The NextGen Board of Directors
Allison MacDonald - Co-Chair
Allison MacDonald is a born-and-raised Cape Bretoner, having grown up in Ben Eoin. After pursuing a Bachelor of Journalism (Honours) from the University of King's College in Halifax, she moved to Calgary, where she spent four years in the magazine industry. Allison and her husband moved back east to Halifax in 2011, where she made a career switch to marketing. In 2014, she and her family moved one final time back to Cape Breton, where she now lives with her husband and two young daughters. Allison is the marketing manager for Protocase, a local tech company that makes custom sheet metal and CNC machined products for engineers and designers all over the world.
She is proud to be a part of the NextGen Cape Breton-Unama’ki board, and help make Cape Breton as attractive as possible for others to move here and put down roots, just like she did.
Allison MacDonald is a born-and-raised Cape Bretoner, having grown up in Ben Eoin. After pursuing a Bachelor of Journalism (Honours) from the University of King's College in Halifax, she moved to Calgary, where she spent four years in the magazine industry. Allison and her husband moved back east to Halifax in 2011, where she made a career switch to marketing. In 2014, she and her family moved one final time back to Cape Breton, where she now lives with her husband and two young daughters. Allison is the marketing manager for Protocase, a local tech company that makes custom sheet metal and CNC machined products for engineers and designers all over the world.
She is proud to be a part of the NextGen Cape Breton-Unama’ki board, and help make Cape Breton as attractive as possible for others to move here and put down roots, just like she did.
Erin Gallagher-Lynk - Co-Chair
Erin Gallagher-Lynk has worked as the campaign manager with United Way Cape Breton for the past six years. Previous to this position, Erin worked as the district coordinator for the Canadian Cancer Society, Nova Scotia Division. She has 11 years combined fundraising and community development experience between two national charities, Canadian Cancer Society and the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories, and one locally engaged charity, United Way Cape Breton.
Erin holds a Public Relations diploma from Algonquin College and a Bachelor of Arts degree with an English major from Cape Breton University. She is from Glace Bay, NS, where she currently resides, with her husband, Craig. Erin was the past education board chair of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Cape Breton Chapter and previous Savoy Theatre board director.
Erin joined the NextGen Cape Breton-Unama’ki board because she worked on the NextGen project in 2011 and really enjoyed getting to know people between the ages of 16 and 40 who were making a positive impact in their communities and workplaces. Erin believes strongly in highlighting young professionals who are experiencing success in all sectors across Cape Breton. Erin has been involved with the Vital awards since their inception six years ago.
Erin Gallagher-Lynk has worked as the campaign manager with United Way Cape Breton for the past six years. Previous to this position, Erin worked as the district coordinator for the Canadian Cancer Society, Nova Scotia Division. She has 11 years combined fundraising and community development experience between two national charities, Canadian Cancer Society and the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories, and one locally engaged charity, United Way Cape Breton.
Erin holds a Public Relations diploma from Algonquin College and a Bachelor of Arts degree with an English major from Cape Breton University. She is from Glace Bay, NS, where she currently resides, with her husband, Craig. Erin was the past education board chair of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Cape Breton Chapter and previous Savoy Theatre board director.
Erin joined the NextGen Cape Breton-Unama’ki board because she worked on the NextGen project in 2011 and really enjoyed getting to know people between the ages of 16 and 40 who were making a positive impact in their communities and workplaces. Erin believes strongly in highlighting young professionals who are experiencing success in all sectors across Cape Breton. Erin has been involved with the Vital awards since their inception six years ago.
Liam Gillis - Treasurer
Liam was born and raised in Sydney, where he graduated from Sydney Academy with the International Baccalaureate Diploma (I.B.) and was valedictorian of his graduating class. He then attended St. Francis Xavier University for his Bachelor of Arts degree with an Honours in Economics on a St Francis Xavier Renewable Merit Scholarship and the Danny Gallivan Scholarship for Academic and Athletic Ability. He graduated from St. Francis Xavier University in 2011 with First Class Honours and the Dr. D.J. MacDonald and Dr. A.B. MacDonald Memorial Prize for Economics. He subsequently attended the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University on a renewable Law Foundation of Nova Scotia Scholarship and graduated with his Juris Doctor in Laws in 2014. After articling with a large regional law firm in Halifax, he returned home to Cape Breton in 2015 when he was called to the bar. He is currently employed as an Associate Lawyer with the law firm Sampson McPhee.
Liam is a passionate believer in Cape Breton and its potential. He hopes to use his time as a board member of NextGen Cape Breton-Unama’ki to affect positive change within the community and to help ensure a vibrant future for the Island.”
Liam was born and raised in Sydney, where he graduated from Sydney Academy with the International Baccalaureate Diploma (I.B.) and was valedictorian of his graduating class. He then attended St. Francis Xavier University for his Bachelor of Arts degree with an Honours in Economics on a St Francis Xavier Renewable Merit Scholarship and the Danny Gallivan Scholarship for Academic and Athletic Ability. He graduated from St. Francis Xavier University in 2011 with First Class Honours and the Dr. D.J. MacDonald and Dr. A.B. MacDonald Memorial Prize for Economics. He subsequently attended the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University on a renewable Law Foundation of Nova Scotia Scholarship and graduated with his Juris Doctor in Laws in 2014. After articling with a large regional law firm in Halifax, he returned home to Cape Breton in 2015 when he was called to the bar. He is currently employed as an Associate Lawyer with the law firm Sampson McPhee.
Liam is a passionate believer in Cape Breton and its potential. He hopes to use his time as a board member of NextGen Cape Breton-Unama’ki to affect positive change within the community and to help ensure a vibrant future for the Island.”
Patti McDonald - Secretary
Patti McDonald has spent the last 20 years working in recreation and supporting marginalized children, youth, and adults gain access to active living and recreational opportunities in their communities.
Since moving back to Cape Breton/ Unama'ki in 2017 after living in Halifax for the previous decade, Patti found her passion in combining a celebration of Cape Breton's rich history and culture with accessible recreation opportunities in her role as Director of Development and Communications at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cape Breton (Whitney Pier Youth Club) and also through participating in important community events, such as taking on the co-ordinator role for 2020's Lumiere Cape Breton/ Unama'ki festival, or serving on the board of directors for NextGen.
Patti studied history and business at Acadia university and NSCC, respectively. But her most important learning moments have come from the people and communities she has worked with.
Patti McDonald has spent the last 20 years working in recreation and supporting marginalized children, youth, and adults gain access to active living and recreational opportunities in their communities.
Since moving back to Cape Breton/ Unama'ki in 2017 after living in Halifax for the previous decade, Patti found her passion in combining a celebration of Cape Breton's rich history and culture with accessible recreation opportunities in her role as Director of Development and Communications at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cape Breton (Whitney Pier Youth Club) and also through participating in important community events, such as taking on the co-ordinator role for 2020's Lumiere Cape Breton/ Unama'ki festival, or serving on the board of directors for NextGen.
Patti studied history and business at Acadia university and NSCC, respectively. But her most important learning moments have come from the people and communities she has worked with.
Stephanie Dupuis - Board Member
Nina Kent - Board Member
