Doug has been a board member with STEPs for the past 6 years. His duties on the board include sitting on the Human Resource Committee, The Joint Labor/Management Committee along with the Construction Committee. He is a former small business owner and currently holds the position of Regional Sales Manager and Truro Branch Manager for Wilsons Heating.

Working next door to STEPs for the past 14 years Doug has formed lasting friendships with many of the clients over this time. These friendships have provided Doug the opportunity to better understand the crucial importance of having the clients fully engaged in the community.

Doug is a lifelong resident of Lower Onslow and believes in giving back to the community which has supported him in business for so many years. Along with his volunteer work with STEPs he currently sits on the Board of directors for Scotia Pool, President of the Lower Onslow Community Centre Society, Board member of the Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce and a very proud Big Brother for the past 8 years with his little brother Shawnn.

Stephen (Steve) J. Creelman CET, CRSP, CHSC, CRBO, CSS

Steve has lived most of his life in the Truro area where he was born, raised and educated. After completion of studies in engineering (NSAC/DAL) and occupational health and safety disciplines, Steve worked for local consulting firms before joining the Town of Truro in 2002 where he is the Manager of Facilities and Safety for the Town. For over twenty years, Steve along with his wife Marlene strove together as business co-owners of a couple of food and beverage establishments which were both located on Prince Street in Truro’s Downtown business core. Today they both still work in the Truro area and reside in nearby Bible Hill, NS.

Steve joined STEPs Delaney House Construction Committee and STEPs Board of Directors in 2021, in July 2022 he was elected Board President. For nearly two years Steve has enjoyed the continued role as Chair of the Construction Committee and is transitioning to the new role as Chair of Facilities & Maintenance Committee, here he works with fellow committee members to accomplish both current and proposed capital projects goals. Currently and looking forward, Steve continues to enjoy serving in his roles assisting such an incredible organization as STEPs all with being able to work alongside the great team of professionals that comprise the STEPs Committees and the STEPs Board.

Steve really enjoys and appreciates time spent with his family, friends and walking his buddy, and when time allows playing some really bad golf with Marlene!

Shelley grew up in the Truro area and has lived with her husband in their home in Valley for over 40 years. She is the proud parent of 2 children who has blessed her with 5 grandchildren. Shelley spent her adult life working in accounting, payroll and benefits areas and is now semi-retired from her career as Plant Admin Coordinator at Lafarge Canada Inc, Brookfield. You can still find Shelley assisting and covering vacation days for her replacement.

Shelley joined our board over 15 years ago when the then President of the Board; Grant Langford (who also was a former Plant Manager at Lafarge) asked her if she'd consider joining the board, as he felt her work ethic and skills would be an asset to the board. She has not looked back since that time. Shelley has been on several committees over the years, and continues serving as the Treasurer on the Finance Committee. She has been around when the thought of expansion was not on anyone's minds, as Rotary House was a new building at that time. There have been a lot of changes over the years and Shelley has seen STEPS outgrow the Rotary House and then the purchase, planning and opening of Delaney House! Shelley is honored to be a long standing member of the board and enjoys helping out with the special sales such as the Christmas Sale, and having a dance at the annual Christmas Dinner and Dance.

Shelley believes that "Life is for the Living", and when not working or travelling she can be found golfing or curling. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Truro Curling Club.

Karen Casey is well known in the area as an educator and as a politician. She lives in Valley and spends 6 months of the year at the cottage in Bass River… the community where she grew up.As an educator, Karen graduated from Nova Scotia Teachers College and went on to study and earn Bachelor and Master degrees in Arts and Education at Mount Saint Vincent and St Mary’s University She worked as a classroom teacher, school administrator and retired as assistant superintendent with Chignecto Central Regional School Board. As a politician Karen represented the constituency of Colchester North for 15 years , having been elected to the Nova Scotia Legislative Assembly in 2006,2009,2013 and 2017. As a member of the Executive Council Karen served as Minister in Education, in Health, and in Finance . She retired as Deputy Premier in 2021 . One of the highlights of that career was to represent the Province with a significant contribution to the fund raising campaign for the newly renovated buildings on Arthur Street. It was so rewarding to see the faces of the clients light up with that announcement. It continues to touch your heart when you see the growth in self esteem and confidence that is demonstrated by the clients everyday. They contribute so much to the community and are so very proud of who they are.

Laura MacLaughlin, CPA, CA is a Partner with Grant Thornton LLP, in the Truro office. She focuses on helping clients and provides assurance and advisory services to a large range of clients, such as various sectors in the privately held business space, not for profits and government organizations in the local and surrounding areas. She has in depth experience in dealing with boards and audit/finance committees. Laura is currently also a member of the Truro Rotary Club as well as a member of several committees for the CPA profession. Laura is the past treasurer of the Downtown Truro Partnership Board and has been involved in various other volunteer activities and committees over the years. Laura enjoys being able to give back to the local community. Outside of work, Laura enjoys spending time with her family, being physically active, camping and exploring the great outdoors.

Susan has had a a varied career- as a high school teacher, fitness instructor, on the boards of various volunteer organizations, and medical office manager for several doctors including her husband, Dr. Steven Cook. The job for which she is proudest was as a full time mother of our 3 children.

Susan loves skiing, skating, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, hiking, and travelling. These things bring her great joy, especially when she can share special moments with our 8 grandchildren.

Susan’s interest in STEPs began with her sister-in-law, Jacqueline. This organization brings such joy to all the clients and provides training in areas that give a great feeling of accomplishment. It is a place to feel important as the instructors guide clients in new and different fields of work.

Susan feels honoured to have been given a place on the board and will try her best to assist in the goals set forth.

John is married and the proud parent of 3 children and 4 grandchildren. He has owned and operated successful printing and design company in Truro/Colchester area for 26 years. He was recently appointed Justice of the Peace by province of Nova Scotia

John has volunteered for various community organizations including Chair of the Rath Eastlink Community Center and Local, Provincial and Atlantic Chambers of Commerce.

John joined STEPs board of directors, 2019, with the goal of helping adults with intellectual disabilities be more self-reliant and enhance their personal and vocational development.

John is also a long time suffering and hopeful Maple Leafs fan.

Niki started her teaching career at a Social Priority Elementary School in the North of England. She is a teacher and Executive Director at the Bible Hill Village Preschool, a non-profit registered Charity which was established in 1972.

Being involved in her Community is very important to Niki. Being on the Board at STEPs and interacting with the staff, clients and other Board members is an honour.

Niki loves to travel, spend time with family and friends and is a member of the Truro Curling Club . Niki can also be found playing golf if it`s not raining!

Denise has spent most of her teaching career in various roles at Cobequid Educational Centre (CEC). Her current position is vice-principal, but she first got acquainted with STEPs programs, clients, and staff in her role as Learning Centre Department Head. She has worked closely with many students and their families to support their transition from CEC to STEPs on Arthur.

Denise is a member of the Education Standard Development Committee - a group tasked with assisting the Accessibility Advisory Board with making recommendations to the Minister of Justice on a proposed standard to address barriers to accessibility at all levels of education in Nova Scotia.

In her spare time, Denise enjoys spending time with her family, golfing, reading historical fiction, and relaxing near the water.

Valerie has lived in Truro together with her husband and 3 children since 1995 and has worked in various fields throughout her career, including sales and marketing for two multinational companies and a stint in the pharmaceutical field. She is currently the Operations Manager for Burchell MacDougall.

Valerie has volunteered on various committees and as a coach throughout her time in Truro and is an avid swimmer – to the extent that in 2018 she swam to PEI to raise funds for Camp Brigadoon. She also enjoys hiking, cooking, and reading. After 28 years with a child in the school system, she has just seen her last child graduate from high school and plans on devoted some of her newly found spare time to Special Olympics.

She is honoured to have been asked to join the board and plans on working hard to make a meaningful contribution.

Dale was raised on a potato and beef farm in Florenceville, New Brunswick. After graduating from high school, he attended NSAC in Bible Hill, graduating in 1973. He then attended and graduated from Macdonald College of McGill University. In his career, Dale has worked for government and private industry in Atlantic Canada as seed potato specialist, horticulturist, and extension specialist for the wild blueberry and maple industries.

Dale is now retired and lives in Truro. He enjoys volunteering, meeting people, hiking, reading, and visiting with family and friends in New Brunswick, Toronto, Alberta and Nova Scotia. Dale feels that it is the responsibility of those who can to give back to their communities. STEPs on Arthur is an important part of our community, and serving on the STEPs Board is a wonderful opportunity and an honour.

Fouad is a real estate investor and property manager with properties in Halifax, New Glasgow and in between. Before starting his business, Fouad worked in an accounting and finance role for a natural resources company in Alberta and Alaska, and in the telecommunications industry in Washington, DC.

Fouad holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Saint Mary’s University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Louisiana State University. He is a proud first generation Lebanese-Canadian and supports community organizations in both the countries he calls home.

In his spare time, Fouad enjoys long hikes with his dog, salmon fishing, camping, reading and spending quality time with friends and loved ones.