Joanne L. Bernard

A strategic, pragmatic, and dynamic Executive Leader with 25 years' experience in senior management in both public and private sectors resulting in innovative system changes and enhanced social policy direction with the goal of opening opportunities for those facing challenges by removing barriers and inequities. Decisive and charismatic leader who inspires program transformation and empowers others to create positive, innovative, and bold outcomes. Recognized for building a strong and respected reputation as an effective communicator fostering relationships in a variety of sectors, communities, and cultures.

LEADERSHIP

Identified, strategized, and stewarded working relationships with multi-sector stakeholders to facilitate a multi-million-dollar operational strategic project resulting in a new facility, program expansion and new revenue development unprecedented in the 85-year history of Easter Seals Nova Scotia., 

Successfully led a comprehensive transformation of operational, policy and legislative systems within the Department of Community Services of Nova Scotia resulting in a bold and innovative social policy framework focused on client centered improved outcomes, sustainability and enhanced well-being for persons utilizing social services., 

Guided the development of Bill 59: An Act Respecting Accessibility in Nova Scotia including appointing to and consulting with the Minister's Advisory Council on Accessibility whose report formed the basis for the subsequent legislation thus becoming the third province in Canada to adopt accessibility legislation., 

Provided leadership at Federal/Provincial/Territorial tables on Social Services, Housing, Status of Women and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls representing government direction for the Province of Nova Scotia. As a result, Mi'kmaq families, reserves and Indigenous leadership were full partners in the National Inquiry., 

Established a new direction for employee engagement and stakeholder consultation within the Department of Community Services, Housing Nova Scotia and Advisory Council on the Status of Women on issues focused on persons with disabilities, gender-based violence, affordable housing, and employment support/income assistance., 

Led the development and creation of the Marguerite Centre by maximizing federal and provincial resources and funding streams. The Marguerite Centre continues to be the only facility for women recovering from women with addictions and has provided in-house treatment to hundreds of women over the years., 

RESULTS AND ACHEIVEMENTS 

Fast tracked a critical analysis path for increased productivity, enhanced program outcomes and government relations resulting in new opportunities for Easter Seals Nova Scotia which involved increased capacity while improving metrics across program and policy directions., 

Achieved all government direction as indicated in the Minister's Mandate Letters of 10/01/13 and 10/01/15 under the direction of the Premier of Nova Scotia., 

Increased public awareness and access to programs for survivors of sexual assault in Nova Scotia through the development and implementation of Breaking the Silence: A Coordinated Response to Sexual Violence in Nova Scotia., 

Successfully legislatively opened the Children and Family Services Act with eighty-nine amendments which serve to strengthen prevention child welfare programs, employ cultural sensitivities and respect for Aboriginal families and holistically protect vulnerable children in Nova Scotia., 

Led multi-year delegations from Nova Scotia to the United Nations in New York for the Commission on the Status of Women including the presentation of the Peaked Cap Project in 2017 at Canada's Permanent Mission., 

Developed evaluation and outcome monitoring procedures which were accepted as Best Practices as defined by the Donner Foundation and Charity Intelligence., 

Under my leadership and proposal, research focused on the intersectionality between disabled women living in domestic violence in Nova Scotia was published in 2020 entitled 'Not Without Us: A Report About Changing the Response for Women with Disabilities Experiencing Domestic Violence.' All recommendations were accepted by the Province of Nova Scotia.,

 Led the establishment of 'Between the Bridges' in Dartmouth North in 2015 which encouraged the coordination of community organizations to engage stakeholders through social impact measures to make person centered improvements for those marginalized in the greater community, this program became the first of Inspiring Communities which exists in various communities in Nova Scotia today.,

STRATEGIC THINKING

Led the strategic development and complementary operational planning of Building on Our Abilities which will point the strategic direction of Easter Seals Nova Scotia over the next 10 years., 

Conceptually led the development of a Path Forward at Housing Nova Scotia through analysis of current provincial housing trends resulting in a reduction of housing waitlists by 20% and leveraging federal investment to create innovative housing options and a new home ownership program., 

Transformed the Advisory Council on the Status of Women from an advisory role to a robust policy directorate ensuring all women serving organizations are analyzed through a feminist lens., 

Working with the Executive Council Office, introduced Gender Based Analysis to senior management across the Government of Nova Scotia resulting in this analysis being applied to government policy, legislation and direction., 

Encouraged the introduction of a corporate management framework within the Department of Community Services to ensure program outcomes both internal and external of the department were fully measured and maximized to ensure the best use of public funds and optimum program delivery for those who rely on our services.

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

Unique experience of working from both sides of the governmental spectrum including the highest level of executive council appointment to prominent stakeholder within various nonprofit spheres., 

Extensive knowledge of municipal, provincial, and federal matters of importance including legislative processes, intersectionalities of jurisdictions and their related bureaucracies., 

Considerable experience in the delicate, intentional and pragmatic skill of lobbying key stakeholders including Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Key Stakeholders both internally and externally in provincial and federal government spheres.

REVENUE DEVELOPMENT AND FISCAL MANAGEMENT

Currently responsible for the development and management of a $4.8m operating budget of Easter Seals Nova Scotia., 

Responsible to Executive Council for building, monitoring, and sustaining a budget of nearly $1 billion and ensuring mitigations or cost pressures were clearly and concisely addressed and presented to the Treasury Board., 

Extraordinarily successful in personally generating revenues from various sources including corporate partnerships, national foundations, third party events, special events and grant writing streams.,

Through various streams of fundraising, has personally generated over 5 million dollars in operational and project specific revenues in 20 years of executive leadership within the non-profit sector.

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

Researched and authored 'Healing the Bruises,' the only interventionist therapy program for child witnesses of domestic violence in Atlantic Canada. The Program was published in book form and distributed to the Nova Scotia Department of Education and other stakeholders for training purposes., 

Researched and developed 'The Next Step' a supported employment program for high school graduates who live with a disability wishing to enter into the job market. Established sustainable funding for the program through corporate sponsorships and multi-level government investment., 

Doubled the inclusive sport program of Easter Seals Nova Scotia by leveraging current partnerships to establish new pathways to expansion province wide including establishing the first satellite office in Yarmouth for the organization., 

Directed the enhancement and expansion of the Career Seek Program within the Department of Community Services with changes I personally directed concerning funding and tuition free opportunities at NSCC for children of parents accessing Income Assistance in an effort to disrupt generational poverty., 

Led the development of Mount Saint Vincent Alumni Association Mentorship Program established in 2020 including the matrix and framework for supporting fourth year students and conceptualized the Grad Re-Do in 2022.

GOVERNANCE AND HUMAN RESOURCES

Extensive experience with all aspects of executive leadership and working collaboratively to build a winning team capable of furthering the goals and mission of an organization. Areas of focus include the recruitment and retaining of talented staff, performance management, regulatory requirements, and reporting.,  

Currently support a Board of Directors consisting of eighteen volunteers representing various sectors in our community., 

Have refreshed and develop board governance policies focusing on terms of references for committees, board recruitment, terms of offer and code of conduct policies., 

Provide advice, support and communication to the provincial Board of Directors including serving on the National Board of Directors for Easter Seals Canada., 

Several years' experience of serving and supporting governance boards as both an executive leader and volunteer including 6 years on the Mount Saint Vincent Alumni Board and 4 years on the Mount Saint Vincent University Board of Governors.

COMMUNICATIONS

Recognized as a prolific public speaker with numerous keynote deliveries with a driving passion for those who are vulnerable or face challenges in their lives., 

Frequently requested for keynote speaking engagements on topics including volunteerism, gender politics, LBGTI+ issues, EDIA strategies and public policy development., 

Excellent presence in all aspects of media relations., 

Strong creative writing skills including speeches, promotional materials, essays, and grants.

IMPACT AND INFLUENCE

Reputation for being a problem solver and focused on results particularly as it pertains to all aspects of socio-economic factors in Nova Scotia., 

Maximized relationships by building and stewarding those relationships over 20 years both within and outside of government., 

Recognized by elected and non-elected stakeholders from all levels of government as a fair, collaborative, pragmatic and strategic thinker., 

Designated a Canadian Women Trailblazer for Women in Politics and featured in 'Women on the Ballot: Pathways to Political Power,' published in 2019 by researcher and author Betsy McGregor., Featured in Roundtable discussion entitled 'Social Media Harassment of Women Politicians,' Canadian Parliamentary Review, 2017., 

Called to testify before the federal Standing Committee on the Status of Women in Ottawa concerning the experience of women in politics and its cross-sectionalism to online harassment and threats., 

Keynote Speaker and panelists at various conferences including Halifax Regional Municipality Volunteer Conference (2018), National Disabilities Conference, (2019) Wonder Women Conference, (2019), QueenPIns (2017) Nova Scotia Realtor Conference and 'Confronting Online Bullying of Female Politicians' at the University of Prince Edward Island. (2018), 

Featured in 'On Their Shoulders: The Women Who Paved the Way in Nova Scotia Politics' to be published 03/01/20 by Sarah Dobson and Grace Evans., Political panelist/commentator on CTV Atlantic coverage of Nova Scotia Provincial Elections in 2021 and 2024., 

Will be the incoming Vice Chair and subsequent Chair of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for 2024-2026 term thus becoming the first openly gay Chair of the Board in the Chambers' 275 year history.

• Media Training - Communications Nova Scotia, 2017
• Envision Halifax - 1 Year Shapeshift Leadership Program, 2008
• Writing Winning Proposals- Dalhousie University, 2001
• Non - Violent Crisis Intervention Program, 2011
• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, 2011

• MSVU Alumni Award for Community Service, 2024
• Business Leader of the Year - Halifax Chamber of Commerce, 2023
• Mel Hebb Hourglass Award for Exceptional Service, 2023
• Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for Community Service, 2023
• Inspire Award - Public Service - Big Brothers Big Sisters, 2015
• Peter Drucker Non-Profit Management Award - Fraser Institute, 2011
• Holly House Hero Award - Elizabeth Fry Society, 2009
• Donner Award - Best Non-Profit Performance in the Provision of Basic Necessities, 2007-12