Our Team

  • Holly Foxall (she/her) is an optimist and a feminist, and believes that her time and energy is best spent working on initiatives that have a positive impact on the world.

    Holly holds a BSc (Honours) in Environmental Science from Queen’s University, and a Masters in Technology, Entrepreneurship and Innovation from the Sobey School of Business, where she wrote her thesis of gender and entrepreneurship funding.

    Through collaboration and community engagement, Holly hopes that We Worthy Women can play a role in creating safer communities for all.

  • Karn Nichols is a passionate leader and advocate for social change, with a deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and community wellbeing. She brings over three decades of experience working in the nonprofit, higher ed and private sectors, focusing on mental health, gender equality, and systems change. Driven by a deep belief in justice, dignity, and the power of collective action, Karn has dedicated her career to creating systems and spaces where all are safe, seen, and heard. Her leadership is rooted in compassion, community wisdom, and a commitment to lasting change. Karn is known for her thoughtful leadership, strategic thinking, and ability to bring people together to solve complex problems. She is thrilled to be working alongside Holly to build connections, capacity and knowledge to prevent gender-based violence.

    In addition to her work with We Worthy Women, Karn has served as Executive Director of the Canadian Mental Health Association – Nova Scotia Division as well as Chair of the MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning and as Board Director with Junior Achievement. Across all she does, Karn remains focused on building a world where everyone has the opportunity not just to survive—but to thrive.

  • Tiara is a doctoral student in Biology at Dalhousie University and currently a Summer Research Officer with We Worthy Women through the Canada Summer Jobs program. As the EDIA Champion for Dalhousie’s Department of Biology and a nationally recognized EDIA Champion for the Digital Research Alliance of Canada, she drives equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives at every level.

    Previously, Tiara collaborated as an EDIA Research Assistant within Dalhousie’s Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences, where she reviewed institutional policies and authored best-practice guidelines. She founded the Breaking Conventions in STEM event series and mentors Black youth through Imhotep’s Legacy Academy. In 2024, she represented the Atlantic Council for International Cooperation at the Association for Women's Rights in Development Forum in Bangkok as a youth delegate. Tiara also advances health equity as a Research Assistant on the Youth of African Descent Project in partnership with the Canadian Centre for Vaccinology.

  • Madeline Whittaker (she/her) is an intersectional feminist and human rights advocate. Her work is driven by the belief that combating human rights violations and inequalities in all sectors of society will lead to a more prosperous, inclusive, and peaceful world.

    Madeline graduated from Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Commerce and major in International Business, and holds a Juris Doctor from Bond University. Her passion for social justice and the international protection of human rights led her to pursue admission as a legal practitioner in Australia. She looks forward to a future dedicated to advancing the rights and women and girls.

    As the Co-Founder of We Worthy Women, Madeline uses her comprehensive research, analytical, and strategic skills, honed through internships at both the United Nations and the International Criminal Court, to raise awareness and fight against impunity for sexual and gender-based violence at postsecondary institutions.

Board of Directors

  • Jennifer McGill has over 30 years of progressive and diverse experience working at a senior leadership level in the non-profit, private, and public sector, including food security, health care, disability supports, education, and climate change. She is a strategic leader, who has a proven ability to collaborate and co-create innovative solutions to complex system and societal challenges. Jennifer believes solving our toughest problems takes a co-creative and innovative approach that embeds people with living/lived expertise to build community driven solutions. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from Saint Mary’s University, Diploma in Geographic Information Systems from Nova Scotia Community College, and a Masters of Business Administration from Athabasca University.

  • Camila Reis is a Latina feminist and registered counselling therapist with 13 years of experience in mental health and the non-profit sector, specializing in gender equality and gender-based violence. Grounded in intersectionality, trauma-informed care, and anti-oppressive frameworks, she fosters inclusive spaces for marginalized communities.

    She holds a Master’s in Global Development Studies from Saint Mary’s University, where she researched resilience in survivors of intimate partner violence. Camila has worked with girls and women, newcomers, and 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in Canada and internationally. Passionate about education, collaboration, and systemic change, she remains committed to advancing gender justice and amplifying marginalized voices.

  • Nova Scotian by choice since 2014, Erika (she/her/they/them) has lived and worked in small, resource-based communities all her life, it is an important part of who she has become. Her formal education and work experience in natural resource management and community development has cemented a life-long suspicion that everything is connected to everything, and her lived experiences reinforce this view. Intentionally working towards system change is a powerful motivator for her.

    Erika lives with her partner on a small homestead near L’sitkuk (Bear River). Working in her large garden and greenhouse is her favourite form of physical and mental therapy, subversive embroidery and wonky pottery run as close second favourite hobbies.

  • Hannah MacDougall (she/her) is an intersectional feminist, passionate about advancing gender equity and creating safer communities where women and gender-diverse individuals can thrive. She strongly believes in the power of education to drive social change.

    Hannah holds a Master of Arts in Gender Studies and Feminist Research from McMaster University and a Master of Public Administration from Dalhousie University. In her current role as a Senior Policy Analyst, she leads strategic policy development and educational initiatives to improve accessibility across Nova Scotia. Hannah brings diverse experience in research, program facilitation, project management, and policy within the non-profit and public sectors. She has contributed to initiatives focused on feminist history, consent education, migrant justice, and poverty reduction.

    In her spare time, Hannah enjoys spending time with loved ones, participating in community theatre, hiking, and camping.

  • Jasmine is originally from Guysborough Nova Scotia and identifies as African Nova Scotian. Jasmine holds a Bachelor of Psychology, Bachelor of Social Work, and completed her Master of Social Work in Toronto, Ontario in September of 2023. Her current employment lies with the Nova Scotia Association of Black Social Workers in Dartmouth, as the Outreach Social Worker. 

    Jasmine is committed to the advancement and development of programs and services that support Black/African Nova Scotians and working with communities “for us by us”. Jasmine successfully planned and hosted a justice symposium for service providers, service users, and various related organizations that featured more than 200 attendees in October 2023, and is currently co-chair of the African Nova Scotian Coordinated Justice Network.  

    In her spare time, she enjoys exercising by taking fitness/dance classes, reading action novels, and spending time with friends and family and scrapbooking memories!

  • Laura (she/her) has 20 years of experience turning ideas into impact. She’s a master of starting with why and designing and aligning the how. Laura’s career has blended employment and entrepreneurship across public, private, and non-profit organizations. As a result, her experience spans several aspects of organizational leadership, including strategy development; communications and branding; community building and engagement; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and governance and accountability. 

    Laura is the Director of Strategy at Events East, where she leads the development of various plans, initiatives and projects that enhance the local and social impact of the memorable events hosted at Halifax Convention Centre and Scotiabank Centre.

    She lives in Beaver Bank with her husband and beloved pup, Kingsley, who insists on long daily walks no matter what the weather. Laura has more interests and curiosities than can be listed in a bio, but wellbeing and status-quo disruption are among them.

  • Michael Adetola (he/him) is an educator, athlete, and activist who believes that every day is an opportunity to improve himself by uplifting others. 

    Michael has earned two degrees from St. Francis Xavier University, a Bachelor of Arts with a focus in Psychology and Economics, and a Bachelor of Education, and is currently in the final stages of completing a Master of Education – Inclusive Education specializing in Social Justice and Equity. During his time at St.FX, Michael had been involved with a wide range of initiatives and organizations, from his membership with the Varsity Football Team, his community involvement with X-Project, and his work with the Students’ Union as Education Representative. 

    Currently, Michael is a full-time teacher and acting Athletic Director within the Chignecto-Central Regional School Board for Education, where he specializes in Physical Education at Primary through Grade 12 levels.