Armbrae’s leadership consists of three teams: The Board of Governors - responsible for the long term strategic direction of The School, and for evaluating the performance of the Head of School; The Executive Leadership Team - develops the implementation plan to execute on strategy and ensures the implementation plan is aligned with the Mission, Vision, Values of the Strategic Plan; The School Leadership Team - responsible for carrying out the implementation plan and delivering on the Mission, Vision and Values of The School.
Executive Leadership Team
Name
Title
Full Bio
Stephen Clarke
Head of School
Stephen Clarke: Head of School
Stephen (Steve) Clarke began his Headship on July 1, 2019, joining Armbrae from Ridley College in St. Catharines, Ontario, where he was most recently Deputy Headmaster and Head of Lower School, and where he and his wife Elizabeth (Liz) worked as educators and leaders for 20 years.
At Ridley College, Steve began as Director of Information Technology in 1999 and held increasingly broader leadership roles, focusing on school improvement and community enhancement including Curriculum Director, Head of Academics, Head of Upper School and Head of Lower School. His long list of accomplishments at Ridley include: advancing educational technology; championing professional development; guiding the launch of the globally recognized IB programme; initiating the expansion of the school from a Grade 5-12 to a JK-12 "IB Continuum School"; supporting the development of the Strategic Plan and Master Campus Plan; and shepherding upgrades and enhancements to facilities throughout school. In addition to his leadership contributions at Ridley College, Steve taught in the classroom and coached hockey, sailing and golf.
Stephen Clarke is an Ontario Certified Principal with an academic background in Biochemistry, Honours Bachelor of Science and Master of Science, and a Bachelor of Education, all from the University of Ottawa. Before joining Ridley College, Steve began his career teaching general Science, Biology, Chemistry and Math in Ontario (Ottawa) secondary schools in 1990, and he spent four years at Crestwood School (Toronto) as Director of Information Technology.
Suzanne Morrison: Admissions and Marketing Director
Suzanne is a proud Cape Bretoner and even prouder Xavierian. A graduate of St. F. X University with her Bachelor of Arts in English and Poli Sci, she has spent most of her career in communications. She has worked for Tourism Nova Scotia and several advertising agencies in Halifax, as well as years partnering with her sister in an event management company - Offspring Productions. Offspring produced an annual event in the HRM which was a four-day activity-driven family weekend with a large exhibition component. Suzanne has been a partner with her husband photographer James Ingram in their production company Jive Photographic Productions for over 20 years. During this time she became a certified Make-Up Artist to assist with the family business. Suzanne has three sons, Hogan, Redford, and North, the eldest who graduated from Armbrae in 2016. Her strong passion for the school during Hogan's time at Armbrae and her sales and marketing experience made for a great fit for the role of Admissions and Marketing Director which she began in 2017. Responsible for the popular quotes on the Armbrae sign, her motto is "Do what you love, love what you do."
Meaghan Jackson: Director of Partnership & Community Relations
Meaghan was born and raised in Halifax, and she is a proud Armbrae Alumna. Meaghan attended St. Francis Xavier University, earning her Business degree with a major in Marketing. She has experience working in a variety of industries including real estate, property management, event management, and tourism. Meaghan's role at Armbrae involves inspiring, engaging and strengthening the Armbrae Alumni Association and the community to invest in Armbrae’s vision of the future while nurturing a culture of Philanthropy.
Ashley Matthews-Duffett: Auxiliary Programmes & Facilities Director
Ashley Matthews-Duffett is the Auxiliary Programmes & Facilities Director, responsible for all aspects outside of the academic day. Many of those areas include our Afterschool programme, Co-Curricular programming, and Camps. Ashley believes in creating many new opportunities and experiences for all our students.
Ashley attended St. Joseph College, completed her Early Childhood Education and has worked with children in many different settings for over 25 years.
When not at Armbrae you can find Ashley spending time doing all the things she loves practicing yoga, going to the beach and just being outside with her two boys, husband and sweet little puppy.
Ally holds a Masters degree in Educational Leadership from Acadia University in Wolfville and a Bachelor of Education from Western University. Prior to this, she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and a Bachelor of Commerce Degree with dual majors in Entrepreneurship and Human Resource Management, both from Saint Mary’s University. A committed life-long learner, Ally earned her certificate in career counselling at Dalhousie University, recently completed the CAIS Leadership Institute Accreditation module and currently holds the position of VP Atlantic with the CISC (Canadian Independent School Counsellors).
Ally is an enthusiastic and relationship-focused educator who knows that building a strong and authentic relationship with each and every student is essential to working with young people. She finds great joy in helping students shape their paths and gain the skills and confidence to navigate current and future opportunities. Now in her thirteenth year at the school, Ally has taught upper level English courses, Yoga and Healthy Living and now teaches Career Education in the Upper School. As the previous Upper School Director at Armbrae from 2019 to 2024, and integrating this leadership position with her existing role as the Head of Guidance and University Counselling. Her background in University Guidance, combined with leadership training and extensive entrepreneurial experience has provided important insight into the needs of students at the high school level, and how innovative programming can support long-term student success. Ally brings an entrepreneurial mindset to every aspect of her work and she strives to continuously incorporate creative and innovative elements into the Upper School program.
Alyssa Hill, mother of two and current Armbrae parent, joins the Armbrae staff to take on a new role for the school: Director of Finance & Operations. To this role she brings ten years of financial advisory experience in both the private business and non-profit sectors. Designated as a Chartered Professional Accountant and Chartered Business Valuator, she offers insight and guidance to our school community as we move forward under our strategic plan and uphold our standard for excellence.
• A.B. cum laude in Anthropology (Archaeology), Harvard College, 1985
• M.Ed. in Teaching and Learning (Technology in Education)
• Harvard Graduate School of Education, 2001
My ‘first career’ was in archaeology, where I specialised in later European prehistory and worked in France and the UK. In 1992 I moved back to Boston, my home town, and changed my focus to teaching at the high school level. I taught Computer Science and served as a Technology Director at boarding and day schools in New England before accepting the position of Director of Technology at Armbrae and moving to Halifax in 2009.
At Armbrae, my job includes teaching students of a variety of ages as well as supporting teachers in their use of instructional technology. I love the variety that every day brings and the challenge of navigating the always-changing waters of technology. I also love helping students to become creators, rather than consumers, of technology.
Outside of school, my passions are sailing with my family in our 41-year-old wooden schooner COMET II and volunteering with the Canadian Ski Patrol.
Throughout her 20 year teaching career, Tara Burt has taught in both public and independent schools and has been a teacher at Armbrae for the past 18 years. During this time, she has taught a variety of grades in the Lower School including Grades 2, 3, 5 and 6. Tara was appointed to the position of Lower School Director in July of 2019. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Dalhousie University, and both a Bachelor of Elementary Education Degree and a Masters in Elementary Education from Mount Saint Vincent University. She is currently working on her CAIS Diploma in Independent School Leadership with the hopes of graduating with that certificate this summer.
Tara is committed to excellence in teaching and learning and is well known for developing positive and collaborative relationships with students, colleagues and parents. She has an excellent understanding of child development and the needs of young learners.
Jamie-Lynn Wilkinson: Social Studies, Citizenship, Leadership
• BA (Saint Mary's University- Political Science Major)
• B.Ed. (Mount Saint Vincent University)
Jamie-Lynn Wilkinson is from the Acadian municipality of Clare, Nova Scotia, a beautiful seaside community known for its language, music, and seafood. She teaches Social Studies and English Language Arts at Armbrae Academy and is consistently impressed with student motivation for success and their genuine curiosity for learning. Jamie-Lynn’s love for teaching first began in Phnom Penh, Cambodia while volunteering for a non-governmental organization aiding vulnerable girls. It was there that she gained a deeper understanding and appreciation for the power of education and decided to become a fully qualified teacher. Soon after earning a Bachelor of Education from Mount Saint Vincent University, she moved to London, England where she spent two years teaching at a secondary school and travelling Europe as much as possible. When she returned home to Nova Scotia she was employed with the Halifax Regional Centre for Education and eventually by Armbrae Academy. Jamie-Lynn continues to actively volunteer in her own community and enjoys bringing her world experience to the classroom to inspire students to become engaged global citizens.
Shelley Thomas is an award-winning teacher, writer, and artist. She has received international recognition for her contribution to ideas in education, and has worked with Greenpeace, the UN, and with schools throughout Europe, South and North America.
Thomas is a graduate of McGill University (MA), the University of Western Ontario (BA), and the University of Toronto (B.Ed). She served as Head of English at Ridley College (Ontario) and then as head of English and Dramatic Arts at Neuchâtel Junior College (Switzerland) before relocating to Nova Scotia with her surf-loving husband and dog.
A lifelong beachcomber, Thomas has a deep love and affinity for the ocean, its creatures, and their preservation. She actively combs the shores of the Great Lakes, the North Sea, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans where she scours tidelines for artifacts, fossils, flotsam, marine flora and fauna to photograph and research. Currently, she is completing work on a beachcombing memoir that covers a sabbatical year of treasure hunting on fabled shorelines around the world.
Favourite authors include Mary Oliver, Helen MacDonald, Maria Popova, and her Armbrae students.
Krista Ghanekar: Math, Head of Department, Mathematics
• Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Computer Science (St. Francis Xavier University)
• Masters of Mathematics in Applied Mathematics (University of Waterloo)
• Bachelor of Education (OISE, University of Toronto)
• Co-curriculars: Math Circle, Math Contests and Senior Robotics
With over 15 years of teaching experience, Krista has taught both mathematics and computer science to students ranging from grade 9 to grade 12. She began her teaching career in the Peel District School Board in Mississauga and then moved internationally to teach at Neuchâtel Junior College (CAIS) located in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. Krista is a passionate educator who works relentlessly to find ways to help support and improve student success, while at the same time endeavouring to add depth, interest and enrichment to the Math curriculum. Originally from Antigonish, Krista is excited to have returned to her beloved home province, sharing her joy for mathematics with the Armbrae community.
Michael is originally from British Columbia and has 20+ years of experience as a University Advisor having worked in South America, Asia as well in Canada in both IB and AP based schools. He has an undergraduate from Simon Fraser University and a graduate degree from University of California. Los Angeles. The celebration of individual achievements are his personal motivator as an education. Outside of education, he loves seafood, reading and the outdoors. He will join Armbrae with his wife (an elementary teacher now at Armbrae) and his daughter Meleigha (a grade 12 student at Armbrae) and his two cats.
Megan is an enthusiastic and dedicated educator who is deeply committed to establishing meaningful connections with her students. This bond serves as the strong foundation upon which students feel empowered to take risks, embrace challenges, grow as learners, and ultimately find success. Megan is well-known for her consistent advocacy for students and her collaborative efforts with colleagues, parents and students.
Before taking on the role of Director of Student Success in 2022, Megan gained over two decades of experience in both independent and public schools, teaching various subjects and grades including Grade Two, Grade One, Physical Education, and Art. In addition, she held an administrative role for three years.
Megan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Mary’s University, a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Maine, and Master of Education from Acadia University. She is a dedicated life long learner, recently acquiring certification in special education through additional course work.
Armbrae’s Board of Governors is made up of alumni, parents, and other community members. Under the dedicated and passionate leadership of Jill Hennigar, Armbrae’s Board of Governors is responsible for advancing the School’s mission, vision and securing the future for the School.
Name
Title
Full Bio
Jill Hennigar
Chair, Governance Committee Chair
Jill Hennigar: Chair, Governance Committee Chair
Jill Hennigar is the VP, Operations at Dash Hudson and oversees: people operations, team growth, community, and diversity, equity and inclusion.
Before joining Dash Hudson, Jill spent just over a decade at Emera Inc., where she held various positions in: Investor Relations, Human Resources and Communications and Sustainability. Prior to Emera, Jill worked at KPMG in Assurance. Jill is a native Haligonian, Chartered Accountant, and graduate of Saint Mary's University. She has two children in the Junior School.
Marc has practiced law at Cox & Palmer since being called to the Bar in 2007 and is currently the practice group leader for the firm’s real property group. He obtained a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Saint Mary’s University before attending law school at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton and MacQuarie University in Sydney, Australia.
Marc attended Armbrae Academy from Primary until Grade 12 graduating in 1998.
Marc is the past Board Chair at the Waegwoltic Club Ltd. serving on the governance, nomination, human resources and aquatics committees, and serves on the Board of Directors at the Nova Scotia SPCA.
Sam is a faculty member and the coordinator of Financial Services programs at the Nova Scotia Community College, Ivany Campus. He is a qualified CPA from Kenya. Sam started his accounting career with KPMG Kenya. He later joined KPMG Cayman Islands and UBS Funds Services where he was involved in hedge funds audit/accounting. Sam the treasurer and Chair of the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee.
Sam is an Associate Member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (CFE), a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS). He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Atlantic ACFE since 2019. Sam has three children at Armbrae.
Rob Jeffery: Treasurer, Finance Audit and Risk Committee Chair
Rob is a Tax Partner with Deloitte, providing tax and business advise to Canadian companies and their shareholders. Rob is a graduate of Acadia University with a Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours) degree and holds a Master of Business Administration from the Ivey Business School. He is a Chartered Accountant (CPA, CA), Certified Public Accountant. Rob currently Chairs the Fred C. Manning School of Business Advisory Board at Acadia University. He resides in Halifax with his wife and three daughters.
Shakara is a passionate business builder in our community. As the CEO of Junior Achievement Nova Scotia, Shakara has led the organization to become the fastest-growing charter in Canada with increased program delivery, student reach, and impact. Before joining JA, Shakara was the Director of Client Development and Youth Entrepreneurship at the Black Business Initiative.
Shakara is engaged with various community organizations and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Lake City Works, a social enterprise focused on helping one of Nova Scotia's most vulnerable populations; and the Patoria Legacy Project. Previously, Shakara served as the founding Director of Hope Blooms Social Enterprise and on the Board of Directors for Credit Union Atlantic and the United Way of Halifax. Shakara has been a part of the Armbrae community for two years and has a child in grade four.
Nick Szymanis: Governor, Academics Committee Chair
Nick Szymanis has been a parent at Armbrae Academy since 2015. He and his wife Oona have been educators at Canadian Independent Schools for 18 years; and Nick has held leadership positions at Crofton House School in Vancouver (Department Chair - History, 2000 - 2005) Havergal College in Toronto (Department Chair - History, 2005 - 2010) and was the Director of Academics at Sterling Hall School, also in Toronto, from 2010 to 2015. Nick is also the Founding Director of Debate Camp, now in its 20th summer, providing day camp academic programming throughout Canada (Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Ottawa in 2021), and in 5 US locations (Boston to New York) each summer. Nick is the past President and current Vice President of the International Independent Schools Public Speaking League and has coached the Armbrae Debate Team since 2015.
Shanti Dogra is the General Counsel, Director of Legal & Regulatory Affairs and Secretary of the Board for Canada’s Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board. Shanti is a lawyer with several years of experience with governance matters and is a corporate secretary. In addition to legal matters, Shanti is also involved in strategic planning, community outreach, budgets and risk management. Shanti has been part of the Armbrae Community for two years and has two children in Middle School.
Colin is the Manager of Human Resources at the Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia and brings a depth of experience in functional HR areas, including: recruiting and staffing, performance management, respectful workplace matters, employee and labour relations, payroll and benefits administration, job evaluation and compensation and policy development. Colin served on the Board of the HR Association of Nova Scotiafrom 2010 – 2015. Colin has three children at Armbrae.
Heather is a Technology & Strategy consultant at Deloitte Inc. in Halifax. Now an Industrial Engineer, Heather attended all twelve grades at Armbrae, and like Marc, is a fellow “lifer”. During Heather's time at Armbrae, she was heavily involved in Athletics, Students' Council, and community engagements. Heather's father, Ian MacKnight, chaired Armbrae's Board of Governors for six years during her time at the school. Ian passed away in 2016, and her identity as an Armbrae Academy Alumnus continues to be a great source of pride and inspiration for her. She is passionate about developing an Armbrae Alumnae engagement strategy at the school and looks forward to maintaining this connection in the years to come.
Carolyn is part of the Bragg family group of businesses which include Eastlink and Oxford Frozen Foods. She has worked in numerous roles in the past and is currently an active member of the Advisory Board. Carolyn enjoys an active lifestyle with her husband, four step children and their son who attends Armbrae Academy. Carolyn graduated from St. Francis University and then continued her education at Seneca College. Carolyn grew up in Nova Scotia and lives in Halifax.
Ron Lovett is the Founder & CEO of VIDA, an entrepreneur, globally recognized author, speaker, and business thought leader. He previously transformed the physical security industry by founding Source Security, scaling the company to over 3,500 staff before exiting at a 24x multiple. Known for his renegade spirit, Ron builds high-performing, decentralized organizations with world-class cultures, where everyone is a passionate stakeholder. A five-time recipient of the Atlantic Business Magazine Top 50 CEO Award, Ron serves on boards and supports organizations like the Fraser Institute, ROM, and Futurpreneur Canada. He lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with his wife and three children, where he mentors young entrepreneurs.
Kim is a senior executive within the Government of Nova Scotia. Overseeing the entire operations of the Executive Council Office, she brings a wealth of knowledge on governance and accountability, as well as fiscal policy. Originally from New Brunswick, she was an academic all-Canadian in basketball at UNB and then obtained an MBA from Dalhousie University.
With two sons in the senior school, Kim has been an Armbrae parent since 2012. On the weekends, Kim enjoys long dog walks with George and her husband Alex.
Victor Zhu is a senior digital innovation leader at Nova Scotia Power, leading the Enterprise Service Management digitalization and Emera’s transformation on the ServiceNow platform. With his forward-looking vision of digital technologies, Victor has built and is expanding a diverse, high-performing team to execute on many strategic priorities, including: digitalization, operational excellence, and cyber security. Victor’s leadership contributes to the broader digital value streams being realized at NS Power, Emera and its affiliated companies across North America.
Victor received his Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Zhejiang University, China. He obtained his Master’s degree in Engineering from Dalhousie University in 2005.
Victor Zhu has been a proud member of the Armbrae community for six years. He has two boys in middle and lower school.
