Board of governors

Chair, Board of Governors

Governor-At-Large

 Ex-Officio member of all Board standing committees

William Barker joined the Board in September 2022. He was the President and Vice Chancellor of the University of King’s College, with a cross-appointment at Dalhousie University. He is now retired at as an emeritus professor of Dalhousie and Inglis professor at King’s. He has served on boards and committees in education and the arts.

Bill continues to write and research, and currently serves as the weekly seminar director for Halifax Humanities, an educational project for mature students who were unable to attend or complete university, often because of health or financial barriers. When he retired he started to take courses at NSCAD, mostly in photography. The mode of teaching at NSCAD relies on critique and practice, unusual forms of education that are strongly focused on the growth and development of the individual student. The atmosphere is one of continuous experiment and discussion. For Bill, it is a privilege to serve on the board of NSCAD to support this kind of learning.

Student Governor Member (2024 – 2025) 

Vice-President, Finance, SUNSCAD

Clare Birdsall is a fine arts student at NSCAD who is passionate about comics and cinema as well as organizing, especially of the student variant. They have been involved in the arts for most of their life, including attending an arts high school in Arizona. They decided to leave behind their southwestern home in favor of the community and culture offered by NSCAD. Now they’re hoping to support both of the things that drew them to the school in the first place. 

Governor-At-Large (2017-2026) 

Member, Advancement Committee (Chair) (2018-2026) 

Honorary Degree Recipients Representative (2022-2024) 

Dr. Marco Chiarot (DDS, MD, MSc, FRCD) is a Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon with degrees in both Dentistry (Dalhousie ’93) and Medicine (Dalhousie ‘01). Further study includes Hospital Dentistry (Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, North Carolina); Internship in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) and a six-year residency in the specialty of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre ‘01) attaining a Master of Science in OMFS Sciences. Following this, Dr. Chiarot left Canada to study Head and Neck/Craniofacial Surgery (Milan ‘02). Returning to his hometown of Halifax, Dr. Chiarot entered into private practice and together with Dr. Joel Powell formed Citadel Oral and Facial Surgery.    

Currently an examiner in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery for the Royal College of Dentists of Canada and is an associate professor, Faculty of Dentistry, Dalhousie University. He is the founding member of the Atlantic Implant Study Club, active since 2003. He believes in serving his dental profession and currently sits on the Nova Scotia Dental Association’s Economics committee and Government Relations committee and is past vice-chair of the Prescription Monitoring Board of Nova Scotia. Apart from Dentistry, Dr. Chiarot enjoys cooking and the worlds of art and wine. He has recently been appointed to the National Arts Centre Foundation Board. He belongs to the Italian Wines Society and the Halifax Commanderie de Bordeaux. He sits on the NSCAD University board of governors and chairs the advancement committee. He resides in Halifax with his wife and 2 daughters. ”The artistic endeavors, whether they be visual or performing, have always grabbed my soul, and I am honored to be able to support them”. 

Alumni Governor Member

Member, Audit and Risk Oversight

Thierry Delva was born and raised near Ghent in the heart of East Flanders, Belgium. In 1977 he immigrated to Canada. He first settled in Brandon, Manitoba and moved to Halifax in 1982 to attend the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD) where he received both his BFA Degree (1985) and MFA Degree (1993). In between degrees, he trained as a restoration stone mason and in 1990 he received his journeman’s papers from the Nova Scotia Department of Advanced Education. He is an elected member of the Royal Canadian Academy of the Arts (RCA).

Thierry’s work has been shown widely both nationally and internationally. Additionally, he has been the recipient of several grants from the Canada Council for the Arts and Arts Nova Scotia. He has work in the permanent collections of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, the National Gallery of Canada, the Art Bank of Nova Scotia, the University of Lethbridge, Dalhousie Art Gallery.

For 32 years, Thierry taught predominantly at NSCAD and became full time, tenured faculty in 2006 in Fine Arts, Sculpture. He also taught at Sir Wilfred Grenfell College in Newfoundland and Fanshawe College in Ontario. He retired from teaching December 2021. Thierry has guest lectured on his work at, among others, Trinity College, Hartford; Wimbledon College of Art, London; University of Lethbridge; University of San Diego; St. Thomas University; University of Waterloo; York University.

Thierry resides in Prospect, Nova Scotia.

Governor At Large

Member, Audit and Risk Oversight Committee

Kelly Denty is recently retired from a 35-year career with the Halifax Regional Municipality where she held progressively responsible positions culminating in her role as the Executive Director of the Planning & Development department for the past six years.

Accomplished in all aspects of the regulatory processes associated with land development, she is a subject-matter expert in all relevant legislation, planning documents and municipal by-laws. Kelly is well-versed in municipal and provincial government workings and held seats on the provincial Affordable Housing Commission and the Executive Panel on Housing in the Halifax Regional Municipality.

Known for her strong partner relationships and dedication to public service, she is regarded as a highly knowledgeable, confident and light-hearted mentor and leader.

Governor-At-Large (2022-2025) 

Member, Audit & Risk Oversight Committee 

Gary Edwards (LLB, B.Com.) is a sailor, writer and drummer. His band, The Hopping Penguins, has worked continuously since 1982. He has performed and recorded with numerous other acts including Big Rude Jake, Tennessee Voodoo Coupe, Tyler Ellis and the Eddy Line and Global-Centric Brass Band. He has recently been training young hockey prospects from age six to 60. Currently working in the charitable sector, Gary is focused on issues of children’s health, at risk youth, food insecurity and homelessness. He does this work under the umbrella of the Colonel Sanders Charities and the Edwards Family Charitable Foundation. 

The father of three adult children, Gary holds academic degrees from both Saint Mary’s (B.Comm. 1980) and Dalhousie (LLB 1984), but he always wished he’d been bold enough to attend NSCAD instead. A staunch champion of all things Nova Scotian, Gary has always admired the creative force of NSCAD and its role as a global ambassador for the province. 

Governor-At-Large (2020-2026) 

Member, Audit & Risk Oversight Committee (Chair) 

Cheryl Hann (CPA, CMA) joined the NSCAD Board of Governors in September of 2020 as a Governor at Large. She has served as chair of the Audit Risk and Oversight Committee since 2021 and was a member of the presidential search committee that year as well. Cheryl believes in the importance of a dynamic and vibrant artistic community in creating a society where people live full and balanced lives.  

Her career has included working with small and large companies in diverse industries including international food trading, cellular and internet services, practice management for dental offices, health and wellness IT, and real estate. Throughout her career, Cheryl has demonstrated the ability to develop process, reporting and operational improvements that contribute significantly to company growth. She was born in Nova Scotia, living for a time in Northern Virginia. She enjoys photography, quilting, travel, and being with her family, friends, and dog. 

Governor-At-Large (2024-2027) 

Member, Governance and Human Resources Committee  

Kim Healy recently retired after a 30-year career in human resources in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Throughout her career, she has held progressively diverse roles in HR working in manufacturing, healthcare, and, most recently as the director of human resources at Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU). Kim is a graduate of MSVU and St. Mary’s University and holds a CPHR designation. She lives in Halifax with her husband, Stewart. Together they have raised four children and are actively involved in their community.

Governor-At-Large (2020-2026)

Member, Financial and Physical Resources Committee  

John Keating (BA, MBA) is the Atlantic RVP for BMO’s Real Estate Finance team. The team manages a portfolio of diverse clients involved in the construction of or ongoing management of real estate properties across the region. His role further supports BMO’s national leadership team in the development of policy, forecasting and portfolio management for BMO’s Canadian Real Estate Finance business.   

John has 14 years of experience in real estate banking at various levels of responsibility. He has served as Treasurer for the Canadian Homebuilders Association of Nova Scotia for the last 14 years and Atlantic Home Warranty for the last 3 years. He also works on several advisory boards for public and private associations providing expertise in real estate finance and development.  John holds a Bachelor of Arts (2005) and Master of Business Administration (2010) from Saint Mary’s University.  

Student Governor Member (2024-2025) 

President, SUNSCAD

Ziggy Iggy Kirch (he/they) is a queer, a painter, a zine fanatic, and a broke art student.

Governor-In-Council (2022-2025) 

Member, Governance and Human Resources Committee 

Union-Board Committee Representative (FUNSCAD) (2022-2024) 

Sarah McInnes (BA, JD) is a Partner at McInnes Cooper with a practice specializing in immigration and employment law. She is knowledgeable in all matters relating to human resources, hiring, discipline and termination, including wrongful dismissal and other employment-related claims, and human rights and workplace accommodations. She is certified by the Workplace Institute in workplace investigations and has conducted a wide variety of investigations in both the private and public sector. 

Sarah understands the importance of engagement in her workplace on a deeper level; she has participated in her firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Action Team, Student Recruitment and Business Development groups. She is actively engaged in her community and serves on the YMCA Board of Directors. As a born-and-raised Haligonian, Sarah recognizes that NSCAD and its students contribute significantly to the vibrancy of this city and is proud to serve on the Board of Governors. 

Faculty Governor, Member (2022-2024) 

Member, Financial & Physical Resources Committee 

Dr. Rudi Meyer (BA Hons, BFA, MA, PhD) is both an alumnus and a faculty member of NSCAD. After a decade of teaching at Concordia University and McGill University in Montreal followed by an extended sojourn in Japan where he worked as an editor, copywriter and designer, he returned to teach at NSCAD. He is currently the Director of its Master of Interdisciplinary Design Program, a position he has held since 2010. Some of Dr. Meyer’s many and diverse research interests are still linked to Japan. Since leaving, he has returned almost annually to pursue projects ranging from the cultural dimensions of packaging to Japanese housing design as a model for adapting to changing demographics. His research has been supported by the Japan Foundation.  

He rejoined the NSCAD Board in 2022 having served on it for a number of years previously. He is currently a member of the Governance and Human Resources Committee and the Financial and Physical Resources Committee. Dr. Meyer is committed to NSCAD and is dedicated to having it thrive. 

Governor-At-Large (2024-2027)

Member, Advancement Committee 

Jess Myra (BDes 2008) is a globally recognized interdisciplinary designer whose mission is “to demystify nascent experiences for people everywhere.” Jess has upskilled over 2,500 people through her teachings, talks and workshops. She has worked in senior management at Google from 2020 and in the design industry for 19 years. Her expertise includes global creative strategy, research and over 30 launches for wearables, iOS, Android and the web. 

Jess has a proven track record of leadership across distributed teams and products, including executive and stakeholder management, with a high success rate of promotions and role conversions. Her oversight for creative teams includes: user experience (UX), research, technologies, writing, motion and visual design. The results of her work shaped corporate divisions and were reported in international media, and she continues to craft cultures of design through stewardship and education.

Jess splits her time between San Francisco and Nova Scotia’s South Shore, where she and her husband are raising their daughter. She recently left Google AI for a “career break” that has so far been packed with research papers, competitive sailing, and working with non-profit organizations in the U.S. and Canada.

Governor-in Council (2026-2028)

Shari Burnard Ostrom (BA, BEd, BFA, MFA, MEd) has built a diverse career, ultimately focusing on teaching. An award‑winning special education, guidance, and drama specialist, she has taught learners from primary through post‑secondary, with a particular focus on secondary and post‑secondary education.

Faculty Governor, Member (2024-2025) 

Member, Audit & Risk Oversight Committee 
Member, Advancement Committee

Katie Puxley has a diverse professional background and has worked in academic libraries and in the health care system. As a librarian she has focused on systems and technology, access and discovery, teaching, and resource sharing.

Katie’s research interests are in the intersections of craft, art and mathematics. She has been a member of the research collective, Mathweave, from 2013-2021.

Governor-At-Large (2023-2026)

Secretary  (2022-2023)

President, NSCAD Alumni Association (2021-2023)

Member, Governance and Human Resources Committee 

Pronouns: he, him and they, them 

 Sunil Sarwal (BDes) is an award-winning brand strategist known for his work in the Canadian food and drink industry. An alumnus of NSCAD with a degree in Design Communication, he has remained in contact with the school since graduating and has served as the President of the NSCAD Alumni Association from 2021-2023. Currently, he is the branding consultant and owner for the Small Monsters. 

As a member of the non-white and queer communities, Sunil hopes to bring his perspective on issues of equity and inclusion to the Board, with the goal of helping to make the institution a more welcoming place for all.  

Governor At Large (2023-2026) 

Member, Advancement Committee 

Dayna Sharkey (BDes, BFA) is a seasoned creative leader with a career spanning over two decades, marked by a track record of excellence in brand development, art direction, and creative innovation. Dayna has held pivotal roles at global organizations, including Gap, Inc., Amazon Fashion EU, Restoration Hardware, and Gymboree, where she has consistently spearheaded the creative direction and photographic vision for various prominent brands. Her ability to translate merchandising and marketing strategies into captivating branded visual executions, along with her adeptness at nurturing robust cross-functional relationships, has been instrumental in driving brand success and elevating customer engagement. 

Dayna holds a Bachelor of Design in Communication Design and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from NSCAD University. Her dedication to the art of communication and design, coupled with her extensive professional experience, underpins her enthusiasm for serving on the NSCAD Board of Governors. Dayna is dedicated to contributing her wealth of expertise and insights to NSCAD, with the goal of advancing its growth and fostering excellence in creative education. 

InIex-offcio member, Board of Governors and all Standing Committees

NSCAD appointed Professor David B. Smith as interim president on September 1, 2025. He previously served as NSCAD’s president from 2006 – 2012 when he raised a record $9 million for the university. This included $3.4 million to establish the Creative Innovators of Tomorrow fund, which provides full tuition scholarships for 20 NSCAD students. He also established the Student Art Awards and the Faculty Research Fund, revitalized Extended Studies programming, and introduced Community Service Learning — initiatives that continue to enrich student experience and strengthen connections with the broader community. 

Since joining NSCAD’s faculty as a full professor in 2012, David has taught in the Sculpture program with a strong focus on teaching Introductory Sculpture to incoming students. He has served as Director of the Master of Art in Art Education program since 2022. For more than a dozen years he has led an externally funded educational program in South Africa at the University of Cape Town where he is an Honorary Research Associate.

Prior to joining NSCAD, David served in key academic and administrative leadership roles at the University of San Diego in California for almost a decade, ranging from Chair of the Department of Art to Special Assistant to the Provost.

Governor-At-Large (2025-2028)

Member, Financial and Physical Resources Committee 

Colin White is the President & CEO and Portfolio Manager of Verecan Capital Management Inc. He is an accomplished financial services executive and portfolio manager with over 30 years of experience in investment management, wealth planning, and insurance solutions.

He has a proven record of building and leading client-focused firms, delivering strategic financial planning for individuals, families, and small businesses. He is recognized for his client-first approach, leadership in conflict-free advisory, and commitment to transforming the industry through transparency and integrity.

Colin is a regular guest on Bloomberg Television’s BNN The Close, Reuter’s Market Call, and is routinely featured in publications such as The Financial Post, The Globe & Mail, Wealth Professional Magazine, The Wall Street Journal and more. Colin is a recognized
voice and thought leader in the financial services industry who is known for his integritybased approach to business, his candor, and his ability to explain complex financial ideas and concepts in ways that are accessible to average Canadian investors.