Staff Team – GEO Nova Scotia

The GEO Nova Scotia Staff Team is dedicated to Digital Inclusion for all Nova Scotians, achieved by delivering outstanding programs with community partners that ensure everyone has what they need to be online.

Othell Downey

Digital Inclusion Facilitator

Othell Downey

Digital Inclusion Facilitator

Othell is new to the nonprofit world, joining GEO Nova Scotia following a career in customer service and Information Technology. He always tries his best to be involved with youth in his community, working with leadership programs and after school activities like music production, mentorship, and other life skills. Othell lives in Dartmouth with his girlfriend and their son who he loves spending time with and teaching him what it means to lead a fun and fulfilling life.

Email:othell@geonovascotia.ca

Kamalpreet Kaur (she/her)

Digital Inclusion Facilitator

Kamalpreet Kaur (she/her)

Digital Inclusion Facilitator

Kamalpreet (Kamal), originally from India, moved to Canada as an international student and has a background in STEM. She is experienced in teaching, coaching, community engagement, and data analytics, and thrives in innovative environments where problem-solving is key. Passionate about understanding the universe and life, Kamal applies her skills to addressing environmental and societal challenges. She strongly believes digital inclusion is essential to empower people in a rapidly evolving world of AI and technological advancement, particularly those historically excluded due to socio-economic barriers. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, exploring the mysteries of the universe, and appreciating the natural beauty of Halifax.

Email:kamal@geonovascotia.ca

Juren Emiko (she/her)

Digital Inclusion Facilitator

Juren Emiko (she/her)

Digital Inclusion Facilitator

Juren recently moved to Nova Scotia from Oshawa Ontario with an educational background in International Relations and Social Services. She loves building connections with people and believes in understanding and empathizing with diverse individuals and communities. Juren is excited to support inclusivity in the digital world, assisting individuals to build digital skills, navigating online resources, and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to connect with people and the world around them. Outside of work, Juren loves watching movies, reading books and spending time with friends and family.

Email:juren@geonovascotia.ca

Cam Roach (they/them)

Digital Inclusion Facilitator

Cam Roach (they/them)

Digital Inclusion Facilitator

Cameron settled near New Glasgow in 2021, joining GEO Nova Scotia as part of a career in technology education and nonprofit work. They are excited to continue giving back to the community that’s been so welcoming, and to help connect people with one another. Cameron has a background in STEM (please feel free to ask them about combinatorics!) and an enduring love of board games. After work, Cameron can be found reading, cooking, and trying to negotiate with the rambunctious beagle that’s taken over their living room.

Email:cameron@geonovascotia.ca

Koda Nowak (they/them)

Digital Inclusion Facilitator

Koda Nowak (they/them)

Digital Inclusion Facilitator

A small river named Duden flows by their place and supplies it with the Koda fell in love with Nova Scotia on a trip in 2021 and has recently made the move to Liverpool from Ontario. They are excited to start building connections and community in their new home. Koda has an educational background in social service work and has spent the last year working with children and youth in foster care. They are looking forward to learning and growing as a Digital Inclusion Facilitator. When not working, Koda enjoys keeping themselves busy. They love taking walks in nature, listening to live music, playing board games, and painting. Koda is particularly fond of Dungeons & Dragons and plays every Friday night.

Email:koda@geonovascotia.ca

Dr. Cari Patterson (she/her)

Evaluation & Learning Lead

Dr. Cari Patterson (she/her)

Evaluation & Learning Lead

Cari is passionate about learning, and loves sharing the journey with communities who are working for social justice. Her thinking is largely shaped by the Big Sky of the Prairies, where she grew up, and has to return regularly to be filled by the strength of the space.

Email:cari@geonovascotia.ca

Laurel Taylor (she/her)

Administrative Lead

Laurel Taylor (she/her)

Administrative Lead

Laurel began her career as a Computer Programmer before attaining her accreditation as a Certified Career Development Practitioner. She has held various community support roles including Provincial Team Lead of CMHA-NS Project HOPE. She is a tireless advocate for full inclusion for all Nova Scotians and is currently the Chair of her town’s Inclusion and Accessibility Committee. Her philosophy encompasses a belief we all have multiple abilities and strengths. Laurel lives in the beautiful Annapolis Valley with her husband and is the proud parent of 2 adult children.

Email:info@geonovascotia.ca

Tyra MacInnis (she/her)

Participant Support Lead

Tyra MacInnis (she/her)

Participant Support Lead

Tyra grew up in various parts of rural Nova Scotia, so the need to "get everyone online" and connected is something she understands and is passionate about. Tyra has a wide array of experience to share from her career in the justice system, customer service roles, and various volunteer positions with mental health and addictions in her community. She always tries her best to listen with an open heart and open mind to make sure she is able to best help anyone who is in need, in the most accessible way possible. When Tyra isn’t at work, she loves traveling and hiking with her husband & miniature American shepherd Reba, and checking out local folk and rock music artists.

Email:tyra@geonovascotia.ca

Brenda Lavandier (she/her)

Interim Digital Champions Lead

Brenda Lavandier (she/her)

Interim Digital Champions Lead

Brenda grew up in Cape Breton and has worked in the non-profit sector for over 15 years, helping people to meet their needs and achieve their goals in many capacities. In this role with GEO, Brenda expects to continue helping people in meaningful ways that will have a positive impact in their lives and within their community. In her downtime, Brenda can be found with family and friends, gardening, reading, or sitting on her sunny summer front step chatting with neighbors.

Email:brenda@geonovascotia.ca

Michael Sime (he/him)

Finance Lead

Michael Sime (he/him)

Finance Lead

Michael grew up in Halifax, where he quickly gained a strong appreciation for the outdoors and for bringing people together. After getting B.Comm from Dalhousie, MBA from Saint Mary's, and a CPA (CMA) accounting designation, he hit the road to check out some of the other scenes the world has to offer through traveling and working abroad. More recently, he's begun using his skillset to help solve organizational and financial challenges that smaller teams often face during periods of growth and change. You'll most likely see him bouldering at the gym on Gottingen street or talking to anyone who will listen about the book he's currently excited about.

Email:finance@geonovascotia.ca

Eilish Bonang-Smith (she/her)

Communications Lead

Eilish Bonang-Smith (she/her)

Communications Lead

Eilish is a seasoned communications and marketing professional, born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia. With a strong foundation in broadcast journalism, Eilish has spent the past several years honing her storytelling and strategic communication skills across multiple platforms — from live television to digital campaigns and podcast production. Her career has taken her across Atlantic Canada, having lived and worked in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and New Brunswick. Eilish was a trusted voice in Atlantic Canadian news as an anchor, senior digital broadcast journalist, and producer with Global News and CTV. She’s known for her ability to connect with audiences, tell impactful community stories, and manage high-pressure, live broadcast environments with ease. Outside of work, Eilish is an animal lover, an ocean swimmer, and an avid enjoyer of all things food. She lives in Halifax with her husband Callum — whom she met in journalism school — and their beloved "foster-fail" cat, Moose. She finds joy in spending time outdoors, especially near the water, and believes in the power of meaningful connection, both personally and professionally.

Email:comms@geonovascotia.ca

Josie Lake (she/her)

Interim Program Partnership Manager

Josie Lake (she/her)

Interim Program Partnership Manager

Josie’s passion for helping others is what drives her. She has had vast experiences sharing her love and zest for life with people she meets throughout this journey of life. She worked in various roles in education, Information Technology, and administration and enjoys helping to find ways to grow and develop organizations our communities need. Josie attended the Computer Information Systems and Technology program at NSCC. Josie recently completed her certificate in Adult Learning Fundamentals from Dalhousie University. Outside of work, she can be found traveling with her partner on their motorcycles.

Email:josie@geonovascotia.ca

Ian Scarisbrick (he/him)

Referral Program Manager

Ian Scarisbrick (he/him)

Referral Program Manager

Ian strongly believes in the importance of digital inclusion, joining GEO Nova Scotia in July following experience managing a digital literacy program in Cape Breton. Ian came to Canada in 2008 and likes to joke that he was “brought here as a souvenir from his wife’s travels in the UK”. He spent twelve years as a project manager in the event management industry before entering the non-profit sector in 2021. Ian lives in Guysborough with his wife, their four children, two cats, and a dog. After two years in Nova Scotia, he can't imagine living anywhere else.

Email:ian@geonovascotia.ca

Matt Spurway (he/him)

Chief Development Officer

Matt Spurway (he/him)

Chief Development Officer

Bringing different perspectives and experiences together to tackle complex social challenges is Matt's passion, with prior Collective Impact experience in areas such as Affordable Housing, Education, Access to Healthcare, and Food Security. Matt loves leading a diverse and talented team that is growing GEO Nova Scotia into a major force for digital inclusion across the province. He also sits on the Boards of the Public Good Society of Dartmouth, and the Farrell Benevolent Society. Matt lives in Dartmouth with his wife Amy, their three children, and assorted flora and fauna.

Email:matt@geonovascotia.ca

Bonnie Ste-Croix (she/her)

Chief Executive Officer

Bonnie Ste-Croix (she/her)

Chief Executive Officer

Born and raised in Gaspe, Quebec, Bonnie spent 20 years in Vancouver, BC where she worked in municipal government and had a music career. Her unique collection of work experiences have facilitated her capacity to tackle complex systems and address issues that disproportionately impact equity-deserving groups. Bonnie is solution-focused and thrives in creative spaces that champion change and innovative approaches to addressing complex issues through collaboration. Her move to Nova Scotia in 2010 enabled her to continue her community-serving commitment by working to support Nova Scotians facing unjust barriers who live with lower incomes. She has enjoyed interweaving Nova Scotia-centric perspectives, promising practices from other provinces, and learnings from international practices for human rights, inclusion, gender equity, LGBTQIA+ and women rights. She was Executive Director at Chebucto Connections in Spryfield and worked in Poverty Reduction with the Province of Nova Scotia. Bonnie’s passion for inclusion and diversity extends equally into her personal and professional worlds. When not working Bonnie thrives in nature, when surrounded by music, with her son, her friends and her animals.

Email:bonnie@geonovascotia.ca

Danielle Pentland (she/her)

Program Partnership Manager (on leave)

Danielle Pentland (she/her)

Program Partnership Manager (on leave)

Danielle Pentland is a social entrepreneur whose unique mix of private and community sector experiences have led her into leadership roles, creating innovative solutions to complex social challenges. She is a strategic thinker, a relationship builder, and a creative problem-solver. Danielle is adept at leveraging these skills to create the conditions which grow resilience in people and communities. Danielle loves living in Downtown Dartmouth where she can be found most often in the garden or walking the trails with a friend.