Meet the Team

Born in Antigonish, Alex felt a strong pull to attend St. Francis Xavier University. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Sociology and a minor in Psychology. However, Alex realized she wasn’t utilizing her natural ability to connect with people and later completed a diploma in counselling skills focusing on addictions. Alex has been working in the Human Services, not-for-profit sector for over ten years, five of them being in an Executive Director role. Her passion and dedication to her position with Stepping Stone are evident, as is her immense knowledge of local resources and other opportunities beneficial to her clients. As an executive director, Alex goes above and beyond to ensure her program users and staff feels seen, heard, and supported by meeting people exactly where they’re at. Alex is determined to see systemic changes related to sex work and remains a relentless leader in advocacy for those willingly choosing sex work as their profession. She believes that everyone deserves equality, respect, and basic human needs. Alex will do everything in her power to break down the barriers preventing these from happening.

With over 15 years of experience at Stepping Stone, Linda is our longest standing staff member. The fact is, you’ve probably met her if you have been in HRM for more than 5 minutes. Linda can be found on outreach, the bus, the court house, jail, just about everywhere. But you’ll have to move quickly to keep up with her as she’s always busy.

A relentless advocate for the Program Users, Linda is not afraid to speak her mind, and she speaks from experience. Linda is an advocate in the North end of Halifax and knows everything to know about every organization in the city. Linda is outspoken and articulate and has a soft side doing what she can for any of the Program Users in need.

Linda officially splits her time between the court houses and the correctional centre. As our Court Support and Corrections Worker, Linda is there from start to finish throughout the court process, supporting and offering resources to Program Users facing the legal system. She also is the first to welcome the Program Users back, assisting in discharge planning from corrections, and ensuring a web of support is available.

Kathleen (Kass) is the heart of Stepping Stone, running the Drop-In Centre since 2008. The Drop-In is open Monday to Friday from 9-1pm, and is known as a safe place to obtain help from a harm reduction approach. This includes; basic needs supplies, groceries, peer support and community referrals.

Kathleen supervises the front line crisis management and peer support, when not doling out the daily goods from the food truck. A simple side glance from Kathleen can quickly stop any conflict, and she is known throughout the community as the person to go to if you are in need. This keeps the phones consistently ringing at the Drop-In Centre and Program Users accessing the Drop-In know they can find assistance and support whenever they call.

A strong advocate for equality and basic human and employment rights, Kathleen has acted as the conduit for our networks with other similar agencies across Canada as well as our online outreach.

Liz has her Bachelor of Education from Mount Saint Vincent University and 20 years of teaching experience in a variety of settings from swimming lessons to high school.

As a passionate advocate for access to education for marginalized populations, she has worked with at risk youth, persons with mental health concerns and a variety of other special considerations.

Liz has experienced the transformative power of education when people are given opportunities to see themselves differently by experiencing success in a new area. She embraces Stepping Stone’s client centered approach and is excited to contribute to the development and delivery of relevant workshops for our clients.

Liz is also a pottery and community art instructor and hopes to add to the art therapy programs offered through Stepping Stone.

Joanne started with Stepping Stone in June 2017. She originally come from Ontario and made Nova Scotia her home in June 2017.

She has over 35 year of experience in Accounting and Bookkeeping and loves to work on financial issues, both personally and professionally. She is a passionate about social justice and working with Stepping Stone has grown her passion for helping this worthwhile community.

Joanne is inspired by our clients’ resilience and loves learning about their lives and finding ways Stepping Stone can support their goals.

Born and raised in South Western Ontario, Mikayla has always been drawn to the East Coast and loves living near the ocean here in Halifax!

Mikayla has a Bachelor of Arts from Wilfrid Laurier University, with a major in Human Rights and Human Diversity. She is passionate about community building, and her work focuses on 2SLGBTQ+ rights and advocacy.

Ren (she/ they) comes to Stepping Stone with several years of Human Serviced experience using trauma-informed practice with a strong passion for community work grounded in a harm-reductive approach.

Ren has achieved her education in Social Services completed in Truro, Nova Scotia. She has an understanding and commitment to anti-oppressive, trauma informed practices and using a human-centered approach.

Ren enjoys collecting crystals, photography and relaxing with her rescue dog Toby!

Aidan is part of the outreach team as well as works on special projects that arise.

He is a patient and attentive listener, which supports his work in connecting the voices of program users in the broader community with the ears and resources at Stepping Stone.

Aidan has his Bachelor of Arts from Concordia University, with a major in Philosophy and a minor in Human Rights. He is currently completing a Masters in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University.

Chances are, you will hear Nicole before you see her, but once she spots you, you’ll never feel more seen (unless there is a cute dog in your vicinity).

Nicole has been building relationships with clients at Stepping Stone since she joined in 2011, and during her time as a Peer Outreach Worker for the YWCA with the NSTAY Program. Sometimes she just won’t leave the building! Nicole’s close ties to Dartmouth reflects her dedication to community values and connection.

Nicole’s big heart, trusted presence, playfulness and consistency are what makes her an asset to both clients and staff. As a Peer Support Worker, Nicole is always just a conversation away from turning anyone’s day around.