Staff Profiles
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Paula Irving, Business Development OfficerA graduate of NSCC’s Business Administration Diploma Program, Paula joined PRDA in 2007, after a 20-year stint with Sobeys Inc. While there she held a wide variety of business development positions at Sobeys, including accounting, marketing, advertising, event marketing, category management, business analytics, private label product development and IT. As business development officer, Paula assists community members who are seeking assistance for their business or business idea – from counselling to research for start-up or growth projects and sourcing community statistics. Paula is also responsible for the Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) program, designed to foster new business development, business expansion, and the stability and growth of existing businesses. BRE provides statistics and understanding of sector needs locally while at the same time building the capacity of our business community. A proponent of the “buy local” message, Paula is committed to working with local businesses and budding entrepreneurs to ensure they succeed and flourish. Paula has continued to further her education through the years, pursuing advanced training in accounting, marketing and economic development. She is a charter member of the Canadian Progress club and is proud to be a part of their decade-long legacy of fundraising for charities in Pictou County.
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Katy MacDonald, Community Development OfficerKaty joined PRDA in 2007 as a Youth Intern and in 2008 was hired to serve as Community Economic Development Officer. Prior to coming to PRDA, Katy studied Psychology at Dalhousie University. Katy is responsible for helping to build capacity and improve sustainability of community organizations. She works with community organizations and municipalities on a daily basis, implementing various projects and initiatives on their behalf, including facilitating strategic planning, assisting with funding plans and applications and helping organizations make connections in the community. Since joining PRDA Katy has taken Year One and Two of EDAC (Economic Development) training through the University of Waterloo, Project Management training through the Project Management Institute of Nova Scotia and Leadership Development through St. FX. Katy is currently on Maternity Leave and will be returning in 2012. Sally O'Neill will be serving as Community Development Officer on Katy's projects. |
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Sally O'Neill, Community Development OfficerIn assuming duties as Community Development Officer in April 2011, Sally works to build capacity and improve the sustainability of community organizations in Pictou County. This entails working with community groups and municipalities on a daily basis on everything from facilitating strategic planning to assisting with funding plans and applications, and implementing projects on their behalf. A big part of the difference Sally can make is in helping organizations make connections in the community. Sally is also the staff liaison for the Welcoming and Inclusive Community Strategy – aiding this committee to realize the goals of the strategy, and helping to make Pictou County a warm and welcoming community. This role dovetails with another project that Sally recently spearheaded, creating "WELCOME!" a community newsletter and blog. Sally has previously worked with West River Greenhouses in marketing and retail sales. As a writer she has created content for marketing initiatives and written published pieces including business profiles, brochures, a regular gardening column in the Advocate newspaper and web copy for Velsoft Courseware, New Glasgow. Sally comes from a tradition of family enterprise and prior to moving to Pictou County with her family in 2008, she and her sister owned and operated a successful garden centre in HRM. "People choose to live here for many reasons, we endeavor to help them put down roots and make a home as part of a connected community. It is a great privilege to be able to continue this work in my role at PRDA."
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Kelly McVicar, Rural Community Development OfficerKelly joined PRDA as Community Liaison Officer in January 2009. Since that time she has been hired to serve as the Agency’s Rural Community Economic Development Officer. Before joining PRDA, Kelly worked as a Special Care Worker with Dodie’s Pre-School and as a Home Support Worker with the VON of Pictou County for 7 years. Kelly developed extensive experience working with the volunteer sector and rural communities, giving her a deep perspective of the unique challenges rural areas face. In her role at PRDA, she is responsible for engaging and mobilizing citizens throughout rural Pictou County, providing support for community development initiatives. Kelly works to provide expertise, pertinent information and guidance, while respecting each community’s core values and goals. She is also responsible for stewarding Pictou County’s Regional Economic Development Strategy (2010) and continues to liaise between the Steering Committee and the general public and provide updates on the progress to date. Kelly is passionate about rural communities and mobilizing rural citizens. She puts a lot of value on hard work, self-development and professional growth. In 2009 she studied Leadership Development at St. FX, and in 2010 received certification in mobilizing assets for community driven development from the Coady institute. She is a proud Pictonian and ardent ambassador of both PRDA and Pictou County.
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Ryan McKaig, Financial Administrative OfficerRyan joined PRDA as Financial Administrative Officer in January 2009. He received his Bachelor of Commerce degree from Saint Mary’s University and is currently a Level 4 CGA student. Prior to joining PRDA Ryan worked as an accountant for businesses in the electrical, construction and property management sectors. In addition to his financial duties at PRDA, he is also responsible for HR management, coordination of the ISO Quality Management System, and acts as PRDA’s Privacy Officer. Ryan has served as Treasurer for the New Glasgow Riverfront Jubilee Society since January 2010.
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Marjorie Cameron, Office AdministratorMarjorie joined the staff of the Business Service Centre in December 1992, serving as the Office Administrator for all Business Service Centre tenants including PRDA (formerly PRDC), Nova Scotia Economic Development, ACOA, Pictou County Chamber of Commerce, Pictou County Tourist Association and Regional Industrial Training Corporation. In 2000, she took the position of full-time Office Administrator for PRDA. Marjorie studied Business Administration after her days as a student at East Pictou Rural High. She has held positions with Canadian Liquid Air/Air Liquide (Halifax), Fred C. Morrison Limited and Thompson & Sutherland Ltd. She eventually followed her passion for music with a move to Ontario, taking a position with Muntz Stereo Company in Hamilton and Burlington. This was followed by positions with Allcan Communications and Clarion Canada. Upon returning to Nova Scotia in 1983, Marjorie was self-employed in sales. Marjorie continues to pursue her life’s passion for music. She is a committed and respected volunteer at music events and facilities across the region. She is responsible for artist hospitality at New Glasgow Riverfront Jubilee and Stan Rogers Folk Festival and volunteers throughout the year for events at Glasgow Square Theatre. She has also volunteered for the East Coast Music Awards, Nova Scotia Music Week and deCoste Centre.
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