Board of Directors
Fanny Bodart
Position on the Board: President 2026-2027 | Company: MaxWell Pro Real Estate
Fanny Bodart is the Owner/Broker and Lead Agent of MaxWell Pro Real Estate, the first East Coast franchise of the 100% Canadian-owned MaxWell Realty brand. With over 18 years of experience as a REALTOR® and former Owner/Broker of her boutique firm, The Property Ladies, she brings a proven track record and a clear vision for building a high-performing, province-wide team.
Holding two law degrees from the University of Brussels (Belgium), Fanny combines legal expertise with a structured, client-focused approach. Fluent in English, French, and Dutch/Flemish, she works with local, national, and international clients.
As incoming President of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, she champions all businesses with a special focus on small businesses, women entrepreneurs and fellow “Newer New Brunswickers” as vital micro-businesses that play a key role in driving the region’s and New Brunswick’s economy.
Fanny has called Fredericton home since immigrating from Belgium in 2007 with her four children and has actively promoted the city and province ever since. Today, her children are proudly pursuing careers and studies as a CPA, Solicitor, Heavy Equipment Mechanic, and LPN—something she considers one of her greatest accomplishments.
Deeply committed to fostering growth, opportunity, and inclusive community development, Fanny remains a proud ambassador for Fredericton and New Brunswick.
Dave Milburn
Position on the Board: Past President 2025-2026 | Company: Focal Point Landscaping Design and Installation
Dave, owner and operator of Focal Point Landscape Design and Installation is a relentless advocate for the Landscape Horticulture industry. After years of working in the industry he sought further knowledge and attended Dalhousie University (formally Nova Scotia Agricultural College) to study Environmental Horticulture. After completing with honors, his Bachelor of Technology in Environmental Horticulture in 2007, he founded Focal Point in January of 2008.
Dave carries 26 years of landscape contracting experience and continues to be passionate about continued education and horticulture career development. During the winter months he is an instructor for the Red Seal Landscape Horticulturist program, is a past president of Landscape New Brunswick and continues to sit on various industry committees. He is dedicated to helping the landscape industry and small businesses thrive through hard work, professionalism, and continued education.
Focal Point Landscape Design and Installation is extremely fortunate to have great people on their team and has been recognized with multiple awards of excellence for their workmanship. Dave and his team continue to strive for excellence and the company has now evolved into a family owned and operated business with Dave’s wife Lesley joining the company in 2019. Dave and Lesley are blessed to have two beautiful daughters, Annie and Maggie.
Jordan O'Brien
Position on the Board: 1st Vice President | Company: Porter O’Brien Agency Inc.
Jordan is a partner at Porter O’Brien, an award-winning, Fredericton-based communications and management consulting agency. Porter O’Brien offers services public relations, management consulting, marketing, government affairs, market research and training. In this role, he has been recognized as one of the top 15 federal lobbyists in Canada.
Prior to co-founding his firm, Jordan worked for over 20 years in the areas of government affairs, communications and management strategy. After a 10-year career with the provincial government, he started a private consulting career.
He has been a member of the Chamber since 2019, and became a member of the policy committee in 2020 and the board in 2021. He also serves on the board of directors of Fredericton Regional Youth Services Inc., an operator of facilities that provide therapeutic services for youth experiencing social, emotional, and behavioral challenges.
Except for a stint of several years in Ottawa, Jordan has resided in Fredericton since 1999.
Danielle Pelletier
Position on the Board: 2nd Vice President | Company: VIVA Therapeutic Services
Danielle, a visionary leader in the field of autism intervention, grew up in Balmoral, a small community in northern New Brunswick, and relocated to Fredericton approximately 30 years ago. She is the founder and owner of VIVA Therapeutic Services, an organization dedicated to providing evidence-based interventions for preschool children with autism spectrum disorder, employing over 350 caring individuals throughout New Brunswick. In 2025, Danielle was honored with the Order of New Brunswick, recognizing her significant contributions to the community.
With a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Montreal and certification as a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst, her expertise and commitment to her work are evident. When asked about her passion, Danielle emphasizes her goal of making a positive impact on children’s lives—one child at a time. She strongly values teamwork and is dedicated to empowering others to reach their full potential. She believes it is important to be an active part of the business community, both to learn and to give back, fostering connections that benefit not only her organization but also the wider community.
In her free time, Danielle enjoys staying active, takes pride in preparing delicious meals, and is an avid reader. Her love for travel and discovering new destinations around the world enriches her perspective. Danielle is also a proud mother to her son, AJ, and a loving grandmother to her two granddaughters, Adelyn and Mabel. Through her leadership and vision, Danielle continues to inspire and make a lasting difference in her community.
Shannon Dion
Position on the Board: Treasurer | Company: Bringloe Feeney LLP
Shannon is a Partner at Bringloe Feeney, LLP, a Fredericton-based accounting firm, bringing more than 25 years of experience in public accounting. Over the course of her career, she has built strong relationships in the community and has worked with various small business clients providing advisory, tax and assurance services.
In addition to her professional work, Shannon is actively engaged in the community through several board roles. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Fredericton International Airport Authority and the Harvest Music Festival, contributing her financial expertise and governance experience to support the growth and sustainability of these key regional organizations.
Shannon is committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen Fredericton’s business environment and enhance its reputation as a vibrant place to live and work.
Outside of her professional and volunteer commitments, she and her husband David spend most of their time keeping up with their energetic son Oliver’s schedule. Whether it’s baseball in the summer or hockey and basketball in the colder months, you’ll usually find them at a rink, field, or gym—coffee in hand and cheering from the sidelines.
Kelsey Seymour
Position on the Board: Executive Member | Company: CC Goodwin Consulting Inc.
Kelsey Seymour is a marketing communications professional with a passion for building strategy, creating content, helping others and achieving results. She specializes in strategic engagement, marketing communications, digital marketing, public relations and copywriting. She has more than 15 years of sector experience in non-profits, higher education, IT and government, including the University of New Brunswick, the University of British Columbia, Mitacs and the Shareholder Association for Research and Education (SHARE).
As Director, Communications & Engagement with CCGoodwin Consulting, Kelsey has led marketing communications projects for Fredericton clients in the housing, innovation, research and education sectors, as well as corporate plans, communications and engagement strategies for several national clients in the research, education and cybersecurity sectors.
Kelsey’s big-picture, data-driven mindset is complemented by her collaborative approach and creative talents. Her creative vision, direction and leadership have won her teams numerous awards for digital annual reports, websites, videos and social media ads.
Kelsey holds a Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) from the University of New Brunswick and certificates in Indigenous Canada (University of Alberta) and Change Management (PROSCI).
Stanley Barnaby
Position on the Board: Executive Member | Company: JEDI (Joint Economic Development Initiative)
Stanley Barnaby is the CEO of the Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI), a leading Indigenous organization dedicated to working with partners to foster Indigenous economic development in New Brunswick.
Proud member of the Listuguj Mi’gmaq First Nation in Quebec and born in New Hampshire USA, Stanley chose Fredericton as his home while studying Business at the University of New Brunswick. In addition to his B.B.A, Stanley also holds a First Nation Business Administration certificate, Technological Aboriginal Economic Development certification, Professional Aboriginal Economic Developer certification, Management Development Program certificate, and a master’s certificate in Project Management.
Community is at the heart of Indigenous business and economic development; therefore, wise practice includes planning with the next 7 generations in mind. Stanley supports future business development and capacity building by supporting mentorship for youth and by including elders and knowledge holders into his planning.
Residing in Sitansisk First Nation, an Urban Wolastoqey community situated on the banks of the Wolastoq river, Stanley, his wife Megan, and their sons enjoy taking in the music and food scenes that the Capital city has to offer.
Stanley is looking forward to representing Indigenous business alongside allies and neighbors at the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce.
Scott McMullin
Position on the Board: Board Member | Company: Covey Office Group
Scott, Co-Owner and Operations Manager at Covey Basics. Scott received his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology degree from UNB in 2017 and was a member of the Cross-Country and Track and Field teams during his time there.
Prior to his work at Coveys, Scott worked as a Wildland Firefighter in Western Canada for several years. During this time, Scott had the opportunity to work with various communities in need and gained experience with multiple agencies working together to attain a common goal.
Scott is proud to be a part of his family-owned business of over 75-years. Interacting with his customers and finding solutions to unique customer needs is what he enjoys most.
During his free time, you can find Scott enjoying the outdoors with his wife and daughter, either running, biking or skiing on the beautiful trails around Fredericton
Ryan Sullivan
Position on the Board: Board Member | Company: St. Thomas University
Ryan Sullivan is a community builder, volunteer and advocate for students. At 21, he opened Sully’s, a student-led, award-winning ice cream shop in his hometown of Sussex that he owned for 26 years, raising $120,000 in student bursaries and profit-shares for local youth. After graduating from St. Thomas University with a BA in Economics, Ryan represented Canada as a study destination in dozens of countries around the world, and held leadership roles in recruitment, housing, student services, international education and Indigenous access to education. In his current role as Associate Vice President at St. Thomas University, Ryan supports all aspects of student success and is deeply committed to ensuring affordable, equitable, access to education. A committed community volunteer, Ryan has chaired Harvest Music Festival and the International Association for College Admissions Counselling, serves on the Theatre New Brunswick Foundation and the international Duolingo English Test Advisory Board.
Melissa Dawe
Position on the Board: Board Member | Company: University of New Brunswick
Melissa Dawe is a strategic thinker and trusted advisor with a proven track record of advancing institutional priorities through operational excellence, cross-sector collaboration, and inclusive leadership. As Chief of Staff to the President at the University of New Brunswick, she plays a central role in aligning executive decision-making with long-term strategic goals, fostering partnerships across academic, government, and community sectors.
With a background in engineering and a Master of Science in Engineering, Melissa brings analytical rigor and systems thinking to complex organizational challenges. She has a passion for evidence-based policy, equity in education, and Indigenous engagement. Her leadership has been instrumental in shaping initiatives that support student success, faculty development, and institutional resilience.
Melissa is recognized for her ability to navigate ambiguity, build consensus, and deliver results in dynamic environments. She is deeply committed to public service and brings a values-driven approach to governance, making her a valuable contributor to boards seeking strategic foresight, operational insight, and collaborative leadership.
Waleed Khokhar
Position on the Board: Board Member | Company: Bar Buritto
Waleed Khokhar is a full-time real estate agent with the Drisdelle Team at Keller Williams Capital Realty. With a passion for entrepreneurship and community development, he ventured into the food service industry in 2021, introducing BarBurrito—a popular Mexican franchise—to Fredericton. He also launched his first Wendy’s franchise in Oromocto and has plans to expand to other cities across New Brunswick.
Born in Pakistan, Waleed began his undergraduate studies in Dubai before acquiring diploma in Business Management in England. In 2014, he came to Fredericton as a summer exchange student and quickly fell in love with the city, ultimately deciding to make it his permanent home. Waleed earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Public Policy from St. Thomas University in 2017. Before entering real estate, he gained valuable experience in the banking industry. During the COVID-19 pandemic, recognizing the shifting market and fueled by his entrepreneurial spirit, he explored new business opportunities and obtained his real estate license in 2021.
Well-connected and community-oriented, Waleed is always eager to meet new people, foster meaningful relationships, and give back through volunteering and civic engagement. He enjoys spending time with friends and contributing to initiatives that support the growth and well-being of those around him.
Now proud to call Canada home, Waleed looks forward to sharing his experience and energy with the Chamber. He is committed to supporting local development and helping others succeed.
Christopher Dedam
Position on the Board: Board Member | Company: Sesweg Software Solutions
Christopher Dedam is a proud Mi’kmaq entrepreneur, technology leader, and founder of Sesgweg Software Solutions, a federally incorporated Indigenous-owned IT consulting and software development firm based at St. Mary’s First Nation in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Through his company, Christopher delivers modern digital solutions focused on software development, artificial intelligence (AI), cloud technologies, workflow automation, and data-driven business systems for provincial governments, municipal organizations, non-profit groups, and enterprise clients across Canada.
Sesgweg Software Solutions is also active within Canada’s defence and security sector, supporting federal procurement initiatives and participating in industry events such as CANSEC, where the company has showcased its capabilities alongside leading Canadian defence and technology organizations.
Since launching Sesgweg Software Solutions through the Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) incubator program, Christopher has grown the company into a respected Indigenous technology business supporting digital transformation initiatives across both the public and private sectors. His work increasingly focuses on AI-enabled workflow platforms, governance-oriented digital systems, and scalable SaaS solutions designed to help organizations modernize operations, improve accountability, and make more informed decisions through data and automation.
Before entering the technology sector, Christopher served as a police officer, an experience that shaped his leadership philosophy around service, accountability, resilience, and community impact. Today, he is a strong advocate for Indigenous participation in Canada’s growing technology and innovation economy and regularly contributes to conversations surrounding entrepreneurship, AI, digital transformation, economic reconciliation, and Indigenous business leadership.
Christopher currently serves on the Board of Directors for the YMCA of Fredericton, the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, and the Under One Sky Friendship Centre, where he supports initiatives focused on community development, youth empowerment, inclusion, and economic growth. He is also actively involved with Indigenous business and innovation organizations across Atlantic Canada.
In addition to leading his company, Christopher is pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Business Analytics at Carleton University, further strengthening his expertise in strategy, analytics, leadership, and emerging technologies. His long-term vision is to help build a stronger Indigenous presence within Canada’s technology sector while creating opportunities for future generations of First Nations professionals and entrepreneurs.
Patricia Seaman
Position on the Board: Board Member | Company: Terre Neuve Consulting
Patricia Seaman is the Principal Consultant and Founder of Terre Neuve Consulting Ltd., a firm dedicated to helping research and mission-driven teams succeed. She works alongside clients as a trusted partner by offering strategic insight, facilitation, and leadership support to turn bold ideas into lasting impact.
With more than 20 years of experience, Patricia has worked at the intersection of research, innovation, and policy. She served as Acting CEO and Director of Finance & Operations at the New Brunswick Health Research Foundation, where she helped launch ResearchNB and led efforts that leveraged over $59 million annually in external health research investments.
Her recent work includes supporting the launch of the Institute of Population Health at the University of New Brunswick, the Intelligent Community Forum Atlantic Institute at NBCC, and collaborative efforts in digital agriculture, aging in place, and energy transition. She is focused on advancing the knowledge economy by helping academic and research partners translate their knowledge into usable insights that can inform evidence-based practices across health, education, economic development, and sustainability.
Patricia is an active volunteer and currently serves on the United Way Forever Fund Executive, the New Brunswick Medical Education Foundation Grants Committee, and as a Connector with Ignite.
She is a proud graduate of UNB’s MBA and SIF programs and is passionate about building collaborative systems that support long-term growth and resilience in New Brunswick.
Oriana Cordido
Position on the Board: Board Member | Company: BMO Bank of Montreal
Oriana Cordido is a dynamic business strategist and relationship builder with a passion for helping entrepreneurs scale. Originally from Venezuela and now proudly Canadian, Ori brings 5+ years of experience supporting startups, SMEs, and immigrant entrepreneurs across Atlantic Canada. She is currently a Business Relationship Manager at BMO, where she works with growth-stage businesses to provide tailored financial solutions and help them reach their next milestone.
Before joining the financial sector, Ori led programs at leading innovation hubs including Planet Hatch and Ignite Fredericton, where she supported over 300 entrepreneurs with funding, strategy, and mentorship. Ori has also played a key role in regional economic development initiatives, including newcomer integration, rural entrepreneurship strategies, and innovation-driven pilot programs connecting municipalities with startups.
Named one of Atlantic Business Magazine’s Top 30 Under 30 Innovators, one of Canada’s Top 30 Under 30 Sustainability Leaders, and one of the Most Inspiring Immigrants in Atlantic Canada for 2025, Ori continues to champion inclusive, impact-driven business practices. She holds a BA in Economics and International Relations from St. Thomas University and is completing her MBA at the University of New Brunswick.
Whether working with clients on complex lending solutions or mentoring early-stage founders, Ori brings an entrepreneurial mindset, a deep understanding of business ecosystems, and a commitment to community growth.
Chris Hotchkiss
Position on the Board: Board Member | Company: Hotchkiss Home Furnishings
Chris is a true Entrepreneur at heart. He is the founder of Hotchkiss Home Furnishings, with stores in Fredericton and Grand Falls NB. He also is the majority shareholder of Sunpoke Energy Systems that specializes in Hearth, Fireplace, Patio, and, BBQ products which is located in Hanwell NB. More recently Chris has found a passion for the Coffee business and now co-owns Freddy Bean Roasters (Coffee Roastery) and the Tipsy Muse Café that is in the heart of downtown Fredericton NB.
His passions in life include spending lots of time with family and friends, making music with his band, and coaching basketball and baseball. Chris currently lives in Fredericton NB, with his wife Elise, his son Max and daughter Evie.
Myriam Whalen
Position on the Board: Board Member | Company: McInnes Cooper
Myriam Whalen is a bilingual corporate and commercial lawyer based in Fredericton, where she advises local entrepreneurs, growing technology companies, and established businesses on the legal and strategic matters that support sustainable growth. Her practice focuses on business structuring, governance, commercial agreements, and transactions, and regularly involves helping organizations navigate expansion, innovation, and regulatory complexity.
Before entering private practice, Myriam gained valuable public‑sector experience with the federal government, including time working on Parliament Hill. This background gives her a strong understanding of policy development and regulatory processes, and informs her interest in advancing initiatives that support a competitive and resilient business environment.
Born and raised in Fredericton, Myriam remains deeply committed to the city’s economic development and to strengthening the local business community through collaboration, advocacy, and effective governance.
Allison McCarthy
Position on the Board: Board Member | Company: Stewart McKelvey
Allison McCarthy is a partner at Stewart McKelvey in Fredericton, New Brunswick, with 34 years of experience practising corporate and commercial law serving local, national and international clients. He has been a committed contributor to the Fredericton business and arts communities, having previously served on the boards of Enterprise Fredericton, the Fredericton Community Foundation, and Theatre New Brunswick. Allison is pleased to join the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and looks forward to supporting the growth of the local business community. Outside of his professional life, Allison is married to Dr. Joanne Brennan-McCarthy and together they have three adult children.
Laura Richard
Position on the Board: Board Member | Company: Saltwinds Coffee Company
Dr Laura Richard is the co-founder and CEO of Saltwinds Coffee, a Fredericton based coffee roastery founded in 2022. Laura has made a career of applying her research background – she has a PhD in Chemistry from Oxford – to industrial product development. Her previous roles include a stint at Procter and Gamble where she led reformulation of Tide Pods. Before creating Saltwinds, Laura was a Director at the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation where she had the opportunity to help many new companies and innovations launch out of New Brunswick and into the wider world.
Alicia Phillips
Position on the Board: Board Member | Company: Educated Beards
Alicia Phillips is the Co-Founder and CEO of Educated Beards, a premium Canadian grooming company specializing in certified organic beard, shave, and hair care products. Founded in Fredericton, New Brunswick in 2017 alongside her partner, Canadian Armed Forces veteran Kevin LeBoeuf, Alicia has helped grow the company from a startup operating out of their home into an internationally recognized brand serving customers through retailers, barbershops, distributors, and e-commerce channels.
With a background in Holistic Nutrition and a passion for wellness, Alicia built Educated Beards on the principles of ingredient transparency, product integrity, and education. Her leadership has driven innovation in both product development and manufacturing, while maintaining a strong commitment to quality, sustainability, and customer experience.
Beyond business, Alicia is an active leader within the entrepreneurial community. She serves on the Boards of Directors for the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce and Ignite Fredericton, mentors entrepreneurs through organizations such as Planet Hatch, and supports business owners through formal and informal mentorship programs across Canada.
Alicia is passionate about creating opportunities for others, advancing women in business, and demonstrating that successful businesses can create meaningful economic, social, and community impact while remaining purpose-driven.
Nadia Barry Fuglstad
Position on the Board: Board Member | Company: Edward Jones
Originally from Ireland, longtime Fredericton resident Nadia Barry Fuglstad first came to our capital as a foreign exchange student through St. Thomas University. She is a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones, where she specializes in helping individuals and families build and grow their long term wealth. With over 15years of experience in finance, Nadia is known for her client focused approach rooted in confidence, trust, and connection.
Before entering the financial industry, Nadia made history as one of the first women to win a national boxing championship in Ireland and is now a proud Sports Ambassador with the NB SHF– this experience shaped her resilience, leadership, and commitment to community.
Passionate about many things, like being a mom to two young boys, a community advocate, and a trusted business woman leading an all female team; one of her biggest passions is her love for cuisine – you may know her as your local Freddy Foodie on socials. As a proud Fredericton community member, Nadia builds meaningful connections by supporting local initiatives and businesses that make our city thrive
Mo Jamal
Position on the Board: Board Member | Company: AtlanticWorks Digital Solutions
Mo Jamal is a commerce technology entrepreneur and one of New Brunswick’s leading voices on digital transformation, AI, and automation. As Founder and Head of Growth & Technology at AtlanticWorks in Fredericton, he helps startups, small businesses, and established multi-brand companies modernize operations and grow through e-commerce, CRM, marketing technology, and AI agents. His work spans solo operators through to multi-brand transformations with thousands of dealer accounts and multi-carrier logistics networks.
AtlanticWorks is a certified partner of HubSpot, Shopify, Salesforce, Google, and Microsoft.
Mo spent most of his life in Dubai, UAE before settling in New Brunswick. His career there included a role with the Government of Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority during the Smart Dubai modernization era, where he managed a large enterprise knowledge base and led change adoption across multiple sectors. He brings an international perspective on newcomer entrepreneurship, international trade, and growth strategies for MENA & North American markets.
Mo holds an MBA in Scaling and Investment from the University of New Brunswick, dual undergraduate business degrees from the American College in Dubai, the Project Management Professional (PMP) designation, and UNB’s Diploma in University Teaching. He regularly trains client teams and business leaders on commerce technology and AI adoption.
Mo is an active volunteer and community supporter. He is the Founder of LinkNB, a bilingual non-profit technology platform closing information gaps for newcomers and underrepresented communities across New Brunswick. He also serves as Vice President of Fundraising for the Lifesaving Society of New Brunswick, Project Manager for CivicTech Fredericton, and on several UNB committees. He speaks English, Arabic, and Japanese, and enjoys snowboarding and software development in his free time.