Our People

Lydia Phillip

Communications Manager

Lydia has been purposeful about building her communications career around the community sector where she believes storytelling, advocacy, and education meets social impact. With the majority of her experience spent working in impact organizations, Lydia is passionate about the sector as a catalyst to create social, environmental, and economic change while also empowering historically marginalized and underrepresented communities. Long story short, Lydia is intentional about being in spaces where her work will “Do Good!” 

Lydia holds a Bachelor of Commerce Honours from Mount Allison University, is a published writer and researcher, and is currently serving on the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Maritime Board and the Zatzman Sportsplex Board. Lydia has been invited to conferences to present her brand research, communications practices, and leadership. She has been recognized nationally for her social advocacy, anti-racism initiatives, and work towards gender equality! Fun fact: Lydia is also a private pilot and senior flight instructor, mentoring and teaching youth how to fly gliders through the Air Cadet Flying program as a reserve member of the Canadian Armed Forces! 

Lydia balances her work with finding new adventures, hitting the slopes on her snowboard or the lakes with her paddleboard, or relaxing with a good read. 

Alexandra Theroux

Operations Manager (and in-house artist!)

Having worked in the healthcare sector for almost 10 years, Alexandra feels strongly about giving back to her community and supporting the work of community organizations in improving the overall health of Nova Scotians. She is passionate about human rights advocacy, gender & race equity, and environmental issues. Alexandra has worked at Nova Scotia Community College and the Department of Health & Wellness in Administrative and Project Management positions. She is currently a Volunteer Board Member of the Halifax Community Health Board. Alexandra holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing & Management from Mount Saint Vincent University. Alexandra is an avid reader who enjoys drawing and writing stories of her own. 

Annika Voltan

Executive Director

Annika Voltan is the Executive Director of IONS. She supports the broader team and Board of Directors and oversees the implementation of the strategic plan. Prior to joining IONS Annika was the Executive Director of Inspiring Communities where she helped grow the field of systems change through fostering activities related to community-led impact, evaluation and learning. Annika has experience working across federal and provincial government departments, academia and the business sector. She has a PhD in social entrepreneurship and research interests in networks and social innovation. Annika has three young children and can be found exploring nature and the local craft beer scene.

Nicole Cammaert

Director, Learning & Sector Development

Nicole Cammaert has over 20 years’ experience working with communities at the grass roots level. She also contributes years of experience working in diverse fields such as marketing and outdoor adventure tourism. Nicole brings a balanced, holistic and entrepreneurial ethos to her work as a community organizer, embracing complexity through systems change and social innovation. She has served in various community development capacities including most recently as Director of Community Engagement and Education for New Dawn Enterprises, as well as co-founder and manager of the North River Centre for the Performing Arts, Co-Chair for the St. Ann’s Bay Development Association, and Coordinator of the St. Ann’s Bay Community Health Centre, and Director of Marketing and Product Development for Tourism Cape Breton. Nicole is a recent graduate of the Coady International Institute’s program, Canadian Women’s Foundation Leadership Institute. 

Reg Manzer

Senior Research Analyst

Reg is a Maritimer, a big thinker, and a believer in the power of community driven change. As a self-described extrovert, Reg has tailored his knowledge and experience towards critically analyzing information to creatively solve complex problems and effectively communicate these solutions. Currently the Senior Research Analyst for the CSCNS, Reg is actively engaged in understanding the conditions that create a strong For-Impact sector, to make it the first choice for top talent and future leaders.

Through his blend of education, volunteer work, and experience, he is committed to engaging communities and government to work collaboratively towards economic prosperity, social empowerment, and environmental sustainability.

Jody Nelson

Learning & Engagement Manager

For the past several years, Jody has been facilitating collaborative systems change. “I have worked with many wonderful people, on the ground, in organizational collaboration, as a network, and influencing policy, but I get really excited about creating pathways between these layers and various sectors within our communities. Working together in new ways really can unlock change.” Jody now weaves her lived and learned experience, alongside her empathy and commitment to social change, through her role in leading deep engagement and learning across Nova Scotia’s impact sector.

Jody stewards a piece of land on Hunter’s Mountain, Unama’ki, where she invests her heart in her farm, her two boys and her community. In the world of ‘food’ Jody sits on the Island Food Network Steering Committee, Co-Leads the Culture Exchange, and writes for Edible Maritimes. Jody also sits on the Cape Breton Local Immigration Partnership Council and its Evaluation Working Group.

Abdou A. Kanteh

Director of Strategic Communications & Research

Abdou is Gambian by nationality and has a Master of Public Administration from Dalhousie University and a bachelor’s Degree in International Development Studies from the University of The Gambia. Throughout his career, Abdou has studied community development, Law, and business administration at diploma levels in colleges in Africa – one of which (community development practitioners’ Diploma) was through partnership between Gambia Technical Training Institutes’ West African Rural Development Program (GTTI – WARD Program) and Okanagan University College in British Columbia, Canada. His academic background is rooted in the social sciences especially political science and public policy, development studies, anthropology, sociology, public administration, and management.

Working in Canada is part of his professional development journey to experience development work and social innovation in global north and south from both non-profit and public sector standpoints in serving not only Canadian society but for future leadership roles and expertise support to Africa and the developing world.