Our Team

The DHBC team is a small and mighty group that works on behalf of its members and the Board of Directors.

DHBC Staff

Paul MacKinnon

Chief Executive Officer

Paul (or @Downtownpaul as he’s known on Twitter) is the voice for all things Downtown Halifax. He is a passionate advocate for the need to make the right decisions and investments in Downtown, so that it can continue in its role as the economic, cultural, artistic, historic, and entertainment hub of the city and province. He leads the talented and dynamic team at DHBC.

Paul’s favourite thing about Downtown:
The historic British colonial street pattern, established in 1749, means that I am never more than a short block or two from the nearest donair.

Phone:

(902) 423-3841

Kimberly Dossett

Director of Operations

As the financial controller and Director of Operations, Kimberly is the glue that holds all the pieces together. Kimberly's extensive experience with project management, accounting, and not-for-profit management helps keep everything DHBC does on time and on budget. Kimberly manages DHBC's yearly budgets and the office, organizes Downtown beautification and logistics projects, and oversees the DHBC Downtown Halifax Crew.

Kimberly’s favourite thing about Downtown:
Sipping iced tea on the various patios around Downtown.

Phone:

(902) 423-3848

Ivy Ho

Director of Communications

Ivy is in charge of communications – internal and external, across all DHBC departments, including: members, stakeholders, the public, and media. Her focus is on advocacy, getting the members’ voices heard, as well as research, from pedestrian counts to industry stats. Her goal is to use her experience and expertise to meet the communication needs of the businesses Downtown and to advocate on their behalf.

Ivy’s favourite thing about Downtown:
City Hall, an education-oriented sex shop, a fine art retailer, an oyster bar, and a circus school all on the same street. You can’t find that in any other part of the city!

Phone:

(902) 428-5433

Allana MacDonald Mills

Director of Marketing

It’s Allana’s job to develop and deliver all the marketing and promotional materials for DHBC. A native Haligonian, she has over 10 years of marketing experience on the agency side having worked in Toronto and Halifax on a variety of clients. Her goal is to develop and execute marketing campaigns and programs that get more "feet on the street" in Downtown Halifax.

Allana’s favourite thing about Downtown:
How family-friendly it is. Halifax Dance, the Discovery Centre, the Submarine playground, the Halifax Seaport Farmer’s Market – you can keep kids busy all year round!

Phone:

(902) 407-5411

Eric Jonsson

Program Coordinator, Navigator Street Outreach

Specializing in connecting the street-involved population with community support and services, Eric can be found walking and driving all over the city. Previous to the Navigator program, he had the privilege to work with street-involved populations in shelters and as a housing support worker. Eric has a background in social work and geography while focusing on advocacy and community development. Eric is passionate about ending poverty and working to help different communities be heard. The Navigator Street Outreach program is a partnership between DHBC and Spring Garden Area Business Association. Visit the Navigator website for more details on the program.

Eric’s favourite thing about Downtown:
The variety and quality of amazing food that can be found within a five-minute walk from our offices.

Phone:

(902) 209-6517

Nate Taylor

Events and Operations Coordinator

Nate is at the forefront of organizing and executing events in Downtown Halifax. He joined DHBC in 2014 as a Downtown Halifax Crew member, and went on to lead the Crew in 2015 and 2016. His background is international development and environmental sustainability. Nate is energetic about activating the Downtown and improving beatification on the streets.

Nate’s favourite thing about Downtown Halifax:
Refreshments on the waterfront and the view from Citadel Hill.

Phone:

(902) 423-5668

Lauryn Landry

Communications & Marketing Coordinator

Lauryn is a co-op student from Mount Saint Vincent University. In her third year in the Public Relations program, Lauryn is eager to gain real workplace experiences and learn outside of the classroom. Working on a variety of projects in marketing, communications, media relations, and social media, Lauryn is up for any challenge that may come her way.

Lauryn's favourite thing about Downtown:
Catching up with friends at the different local coffee shops and bars Downtown.

Phone:

(902) 423-2179

Board Members

Board of Directors

Gordon Whittaker, Chair

Sarah Flynn, Vice Chair

Sarah Flynn Consulting

Christian Rankin, Secretary/Treasurer

Obladee Wine Bar

Kristin O'Toole, Member at Large

Develop Nova Scotia

Pino Pagnottella, Member at Large

Sterling Properties

Issmat Al‐Akhali

Granville Hall

Marilisa Benigno

Benigno Group of Companies

Erin Esiyok-Prime

Events East Group

Wendy Friedman

Biscuit General Store

Nathalie Morin

Rousseau Chocolatier

Matthew Martel

Black Business Initiative

Sanjeev Pushkarna

Nova Scotia Power

Jeff Ransome

Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel

Jake Whalen

Halifax Regional Municipality

Advocacy Action Team

Pino Pagnottella

Sterling Properties

Sanjeev Pushkarna

Nova Scotia Power

Christian Rankin

Obladee Wine Bar

Gordon Whittaker

Jeff Ransome

Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel

Kristin O'Toole

Develop Nova Scotia

Ismaat Al-Akhali

Blacksheep Projects

Marketing Action Team

Donna Hatt

Develop Nova Scotia

Sarah Flynn

Sarah Flynn Consulting

Krista Lingley

Parks Canada

Melissa Carey

RCR Hospitality Group

Jessica Muzzerall

Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel

Laura Oakley

Legendary Hospitality

Pino Pagnottella

Sterling Properties

Erica Pellerin

Discover Halifax

Jessica Pettigrew

Crombie REIT

Emily Richards

Neptune Theatre

Ankur Gupta

Scanway Catering

Wendy Friedman

Biscuit General Store

Leah Veinot

Events East Group

Andrea Saint-Pierre

Craft Nova Scotia

Membership Engagement Action Team

Tyler Beers

Marsh Canada Limited

Dan Bourque

Crombie REIT

Kevin Burgess

Ambassatours Gray Line/Murphy's on the Water

Tara Eisan

NovaScotian Crystal

Pino Pagnottella

Sterling Properties

Erin Esiyok-Prime

Events East Group

Marilisa Benigno

Benigno Group of Companies

Beautification Action team

Adriana Afford

Argyle Fine Art

Mike Bart

Mural Grant Jury Member

Lindsay Ann Cory

Nocturne

James Janssen

Mural Grant Jury Member

T. J. Maguire

Develop Nova Scotia

Pino Pagnottella

Sterling Properties

Annie Rankmore

Discover Halifax

Jeremy Smith

Freak Lunchbox

Amber Solberg

Mural Grant Jury Member

Elora Wilkinson

Mural Grant Jury Member

Rose Zack

Mural Grant Jury member