GOVERNANCE OF OPEN SKY CO-OPERATIVE

At June Annual General Meetings, the members of Open Sky Co-operative elect their Board of Directors to manage the organization on their behalf. Here are the Directors for 2022:

Blaise Dobbin, Chair of the board

Blaise Dobbin grew up in a small fishing village in Nova Scotia and graduated from St. Francis Xavier University with a degree in Business Marketing. Most of his career has been in the building and construction industry and is currently the Business Development Manager for Compact Appliances as well as its sister company, Northeast Distribution. Blaise is married to Michelle who is a full-time grade school teacher and part-time university professor. The couple have two adult children. When he is not working or volunteering, Blaise fills his time with running, swimming, cycling, hiking, kayaking and picking away at his 6-string.

jane braedley, Vice chair of the board

Jane is retired, having had a varied and successful career for ~ 40 years as a physiotherapist working in Nova Scotia, Ontario and New Brunswick. She was most recently involved with Lifemark Physiotherapy in their Amherst location as a physiotherapist, clinic director, area manager, mentor and friend to all colleagues who came across her path. Retirement has allowed her to pursue her hobbies – golf, curling, knitting and reading. She also enjoys time spent travelling and with family and friends. Open Sky is happy to have her professional healthcare experience informing and inspiring our organization!

Pronoti Majithia, Secretary of the board

Born and raised in India, Pronoti came to live in Sackville in 1999.  She has been an elementary school teacher in Nova Scotia for the past 10 years, before which she worked at Mount A. in a few different positions. Through the years she has also enjoyed wearing hats of treasurer, fundraiser, and secretary on the boards of several local non-profits like the Playschool, Sackville Music Festival, Tantramar Family Resource Center, Sackville Swim Club, and the Sackville Food Group. She loves to cook and learn different forms of arts and crafts!

Craig Evans, Treasurer of the board

Returning to the Board after a short break, Craig Evans serves as the Treasurer. Craig is the Vice President of Marketing for Emmerson Packaging, in Amherst, NS.  He has been an active volunteer in Sackville for 25 years.  Previous volunteering includes Treasurer for St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Board Member for Debut Atlantic, Mount Allison Performing Arts Series, as well as coach assistant/helper for kids sports over the years. He was a founding member of Sackville Schools 2020, now known as Sackville 20/20 whose goal was to bring 21st century education principles and infrastructure to Sackville, as well as act as a pilot for wider adoption throughout the province. He is the father of 3 amazing young people, one who was a participant in the Open Sky program.

Joanna fisher, Board member at large

Joanna lives in Sackville with her husband Zack and son Weston. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from UNB and a Certified Professional Accountant designation.  Joanna currently works as a Financial Analyst at Action Car and Truck Accessories Inc. She loves to travel when she can, and stay as active as possible for not only health and wellness, but to also keep up with her toddler. 

Debbie Champagne, Board member at large

Debbie is well-known in the Sackville community for her philanthropy and positive involvement with causes that are important to us all. Open Sky is pleased to have Debbie’s skills and experiences to bear, as the Strategic Plan is being implemented.

Peter Irwin, Board member at large

Peter has a Masters Degree in Library Sciences and a keen interest in the history of food and cooking. A graduate of the Open Sky Employment Development Program in 2018, Peter now works with Powerhouse Co-operative Ltd. as a crossing guard. In his spare time, Peter can be found baking delicious treats, and responding to small catering jobs that come his way. Peter is an active member of St. Paul’s Anglican church in Sackville.

Scott Langille, Board member at large

Scott Langille is a graduate of Mount Allison University with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics.  He graduated in 2017.  Scott has been a participant at Open Sky since July of 2019.  Encouraged by the “Be Your Own Boss” program at Open Sky, Scott started a benevolent button-making enterprise during COVID-19 putting photos of individuals on buttons, which was appreciated for the way it people helped identify who was behind the mask.  Also, during the pandemic Scott completed a course in SAGE Accounting and is presently offering bookkeeping services in the community.  Scott is passionate about Canadian geography, travel and transportation. 

Sarah Poirier, Board member at large

Sarah is the go-to person for all things on the farm, providing work and learning experiences for Open Sky participants. Sarah has amazing organizing skills and she puts them into practice connecting learning and the tasks around our sustainable farming efforts. Not just skills, participants also receive therapeutic benefits through gardening and animal care.

Laura Hunter, Executive Director

Laura is a founder of Open Sky. She has more than 40 years of working with community organizations, connecting people and good works.  For 14 years she served in a regional ministry with the United Church of Canada, supporting social justice actions and community ministries.  Laura is passionate about adult education, the well-being of others, and dance!