Board Directory

Jackie McCann-Scott

Jackie McCann-Scott is an Honors graduate and Dean’s Award recipient from Memorial University of Newfoundland’s Commerce program, a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and a Certified Health Insurance Specialist (CHS).
Over more than 20 years, Jackie has established herself as a leader and trusted advisor in the financial services industry. As the founder of Lupin Planning Group Inc and an active member of Advocis – The Financial Advisors Association of Canada – she recently led an initiative to help improve the financial literacy of the province’s youth and is a regular contributor to various local media and invited guest speaker, where she helps people gain clarity on a wide variety of financial topics.
A tireless volunteer and wellness advocate, she currently serves as the Chair for the Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association as well as a Director with the Downtown CBS Business Improvement Association. A champion for female empowerment, in 2023 she was the proud recipient of the Mentorship Award from the Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs (NLOWE).
Jackie lives with her husband and their two children in the beautiful town of Conception Bay South. When not on a volleyball court or at their camper, she and her family can often be found sharing their musical talents with the community.

Paul Preston

Paul is an Advisor and Co-Founder of Audyse Technology, a tech start-up in St. John’s, and operates his own Executive Advisory Consultancy, focusing on strategy and innovation. He was previously the Chief Innovation and Marketing Officer of Genoa, and CEO of techNL. Along with his talented team and partners at MCE, Genesis, and others, he worked to develop and grow the province’s technology and innovation sector through evidenced based advocacy and directed programs that includes Bounce Health Innovation. He was previously the Director of Technology and Innovation at The Conference Board of Canada in Ottawa, the largest think tank in the country. Paul also worked as Director of Business Development with Plato Group/Camouflage Software in both St. John’s and Ottawa. He has travelled extensively and has presented on innovation and strategy in places such as Israel, Silicon Valley, New York, and Boston, and has been called as an Expert Witness to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology. He is active on several Boards, including CMHA-NL, Genome Atlantic, was Chair of the Digital Technology Committee of The Health Accord in NL, and was Co-Chair of the Atlantic Canada ICT Committee (ACOA-ATIGS). He resides in St. John’s with his wife and two children, with an active volunteer life.

Peace Kwinjo

Peace Kwinjo holds a degree in Computer Information Systems and transitioned to Finance after moving to Canada nine years ago. He completed postgraduate studies in Financial Planning in Toronto and obtained an MBA from University Canada West in British Columbia. With six years of experience at Scotia Wealth, Peace has spent the last three years specializing in financial services for physicians through MD Management.

Alison Greenoff

Alison is a registered social worker with over 18 years of experience in various domains, including Child Protection, Community Support, Rehabilitation, Mental Health and Addictions, and Medicine. She is pursuing her Master’s in Social Work online through Wilfrid Laurier University. Alison is on placement with NL Health Services’ Provincial Groups Program, assisting in the research, development, and co-facilitation of mental health and addiction treatment groups. Alison has a strong interest in perinatal mental health and is dedicated to advocating for access to services for parents in need. This passion is fueled by her personal experience as a woman who was diagnosed late in life with ADHD and OCD following the birth of her two children. Alison is proud to serve as the board secretary for CMHA-NL and is eager to make a meaningful impact in this role.

Chad Perrin

Chad currently serves as the Program Director for the Family Practice Renewal Program, whose focus is on reimagining family medicine in Newfoundland and Labrador. A certified health executive, licensed clinical social worker as well as a licensed dual diagnosis specialist, Chad has spent his career supporting persons with mental illness as well as over 20 years experience supporting other populations such as seniors, persons with disabilities and child welfare.

Sean Kennedy

Sean is a dedicated advocate for mental health and well-being, serving as the Past Chair of the Canadian Mental Health Association Newfoundland and Labrador (CMHANL). With a background in business development, marketing, and partnerships, Sean has helped innovative companies scale and succeed. He co-founded CephMind, a platform that supports organizations in assessing and improving psychological health and safety, and FirstLine Vitality, an initiative promoting prescribed exercise as a treatment for mental health conditions. Passionate about creating impactful solutions, Sean is committed to driving positive change in the mental health space through strategic leadership and innovative approaches.

Brenda Dennis

Brenda Dennis is the Indigenous Community Navigator with the Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s Network (NAWN) in Stephenville. She is a strong advocate for Mental Health awareness in her community and an active volunteer with many non-profit organizations. In 2020 Brenda received the CMHA-NL’s Pottle Award for her tireless commitment towards furthering Mental Health Awareness and initiatives in NL. Brenda was recently named the Citizen of the Year for 2022.

Fabian Connors

Fabian has completed both a Bachelor of Commerce (87) and Masters of Business Administration (94) from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Since 1998 he holds the role of Director of Human Resources with the A. Harvey & Co. Ltd. / Browning Harvey Ltd.

He is, and has been, involved with many volunteer community organizations throughout Newfoundland and Labrador over the years. Fabian currently is member of Board of Directors with CMHA-NL and BGC-St. John’s, NL.

Craig Tucker

Craig Tucker is a distinguished senior executive with a remarkable expertise in corporate communications, market development, and strategy. As a seasoned entrepreneur, Craig currently owns a diverse portfolio of business ventures, including Crossbeam Education, a dynamic entity that encompasses renowned institutions such as Keyin College, Learning Labs, and Impress Design. Craig’s passion for community engagement extends beyond the business realm. He serves on various boards, including the National Association of Career College, Health Care Foundation, and most recently, the Canadian Mental Health Association (NL Chapter). Through these positions, Craig contributes to the betterment of society and champions initiatives that have a positive impact on people’s lives.

Dr. Kathleen Callanan

Kathleen Callanan is a Psychiatrist with NL Health Services and Clinical Assistant Professor with Memorial University. Kathleen primarily works as an outpatient psychiatrist in general adult psychiatry. Her work also includes shifts at the psychiatric emergency department (PAU) and clinics with provincial corrections facilities. Through her clinical roles, she works with adults with a variety of mental illnesses and struggles, including individuals with addictions and those experiencing crisis. As a faculty member with the Discipline of Psychiatry, she is regularly involved in the clinical training of medical students and psychiatry residents in training.

Rhona Buchan

Rhona Buchan is a lawyer and accredited mediator with over 20 years of experience. In 2023, she founded Buchan Law & Dispute Resolution in St. John’s, specializing in out-of-court dispute resolution, including family law mediation and workplace investigations. In 2024, she partnered with Avalon Law Group. Rhona also consults as a Senior Associate with Goss Gilroy Inc. She holds an LL.M in Dispute Resolution from Osgoode Hall (2021), an LL.B from the University of Ottawa (2000), and a BA from Memorial University (1996). A member of the NL Bar since 2001, Rhona spent 20 years with Legal Aid NL, litigating family, child protection, and criminal law. She is the founding chair of FDRIA and teaches dispute resolution for the NL Bar Admission course.

Dr. Rosemary Ricciardelli

Dr. Rosemary Ricciardelli is Professor (PhD) and Research Chair in Safety, Security, and Wellness, at Memorial University of Newfoundland’s Fisheries and Marine Institute. The winner of the 2023 International Corrections and Prison Association’s Research Excellence Award, the 2023 Canadian Sociological Association’s Angus Reid Applied Researcher Award, and the 2024 International Community Justice Association’s President’s Award, Ricciardelli was also elected to the Royal Society of Canada and is a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. Her research centers on evolving understandings of health, gender, and vulnerabilities within different facets of the public safety systems. Her interests lay in the social health, identity construction, and lived experiences of individuals. She leads a longitudinal study on the mental health and well-being experiences of correctional officers employed by Correctional Services Canada. She also leads a research project with the Uganda Prison Service and contributes to MicroResearch International.

John Martin

After completing the Bachelor of Commerce program at the Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, John began a thirty-six-year career with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. John initially worked with the Department of the Auditor General where he earned a Charted Accountant designation and then moved to the Department of Finance and then the Treasury Board Secretariate. During his career, John held senior management positions responsible for comptrollership, accounting, internal audit, system development and implementation, and compensation and pay. After retirement, John consulted with private and public clients on accounting and system implementation issues.