Board of Directors

Karen Hayward, Nova Scotia

Karen Hayward has been a researcher with GPIAtlantic since 2000. She has worked on a number of our research reports on in the area of population health, and in 2004 was the lead author of GPIAtlantic's The Costs and Benefits of Gaming report. Karen has a background in health and social work, and as a writer and editor of a number of publications.

Alton Hollet, Newfoundland and Labrador

Alton Hollett is currently the Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Newfoundland and Labrador Statistics Agency. In this capacity, he manages the central collection and dissemination of statistical information and data for the provincial government and provides statistical services to all provincial government departments, boards and the general public. As Director, he has overseen and led the development of geographic information systems to support scientific based decision making in Government and the development of the Community Accounts (CAs) which has won the National IPAC Award for Knowledge Management and the Provincial Government's Award of Excellence. The Accounts also made the “short-list” for the United Nations Award For Public Service last year. Since the public release of the Community Accounts in 2001, Mr. Hollett has worked to make the Community Accounts known Nationally and internationally. He had worked with groups across Canada and in Australia interested in the CAs. He has alsso spearheaded the adoption of the Community Accounts in Nova Scotia and other areas in Canada and elsewhere. Mr. Hollett has worked with many government departments both federally and provincially and jurisdictions in Canada and elsewhere and is a tireless advocate of evidence-based policy and program development.

Kent Martin, Nova Scotia

Kent Martin is Executive Producer and Director for the National Film Board’s Atlantic Regional Office. An accomplished documentarian whose directorial credits include the Gemini Award-winning Donald Brittain: Filmmaker, Kent has been bringing great stories to the screen for nearly three decades. Kent's recent productions include the acclaimed NFB documentary Westray, which garnered the Genie for Best Documentary, as well as The Spirit of Annie Mae. He also served as NFB producer on the Genie-nominated co-production Men of the Deeps , which aired nationally on CTV and was hailed as a “gem” by the Globe and Mail. New releases include the NFB feature documentary Animals and the timely NFB co-production Teaching Peace in a Time of War.

Hans Messinger, Ontario

Hans Messinger is the former Director of Industry Measures and Analysis at Statistics Canada, where he was responsible for the development of composite social and economic indicators, and the development of interprovincial trade statistics. He completed his graduate studies in economics at York University in Toronto. Hans has recently retired to pursue other interests, including working closely with the Canadian Index of Wellbeing project.

Isabelle Richard, Nova Scotia

Isabelle Richard is a french teacher and English-French translator. She has taught French since 1991 at the Université de Moncton, University of New Brunswick, Berlitz Language School, and Alliance Francaise de Halifax. Isabelle is also the 2006-07 Treasurer of the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Nova Scotia (ATINS).

Leya Evelyn, Nova Scotia

Leya Evelyn is a well known abstract artist whose work is shown throughout Canada, the US, and Europe. She has taught at NSCA D University in Halifax and also privately. Educated at both Brown and Yale Universities, Leya Evelyn’s work with the GPI Atlantic Board of Directors is creating a community of philanthropic donors who can help fund innovative programs that more traditional grants do not always cover. Leya also volunteers in arts-based youth programs with GPI Atlantic.