Springtide Team: Board of Directors
Lucy Hulford: Springtide Board Chair / (Governance Officer) @ United Way Halifax
Lucy grew up in West Vancouver, British Columbia and came to Halifax in 2009 to complete her undergraduate degree in Criminology and English at Saint Mary’s University. After becoming involved in the residence and campus community, Lucy fell in love with Halifax and decided to stay and complete her Master of Public Administration at Dalhousie University. Lucy was recently the Vice-Chair and Chair of Programming for the 2015 Atlantic Conference on Public Administration and previously worked for the Department of National Defence. Lucy views democratic practice and involvement as an avenue for strong community engagement.
Most democratic thing she has ever done: Been elected to student government.
Least democratic thing she has ever done: She has a tendency to dictate the restaurant or bar when going out with friends.
Lisa Buchanan: Past Springtide Board Chair, Director at Large / Development Research Officer @ United Way of Halifax Region
Lisa grew up in Sydney, Nova Scotia. She holds degrees in political science and law from Dalhousie University, as well as a Master’s of English from the University of Saskatchewan. Lisa is passionate about community leadership and policy development. She is a former chair of the Nova Scotia Rainbow Action Project (NSRAP) and former councillor of the Dalhousie Student Union (DSU).
At the DSU, Lisa played a key role in large-scale reform of the union’s election and referendum rules, and governance structure. She has also been a campaign volunteer during federal, provincial, and municipal elections.
Most democratic thing she’s ever done: Re-drafted the Dalhousie Student Union’s election rules.
Least democratic thing she’s ever done: Scheduled a meeting without using a Doodle poll.
Ryan MacLeod: Springtide Board Treasurer / Economist @ Nova Scotia Department of Finance and Treasury Board
Originally from Sydney, Nova Scotia, Ryan has lived and studied in three difference provinces. With an M.A. in Economics from Queen’s, he has worked for the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council, the Halifax Partnership, and now for the Nova Scotia Department and Treasury Board studying the provincial economy. Through his work, Ryan has seen that solid public engagement is key to developing effective policy, in matters of economy and everything else.
Most democratic thing he’s ever done: Intentionally spoiled his ballot in a provincial election.
Least democratic thing he’s ever done: Intentionally spoiled his ballot in a provincial election.
Sarah Simpson: Springtide Board Member & Better Politics Awards Committee Chair / Consultant @ National Public Relations
A proud Prince Edward Island native, Sarah has done her fair share of exploring. She has lived in Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean. Her love of communication, community and oysters led her back to the East Coast. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Prince Edward Island and an Advanced Diploma in Public Relations from the Nova Scotia Community College. Sarah grew up in a political house and has a longstanding passion for democratic processes. Sarah currently works at NATIONAL Public Relations and has volunteered with the Halifax International Security Forum, the Association for Fundraising Professionals and the International Association of Business Communicators.
Most democratic thing she has ever done: Joined Springtide
Least democratic thing she has ever done: Convinced her little brother he could never have shotgun because she was older than him.
Joshua Bates: Board Member / Senior Advisor to the Mayor @ Halifax Regional Municipality
Joshua has advised key decision makers in federal, provincial and municipal government. His passion is local government, and in his current role he works with residents, community groups and government to make Halifax a more inclusive, accessible and active community. He previously worked in the Minister’s Office in both the Finance and Health portfolios with the Government of Nova Scotia, on many of the key challenges facing provincial government. Before working with the provincial government, he worked for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, helping to build strong, sustainable communities by influencing federal policies and programs affecting municipalities.
Most democratic thing he's ever done: published an op-ed, which made the case for permanent residents to have the right to vote in municipal elections
Least democratic thing he's ever done: Hogs the remote control when in front of a TV
Katie Smith: Board Member / Audit Manager @ Province of Nova Scotia
Katie grew up moving around the states but spent every summer in Nova Scotia. She made the province when she moved to Antigonish to earn her BA in Political Science and Modern Languages at St. Francis Xavier University. Katie later moved to Halifax to earn her Master of Public Administration at Dalhousie University. She continues to channel her inner government nerd and works for the Province of Nova Scotia as an Audit Manager.
Outside of work, Katie enjoys sports, yoga, walks with her goofy Labrador Retriever and cultivating her latest passion for hobby-farming.
Most democratic thing she's ever done: Elected as her fourth grade Student Council Treasurer.
Least democratic thing she's ever done: Opened a present out of turn at family Christmas.
Lachlan MacKinnon: Board Member / Post-Doctoral Fellow @ Saint Mary's University
Lachlan grew up in Sydney, Nova Scotia. He completed his PhD at Concordia University in Montreal, and has since returned to Nova Scotia to work on a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Saint Mary's University in Halifax. His research interests include the international labour movement, oral history, and Canadian regionalism. Lachlan is committed to building a more democratic society, and is especially committed to the democratization of the Canadian workplace.
Most democratic thing he's ever done: 'Sharing authority' with dozens of oral history interviewees.
Least democratic thing he's ever done: Parenting.