Rachelle Gagnon | Chair

Rachelle Gagnon is a seasoned executive with expertise in Human Resources. She is currently Vice-President, People and Culture for Champlain Seafood, one of the world’s largest processors of premium lobster and crab, with companies in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Massachusetts. Previously, she was Vice President of Group Insurance for Assumption Life in Moncton, NB. She has held the roles of VP of Administration and Client Experience, VP and Chief of HR, Organizational Development and Sales Compensation, having worked with the company for over 25 years.

She currently participates on various committees and boards; besides Learnsphere, she is a member and past chair of the Executive Committee of the Maritime Chapter of ICD (Institute of Corporate Directors), and is a Board Director with Genoa Design International, a leader in production design and 3D modeling services to shipbuilding and offshore industries. 

She has participated on many other boards: as Chair of the Board of Directors of NB Liquor, Vice-Chair of Service New Brunswick, and President of the Human Resources Association of New Brunswick (HRANB). She also sat on the Board of Friends of the Moncton Hospital Foundation, The Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce and is a former Board Member of the Canadian Council of Human Resources Associations. 

She taught for many years several modules of the Human Resources Management Program at UNB, NBCC-Moncton and CCNB-Dieppe on job and org design, recruitment, and retention. 

She is a graduate of Université de Moncton and the University of New Brunswick (UNB) with degrees in psychology, public administration, and has an MBA. She completed the Director Program of the Institute of Corporate Directors and holds the designations of ICD.D and CPHR. 

Tracy Clinch

Tracy Clinch is the President and CEO of Masitek Instruments, the global leader in sensor technology for the Food, Beverage, and Pharmaceutical industries. Launched over ten years ago, the company has more than 400 systems in 40 countries. Some of its most notable partnerships over the years have included ABI, Pfizer, Unilever, and Krones, to name a few. In 2018, Masitek Instruments was named Exporter of the Year by Opportunities NB. The year before, Clinch was named to Atlantic Business Magazine’s Top 50 CEOs list.

Tracy considers herself very fortunate to have spent her entire career in New Brunswick, having worked for two of the Province’s great companies- Moosehead Breweries and McCain before starting Masitek in 2010. 

Ms. Clinch is Chair of the Board of the New Brunswick Health Research Foundation and serves on the board of the Friends of The Moncton Hospital. She has also contributed to the New Brunswick Export Awards as a judge.

Tracy is active and enjoys giving back to her community through volunteer coaching. In her spare time, she enjoys playing volleyball and golfing, reading, traveling, and continuous learning. 

Lorne Novolker

Lorne is a successful entrepreneur, executive, learning and performance improvement expert, passionate about digital transformation and the future of work. Lorne is the former Vice President, Digital Learning Solutions at Calian Ltd. He co-founded Prospero Learning Solutions Inc. in 1998 and held the roles of President and CEO. When Prospero was acquired by GP Strategies in 2013, Lorne became Vice President of GP Canada running the Canadian operation for GP Strategies and was also part of the GP Strategies global leadership team for the Digital Learning Services and Solutions business. 

Lorne has managed projects and relationships with some of the world’s leading organizations across many industries and vertical markets. He has worked with Fortune 500 companies, Government Departments, Crown Corporations, and not-for-profits. 

Lorne, who earned his M.A. in Educational Technology from Concordia University, was a Quebec finalist in 2012 for the Ernst & Yong Entrepreneur Of The Year Award, won a PROMIE Entrepreneur award in 2010, a Leadership Award from The Canadian Multiple Sclerosis Society, and Prospero was one of the 2013 PROFIT 500: Canada’s Fastest-Growing Companies. 

Lorne who also has a lot of experience as a board member for not-for-profit organizations, has also won Training industry awards from ISPI, E‑learning Guild, CSTD (I4PL), and Brandon-Hall Awards for Excellence. 

Alison Stultz

Alison Stultz is Vice President of People & Culture with the Atlantic Lottery Corporation. She is responsible for oversight and leadership of AL’s human resources, change management, and corporate social responsibility practices and programs. Alison and her team work to make Atlantic Lottery one of the best experiences of every employee’s career. In her over 30 years with the organization, she has held leadership positions in Public Relations & Communications and Marketing.

Alison holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Dalhousie University. She has served on the Board of Directors of the 3+ Economic Development Organization, the economic development agency for the Greater Moncton area. 

She lives in Moncton and enjoys spending time with her husband and two children.

Isabelle Dasylva-Gill

Isabelle Dasylva-Gill is a native of the Paris region of France and moved to Canada more than 15 years ago. 

She is currently the Executive Director of the Société acadienne et francophone de l’Île-du-Prince Edward Island — SAF’Île, the official spokesperson and organization for the Island’s Acadian and francophone community. 

From 2009 to 2018, she held several positions in the provincial government, including Policy and Planning Analyst, Population Growth Officer and briefly as Acting Director of the Acadian and Francophone Affairs Secretariat. Prior to that, she worked for the Association for Newcomers to Canada, helping new Islanders settle. 

She has received various recognition awards for her leadership, volunteerism, and contributions, including the Diversity Champion Award. 

Isabelle Dasylva-Gill is very involved and actively engaged in her community: over the past few years, she has sat on several boards of directors of organizations devoted to community development, the Francophonie, the status of women and children, multiculturalism, mental health for youth and access to justice, among others. 

She is also a member of the Board of Governors of the Université de Moncton and has served on the PEI Premier’s Special Committee on Recovery and Growth. 

Her degrees include a degree in International Business, one in Business English, and a master’s degree in Marketing Research and Strategy from Sciences Po in Paris, France. She has also received certification in Collaborative Leadership and Facilitation in addition to the University of Prince Edward Island’s Manager Program. 

She is fluent in French, English, Spanish, Senegalese and has a basic knowledge of Portuguese. 

Isabelle became an Islander by choice over 12 years ago and still lives on PEI with her husband and three children.

Mélanie McGrath

Originally from Sainte-Marie-de-Kent, Mélanie McGrath is a graduate of l ​’Université de Moncton and was admitted to the bar in June 2007. Ms. McGrath is fluently bilingual and is a member of the Law Society of New Brunswick and the Canadian Bar Association. She is a partner in the law firm of Bell McGrath. She focusses her legal practice in real estate law, family law, corporate law and estate law. She is also an independent chairperson hearing disciplinary charges of federal penitentiaries – Atlantic Region. 

Ms. McGrath has always been very active in her community as well as her workplace. She has been involved with several organizations including the Jeux de l ​’Acadie, the Jeux de la francophonie canadienne, and the 2017 Allan Cup. She is also on the boards of the 2021 Jeux de la francophonie internationale, the Bouctouche Chamber of Commerce and the Bouctouche Business Improvement Corporation. She is also active on Law Society committees. 

During her free time, Ms. McGrath loves spending time with her husband and three children and travelling. 

Leonard Pecore

Leonard is Founder and Chair of the Board of Genoa Design International Ltd., formed in 1995. Genoa provides 3D modeling and production engineering to the Shipbuilding and Offshore industries across North America and is a tier one supplier in Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy’s non-combat program. With a current employee count of more than 230 based in offices in Newfoundland, New Orleans and Vancouver, the company has experienced more than 10 times growth since 2012. Genoa is an employee-owned company.

Leonard is an emerging Board Director with a focus on leadership, entrepreneurship, business development, governance, and an appreciation of interpersonal relationships. Leonard is active outside of Genoa as a member of the Marine Institute of Memorial University’s Industry Advisory Board, a member of the Naval Architecture and Marine Systems Program Advisory Councils, a member of the Genesis Centre Client Success Committee, and a member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers. Leonard currently sits on the Institute of Corporate Directors Newfoundland Chapter Executive Committee, the LearnSphere Board, and the Atlantic Canada Aerospace & Defence Association Board of Directors.

Leonard graduated from Acadia University in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts and joined the Canadian Military as a Naval Officer in 1987 where he completed 10 years service. He possesses a Diploma of Technology in Naval Architecture, a Master’s Certificate in Project Management, and is an ICD.D Certified Director.

Eric Joseph Christmas

Eric Christmas has dedicated the entirety of his professional career to the advancement of aboriginal communities, corporations and institutions through a variety of private/​public sector engagements.

In 2011, Mr. Christmas led the efforts to develop and execute the Mi’kmaq Renewable Energy Strategy (MRES). He led the project teams responsible for developing an energy investment and energy efficiency plan for the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia via the Assembly of NS Mi’kmaq Chiefs. He also secured and delivered the required equity funding.

Included in MRES effort was the development of two major wind farms for the Mi’kmaq of NS, both of which are now operational. Mr. Christmas also led the team to design and deliver a major energy efficiency project for the 13 Mi’kmaq communities. In 2012, he led the development team to launch a 13 Mi’kmaq community development corporation, known as Beaubassin Wind Energy Management Ltd.

Mr. Christmas also has an extensive business development background. Previous engagements have been with Membertou First Nation (Director Corporate Affairs), Wagmatcook First Nation (Corporate Director), National Centre for First Nation Governance (Governance Advisor) and Exxon-Mobil Canada (Aboriginal Liaison).

Current Engagements

Mr. Christmas currently has engagements BigMoon Energy, Pictou Landing First Nation and Tobique First Nation.

With BigMoon Energy, a company seeking to develop tidal energy in Nova Scotia and abroad, Mr. Christmas is designing a tech transfer and commercialization process for First Nations in the Nova Scotia tidal industry.

With Tobique First Nation, Mr. Christmas is realigning the band’s corporate fisheries and commercial acquisition program (including aquaculture) and redesigning their fisheries training through virtual reality (Virtual Nation).

Mr. Christmas is currently developing Pictou Landing First Nation’s Development Corporation including selecting a BOD for the DevCorp, building a Mi’kmaq temporary employment agency, developing partnerships for Boat Harbour clean up project and land management, and a First Nations modular home company.

Entrepreneurship: At present, Mr. Christmas is developing a virtual reality company (Virtual Nation) whose long-term objective is to develop First Nation business skills and capacities. Mr. Christmas also owns a farmer’s market in Sydney and, until recently, a restaurant in Cole Harbour (sold in April 2017).

Nagesh Jammula

Nagesh holds a Bachelor of Commerce and CPA designation. Over his 35-year career with Medavie, he has progressed from various positions and currently serves as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Nagesh has also served on several boards over the years and brings a wealth of knowledge. 

Nagesh has been married for over 35 years and is the father of two grown daughters. He has been a resident of Moncton for over 40 years. Nagesh enjoys spending time with family and friends and playing golf.