Laura MacLaughlin, CPA, CA is a Partner with Grant Thornton LLP, in the Truro office. She focuses on helping clients and provides assurance and advisory services to a large range of clients, such as various sectors in the privately held business space, not for profits and government organizations in the local and surrounding areas. She has in depth experience in dealing with boards and audit/finance committees. Laura is currently also a member of the Truro Rotary Club as well as a member of several committees for the CPA profession. Laura is the past treasurer of the Downtown Truro Partnership Board and has been involved in various other volunteer activities and committees over the years. Laura enjoys being able to give back to the local community. Outside of work, Laura enjoys spending time with her family, being physically active, camping and exploring the great outdoors.

Susan has had a a varied career- as a high school teacher, fitness instructor, on the boards of various volunteer organizations, and medical office manager for several doctors including her husband, Dr. Steven Cook. The job for which she is proudest was as a full time mother of our 3 children.

Susan loves skiing, skating, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, hiking, and travelling. These things bring her great joy, especially when she can share special moments with our 8 grandchildren.

Susan’s interest in STEPs began with her sister-in-law, Jacqueline. This organization brings such joy to all the clients and provides training in areas that give a great feeling of accomplishment. It is a place to feel important as the instructors guide clients in new and different fields of work.

Susan feels honoured to have been given a place on the board and will try her best to assist in the goals set forth.

John is married and the proud parent of 3 children and 4 grandchildren. He has owned and operated successful printing and design company in Truro/Colchester area for 26 years. He was recently appointed Justice of the Peace by province of Nova Scotia

John has volunteered for various community organizations including Chair of the Rath Eastlink Community Center and Local, Provincial and Atlantic Chambers of Commerce.

John joined STEPs board of directors, 2019, with the goal of helping adults with intellectual disabilities be more self-reliant and enhance their personal and vocational development.

John is also a long time suffering and hopeful Maple Leafs fan.

Denise has spent most of her teaching career in various roles at Cobequid Educational Centre (CEC). Her current position is vice-principal, but she first got acquainted with STEPs programs, clients, and staff in her role as Learning Centre Department Head. She has worked closely with many students and their families to support their transition from CEC to STEPs on Arthur.

Denise is a member of the Education Standard Development Committee - a group tasked with assisting the Accessibility Advisory Board with making recommendations to the Minister of Justice on a proposed standard to address barriers to accessibility at all levels of education in Nova Scotia.

In her spare time, Denise enjoys spending time with her family, golfing, reading historical fiction, and relaxing near the water.

Valerie has lived in Truro together with her husband and 3 children since 1995 and has worked in various fields throughout her career, including sales and marketing for two multinational companies and a stint in the pharmaceutical field. She is currently the Operations Manager for Burchell MacDougall.

Valerie has volunteered on various committees and as a coach throughout her time in Truro and is an avid swimmer – to the extent that in 2018 she swam to PEI to raise funds for Camp Brigadoon. She also enjoys hiking, cooking, and reading. After 28 years with a child in the school system, she has just seen her last child graduate from high school and plans on devoting some of her newly found spare time to Special Olympics.

She is honoured to have been asked to join the board and plans on working hard to make a meaningful contribution.

Dale was raised on a potato and beef farm in Florenceville, New Brunswick. After graduating from high school, he attended NSAC in Bible Hill, graduating in 1973. He then attended and graduated from Macdonald College of McGill University. In his career, Dale has worked for government and private industry in Atlantic Canada as seed potato specialist, horticulturist, and extension specialist for the wild blueberry and maple industries.

Dale is now retired and lives in Truro. He enjoys volunteering, meeting people, hiking, reading, and visiting with family and friends in New Brunswick, Toronto, Alberta and Nova Scotia. Dale feels that it is the responsibility of those who can to give back to their communities. STEPs on Arthur is an important part of our community, and serving on the STEPs Board is a wonderful opportunity and an honour.

Fouad is a real estate investor and property manager with properties in Halifax, New Glasgow and in between. Before starting his business, Fouad worked in an accounting and finance role for a natural resources company in Alberta and Alaska, and in the telecommunications industry in Washington, DC.

Fouad holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Saint Mary’s University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Louisiana State University. He is a proud first generation Lebanese-Canadian and supports community organizations in both the countries he calls home.

In his spare time, Fouad enjoys long hikes with his dog, salmon fishing, camping, reading and spending quality time with friends and loved ones.

Michelle McCann is the owner of Bold and Italic, a marketing and communications consultancy based in Truro. She founded her business in 2013, after a 15-year career in communications and fundraising with a variety of non-profit organizations. Through her work, Michelle helps small businesses, events, and charities amplify their impact, providing strategic marketing support so they can focus on delivering products, services and programs that matter.

A passionate advocate for her community, Michelle co-founded Local Love Truro, and believes in celebrating and supporting the local businesses, organizations, and initiatives that make Colchester County a great place to live, work, and thrive. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and photography, and adventures (and naps!) with her cockapoo, Cocoa.

Danielle spent over a decade working and living in Halifax while pursuing her Bachelor of Arts degree at Saint Mary’s University and law degree at the Schulich School of Law (Dalhousie). She volunteered with a number of community organizations in the city during that time including the Halifax Refugee Clinic, the John Howard Society of NS, the NS Rainbow Action Project, and the Dalhousie Tenants’ Rights Project, as well as working with the Dalhousie Legal Aid Clinic for a practicum term in 2020.

After moving to Hilden with her fiancée and joining Burchell MacDougall LLP in Truro where she works as a family law lawyer, she was happy to be accepted to the Board of STEPS.  

When she is not working, Danielle enjoys gardening and yardwork, reading, supporting the Enfield Rugby Football Club, and hosting friends and family.