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.

  • Madeline Whittaker (she/her) is an international human rights lawyer and advocate. She is currently working as Judicial Affairs Officer and Gender Focal Point at the United Nations Mission in Kosovo where she collaborates with civil society organizations, local institutions, government agencies, and other international organizations to strengthen the rule of law and protect human rights.

    Madeline holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree (major in International Business), Juris Doctor, and Masters in International Human Rights Law and Policy. She is a proud co-founder of We Worthy Women.

The We Worthy Women team is made up of passionate individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and sectors, who are all committed to preventing gender-based violence. Our staff and board members guide the organization and ensure that we are working in alignment with our values and priorities. We know that we are stronger together and are working to center the voices of those most impacted by gender-based violence in all of our partnerships and programming. 

Board of Directors

  • 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.

  • Thamires Freitas de Almeida is a Brazilian immigrant and intrapreneurial finance and operations leader with 20 years of international experience in accounting, auditing, and strategic management across Brazil, the United States, China, and Canada. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from Brazil and a CPA-equivalent professional designation. 

    Thamires’s early volunteer work with Rotary International’s Interact Club—where she served as Treasurer, Secretary, and President—sparked her lifelong commitment to community development and gender equity. Shaped by her upbringing in an underserved neighborhood and by witnessing gender-based violence firsthand, she is passionate about advancing women’s empowerment through education, opportunity, and inclusive leadership.

  • Anindita Gupta is a purpose-driven entrepreneur, scientist, and advocate for inclusive innovation. With over 13 years of experience spanning biological sciences, venture capital, and startup leadership, she is the Founder and CEO of Bluenose Probiotics, a Nova Scotia-based company developing plant-based, dairy-free probiotic beverages that support gut health and promote accessible wellness for all.

    Anindita holds master’s degrees in Biological Sciences and Technology Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Her career includes working closely with early-stage life science companies and serving as a venture capital investor at Innovacorp, where she helped startups secure funding, build strategy, and scale with confidence. She is known for bridging science and business, turning complex technical ideas into real-world solutions with meaningful impact.

    Outside of her entrepreneurial work, Anindita is a passionate community advocate. She actively mentors newcomers, international students, and immigrant entrepreneurs, helping them build successful paths in Canada. Earlier in her career, she also supported rural artisans in India, helping them bring their work to global markets, a reflection of her long-standing commitment to empowerment, equity, and global inclusion.

  • 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!

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.