Meet Your New NSGEU Board of Directors

*This article appears in the Fall, 2025 edition of the Union Stand

Your new Board of Directors has been elected, following our Triennial Convention in May! This Board consists of 38 members representing all occupations and provincial regions in which the union has members.

The Board consists of the five Provincial Executive Committee members elected by delegates during the NSGEU Triennial Convention; eight members elected from each of the NSGEU Regional Councils; 20 members elected from the 14 NSGEU Occupational Councils (Councils with more than 2,000 members get two seats on the board); one member elected from any local to represent members who are 35 years of age or younger; and one member elected from any local to represent members who self-identify as having experienced barriers due to sexuality and/or gender identity, race and/or ethnicity, culture and/or Religion, abilities and/or disabilities.

The Board meets almost every month, usually at the NSGEU office in Burnside. Input from our individual locals is shared through our Regional and Occupational Councils, which is how the Board keeps its finger on the pulse of the entire union and makes all the union’s major decisions between conventions!

The Board sets overall bargaining strategies; initiates public-relations campaigns; sets the strategic direction and priorities; and offers solidarity, support, and/or financial assistance to other unions or social-justice organizations throughout the term.
Your Board for the 2025 to 2028 term includes:

EXECUTIVE MEMBERS (5):
President Sandra Mullen (Local 16, Civil Service, Professional)
1st Vice President Hugh Gillis (Local 480C, Civil Service, Technical & Services)
2nd Vice President Tammy Gillis (Local 2, Civil Service, Technical & Services)
3rd Vice President Peter Perry (Local 122, Health Care)
Treasurer Darren McPhee (Local 8, Civil Service, Professional)
REGIONAL MEMBERS (8):
Matthew Beson (Local 14, Pictou/Antigonish/Guysborough)
Mary Otto (Local 43, Metro A)
Sherry Dennis (Local 8, Metro B)
Nicole Turple (Local 7, Metro C)
Neil Poirier (Local 1670, Cape Breton)
Holly Martin (Local 17, Cumberland/Colchester)
Tanya Steadman (Local 25, Valley)
Lynette Hayward-Byrd (Local 190, South Shore)

OCCUPATIONAL MEMBERS (23):
Laura MacMillan (Local 100, Health Care)
Vera McCarthy (Local 100, Health Care)
Uta Berthold-Brush (Local 195, Health Care)
Heather MacAdam (Local 88, Post Secondary)
Tammy Zinck (Local 77, Post Secondary)
Leslie Anderson (Local 222, Municipal)
Annette Leyenaar (Local 73, Public Education)
Donna MacGregor (Local 71C, Public Education)
Misty Camick (Local 1670, Liquor Stores)
Danielle McNutt (Local 35, Home Care)
Sarah Hollahan (Local 66, Group Homes)
Cindi Mattinson (Local 195, Nursing)
Vanessa Beaton-MacKinnon (Local 104, Nursing)
Pamela Grace (Local 423, Administrative Professionals)
Heather Tucker (Local 1246, Administrative Professionals)
Darcy Arsenault (Local 41, Long Term Care)
Raymond Theriault (Local 119, Support Staff)
Keisha Miller (Local 68, General)
Rocky Beals (Local 8, Civil Service)
John Bueglas (Local 4, Civil Service)
Benny Singler (Local 480, Civil Service)
Andrea Hancock (Local 480, Civil Service)
Vacant (Civil Service)

EQUITY COUNCIL BOARD MEMBER (1):
Krista-Lynn Caldwell (Local 86, Long-Term Care)
YOUNG WORKER COUNCIL BOARD MEMBER (1):
Leta Lowthers (Local 51, General)