We are committed to living our values every day.

Board of Directors

Sophie Eld – Executive Director

Bringing a broad business background, Sophie held multiple directorships and leadership roles in the U.K. before moving to Canada in 2017. Since then, Sophie has contributed to Nova Scotia through a range of business coaching and consultancy roles, supporting non-profits, social enterprises, and commercial organizations. Sophie was introduced to LakeCity through one of these consultancy projects, and when the opportunity came to support the organization during the onset of the pandemic, Sophie was delighted to take on the role of Director of Business Continuity. Following a competitive search process, Sophie then stepped up to succeed the outgoing Executive Director in June 2021. Sophie holds a degree with honours in Business Management from The University of Sunderland.

Cristina Firmini, Chair

Cristina joined the LakeCity Works Board in 2018 and currently practices law as in-house legal counsel with Halifax-based I.M.P. Group Limited. She also acts as I.M.P.'s chief privacy officer. As a native of Bedford, Cristina received her Bachelor's degree from Saint Mary's University and a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto. Cristina has previously worked with local tutoring and sports team programs and currently volunteers with the Canadian Bar Society's local Corporate Counsel Association. Cristina is happy to be a part of LakeCity Works and to contribute to the positive impact the organization continuously has on our local community.

TIM SULLIVAN, TREASURER

Tim Sullivan graduated from Saint Mary’s University with a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and started at MNP LLP (Formerly WBLI Chartered Accountants) in Business Advisory and Assurance. He earned his CPA designation and transitioned to the tax department full-time in 2017. His areas of focus are personal taxes and the taxation of trusts and estates along with corporate reorganizations. He is currently enrolled in CPA Canada’s In-depth Tax program. He also volunteers on the board of the Halifax Estate Planning Council.

Jim Simmons, Secretary

Jim Simmons is a professional engineer and Fellow of Engineers Canada (F.E.C.) who provides consulting services to the recycling industry in Nova Scotia. He worked as an environmental professional for 37 years practicing scrap tire recycling, sustainable community development, renewable energy, water resource engineering, and environmental investigations. Jim studied at Dalhousie University, obtaining a science degree in Biology and the Technical University of Nova Scotia, where he earned a degree in Agricultural Engineering.

DONNA RUBENSTEIN, Member at large

Donna brings 25 years of Canadian and international leadership experience in business and not-for-profit management. She has volunteered with several causes including Amistad Canada, Big Brothers Big Sisters, United Way, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Futurpreneur, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, and Friends of Banff. Donna believes we can achieve extraordinary outcomes by connecting people and passion with strategic focus – all of which LakeCity Works has tons of. She sees tremendous opportunity for LakeCity Works to make an impactful difference in the Nova Scotia community: empowering clients and staff to be themselves and thrive while also forming creative, high-impact partnerships with both the private and not-for-profit sectors.

Robert Chisholm, Member at large

Robert Chisholm is a coach and consultant providing support to leaders and leadership teams through his firm, Simon Chisholm Consulting. He is a passionate advocate for social justice and works to build fairer, stronger, and more equal communities. Robert has spent much of his career as an elected official and trade unionist. He has been involved in the community as a volunteer with the Prior Learning Centre, Dalhousie University, United Way Halifax, and is currently a Board member of The Public Good Society Dartmouth and volunteers with the grief support group the I.W.K. Robert is thrilled and proud to be engaged with the wonderful clients, staff, and Board members at Lake City Works

JENNIFER ASHTON, MEMBER AT LARGE

Jennifer Ashton is a communications professional – she graduated from St. Francis Xavier University and the University of Toronto and holds a Saint Michael's College Certificate in Corporate Social Responsibility. She currently works with the Sun Life Financial Chair in Adolescent Mental Health and consults with non-profits to help them reach their full potential by effectively communicating their mission and the communities they support. Jennifer also works with private sector clients to enhance their communication and social responsibility efforts, helping them align corporate values with community investment strategies. A dedicated volunteer, Jennifer is also a Board Member of the YWCA of Halifax and has served as President of the Junior League of Halifax, an organization of women committed to voluntarism and improving the lives of women and children. Jennifer loves spending time at LakeCity Works, interacting with staff and clients, and hearing about their great work.

LORI SMITH, MEMBER AT LARGE

Lori Smith leads the team of professionals responsible for RBC’s community marketing, internal and external communications, and corporate citizenship across the Atlantic Provinces. A strong believer in community, Lori has given her time and expertise to a number of local charities and causes, including the Canadian Red Cross, Ski NS, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halifax. She currently sits on the boards of LakeCity Works and Children’s Wish.

Dr. KIRAN PURE, MEMBER AT LARGE

Kiran Pure Ph.D. is a registered psychologist with the Nova Scotia Board of Examiners of Psychologists (NSBEP), and a member of the Association of Psychologists in Nova Scotia (APNS) and Canadian Psychological Association (CPA). Dr. Pure earned her Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD in Clinical Psychology) from the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, New Brunswick, and has worked in a number of public and private health care settings over the past 30 years. Dr. Pure’s studies, training, and work experiences have allowed her to develop a specialty in the assessment and treatment of a number of issues related to pediatric psychology and mental health. Dr. Pure utilizes a developmental model to understand clinical issues and believes in the early detection and treatment of a variety of child, adolescent, and family issues related to psychological functioning. Dr. Pure uses evidence-based approaches that have clinical usefulness to ensure her patients and their families receive timely and effective care, and whenever possible she incorporates collaborative approaches to patient care. Dr. Pure has been an adjunct clinical associate at Dalhousie University and provided teaching and training opportunities to graduate-level students. Dr. Pure provides supervision and consultation to other psychologists regarding professional and ethical issues as well as training and supervision to Ph.D. level residents/interns, psychology candidate registrants for NSBEP, and undergraduate students completing co-op placements. Dr. Pure is active in her community and volunteers her time to sit on a variety of Boards, and do presentations and workshops for parents, children/adolescents, and professionals when requested.