PMI Nova Scotia
Board Members
Meet our Directors
Chapter Info
Jeffrey Bonus, PMP
President
Jeffrey Bonus, PMP
President
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.
Mahbubur Rahman, PMP
VP, Programs
Mahbubur Rahman, PMP
VP, Programs
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.
Tanya Dent, PMP
VP, Operations
Tanya Dent, PMP
VP, Operations
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.
Adil Saiyed, PMP, MBA
Director, Technology
Adil Saiyed, PMP, MBA
Director, Technology
Adil is a Project Management and Business Consulting professional with a Science degree (Physics / Computer Science), an MBA, and PMP® certified. He has an Entrepreneurial mindset with a strong Business acumen.
Originally from Mumbai city, the financial capital of India, he has managed projects across different sectors of Retail, Telecom, IT, Healthcare, Education. He has been an Entrepreneur too. He’s also had a project management stint in the Healthcare sector in the United States, and currently working as a senior Project Manager, Enterprise IT, in Saint Mary’s University, Halifax. With 2 decades of experience, Adil has worked with multiple clients on global projects across North America, Europe, Middle East, South East Asia, South Asia.
A big foodie, he loves exploring different cuisines. He’s a Travel buff, Fitness freak and a Sports enthusiast (University level Chess representation).
Richard Harrison, PMP
Treasurer
Richard Harrison, PMP
Treasurer
Richard is a Senior Project Manager at High Liner Foods. He is a PMP with over 15 years experience in advising, managing and leading programs and corporate transformation projects in the government, utilities, hi-tech and consumer products sectors. Richard is originally from Edinburgh, (Old) Scotland and moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia in July 2013. This is his first year on the board of PMINS. He is excited to have taken on the Membership and Volunteers role and is looking forward to contributing to the Chapter and serving its membership.
Stefanie DeYoung, PMP
VP, Communications and Events
Stefanie DeYoung, PMP
VP, Communications and Events
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.
Nnenna Azuka-Onwuka, MBA, PMP
Director, Events
Nnenna Azuka-Onwuka, MBA, PMP
Director, Events
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.
Erandi Gamage
Director, Volunteers
Erandi Gamage
Director, Volunteers
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.
Meriem Merbai, PMP
Director, Membership
Meriem Merbai, PMP
Director, Membership
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.
Brad Lyon
Director, Marketing
Brad Lyon
Director, Marketing
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.
Hilary Carter, PMP, MBA
Director, Communications
Hilary Carter, PMP, MBA
Director, Communications
Hilary Carter is a dedicated professional with a PMP certification, an MBA in Project and Consulting Management, PROSCI certification, and ongoing pursuit of a Master's in Adult Education. Her career journey began in construction but has since evolved into a role as a Change Management Consultant at Mara Consulting.
In her current capacity, Hilary specializes in driving the successful adoption of organizational changes. She excels in crafting and executing strategies for engaging project Sponsors, ensuring their active participation and commitment to project objectives. Additionally, her expertise extends to stakeholder engagement, where she leverages her skills to identify, assess, and manage stakeholder interests, thereby enhancing project outcomes.
Hilary's proficiency in communication is a cornerstone of her professional accomplishments. She is adept at developing comprehensive communication plans that ensure the right information reaches the right people at the right time, fostering clarity and alignment across project teams and stakeholders.
Furthermore, her dedication to training and development extends to the creation of effective training plans. She designs and delivers tailored training programs that empower individuals and teams with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in evolving project environments. Hilary Carter envisions a dynamic PMI Nova Scotia chapter that excels in communicating its mission and opportunities. With her extensive experience in Sponsor and Stakeholder engagement, strategic communication, and training initiatives, she is poised to be an invaluable asset to the board. Her commitment to promoting clear communication and engagement will significantly contribute to the
chapter's growth and success.
Monie Thomas
Director, Administration
Sandra Thomson, PMP
Director, Professional Development
Sandra Thomson, PMP
Director, Professional Development
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.