. As a “Generation Z” board member she is proud to bring youth perspectives and voices to the board. Paige is passionate about equitable change-making and the power of young people. Paige currently works in international affairs as a Trade Policy Analyst at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. In 2023, Paige completed her Master of Arts in Environmental Policy at the Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador. Paige is an alumni of the Canadian Council for Youth Prosperity youth council, Young Diplomats of Canada, Leading Change Canada, and Plan International Canada Youth Speakers Hub.
Marian Gayed
Edmonton, ABMarian Gayed is a leader in education, innovation and business development. She has 20 years of experience in post secondary education, and expertise in healthcare research. She is the former VP, external relations and partnerships at NorQuest College, where she led transformation of entrepreneurial business development initiatives at the college for almost seven years in support of fund development, international partnerships and industry training and development partnerships. Prior to then, she was the Director of governance and executive leadership programs at the Alberta School of Business, U of A. Marian has sat on and chaired a number of non-profit boards, such as Firefly Circus and Theatre and e4c. Marian holds a bachelors in arts, a bachelors of commerce and an MBA.
Chelsea Thompson
Vancouver, BCChelsea is an experienced corporate transactions and commercial contracts lawyer. After articling and practising as an associate at a top tier law firm in Vancouver, British Columbia, she transferred her technical knowledge of private mergers and acquisitions, securities, intellectual property, and general corporate law into practical application by transitioning into various in-house counsel roles. Chelsea has spent the last 10 years in the higher education industry working for The University of British Columbia. She is involved in a wide spectrum of the institution’s operations and strategic projects, including drafting and negotiating the following: technology licenses; research agreements; educational content development and delivery contracts; and multi-million-dollar land disposition, acquisition, and development transactions. Previously, Chelsea worked for Canada’s largest space and information technology company, where she engaged in various corporate transactions. Chelsea also has experience in governance matters, including conflict of interest and commitment matter management; and chairing various policy development committees that are responsible for drafting, consulting, and implementing numerous policies and procedures. In her down time, Chelsea is an avid reader, an experienced global traveler, and a cultural history and trivia enthusiast.
Adriaan de Jager
Vancouver, BCAdriaan de Jager is UBC’s Associate Vice-President, Government Relations and Community Engagement. In his role, he works with municipal, regional, provincial, and federal levels of government to promote strategic relations, and advance key priorities. He also works to support the building of respectful relationships with community partners through scholarship, research, funding programs, and public engagement opportunities. Adriaan received the Gillian Wood Award for Excellence in Government Relations in 2021. Adriaan has previously worked supporting international humanitarian relief efforts, reconciliation and reconstruction and has a long-standing relationship supporting UBC CampOUT.
Rod Francis
Halifax, NSRod lives and works on his traditional land, Mi’kma’ki. In 2009, he started his career as a Regular Member of the RCMP. In this capacity, he had the opportunity to work as the School Liaison Officer with the South Shore Regional Centre of Education. It is in this role that he began to bridge the gap of a very “strained” relationship between the Mi’kmaw community and the police. This was achieved by creating an afterschool program with the local Mi’kmaw youth and with the community, in addition, he quickly developed positive connections with Mi’kmaw youth within each school. In 2017 Rod retired from the RCMP and began working in Education, and currently works at the Department of Education and Early Child Development as the Director of Program and Services, Mi’kmaw Services Branch in Mi’kma’ki (Nova Scotia). In his past time, Rod and his husband enjoy travelling and spending time with family.
Marc Snyder
Montreal, QCMarc Snyder is Vice-President – Government Relations at Paradigme Stratégies, a communications’ firm with offices in Montreal and Quebec City supporting organizations to help
their messages and projects be heard, understood and accepted. Marc has 25 years of experience in government relations, public relations and digital communications acquired with renowned communications agencies, political parties, government organizations and as a freelancer. He joined Paradigme Stratégies in 2018 to open and run its office in Montreal. Marc participated in a reciprocal exchange in London, Ontario with SEVEC in the summer of 1983, and an intercultural exchange in Marbella, Spain in 1985-86.
Ian McCann
Toronto, ONIan McCann was born and raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts, arriving in Canada at the age of 18. His professional experience touches both the non-profit and corporate sectors, always focused on social purpose. His five years in the non-profit sector included time in various fund development spaces, from peer-to-peer to planned giving. Since then, he has led Meridian Credit Union’s Social Impact team, building partnerships with nonprofits focused on mutual benefit, corporate engagement, and most importantly impact. When not at work, he enjoys playing the fiddle, playing soccer, and spending time with his dog, Marshall.
