Horizons has an established pool of seven research assistants, who regularly assist us in our research and evaluation contracts. These skilled research assistants allow us to quickly and easily collect evaluation information within short timeframes and provide our clients with an economical means to collect their necessary data. All Horizons RAs are rigorously screened and trained at the time of hiring.
The members of our research team are:
Please click on the Research Assistants' names to view their bios.
Barbara Lipp
Barbara graduated with a degree in Recreation Management from Acadia University with a special interest in community building and environmental education. She has put her passion for community to work as a research assistant with Horizons as well as a branch manager with the Annapolis Valley Regional Library, developing successful children's programs and building strong relationships with the patrons. Barbara is excited about living in Kings County and the many treasures it has to offer-she and her children savour and explore all that the community presents to us
Berta Klooster
In 1989, Berta left a high pressure business career in Ontario and since then, has explored various aspects of health and well-being. She has done many things, including training in psycho synthesis (transpersonal psychology) and counseling, as well and training/teaching yoga for a period, and volunteering with palliative care. Berta feels part of “right” livelihood for her has been her involvement in projects that contribute positively to community health. She lives rurally, has a cat and gardens, likes to be physically active and create.
Emily Kathan
Originally from rural Quebec, Emily holds a master’s degree in social anthropology from Dalhousie University and has conducted research on a variety of topics including youth and religious communities, and Indigenous maternal health. She is passionate about books in general, and libraries in particular, and can often be found behind the counter at the Wolfville Memorial Library. Emily also spends her time working as the submissions editor at The Grapevine, as well as managing deliveries and social media content for the biweekly arts and culture publication. She lives in Wolfville with her partner and two children.
Allan Howell
Alan is a graduate of Concordia University in Montreal, where he received an honours degree in Urban Planning and Design. He is continuing his planning studies at the University of Waterloo. Alan is eclectic in his professional, academic and personal pursuits. Currently, he is focusing on the connection between community design and health in rural communities and the economic benefits of renewable energy for coastal communities. In his spare time he volunteers with his local Community Health Board and sits on a volunteer committee for the Town of Wolfville. To unwind he plays banjo, capoeira and makes mud pies with his daughter.
Charlotte Lafford
Charlotte is a graduate of Saint Francis Xavier University, and is currently pursuing a career in Managerial Accounting from St. Mary’s University through Distance Education. Charlotte is an active volunteer, and offers “Family Forest” workshops (creating family trees and exploring family histories and connections. Charlotte is the proud mother of three daughters, and currently resides in her home community of Paq’tnkek First Nation.
Erica de Sousa
Erica holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in International Development Studies, but after years of looking abroad, she decided that working at home would have the greatest and most meaningful impact. Fuelling her interest in rural sustainability and community participation, Erica has conducted qualitative and quantitative research on a variety of topics including Wharf and Harbour Management in Nova Scotia and Dietary Intake in Nunavut. Erica currently devotes the majority of her time to raising her two young children in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley.
Heather Holm
Heather has a BSc in Chemistry, an MA in Sociology, and most recently a Permaculture Design Certificate. Having worked and traveled in many places, she now lives near Mahone Bay and builds websites as HolmPage.com (http://www.holmpage.com). She's also on the Board of a new project to "recycle" an old school as a model for sustainability and permaculture: the Blockhouse School Project (http://www.TheBlockhouseSchool.org)
Marie-Claire MacPhee
Marie-Claire MacPhee has a BA in Women's Studies from Concordia University. She's currently working in Toronto doing green renovations with Greening Homes. She is the content curator and co-editor of the journal nomorepotlucks.org and the programmer for Montreal's Dykes on Mykes community radio show (CKUT 90.3fm). She also works as a research assistant for Horizons and several other community based organizations and media companies.
Penni Burrell
Penni lives in the Annapolis Valley where she continues her lifelong commitment to social justice. She loves to challenge the status quo through facilitating the Wolfville Raging Grannies, and to let people know that social change can be fun as well as important! When she isn’t working and volunteering, Penni enjoys the companionship of her dogs and has fun playing board games.
Dana Pettipas
Dana was fortunate to find her passion in community development after leaving an administrative assistant position in early 2008. Dana holds a diploma with honours in Human Services from NSCC Strait Area Campus as well as a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Community Studies from Cape Breton University in Sydney, Nova Scotia. She is also certified as a Career Development Practitioner through the Nova Scotia Career Development Association. Her work in career development has expanded to include a more holistic approach including peer support work focusing on mental health challenges. Dana is passionate about continuing the cultural teachings of First Nation and African Nova Scotians as she believes one gets their strength from the community in which they are born. Dana and her partner, James live with their miniature poodle, Shyloe in Mulgrave, Guysborough County, Nova Scotia.
Susanna Steinitz
Although her journey started in Evanston, Illinois, Susanna moved to Nova Scotia at three years of age, and currently resides in Smith's Cove with her partner and son. Susanna has a social work degree (BSW) and an MA in Criminology. Most of her professional life has been in social work and in program development, as well as working on research projects with various people and organizations. Susanna also makes and sells pottery in her store, Bluefin Pottery, that she runs with her partner Hans. Susanna enjoys a variety of activities including cooking and eating good food with friends, traveling, reading, hiking, canoeing, swimming, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, camping, and horseback riding.
Michelle Wolf
Michelle has worked in research and community development for over 25 years. She is the Director of Training for Farmers' Markets of Nova Scotia Cooperative, is a popular speaker and presenter at direct marketing and entrepreneurship conferences around North America, and runs two on-line programs through her consulting company at WholeGreenHeart.com. Michelle holds a Master's Degree from York University and she is a certified coach and workplace education instructor. Michelle lives in Nova Scotia with her family, including their adoptive and foster children, and she is an advocate for children with special needs and kids in the child welfare system.
Tressie Dutchyn
Holding a 1st Class Honours BA in psychology and a Master’s in analytic philosophy, Tressie has extensive experience in grant facilitation and managing research projects in academia, healthcare and in non-profit sectors. Originally from Ontario, Tressie fell in love with Nova Scotia when she moved here in 1984. In 2012, she returned to Ontario when offered a position as Research Officer with Brock University. Last fall she returned to her beloved South Shore. She has volunteered in areas of social justice, animal rescue and welfare and is a passionate advocate for the environment. She currently volunteers with ElderDog Canada and is working towards accreditation as a canine behaviourist.
Trudy Watts
Trudy Watts works with community and non-profit organizations as an educator, facilitator, researcher and evaluator. Recent project work has taken her into the area of building community resilience, a focus that fits well with her interest in community response to injustice, climate change, peak oil and economic downturn. Trudy lives in northern Nova Scotia.
Sandra Bornemann
After growing up in Vancouver, BC, Sandra has made her home in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia. Sandra has a MA in Family Studies and Gerontology from Mount Saint Vincent University. A strong believer in community, she has experience working for non-profit organizations, is an active volunteer, and supports organizing efforts in her community. In addition to working at Horizons, she is raising two incredible kids, teaches flamenco dance, and performs professionally.
