About

Carrie Ernst

Executive Director

Carrie joined the Independent Living Nova Scotia staff in March 2015.

With over 20 years’ experience working within an environment that has given no clear blueprint for success, only a clear guarantee of change, it has been her ambitious nature and ability to adjust the course as necessary that has allowed her to find success. These successes have been made possible by a willingness to work and collaborate with others and work towards common goals. With a diverse background in senior management, programming development, adult education and case/disability management, all exclusively within non-profit settings, Carrie is a versatile and analytical thinker with strong interpersonal skills. She also has extensive experience in working successfully with a wide variety of stakeholders in an extensive range of services and capacities. Having exercised an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit, exhibiting an uncommon level of personal responsibility for projects, programming and community initiatives, and determinedly pursuing outcomes for each of the organization’s, she has worked to position them as experts in delivery of service.

“For as long as I can remember, I have been passionately engaged in the promotion of full inclusion for persons with disabilities. My understanding, respect and empathy for the needs and abilities of these individuals and their families mirrors the values expressed in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. My reputation for the promotion and support of PWDs embraces the belief that all persons are entitled to be fully engaged in community life regardless of abilities, location and personal resources. It is the empowerment of these individuals and families that has instilled in me a desire to spend my career seeking the opportunity to work toward an inclusive, accessible society that embraces each person’s ability, their right for independent choices and equal opportunities.”

Kayla Cavanaugh

Senior Manager

Kayla originally joined the ILNS team during the winter of 2022 as the Program Manager for our Reaching for Inclusive, Successful Education and Employment (RISE) program for youth with disabilities and is currently providing management support with our Direct Services projects. Kayla completed a diploma in social services and counseling skills with a focus in mental health and addictions. Kayla has experience in several sectors of the human services field including shelters, and family resource centers. She has also spent the last eight years supporting people with disabilities in various roles. Kayla is also a member of the Eastern Shore Community Health Board. Kayla is passionate about helping others and being involved in the community.

Hailey MacInnis

Program Manager

Hailey joined the ILNS team in the Spring of 2022 as a Program Facilitator and has transitioned into the role of Program Manager for our RISE programming for youth. For the past 10 years, she has worked with persons with disabilities in small option housing as well as with children with disabilities through various capacities. In 2009, Hailey earned her Social Service Working Diploma from Sheridan College. Overall, Hailey is passionate about inclusion and helping others advocate for themselves. 

Kaitlyn Phillips

Executive Assistant & RDSP Program Specialist

Kaitlyn joined the ILNS team in May 2018 to support consumers in attaining and maintaining their own independence. Kaitlyn is a strong communicator with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations from Mount Saint Vincent University, but more importantly, she is a passionate aid for anyone who chooses to positively better themselves. Kaitlyn also provides information and navigational support to Nova Scotians with disabilities and their families around the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) process as well as providing strategic and administrative support to Carrie Ernst, ILNS’ Executive Director. 

Meaghan Ernst

Peer Support Coordinator & Program Facilitator

Meaghan officially joined the ILNS team in June of 2021 as one of the Summer Event Co-Coordinators to organize our annual Art of Disability Festival. Afterwards, she transitioned into the role of Administrative and Social Media Support while finishing her Bachelor of Science Degree at Mount Allison University. Currently, Meaghan supports consumers through peer support initiatives like the Fresh Eats food support program, special event organization and delivery as well as a program facilitator for our RISE participants. With a strong background in nutrition, Meaghan has also provided transition support in terms of meal preparation and budgeting to our Shared Services Pilot (SSP) consumers. She is passionate about helping others and working with her community.

Tina Gascon

Finance Officer

Tina joined the ILNS team in July 2019, with more than 35 years experience in accounting, payroll and facilitating.  She began her career with a local accounting firm teaching businesses, through a variety of accounting programs, how to create and operate their own bookkeeping and payroll.  She also managed the accounts for numerous businesses that preferred to have someone do the work.  After 25 years of working for others, Tina chose to branch off and open her own business.

"ILNS is everything I love and exactly where I wanted to be at this stage of my career.  Helping others, in a positive way, through accounting.  Programming here has grown in so many positive directions and I am always excited to see where we will help next. The team is extremely collaborative, very high energy and I enjoy the opportunities offered to me to grow and expand."

Brenna Starzomski

Administrator

Brenna recently joined the ILNS team as a transitional team administrator. She works alongside Tina Gascon helping with finances along with taking on other responsibilities around the office. She spent the summer working as a lead at our Autism Summer Camp. She has also worked as an RRW at both of the ILNS run group homes. Assisting both peoples with physical and behavioral  disabilities. Brenna is passionate about helping others and working in the community.

Thomas Reynolds

Special Projects Manager

In early 2023, Thomas joined the ILNS staff as our Special Projects Manager, which involves prioritizing various responsibilities. One of Thomas' main responsibilities is to keep momentum going for ILNS' growth by streamlining projects and writing proposals for future development. He has also developed and delivered training and programming and provided additional support to our housing services. 

Ryan Williamson

Outreach Facilitator

Ryan joined the ILNS team in the spring of 2023 while completing his final NSCC Social Services job placement with our organization, which provided him the opportunity to learn, grow and interact within the disability community. Currently, Ryan is one of our Art of Disability Festival Coordinators and is also providing Independent Living Support (ILS) in different capacities. Ryan is dedicated to making a positive contribution to the important work being completed within the disability community. 

Kierstin Cavanaugh

Residential Team Lead

In November 2022, Kierstin joined the ILNS staff as a Residential Team Lead within our Shared Services Pilot (SSP) in Halifax. Within this role, Kierstin direct, guides, and support other staff in providing excellent resident care. Kierstin completed a Diploma in Continuing Care and has been a Continuing Care Assistant for the past seven years. She is enthusiastic in supporting other individuals reach their goals and dreams. 

Farzan Hedayat

Residential Team Lead

Farzan joined ILNS in July 2022, as a Residential Resource Worker (RRW) for our Shared Services Pilot (SSP) before transitioning to a Team Lead position. As a Team Lead, Farzan ensures that staff are directed and advised towards delivering services to the residents, as well as creating and implementing policies and procedures for staff. Farzan completed his master's degree from Saint Mary's University with a focus in transport for people with disabilities. He is enthusiastic about learning, teaching, and working with the disability community. 

Jennifer Barkhouse

Residential Supervisor

Nancy Walker

Co-Chair

Nancy joined the ILNS Board in 2017. She is not new to the non-profit sector and the disability community. She has three children and her middle son, Ben, has Autism Spectrum Disorder. Nancy has been a keen advocate for her son in particular, and those in the autism community more broadly. She has sat on numerous boards, both in the community and professionally and understands the commitment of being a board member. Most notably, she started the Ben James Autism Summer Camp which is now run by Autism Nova Scotia, and currently runs the Adolescent/Young Adult Autism Summer Program which is run under the umbrella of ILNS. In her professional life, Nancy is a Physiotherapist who teaches as an Instructor at the School of Physiotherapy at Dalhousie University.

Andrew Taylor

Co-Chair

Andrew joined the ILNS board in June 2020. He is passionate about working with people who want to make Nova Scotia an inclusive and accessible place to live, work and play. He has several years experience helping businesses and nonprofits ensure their spaces are open and inviting to people of all abilities. He also offers workshops and training focused on the attitudinal barriers that can occasionally hinder communication between those who identify as people with disabilities and the wider community. 

Callie MacDonald

Treasurer

Callie joined the board in May of 2023. Growing up in a small town in PEI and playing sports her whole life, gave her the opportunity to become involved in the community and grow her network from a young age. Callie completed her Bachelor of Arts from Mount Allison University in 2021. She then moved to Halifax to complete her graduate certificate in Public Relations from NSCC. Callie is dedicated to making an impact to the disability community in Nova Scotia. 

Jim Arnott

Director

Jim joined the ILNS board in June 2020. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Mary’s University as well as a Human Services Diploma from Nova Scotia Community College. Jim has extensive experience as a banker and as a caseworker at the Nova Scotia Department of Community Services. Finally, Jim volunteered for six years at the Community Justice Society and also with ILNS as a previous Board Co-Chair and the ILNS representative to Independent Living Canada, our national umbrella organization.

Will Brewer

Director

Will joined the ILNS Board in the spring of 2023 and is no stranger to making change, advocating, and leading. Will made history on July 1, 2018, when he became the first town crier with Down syndrome in Canada. He also became president of the Mount Saint Vincent University Student Union in 2020 and now leads as the Advocacy President for the Halifax Nova Scotia Down Syndrome Society (HNSDSS). Will is also an entrepreneur and launched his business, Planet*21, a pop-up/theater events, and event planning business that puts social change and Down syndrome at the core of its business.

Megan Johnson

Director

Dr. Megan Johnson (she/her) is a researcher, program manager, and arts practitioner based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Her community-based research aims to mitigate the infrastructural barriers that prevent people from accessing artistic and cultural experiences and to mobilize innovations from disability culture to address issues of social inequality. Megan holds a PhD in Theatre & Performance Studies from York University and has published and presented internationally on topics related to disability arts and accessibility. 

Megan is currently a Research Associate with Re•Vision: The Centre for Art and Social Justice at the University of Guelph where she leads projects focused on disability art and performance, critical access studies, and digital pedagogy. In addition to her academic work, Megan is a classically-trained mezzo-soprano. She sings across a wide range of genres with particular expertise in new music and expanded vocal techniques. 

Frank O'Sullivan

Director

Frank O’ Sullivan grew up in a small village in Ireland. Frank became deaf at a young age and attended St Joseph’s School for Deaf Boys, in Dublin. After completing high school, he obtained a Diploma in Commercial Horticulture. After moving to Canada in 1982, Frank graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and later obtained a Certificate in Instructing Adults from George Brown College.  Over the years Frank has worked with adults and children with developmental disabilities, as an adult education instructor and with programming for seniors. Frank is a strong proponent of accessible education and training as a means for Deaf and hard of hearing people to overcome the barriers they face in society. Frank is currently the Executive Director of the Society of Dead and Hard of Hearing Nova Scotians (SDHHNS) and has been a member of a diverse range of non-profit boards and committees including: TEAM Work Cooperative, Accessible Nova Scotia Committee, Deaf Literacy Nova Scotia and the Crown Corporations Accessibility Advisory Committee.

Tim Vassallo

Director