The Foundation’s Board of Directors meets formally at least three times a year to make decisions about investments in projects that support the mission of the Foundation as well as to review financial performance and ensure that all fiduciary responsibilities of the incorporated organization are met. In addition, the Board meets on an “ad hoc” basis to deal with specific issues and initiatives on an “as required” basis. Members work in a collaborative manner in evaluating, assisting with implementation, and supporting community investments.
The Directors’ vision is that projects funded by the Foundation will meet more than one of the objectives and demonstrate that they have the potential to be replicable across the province even though they may originate in one geographic area at the concept level.
Members of the Board believe that it is important to think big and creatively about granting and investing in the community along with a willingness to challenge the status quo. Members bring their knowledge of community issues, interests, and challenges to their work and are willing to share their networks that can include connections at the community, nongovernment agency, municipal, provincial, and federal government levels.
Chris Dobbin, Treasurer
Chris is the Founding President & CEO of Nova Leap Health Corp., a TSX Venture Exchange-listed Company with home care operations in the United States and Canada. Chris is also co-owner and Director of Earth Angels Home Care, a private home care company with locations in Nova Scotia.
Chris has been named one of Atlantic Canada’s Emerging Leaders, is an EY Entrepreneur of the Year® 2019 Atlantic award winner, and has received national recognition as the recipient of the 2013 EMDA Private Debt Deal of the Year and 2012 EMDA Private Equity Deal of the Year awards for his work with Precipice Capital.
Chris is a CPA, CA, a member of YPO, a graduate of Mount Allison University, and a former Director of the Private Capital Markets Association of Canada (PCMA). Chris serves the Board in the role of Treasurer.
Chris’s entrepreneurial background brings a perspective to the Board table that assists the team in their evaluation of projects and investments.
The Honorable Donald Richard Downe, ECNS
Don has lived and worked in Nova Scotia since 1972.
In addition to his success in agricultural endeavours at the local and provincial levels, he pursued a career in public life and was elected Member of the Nova Scotia Legislative Assembly for the riding of Lunenburg West where he served for 10 years. During that time, he held numerous portfolios including the Ministries of Finance, Natural Resources, Business and Consumer Resources, Business and Consumer Affairs, Aboriginal Affairs, Transportation, and Environment in addition to serving as Deputy Premier. In 2008 Don was elected the first Mayor of the Municipality of Lunenburg County and held this position for eight years. Don was appointed Honorary Colonel of the West Nova Regiment in 2018.
As a farmer, a businessperson, and a politician, Don has met and learned from many people and uses this knowledge to benefit Board discussions and decisions. His keen understanding of political processes helps the team understand best practices in working with government to achieve broader community goals.
Elspeth McLean-Wile
Elspeth McLean Wile has been the owner of Wile’s Lake Farm Market, in Wileville, just outside Bridgewater, Nova Scotia since 1985. She is also the Mayor the the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg.
Elspeth has been active in community organizations in Lunenburg County for more than 30 years. She is chair of the Lunenburg County Community Fund and a board member of the YMCA of Southwest Nova Scotia with branches in Bridgewater and Cornwallis. She has served as a board member of South Shore Opportunities, a community lender for Lunenburg and Queens County. She is the past Chair of CAA Atlantic. During her 25 years, she was a partner in the family dairy farm and involved in provincial and national dairy farmer organizations, including serving a term as President of Dairy Farmers of Nova Scotia. In 2008, she was recognized nationally by Farm Credit Canada with the Rosemary Davis Award, presented to a woman for leadership in agriculture. She is a regular contributor to CBC Halifax’s Information Morning community news.
In 2014, Elspeth was a founding member of NOW Lunenburg County, a group of business leaders involved in mobilizing the larger community in innovative economic development initiatives. The group focuses on population growth and eliminating barriers impacting growth in Lunenburg County including broadband service and access to family physicians.
Elspeth’s experience in business combined with her community development work helps to ensure that the Board considers the impacts of their planning and decisions around projects and investments.
Richard Niedermayer, KC, TEP, Chair
Richard Niedermayer is a partner in the Halifax office of Stewart McKelvey. His practice focuses on private client work in the estates and trusts, tax, and corporate areas.
Richard is a member of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society (former Chair of the Credentials Committee), Canadian Bar Association (former Chair of both the CBA Nova Scotia and CBA National Wills, Estates and Trusts Sections), and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (current Chair of the STEP Canada Board of Directors, and former Chair, Atlantic Canada Branch). He is a former President of both the Halifax Estate Planning Council and the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia.
Richard is listed by Best Lawyers in Canada for Trusts and Estates and Corporate Law, Lexpert for Estate and Personal Tax Planning/Estate Litigation, and Who’s Who Legal Canada for Private Clients. He is a frequent writer and speaker on estate and tax topics.
Richard serves as Chair of the Foundation’s Board. His professional expertise and experience combined with his community involvement ensure that our Board discussions and decisions stay true to our mission and meet all regulatory requirements.
Clare LeBlanc Northcott, Executive Director
As Executive Director of the Fulcher Foundation, Clare LeBlanc Northcott leads strategic funding, partnership development, and community investment across Nova Scotia. With over 30 years of experience in philanthropy, government, and nonprofit leadership including executive roles in community development, children and youth services, health and wellness, and housing and homelessness. She combines frontline experience with systems-level insight to strengthen outcomes and improve coordination. Clare is known for her integrity, collaborative approach, and ability to translate vision into action. She holds a Master’s in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership and is deeply committed to supporting resilient rural, Indigenous, and underserved communities through locally driven philanthropy.
Dr. Sherry Pictou
Dr. Sherry Pictou is a Mi’kmaw woman from L’sɨtkuk (water cuts through high rocks) known as Bear River First Nation, Nova Scotia. She is an Assistant Professor in the Faculties of Law and Management at Dalhousie University focusing on Indigenous Governance. Dr. Pictou is also a former Chief for her community and the former Co-Chair of the World Forum of Fisher Peoples. Dr. Pictou is the Honorary Chief of the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq. She is a member of the The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)Task Force on Indigenous and Local Knowledge. Her research interests include decolonizing treaty relations, Social Justice for Indigenous Women, Indigenous women’s role in food and lifeways, and Indigenous governance.
info@fulcherfoundation.com
Fulcher Foundation 