Welcoming our new directors

Welcoming our new directors

< Back to Articles | Topics: Working for you | Contributors: Halifax Chamber Board of Directors | Published: May 30, 2022

Chris Cowper-Smith
Founder and CEO
Spring Loaded

Chris is a published and award-winning leader, product innovator, and go-to market strategist with commercial experience in start-ups, manufacturing, and medical devices.

In 2012, Chris founded Spring Loaded Technology, a medical device company that develops and manufactures patent protected knee braces that unload weight and reduce compressive forces throughout the knees. The company addresses large, previously unserved markets in sports medicine, orthopaedics, and physical rehabilitation. The company’s knee braces are distributed across Canada and the United States, and the company is now expanding into the European Union.


Ifeanyi Emesih 
Founder and CEO
My East Coast Experience Media Group Inc.

Ifeanyi Emesih is a serial entrepreneur, community leader, marketing expert, and innovator. He is the Founder and CEO of My East Coast Experience Media Group Inc., the Executive Director of the Mosaic International Film Festival of Arts and Culture, and Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Récit Creative Agency.

He launched My Halifax Experience magazine in the winter of 2015, and it has since become one of the leading voices of the immigrant experience in the province. He also partnered with Halifax Chamber of Commerce and other organizations to launch the Amplifying Voices research project to discover how the local business community understands the needs of an increasingly diverse workforce.


Wade Keller
Director of Corporate Affairs – Atlantic Canada
Labatt Brewing

Wade has been part of the Labatt Breweries of Canada Corporate Affairs team since late 2009. He leads government relations with the Federal government and four Atlantic Provinces, with a focus on regulatory issues including taxation, environmental sustainability, and health. He also acts as spokesperson for Labatt in the Atlantic region and leads the company’s charitable and community engagement efforts.

Prior to joining Labatt, Wade was Director of Communications in the Nova Scotia Premier’s Office from 2007-2009. That followed a 20-year career in journalism, which included time with the three main television broadcasting companies in Nova Scotia.


Katherine Risley
Managing Partner
KBRS/Meridia Recruitment

As a Managing Partner with KBRS/Meridia Recruitment, Katherine has built a track record of delivering outstanding talent solutions for a variety of organizations – from small start-ups to some of Canada’s largest employers. Katherine has been instrumental in the successful completion of hundreds of search assignments with Meridia Recruitment over the past 10 years.

With more than 15 years of recruitment experience, Katherine specializes in recruiting top talent for engineering, construction, manufacturing and operations roles in both public and private sectors. Outgoing and professional, she has an aptitude for understanding the needs of a client and working closely with individuals to support them in achieving their career goals. Katherine’s recruitment expertise, established networks, and coaching & facilitation experience make her an ideal partner to assist organizations in their talent journey.


Nancy Foran, FCPA, FCMA, C.Dir.
President and Founder
ESG Partners

Nancy brings over 25 years of professional and executive experience to ESG Partners where she provides guidance to companies, investors, boards of directors and leadership teams as they incorporate environmental, social and governance factors into strategies that create long-term, sustainable value.

With extensive local and international experience, she has worked with start-ups, multinational organizations, investors, government and regulators, and she has navigated regional, national and international complex, multi-stakeholder environments.

Nancy believes strongly in giving back to the communities where she lives and works and sits on local and international boards and provides mentorship and guidance to new and emerging businesses and their leaders.


Heath Moore CPA, CA
Managing Partner, Nova Scotia
Grant Thornton LLP

As the Managing Partner for Grant Thornton Nova Scotia, Heath leads a team of highly skilled and diverse business advisors who support a wide range of private and public organizations. Leading with action and impact, he guides his teams to focus on building client value and achieving excellence in service delivery. Previously, Heath was the National Tax Leader, responsible for advising colleagues and clients on tax strategy and planning, and most notably, serving as an advocate for clients concerning government and public policy issues. Passionate about helping his community thrive, Heath has spent many years volunteering with local organizations.


View our full Board of Directors below:

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