NSPR Board & Committees

Nancy MacLellan is a retired Deputy Minister with the Province of Nova Scotia and a current management consultant specializing in leadership, post secondary education, and social programming. Throughout her career in provincial leadership, she developed expertise in service delivery, social services, housing and homelessness, and advanced education.

Nancy holds an MBA from St. Mary’s University and the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. Her extensive governance experience includes serving as Vice Chair of the Nova Scotia Public Service Superannuation Plan Trustee Inc (PSSPTI) and President of Citizens First. She currently serves on the Audit Committee for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Nancy offers the Board a high-level provincial lens, bringing expertise in public sector governance, audit oversight, and strategic policy development.

Dr. Ann Divine is the CEO and Founder of Ashanti Leadership and Professional Development Services Inc. A graduate of the University of Cambridge Institute of Sustainability in Women’s Leadership, she holds a Master’s in Human Resource Management, and an Honorary Doctorate from Mount Saint Vincent University.

Ann is a distinguished expert in leadership development, social justice, diversity and inclusion. She was named one of the Top Five Influential Immigrant Women in Halifax in 2015, recognized as a leading Canadian woman in business by then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2020 on the occasion of International Women’s Day, and honoured in 2022 by Atlantic Business Magazine as one of the 25 Most Powerful Women in Atlantic Canada.

In 2024, she became Chair of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce and has served on boards including United Way Centraide Canada. Ann offers the Board a sophisticated lens for change management and human rights, bringing expertise in organizational culture and collaborative, inclusive governance.

Dr. Emily Black is an Associate Professor at Dalhousie University’s College of Pharmacy, where she teaches pharmacotherapeutics. She holds a Bachelor of Science (Pharmacy) from Dalhousie University and a post-graduate Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from the University of British Columbia. She also completed a Canadian Pharmacy Residency through Capital Health.

An accomplished researcher, Emily has secured over $1 million in funding to advance infectious disease management through antimicrobial stewardship and improved vaccine uptake. In addition to her academic role, she provides clinical pharmacy services in the IWK Health Emergency Department and supports Nova Scotia Health’s Emerging & Re-emerging Infections Network. She has also practiced as a hospital pharmacist in surgery and infectious diseases.

Emily brings the board an important blend of academic leadership, clinical frontline expertise, and high-level research oversight.

Lisa Nodwell is Central Zone Pharmacy Director for Nova Scotia Health (NSH). With a pharmacy career spanning decades, she has practiced as a hospital pharmacist across various clinical specialties and as a relief pharmacist in community practice. An active leader in professional advocacy, Lisa has served as the President and Advocacy Chair for the Canadian Society of Health-System Pharmacy (NS Branch) and was the elected hospital pharmacy representative for NSCP Council. She is currently the Director of the NSH Hospital Pharmacy Residency Program and Co-Chairs the Central Zone Medication Management Patient Safety and Quality Committee.

Lisa holds a BSc in Biology from Mount Allison University, a BSc in Pharmacy from Dalhousie University, and a Master of Education in Health and Curriculum from St. Francis Xavier University. She also completed a hospital pharmacy residency at the QEII Health Sciences Center.

As an ally who values diversity and diverse ways of knowing, Lisa is committed to nurturing a culture of caring in the workplace. She offers the Board a wealth of experience in clinical leadership, bringing expertise in professional advocacy, patient safety and the development of health-system quality and culture.

Habiba Onuorah is a Communications and Public Relations professional with over a decade of experience across diverse industries. A specialist in strategic communications and stakeholder engagement, she develops high impact initiatives that align organizational goals with community needs.

Habiba earned her Master’s in Corporate Communications and Public Affairs from Robert Gordon University and her Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication Studies from the University of Greenwich.

Since 2022, Habiba has mentored international students through EduNova Co-operative Ltd., facilitating their transition into the Canadian workforce. Her commitment to professional mentorship and public affairs provides the Board with valuable expertise in effective communications management and outreach.

Rami Saaloukeh is a pharmacist and healthcare leader with extensive experience in community pharmacy operations, professional advocacy, and mentorship. Deeply committed to rural healthcare, Rami focuses on improving patient access and continuity of care through a practical, people-first approach.

As a PEERS representative, he works closely with district colleagues to foster collaboration and navigate the evolving regulatory and operational challenges of the pharmacy profession.

Rami is recognized for his pragmatic problem-solving and ability to translate complex front-line realities into actionable strategy. He offers the Board a vital perspective on front-line practice, bringing expertise in professional advocacy, rural health equity, and collaborative leadership.

Rowan Sarty is the Program Manager for Nova Scotia’s Drug Information System, leading strategic initiatives in digital health and information systems.

She holds a BSc in Biomedical Science from the University of Ottawa and a BSc in Pharmacy from Dalhousie University. Rowan transitioned from a decade in community pharmacy management to health system leadership in 2021.

In her current role, she has developed expertise in governance, risk management, health privacy, and digital health innovation. Dedicated to equity (EDIRA) and data-driven innovation, she continues to precept pharmacy students and work clinically. Rowan provides the board with a vital intersection of frontline clinical experience and provincial digital oversight.

Patti Towler is an experienced executive and lawyer who has served as President and CEO of the Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) of Nova Scotia since 2015. In this role, she leads over 4,000 professional accountants and is regarded as a leader in professional regulation.

Her legal career includes practice at Stewart McKelvey and Norton Rose Fulbright, as well as serving as Vice President and General Counsel at Regent College. Currently Chair of the Board of Governors of Mount Saint Vincent University, Patti offers the Board expertise in regulatory law, fiscal oversight and strategic governance.

Marcel van den Berg is a pharmacist (Nova Scotia and the Netherlands) with over 20 years of leadership in pharmacy operations and governance. As founder of East Coast Pharma Relief Inc., he provides province-wide pharmacy relief services while ensuring high standards of patient care, regulatory compliance, and professional accountability. He holds a PharmD and MSc from Utrecht University and completed executive education at INSEAD. Marcel previously held senior executive roles with leading European pharmacy chains, spearheading strategic transformations across thousands of pharmacies. He offers extensive expertise in governance, change management, and cross-sector collaboration.

Marcel brings an experienced systems-level perspective and has a deep commitment to public interest, professional standards, and collaborative healthcare leadership.