Meet Our Speakers
Kellina Powell
CEO, 4XAuthor, Coach and International Speaker
Kellina Powell is a dynamic hard of hearing coach and advocate, international speaker, 4X best-selling author, and passionate entrepreneur dedicated to empowering young adults with disabilities to achieve their dreams. Through her work, she goes beyond personal coaching, actively educating the wider community about the deaf experience while championing accessibility, representation, and inclusion. In recognition of her impact and leadership, Kellina was honored as a Top Watch Black Woman in Canada (2025).
Léo-Paul Pinet
Order of New Brunswick (2011)
Order of Canada (2023)
After serving as a recreation facilitator for the municipality of Bertrand from 1976 to 1984, Léo-Paul Pinet became Executive Director of the Centre de Bénévolat de la Péninsule Acadienne (CBPA) Inc., a position he held from 1985 until the end of August 2021.​
His involvement in implementing the 2009 Poverty Reduction Plan in New Brunswick and serving as president of the New Brunswick Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation until 2014, along with his more than 36-year track record at the CBPA, strongly led Léo-Paul to believe in and see citizens at the heart of any process of community responsibility and action. In this spirit, he has always advocated for giving rural communities a place at the table, developing language associated with rural life, and providing them with the tools and resources needed to ensure their development and the flourishing of their communities.
CHRIS SUTHERLAND, CMM, CD
REAR-ADMIRAL (Retired), Former Deputy Commander Royal Canadian Navy
and Deputy Commander Military Personnel Command
In senior roles at National Defence Headquarters and as Commander of CFB Halifax, Chris gained deep insight into leadership, culture, and decision‑making. From 2019 to 2024, he served as Deputy Commander of both the Royal Canadian Navy and Military Personnel Command, overseeing HR, recruiting, wellness, and development for more than 100,000 members.
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He helped drive cultural reform across the Canadian Armed Forces, confronting bias and fostering a more inclusive and accountable organization.
Chris also speaks openly about his recovery from depression and addiction, encouraging others to seek help and see strength in vulnerability. In retirement, he enjoys family life, two mischievous shorkies, ambitious gardening, smoothies, and soccer — once his new hip heals.
Julie Desharnais
President and Chief Executive Officer of Breakfast Club of Canada
Julie Desharnais has dedicated her career to strengthening communities and expanding access to essential services, supporting the well-being of children and families. With more than 20 years of experience in the philanthropic and community sectors, she brings a collaborative leadership style rooted in compassion, accountability and action.
Before joining Breakfast Club of Canada, Julie served as President and CEO of the Fondation de l’Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, where she mobilized donors, partners and community leaders in support of the modernization of the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital. Under her leadership, the Foundation reinforced its role as a driving force in Montréal’s East End and laid the groundwork for a historic fundraising campaign.
Brook Thorndycraft
Organizational Consultant, Mediator, Facilitator and Coach
Brook Thorndycraft (MA, B.Ed., Q.Med., SEP) is an organizational consultant, mediator, facilitator, and coach based in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
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With over 15 years of experience in organizational change, conflict transformation, and adult education, she supports leaders and teams through coaching, training, facilitation, and mediation. Her work focuses on power, psychological safety, equity, communication, and feedback, helping people approach conflict as an opportunity for growth and stronger relationships. As a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, she integrates embodiment and somatic awareness into her leadership and organizational work, drawing on a background in community-based and social justice initiatives.
Evelyn Bradley
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Consultant
Evelyn moved to Epetwitk (P.E.I) in 2020 from the United States. A member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ and BIPOC community, Evelyn believes that learning the importance of cultural competency through expanding one’s knowledge of unconscious bias is the first step to fostering an inclusive workplace.In the past Evelyn has filled such roles as; Diversity and Inclusion Officer for Kiona Technologies, and Instructional Design Consultant for the Queer Doula Network. Evelyn was also a founder and Managing Partner at Brim Consulting, leading the Professional Services and Training Delivery department. Evelyn’s experience has made her an expert in her field and the go-to source of knowledge in the Charlottetown community.
Haley Ha
Shared Services Navigator
Haley Ha brings a diverse cross-sector background in hospitality, law, and nonprofit management to her role as Shared Services Navigator at the Community Sector Network PEI. Since joining CSN in 2024, she has been developing the pilot Shared Services Program - an initiative designed to strengthen community organizations across PEI through resource sharing, collaboration, and reduced operational burdens.
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Prior to CSN, Haley served as Program Manager at Community Legal Information, where she developed and launched Justice Avenues, a program expanding access to legal information for racialized and BIPOC communities on PEI. Her earlier experience as a Legal Assistant at McInnes Cooper further sharpened her project management and client liaison skills across diverse areas of law.
Amir Zuccolo
Social Enterprise Coordinator
Amir Zuccolo previously worked for Bike Friendly Communities and Gran Fondo PEI. With Bike Friendly Communities, she was responsible for developing their strategic fundraising plan to create a diversified revenue stream to bring operational stability. Amir is traditionally trained as an Organic Chemist with a PhD from the University of Calgary.
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She spent a year teaching in the Chemistry Department at UPEI. Following that, she spent a few years working in the biotech sector, before starting her own company, AffinityImmuno, with her business partner. Through owning and growing the business, she has first-hand experience in financial management, growth and strategic planning, and securing non-dilutive funding.
