The DHBC team is a small and mighty bunch, who work on behalf of our members and Board of Directors.
Our Team
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
Luke MacLaren
Member Engagement Manager
Luke is an energetic and social person who loves being involved in the community. He is committed to keeping DHBC members actively engaged in all that Downtown Halifax has to offer to further enhance the Downtown community for business and locals alike. Luke is a graduate of St. Francis Xavier University and has previous work experience in non-profits and radio promotions.
Favourite thing about Downtown Halifax:
The variety of sports and events that take place at the Scotiabank Centre.
Phone:
(902) 444-1510
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
Tori McLeod
Communications & Marketing Coordinator
Tori is a public relations co-op student from the Mount Saint Vincent University. This is Tori’s third and final co-op of her degree. Tori has experience running social media accounts and working with members. She also enjoys design and content creation for websites and loves to write fun blogs/articles about Nova Scotia food and experiences. At Downtown Halifax Business Commission, Tori helps create conent for the social media channels, writes the bi-weekly DHBC Member Update, updates the DHBC website, writes Featured Member articles and works on the Downtown Lowdown podcast,
Tori’s favourite thing about Downtown:
The ferry service, fresh seafood, and local brews.
Phone:
(902) 423-2179
Board Members
Board of Directors
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
Matthew Martel
Black Business Initiative
Nathalie Morin
Rousseau Chocolatier
Jeff Ransome
Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel
Sanjeev Pushkarna
Nova Scotia Power
Jake Whalen
Halifax Regional Municipality
Advocacy Action Team
Advocacy Action Team
Deborah Page
Develop Nova Scotia
Pino Pagnottella
Sterling Properties
Sanjeev Pushkarna
Nova Scotia Power
Christian Rankin
Obladee Wine Bar
Gordon Whittaker
Marketing Action Team
Marketing Action Team
Barbara Broome
The Prince George Hotel
Erin Esiyok-Prime
Events East Group
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
Christian Rankin
Obladee Wine Bar
Emily Richards
Neptune Theatre
Ankur Gupta
Scanway Catering
Membership Engagement Action Team
Membership Engagement Action Team
Tyler Beers
Marsh Canada Limited
Dan Bourque
Crombie REIT
Kevin Burgess
Ambassatours Gray Line/Murphy's on the Water
Pino Pagnottella
Sterling Properties
Tara Eisan
NovaScotian Crystal
Christian Rankin
Obladee Wine Bar
Beautification Action team
Beautification Action team
Mike Bart
Mural Grant Jury Member
Adriana Afford
Argyle Fine Art
Lindsay Ann Cory
Nocturne
James Janssen
Mural Grant Jury Member
T. J. Maguire
Develop Nova Scotia
Pino Pagnottella
Sterling Properties
Kourosh Rad
RAD Consulting
Annie Rankmore
Discover Halifax
Jeremy Smith
Freak Lunchbox
Amber Solberg
Mural Grant Jury Member
Elora Wilkinson
Mural Grant Jury Member
Nick Willwerth
Crombie REIT
Rose Zack
Mural Grant Jury member