Board Members

Jeffrey has been a member of PMI-NS chapter since 2015 when he moved from Calgary to Nova Scotia to work at the Sobeys head office. He relocated to Halifax in 2018 and joined Sierra Systems an NTT Data Company as a Lead Consultant. Jeffrey was an active volunteer in the PMI-Southern Alberta Chapter serving as the VP of Membership from 2010–2013. There he managed the Mentorship and Company Ambassador programs. He started the New Membership Orientations and Leadership Programs and co-founded the PMI-SAC Toastmasters club. He was apart of the Board when they won PMI Chapter of Year in 2013.

Jeffrey has been on the PMI-NS Board since 2020 and has served as the Director of Membership & Volunteers, Vice President of Operations and President Elect.  Jeffrey has over 17 years of project leadership experience implementing software systems over many diverse industries. He has managed project teams from across USA, Canada and internationally. He is currently a Senior Engagement Manager with OpsGuru.

In his spare time Jeffrey likes to travel, golf, and play tennis. He has a passion for personal and professional development.

Tanya is currently an IT Business Support Lead in the utility industry. She is a Project Management Professional acquiring her PMP credentials in March 2020. Tanya’s career covers both the IT and legal field working as a Paralegal for the first 17 years and the last 3.5 years as a Project Manager in IT. Tanya has been a volunteer with the Nova Scotia Chapter for the last three (3) years as a Social Media Lead as well as served as Study Group Building Facilitator in the Fall of 2016 and the Fall of 2019 . Tanya is trained in Agile and Waterfall Methodology and her most recent projects focused within the customer care portfolio. Tanya has a passion for health and wellness and is an avid sports enthusiast actively participating in boxing, basketball and hockey.

Mahbubur Rahman is from Dhaka, Bangladesh and has been living in Halifax, Nova Scotia for last seven years. Mahbubur Rahman has a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology and MASc of Civil Engineering from Dalhousie University. He obtained his PMP in 2019 and now working as Project Manager in DeepSense, Dalhousie University. He has more than fifteen years of combined working experience as Project Manager, Civil Engineer and Assistant Professor/Lecturer of Civil Engineering. He is happy to call Halifax his new home where he lives with his wife and two children. Mahbubur Rahman is an active community leader and volunteer in Halifax Community. He is the current Chair of Fusion Halifax, Board member of Planning & Design Center, School Advisory Council & PTA Co Chair of Inglis Street Elementary alongside active volunteer position with multiple organizations. He held leadership positions within last seven years as Vice President (Finance & Operations) of Dalhousie Student Union, President of Halifax Student Housing Society, Board member of Trip by Transit, Board Member of CKDU, Board Member of Dalhousie Gazette and many other community organizations. Mahbubur’s leadership and community engagement was recognized through multiple awards including Top 25 Immigrant of the Maritimes 2018, Province of Nova Scotia Volunteer Award 2017, Halifax Regional Municipality Volunteer Awards 2017, Dalhousie Board of Governors Award 2015.

Stefanie DeYoung has been an active volunteer with PMI NS since 2021 and was recently named Volunteer of the Year. She's currently a Project Manager at Nova Scotia Power with 10 years of experience working in the utility and finance industries and obtained her PMP credentials in September 2021. Stefanie enjoys learning new skills, travelling, tennis and yoga.

Erandi is a professional with manufacturing, Operations and Project management back ground. She has moved to Halifax in 2021 from Sri Lanka and joined PMI NS Chapter in year 2022. Erandi has experience over 18 years across multiple industrial sectors, specialized in the areas such as Business process improvement, business transformation, Operations / project management & Business systems.

Erandi is graduated from Saint Mary's University for Master of Technology Entrepreneurship & Innovation (MTEI) & also posses degrees - Master degree of Technology & Bachelor of Industrial studies in Sri Lanka. Erandi is a certified Lean  practitioner & Lean six sigma gReen belt Licensee. Erandi loves Music & travel she also has a passion for networking, volunteering and engaging with multiple community activities.

Brad is a local Nova Scotian and a seasoned IT professional / leader who has over 25 years’ experience of not just project leadership/management but also business management and hands on technical knowledge across multiple sectors and industries including Federal & Provincial Governments, IT, Retail, Healthcare, Non-Profit & Tech Startups. He also has some entrepreneurial experience in the Construction industries. 

Earning his MBA from Saint Mary’s University / Sobey School of Business – Executive MBA Program where he was also a part of the EMBA Council & EMBA Alumni Executive Committee.

Managing large projects and initiatives for many large enterprise organizations such as Sobeys and VON Canada as well leading two of the largest multi-sporting events in Atlantic Canada as the IT Manager for the 2011 Halifax Canada Games and most recently the IT Chair for the 2023 North American Indigenous Games. 

Brad has a passion for cooking and specifically BBQ & Smoking and is always up for any outdoors activity including going for a ride in the boat / atv or just relaxing camping.

Nnenna is a seasoned professional whose journey at the intersection of strategic leadership, project management, and marketing spans over two decades. She holds an MBA in Marketing, a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, a PMI Agile Certification and is also a Certified Product Owner. Nnenna's foundation in Mass Communication and marketing further underscores her commitment to effective communication and media strategies.

Currently working as the Program Manager and PMO Lead at Capstone, Nnenna's diverse experience in project management cuts across various industries, including Marketing, Advertising, Banking, Construction, and Consumer Goods. Her role demands not only strategic acumen but also a deep understanding of industry intricacies, a challenge she navigates professionally.

Nnenna relocated from Nigeria to Canada in December 2021 and joined the Chapter May 2023. Joining the Board of Directors, Nnenna is eager to contribute strategic insights, harness her experience, and collaborate with fellow board members towards ensuring the continued growth and success of the Chapter.

Meriem Merbai is an internationally educated Architect with a master’s degree in architecture from Algeria, she has been in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and a PMP since 2020.

She brings over eight years of experience in the management of construction projects. She is a project Manager at the maritime office of Rimkus. She is multilingual, fluent in English, French, and Arabic, and looks forward to contributing to the Chapter and serving its membership.

Sandra Thomson is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with a strong background in the events industry. 

As the Events Manager for the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, she has successfully led numerous high-profile events over the past four years, including the prestigious Halifax Business Awards. Sandra is also the co-owner of On It Event Solutions Inc., a boutique company specializing in registration management systems and event consulting. 

Sandra is excited to contribute her expertise and enthusiasm to the PMI NS board, with a focus on enhancing educational opportunities and fostering valuable networking for its members.

Katie Wright is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), and Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) who has a passion for Agile. She started her career as a full-stack Java developer. She spent many years as a Technical Project/Program Manager and has managed a variety of IT projects and programs in Atlantic Canada using Agile methodologies for primary SaaS product companies. She is currently working as a Senior Engineering Manager at Wattpad. 

Rasheed is an experienced Construction Project Manager with over a decade of hands-on experience overseeing large scale Engineering, Oil and Gas Construction, and Installation projects. Throughout his career, he has developed a deep understanding of the complex intersection between Engineering, Project Management and Community Engagement.  
His primary focus has been ensuring that deliverables are met in a timely and efficient manner and with the highest standards of quality.  
His notable achievement in his career include: Leading multi-million-dollar Fire-Water Dry Network Installation Scope of OML 58 Upgrade project that enhanced gas export capacity. 
Rasheed’s decision to seek elective office with PMI Nova Scotia chapter is driven by his desire to apply his skills in project management and community-building at a broader, policy-making level. He is committed to improving the efficiency and accountability of Construction Project Management, advocating for policies that promote sustainable development and cost-effective governance. 

Michelle Forrest is an Associate Director of Data Solutions for Brooklyn Data, a Velir consultancy company that partners with its clients to build data capabilities.  
With a background in Computer Science, Project and Engineering Management, Michelle has always focused on Technology and for the past several years in particular on the data space.  
She has worked in both professional services and product companies across several domains in both Canada, the US and the United Arab Emirates. 
In her downtime when she isn't playing sports or enjoying NS lake life she is traveling to new destinations.

As an internationally certified strategic partner, holding credentials as a Certified Director of Operations™, Online Business Manager™, and soon-to-be Project Management Professional (PMP), Kate specializes in enhancing the operational efficiency and strategic direction of a diverse range of clients. Her experience spans high-profile local, national, and international organizations, as well as dynamic brick-and-mortar companies across various industries. With a deep expertise in operations strategy and online business management, she focus on optimizing operational processes, improving team dynamics, overseeing projects, and executing successful launch strategies. Kate is committed to empowering business owners to streamline, optimize, and scale their operations effectively. By combining analytical precision with a passion for operational excellence, she drives tangible results and foster sustainable growth. 

Joycelyn Swamidoss is a Lead Sustainability Verifier with expertise in ESG data verification, particularly GHG emissions, across various industries. In her role, she partners with organizations to enhance the accuracy of their data through external audits. Joycelyn holds a Master of Environmental Science from Miami University, with a focus on pollution prevention and sustainability. She earned her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification in November 2023. 
With over five years of project management experience, Joycelyn has led sustainability initiatives focused on waste reduction, diversion, and sustainable procurement, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams. She is also a LEED Green Associate and a Certified Lead Auditor for ISO 14001, using her knowledge to actively engage in sustainability efforts and volunteering to help nonprofits improve their environmental practices. 
As a newcomer to Halifax, Joycelyn enjoys exploring local beaches, farms, markets, and coffee shops in her free time.