Phoebe Owen
Board Chair
Senior Program Officer - Public Health Agency of Canada
Phoebe has been involved with the Sea School since 2003, when she went on her first 10-day sailing expedition on Dorothea. She returned for numerous trips following that one, sailing as Leading Crew, working in the office as the Enrollment Coordinator from 2007-2011, and as Bosun in 2014. Her Sea School experiences led to time spent working as a deckhand on a tall ship in Australia and to completing an NSCC diploma in wood products manufacturing technology. She has held coordination and project management roles with the Halifax Sexual Health Centre, the Ecology Action Centre, and Simple Square Web Design and is currently completing a BSc in Health Promotion at Dalhousie University. She joined the Sea School board in 2018 and is excited to be involved with the organization in a new capacity.
Michael Mason
Secretary
Principal - Central Kings High School
Mike Mason is a high school administrator in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia. He became involved with the Nova Scotia Sea School while he was principal of Highbury Education Centre, an alternative, experiential high school that meets the needs of high risk youth through outdoor and adventure based education. Through this partnership, he has witnessed first-hand how the programs offered through the Sea School can have a positive and life changing impact on its participants with benefits extending well beyond the boat. Mike is passionate about providing meaningful learning experiences to marginalized students who may struggle to succeed in the traditional education system as well as reducing the barriers for youth to access adventure and wilderness based educational opportunities. Mike joined the Sea School board of directors in 2019 and is excited to contribute to this great organization!
Peter Edwards
Board Treasurer
CPA - HBA Chartered Professional
Peter Edwards enjoyed the privilege of growing up sailing in St. Margaret’s Bay and strongly believes in the benefits of lifelong friendships that can develop through sailing experiences. He enjoys the sense of community and environmental awareness that comes from time spent on the water. Peter has been on the Sea School board since 2012. Peter is a chartered professional accountant and has worked in public practice since 2005 with a focus on small to medium sized owner managed businesses. His education includes a Bachelor of Commerce (2002), the Chartered Accountant designation (2008), and the Chartered Business Valuation designation (2018). He has volunteered services for various non-profit organizations with interests in mental health and youth causes.
MEET THE BOARD:
Sebastiaan Ambtman
Board Member
Owner / CEO - Ocean Sync
Sebastiaan has worked in the technology sector since the late 90’s. In 1998 he started his first internet company pioneering in e-commerce, he was part of founding team that started eBay in the Netherlands and was co-founder of an online marketplace for local retailers. Currently he is the founder and CEO of OceanSync Inc. specialising in shipborne weather data. Besides a passion for new technology, Sebastiaan is an experienced ocean sailor who has covered over 75,000km at sea and holds a Master Commercial Sailing Vessel diploma. He is also a mentor in the Ocean Startup Project, part of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC).
Evan Cervelli
Board Member
Technician - Rockland Scientific
Evan joined Sea School as a student in 2002 and fell in love with the sea school experience after an eventful 7 day trip on Dorothea. After many sailing trips filled with lots of learning, self-reflection, and mosquito bites, he became a Sea School Captain in 2013. Evan is passionate about safety at sea and draws on his experience working on a Canadian Coast Guard rescue craft and other commercial vessels. Evan started working in the Ocean Technology industry in 2016 for Rockland Scientific International where he provides technical support and training for scientists collecting physical oceanographic data and studying climate change. Evan appreciates the immense value of working with youth in an outdoor environment, and helping young people find careers connected to the ocean. Evan joined the Board in 2022 and is excited that he can continue to support Sea School in the role of Board Member.
Janet Stalker
Board Member
Principal - Janet Stalker Consulting
Over the past fifteen years, Janet has guided the development of environmental education programs and strategic science communication initiatives to advance ocean literacy in Canada and the United States, predominantly in the NGO and academic sectors. She was instrumental in the development of the Canadian Ocean Literacy Strategy and remains an active member of the Advisory Board to the Canadian Ocean Literacy Coalition. As a consultant, Janet’s expertise in organizational development, strategic planning, and partnership development helps purpose-driven organizations achieve their goals while delivering high impact initiatives and programming. A self-described “ocean nut” and avid sailor, she spends as much time in or on the ocean as possible – most often in her sea kayak. Janet is a strong believer in the transformative power of the Nova Scotia Sea School and is excited to contribute to its mission as a Board Member.
Angela Chisholm
Board Member
Todd Ellis
Board Member
Event Coordinator - Sail GP
Angela is an adventurous executive professional & proficient leader who contributes to the overall success of organizations. With extensive experience in organizational change management, finance and administration, she is a collaborator and logical decision-maker capable of achieving timely and effective results. Excels in project management, thrives on research and development; a superior multi-tasker and extraordinary relationship builder. Motivates and empowers others to be creative with solution focused thinking with an unwavering belief that anything is possible to achieve! Her passion for supporting programs that support youth inspires her to volunteer for organizations such as the Sea School. Angela currently works with Sail Canada, and recently finished with Sail Nova Scotia as the General Manager for the World Sailing Championships in St. Margaret's Bay in August 2022. She joined the Board in April 2023 and is excited to share her experiences!
President - National Wealth Management
I have been working in the financial services industry since 1991 and I am the founder of National Wealth Management. My broad and diverse background in the industry has allowed me to enjoy a rewarding career while working on financial planning situations of virtually any level of complexity.
I was born and raised in Dartmouth and now live in Halifax with my wife Elena. I am the proud father of four wonderful children. I am passionate about the outdoors, spending much of my free time travelling, sailing, and hiking with my family throughout the world. I am also passionate about the arts and building a bright future for my community.
In May of 2023 myself and my crewmates Shane and Jack Theunissen set sail from Halifax to Portugal to raise money for the Nova Scotia Sea School. You can read about our journey https://online.fliphtml5.com/ubtb/mcef/#p=12.
I have made it a goal of National Wealth Management to donate a minimum of one percent of average pre-tax profits to non-profit, charitable, and community organizations each year. As well, I am focused on drawing on my considerable experience and diverse background to consult with and help socially and environmentally conscious businesses succeed.