ACNS welcomes your inquires and feedback.
Whether you need information about our programs and services, volunteering, information for school, or just to say hello – we are here for you. Please know that all submissions are carefully considered and we maintain the strictest confidentiality.
ACNS Staff
All successful organizationshave a team whose goal is meaningful change. Each ACNS staff member makes his or her own unique contribution to our success. We are proud of the level of dedication and commitment they embody in making Nova Scotia a better place through support, education and empowerment.
-
Chris Aucoin
Executive Director
902.425.4882 ext 227
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Chris (pronouns: He/Him/His) moved up to the Executive Director chair in December 2019 after having worked as the ACNS Gay Men’s Health Coordinator for over a decade. An educator, writer and freelance designer, Chris has a master’s degree in Educational Psychology, a diploma in graphic design, and broad community-based experience in cultural industries and social justice stretching back more than two decades. His work in social justice has included poverty and food security, and a wide range of 2SLGBTQ+ support, social and political causes. His current passion is working on rewrites for his first completed theatre script A Boy And His Dog which he workshopped at Queer Acts 2014. Chris loves dogs, dancing, and singing weekly with the Halifax Gay Men's Chorus!
-
Ned MacInnis
Program Support
902.425.4882 ext 224
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Ned (pronouns: He/Him/His) holds the position of Program Support at ACNS. Involved in the AIDS movement for over 20 years, Ned has provided support and sexual health education with Men-Who-Have-Sex-With-Men, conducted training and education sessions, and has worked with People Living with HIV/AIDS creating health promotion strategies. His ancillary work includes: HIV/AIDS Education in Jamaica Project, Mount Saint Vincent University; Peer Outreach Worker: Stepping Stone Association; Consultant: Prison Outreach, Counseling, Education and Resource Development, Correctional Service of Canada; Research Assistant: Promising Practices in the Engagement of People Living with or At-Risk for HIV/AIDS in Rural Canada, Thompson Rivers University. He says “The greatest lesson I have learned here is this: I am not a salmon; I do not have to swim upstream. I have developed a strong passion about community-based work and as a result, I have learned to live life to its fullest. Carpe Diem!”
-
Garry Dart
Gay Men’s Health
902.425.4882 ext 222
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Garry (pronouns: He/She/They) is the new Gay Men’s Health Coordinator at the AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia. As a queer, genderfluid, Newfoundlander he brings his experience in sexuality research, sex education and access to healthcare for queer men with them. They have worked and volunteered for many 2SLGBTQ+ organizations in St. John’s and Ottawa, on community, provincial and national levels including MAX Ottawa, the Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity and PFLAG Canada for many years. He has two honours degrees in Psychology and Ecology and Conservation Biology with a minor in French and is currently completing a graduate certificate in Advanced Training in Affirmative Therapy for Transgender Communities. You will most likely find them sipping tea, cooking, reading a book, or meditating in nature. ‘Have a healthy, happy and intellectually nourishing day!’
-
Rowan MacArthur
Fund Development (Interim)
902.425.4882 ext 226
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Rowan (pronouns: He/Him/His) is taking on the role of Fund Development Co-op Student for the winter and currently has his nose to the grindstone to try to make this year’s BMO Bid for Life as successful as possible! He’s working towards completing a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at Mount Saint Vincent University and plans on graduating (fingers crossed) later this year with a double major in marketing and management. While at The Mount Rowan has been as involved around campus by working at the campus gym and kids day camp, being an orientation leader and playing for the varsity soccer team for 5 years while having the privilege of being captain for the last 2. He’s very excited for this opportunity and joins the team ready to learn and apply his experience to the huge amounts of existing expertise already in the office. He calls the South Shore of Nova Scotia home and in his free time he enjoys all things soccer (watching, playing, reading about…etc.) as well as playing video games/ board games, getting home to see his folks and spending time with friends.
-
Shannon Hardy
Support & Program Services (Interim)
902.425.4882 ext 225
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Shannon (pronouns: She/Her) is a Registered Social Worker and Clinical Trauma Specialist whose focus is on trauma-informed practices. She is currently completing her Masters of Social Work through the University of Waterloo and is looking forward to graduating this October! Shannon is also a professional facilitator and spends her time between the ACNS and facilitating workshops across Canada. Shannon has been working in the field of reproductive and sexual justice for 14 years, and is the co-founder of the NS Doula Association and the founder of Abortion Support Services Atlantic. She was also the organizer of Halifax's very first ConsentFEST in 2012. During her time off, she likes to hang out with her two children, her partner, their dog and 2 cats. Her favourite program on CBC Radio is The Debaters and her favourite TV show is Coronation Street.