The Board

Born and raised just outside town in Brookside, Nova Scotia, Andrew is a Chartered Accountant working in Public Accounting at a local major firm. While looking for board experience he came across SSNS, and having a close friend with lived experience, felt he should do something to help out. Originally joining the board as Treasurer in 2016, and after a hiatus rejoining the board in June 2019, he’s looking forward to seeing the future of the organization and the cause.

Glenna is a retired business woman after 30 years in the property and casualty insurance industry. She is a distance student at MSVU working towards a Bachelor of Arts degree. Her past includes volunteer work with Big Brothers Big Sisters, In-School Mentoring, Brokers Association of Nova Scotia and YYW Swim Team. She has lived experience with Schizophrenia and understands how the programs offered by SSNS are crucial for the recovery process. She resides in Yarmout

Senior operating and management executive with 32 years in leading successful growing organizations. Results oriented director adept at managed risk taking with a keen sense of bottom-line profitability. Ability to attain consensus and buy-in and generate excitement behind major programs while building credibility and enhancing customer confidence. Known for capacity to create and articulate corporate vision and then move teams to embrace it. Attract talented people and allow teams to take chances, believing that without creative risk taking there can be no true innovation.

Terry Gibbs is a professor of International Politics at Cape Breton University. Her teaching and research focus on social justice and environmental issues. Prior to entering the university system, Terry spent many years working in the non-profit sector both in Canada and internationally and she continues to be engaged in community work and social justice activism. Terry is an accredited Dialogue for Peaceful Change facilitator and conducts workshops in self awareness, interpersonal communication, cross and intercultural communication, and conflict resolution. Terry came to know about the work of the SSNS through her participation in the Families Matter program. Her partner is living with PTSD and, with their two sons, they are navigating the challenges as a family. She found the program to be extremely helpful so took the training to become a FM facilitator. For many years Terry has found herself providing support to students and colleagues dealing with mental health issues and has been engaged in workshops and educational events aimed at confronting stigma and providing spaces for safe dialogue on mental health topics. She is very interested in supporting efforts to enhance mental health and resilience in her community and beyond.

Michael Butt earned a Ph.D. in history from Memorial University in Newfoundland. A Fulbright scholar and former assistant professor at Dalhousie University, Michael teaches at the Halifax Grammar School. In 2018, Michael co-authored a digital history textbook for IB students. He has been involved in several regional conferences and organizations concerned with community issues including affordable housing and raising mental health awareness.

Fern is an in-house litigation lawyer with Aviva Insurance Company. After graduating from Dalhousie Law School in 1986, she practiced law with a private firm for 12 years. In 1999, Fern moved in-house to achieve a better balance between work and raising her 5 children. In her career and with family members, Fern has encountered the challenges of mental health issues. She is eager to make even a small difference through her membership on the Board.