Staff & Board

People Make The Difference

At BGC Cape Breton, it’s the people who turn our mission into reality. Our team is the heartbeat of the organization, fostering a space where kids not only feel safe but are also inspired to explore their potential.  From long-standing leaders with decades of experience in youth development to newcomers eager to give back, our staff come from diverse backgrounds including education, community support, and therapeutic recreation. Each member brings a unique set of skills and a shared commitment to helping our youth grow, thrive, and succeed. 

Every staff member is dedicated to creating moments filled with laughter, learning, and meaningful connections. We are here to lift youth up, guide them through challenges, and help them shine—because we believe every child has the potential to achieve extraordinary things.

Staff

Posts Grid

Chester smiling in a bright orange shirt sitting at a busy desk. He is surrounded by office supplies, papers, and a laptop.

CHESTER BORDEN
Executive Director

A woman with long, dark brown hair is focused on her computer screen while using a mouse at a wooden desk.

BRITTANY MACDOUGALL
Operations Manager

A staff member sitting at desk focused on her computer.

NADINE MACLEAN
Administration and Bookkeeper

Man in a yellow 'BGC Cape Breton' t-shirt, black bandana, and lanyard, smiling while playing foosball in a blue-walled room.

CODY LEADBEATER
Youth Worker

A young man with curly hair is seen smiling as he prepares to shoot a basketball indoors.

DANTE GIOVANETTI
Youth Worker

A young man wearing a ball cap sits smiling and engaged while playing a video game.

RYAN GORDON
Youth Worker

A young woman with long, curly brown hair is smiling and looking down while engaged in an activity. She is wearing a green BGC Cape Breton t-shirt.

VICTORIA NUGENT
Youth Worker

RYLEE MICKEY
Youth Worker

Great leaders don’t set out to be a leader, they set out to make a difference. It’s never about the role, always about the goal.

– Jeremy Bravo

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors plays a crucial role in guiding the vision and mission of BGC Cape Breton. They bring diverse expertise and a deep commitment to the community, ensuring that we remain focused on empowering youth and making a lasting impact.

JEFF WARD He/Him - President

Director of Community Culture and Heritage for Wagmatcook First Nation, drawing on his vast experience and knowledge in the field of culture, management and administration. Former General Manager of the Membertou Heritage Park and Director of Operations for Metepenagiag Mi’kmaq Nation.

A man with short, light brown hair smiles at the camera. He’s wearing a dark suit, purple shirt, and light purple tie, standing in front of a plain wall.
JERRY DEAN He/Him - Vice President

Jerry was raised on Victoria road in Whitney Pier and calls “the Pier” home. He is a former youth of the Whitney Pier Youth Center whom spent many years attending the club.

A man wearing black-rimmed glasses looks directly at the camera with a neutral expression. He is dressed in a white dress shirt and a tie.
MIKE VICKERS He/Him - Treasurer Board Member

Michael Vickers is an Entrepreneur and Small Business banking advisor. He currently operates Powerful.Creative with his spouse, where they use apparel to promote diversity, inclusion, and empowerment.

A professionally dressed man smiles confidently at the camera, wearing a dark blazer over a light pink dress shirt.
BRADLEY SHEPPARD He/Him - Member at Large

Recently retired from the Canadian Armed Forces after 20 years of service and currently works as a Student Advisor/ African Canadian Supports at NSCC Marconi campus.  Here, he works closely with post-secondary students to help them set clear, realistic, and attainable goals. 

TAYLOR MACDONALD She/Her - Member at Large

Taylor grew up across the water in North Sydney, Nova Scotia. She has her Bachelor of Arts in Community Studies from Cape Breton University and currently works for Cornerstone Cape Breton as the Case Manager/ Program facilitator.

A bearded man with short dark hair smiles warmly at the camera while wearing a pink and coral striped polo shirt.
LIAM STAPLETON He/Him - Member at Large

Liam grew up in Sydney Nova Scotia and now a resident of Membertou First Nation. Growing up, he played many sports such as hockey, basketball and football to name a few. He is an alumni at CBU and had the pleasure of playing on the CBU Mens Basketball Team.

Young woman with shoulder-length dark hair and red-framed glasses, smiling slightly while looking at the camera.
CRISTIN FU She/Her - Member at Large
Raised in a supportive environment during childhood, Cristin has always wanted to make the world a better place for children and youth with her expertise and commitment. Her passion does not stop at community engagement, though — in her leisure time you may find her having fun with puppies and other adorable creatures.
Headshot of a smiling woman with long, wavy blonde hair wearing glasses, and a black top. She is posing against a neutral-colored background.
MICHELLE KEOUGH She/Her - Member at Large

Born and raised in Whitney Pier, Michelle returned to Cape Breton in 2019 after living 5 years in Alberta. Michelle spent the last 10 years building a career in the banking industry.

Professional headshot of a woman with long brown hair, wearing a black blazer, white blouse, and pearl necklace. She is smiling against a plain white background.
JENNIFER MACDONALD She/Her - Member at Large

Jennifer a Lawyer in Sydney with extensive experience in family and child protection law. She
volunteers with a number of Boards, Committees and Organizations and is passionate about social justice causes and healthy living.

If you’re passionate about making a difference in the lives of youth and contributing to our mission, consider joining our Board of Directors. Your experience and dedication could help shape the future of BGC Cape Breton and the children we serve.

VACANCY - Secretary

The secretary plays a vital role in coordinating meetings, maintaining records, and ensuring compliance with legal and governance standards. They prepare agendas, take minutes, manage official documents, and facilitate communication between board members and external parties. Additionally, the secretary provides procedural advice, supports the board chair, and handles confidential information, helping the board operate smoothly and effectively.

JOIN THE BOARD

Our Sponsors

Local businesses are essential partners in our mission. Sponsorships can take many forms, from purchasing signs and making monetary donations to offering in-kind support. These contributions help us reach more youth and provide them with the tools they need to succeed. Sponsorships not only benefit the community but also highlight the businesses’ commitment to local youth.

VIEW OUR SPONSORS
BECOME A SPONSOR