Presented By

SPEAKERS

Hon. Barbara Adams | Minister, Department of Seniors and Long-Term Care

The Honourable Barbara Adams was first elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly as MLA for Cole Harbour-Eastern Passage in 2017 and was re-elected as the MLA for Eastern Passage in 2021.
Barbara is a physiotherapist who graduated from Dalhousie University in 1984.  She also has a certificate in Business Management.

Barbara worked in the hospital system in Ontario and Nova Scotia before moving into private practice in 2007.  She was the Clinical Director of PhysioCare at Home and a private business owner through the Atlantic Balance and Dizziness Centre in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

Barbara started working with children with special needs when she was 12 years old.  She volunteered as a guest speaker with many organizations like the Nova Scotia Arthritis Socieity, Alzheimer Society and Care Givers Nova Scotia.

Barbara served on the Board of Directors for CARP, VON Halifax, Serving Seniors Alliance, Oceanview Continuing Care Centre and the Eastern Passage and Area Business Association. She is also Chair of the Law Amendments Committee.

She is the mother of two sons and two step sons.

Jo-Anne Poirier | President and CEO, VON

Jo-Anne Poirier has been a leader in the charitable and not-for-profit sectors for over 30 years. She been the President and CEO of VON Canada since 2014.
Jo-Anne is actively involved in the community and on several boards of directors. She is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) and a holder of the ICD.D designation.

She is currently the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), and a member of the Boards of the Canadian Home Care Association and Calian. Previous Board roles include Board member of the Réseau des services de santé en français de l’Est de l’Ontario, Chair of the Shaw Centre, Chair of the Change Foundation, Vice‐Chair of Ottawa Public Health, Board member of TVO and founding Board member of the Board of Directors of the Champlain Local Health Integration Network (LHIN).

Jo-Anne has received several awards for her work in the community, including the 2020 Ottawa Distinguished Women Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2020 University of Ottawa Alumni Association Awards of Excellence Community Service Award, the 2012 Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the 2012 Dirigeante de l'année, Secteur communautaire (2012 CEO of the year, Non-Profit sector) Award from the Regroupement des gens d'affaires de la capitale nationale.

Charbel Daniel | President and CEO, Northwood Care

Charbel Daniel brings a wealth of experience and a passion for leadership to his role as President and CEO of Northwood Care. With a strong background in healthcare, Charbel has a proven track record of driving growth, fostering innovation, and building high-performing teams.
 
Before joining Northwood Care, Charbel held key leadership positions at Emergency Medical Care Inc., the sole ambulance provider for the province of Nova Scotia, where he spearheaded strategic initiatives and led transformative projects that delivered exceptional results. Known for his collaborative approach and commitment to excellence, Charbel is dedicated to advancing Northwood Care’s mission of providing outstanding care and support to the community. 
 
Charbel holds a Master of Business Administration from Quantic School of Business and Technology, a Bachelor of Science from Dalhousie University, and a Diploma in Paramedicine from the Maritime School of Paramedicine. While beginning his new position at Northwood, he maintains his role as Board Chair for the Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia. Charbel is also the author of the book “The Problem with Solutions,” which explores how organizations can create lasting and meaningful solutions to long-standing issues without generating new problems. Outside of work, Charbel enjoys spending quality time with his spouse and three children, embodying a belief in a balanced and fulfilling life.
 
With a vision for the future and a deep respect for Northwood Care’s legacy, Charbel is excited to lead the organization into its next chapter of growth and success.

Caroline Wolfe Stewart | Senior Director Strategy & Operations, Nova Scotia College of Nursing

Caroline Wolfe Stewart has over 25 years experience leading high performing teams  in strategic operations across the healthcare system in long term care, acute care and home care. Caroline has led successful transformational change in both the private and public sector. Currently Caroline is Senior Director Strategy & Operations with the Nova Scotia College of Nursing and previously held the roles of Vice President, The Berkeley Retirement Residences, Vice President Atlantic, Crothall Services Canada and various senior roles with Shannex Healthcare.
 
Caroline is driven by making a difference in the lives of Nova Scotians by creating exceptional customer experiences and striving for innovative strategies to create client delight and exceed results. As a strategist and systems-thinker she has achieved exceptional outcomes for organizations in the areas of finance, risk, communications, human resources, information technology and project Management. Outside of her day job, she facilitates business forums for small to medium entrepreneurs, to help them grow their businesses.
 
Caroline’s passion for community is evident in her current volunteer work as an Officer and Chair of the Membership Committee with the Halifax Chamber of Commerce and Cole Harbour Place and previously with Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation and Mount Saint Vincent University. In her spare time, Caroline and her husband spend their time in  outdoor activities and home renovation projects. Their two grown daughters join in too when not at University.

Thank You to Our Advocate Partner