Alumni Board of Directors

Jennie arrived on campus as a fourth generation Allisonian and graduated with her honours degree in international relations with minors in French, and international business and economics in 2003.

While on campus she was President and then senior monitor of Palmer Hall, was a student representative on Board of Regents committees, studied in China on student exchange, and toured campus with prospective students.

Jennie is an active alumna in Ottawa, organizing events including football viewing parties. She spearheads an annual event for alumni and friends from all 12 of Atlantic Canada’s universities that has raised over $12,000 for local charities. She has also participated as a member-at-large for an Alumni Board subcommittee.

Jennie is currently working as an executive for the federal government, where she has had the opportunity to represent Canada at a variety of international forums and events including the United Nations, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the G20. She spends her time out of the office stewarding a Little Free Library and volunteering in her neighbourhood.

Notwithstanding strong family connections to MtA and Sackville, Jennie chose MtA because of its academic reputation, leadership opportunities, and sense of community, and says she wasn’t disappointed. Whenever she meets other alumni or prospective students, she has a hard time containing her enthusiasm for the experience.

Jon joins the Alumni Board following a successful four-year tenure at Mount A in the classroom and on the football field. This included winning two AUS Championships with the Football Mounties, Academic All-Canadian in 2013 and 2014, and was invited to the East-West Bowl in 2013. In the classroom, Jon achieved Dean’s List standing in his final year in the Bachelor of Commerce program and was elected the Class of 2015 Valedictorian.

Since joining the Alumni Board Jon has held positions on multiple committees as well as the role of Chair of the Student and Young Alumni Committee. At Mount A he sits on the organizing committee for the Homecoming Golf Tournament, sits on the 5th Quarter Club organizing committee, and has also helped with many events both on and off campus. 

Jon has worked his way up from Sales Assistant to Investment Advisor at CIBC Wood Gundy — where he helps clients grow, protect, and transition their hard earned wealth.

Christy graduated from Mount Allison in 1980 with a BSc. While at MtA, Christy was a member of the varsity women’s basketball team and the varsity swim team.

As an alumna, Christy has been a long-term supporter of the University, and in particular, of Mounties athletics.

Upon graduation, Christy went on to earn an MBA from Dalhousie University. After completing university, Christy relocated to Toronto, where she has had a career in the information technology industry.

Over a 30-year career, she has worked in a variety of industries including government, banking, and consulting. She was the Chief Information Officer for ICOM Information & Communications (a division of LoyaltyOne) for many years.

Christy is currently the Chief Technology Officer at Fleming College in Peterborough, Ontario.

She is an avid golfer in the summer and curler in the winter, and spends as much time as possible at her vacation home in Pictou County, NS.

Reid graduated from Mount Allison with a BSc in 1959, and a BEd in 1960. This was followed by an MEd from the University of Alberta in 1966. Reid retired in 1994 as Superintendent of Schools for the City of Dartmouth, having worked as a teacher, Principal, Supervisor and Assistant Superintendent over 35 years in the education field in Nova Scotia. Working with the Canadian Teachers Federation, he has taught teachers in Zimbabwe and Swaziland.
 
His family is very much “Garnet and Gold”, with his wife Marilyn, both children, David and Janet, all MtA alumni. Four grandchildren are either graduates or current students at MtA. 
 
Reid has served two terms on the MtA Board of Regents, and two terms as a Public Representative on the College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia. A long time Rotarian, Reid has been active in his local United Church. Hobbies have included travel, golf, woodworking and attendance at live theatre and musical presentations. 
 
Marilyn and Reid can be found most fall Saturday afternoons following the MtA football team, waiting patiently to attend their third Vanier Cup!  

Ian has been teaching enriched Chemistry and Physics at Riverview High School for over 23 years. Additionally, Ian has worked with Shad Canada — a month long summer program for high school students — since 2006, helping students further their interests in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics. 

Ryan graduated from Mount Allison in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts, having majored in Political Science and Government and minored in French Studies. He went on to earn a Master's in Political Science and Government.

Ryan has worked for the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of New Brunswick, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and is currently the Program Officer with Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA - APECA).

Ryan grew up in Elsipogtog First Nation and is passionate about working with the Alumni Board to support Indigenous programming and students at Mount Allison. 

Robert MacQueen received his Bachelor of Commerce degree from Mount Allison in 1985. While at Mount A, Rob was Assistant Don and Treasurer in Trueman House and was active in Student’s Administrative Council, intramurals, the Argosy, and CHMA radio. He is Vice-President of the Class of 1985 and has assisted in alumni events including the Alumni Golf Tournament.

Rob has more than 30 years experience in the energy industry including senior leadership roles in operations and project management, finance, commercial and contract negotiations, health, safety and environment, regulatory and stakeholder affairs. He received an MBA degree in Finance from Saint Mary’s University in 1990.

Rob is currently a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, a Board Member of the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board, Secretary Treasurer and Director of Oakfield Golf and Country Club, and a member of the Halifax Regional Municipality Investment Policy Review Committee.

David Pos (’77) retired in 2010 after working for 31 years as an instrumental music teacher and school band director. He continues to play keyboard in a number of different ensembles, performing a variety of music styles. David, and his wife Shelley, worked as choir directors and accompanists at Pictou United Church for the last 13 years. Both their daughters are working in the music field in Toronto. 

As a volunteer, David assists in the music department at Pictou Academy and with the operation of the New Glasgow Music Festival. As President for the Class of 1977, he helps fellow life class officers keep classmates informed and leads the fundraising for a class bursary project.

Faculty and staff members at Mount Allison University played a very important role in David’s life by preparing him for further education and a career in music. He has maintained friendships with classmates and faculty members and looks forward to giving back to the university as a member on the Alumni Board of Directors. 

Jack graduated from Mount A with a Bachelor of Science in biology and mathematics in 1974 and followed that up with a Bachelor of Education in 1975. He taught secondary school in Bermuda from 1975 to 1987 specializing in general science, physics, and computer science. During that time he was also the Chairman of the computer science curriculum development committee.

From 1987 to 1995 Jack worked in the Bermuda Department of Education as a computer resource person responsible for the student data and demographics software that was used to track student registration, attendance, scheduling, etc. In 1989 he took a year’s sabbatical to complete a Master's in education in computer studies at the University of Toronto.

From 1995 to 2019 Jack ran his own business, DigiTech, which specialized in Macintosh computer sales, service, and support. This also entailed computer repairs, installing networks, and software support for numerous companies in Bermuda.

Jack retired in April 2019 and now enjoys travel, skiing, and duplicate bridge directing when able.

Amanda graduated from Mount Allison University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science (honours in psychology). During her time at MtA, Amanda actively participated in various organizations, including the Psychology Society Executive, Global Brigades, S.M.I.L.E., as well as served on various SAC committees.
 
Following her graduation, Amanda completed her MSc and PhD in Industrial-Organizational Psychology at the University of Calgary. Currently, she is the co-founder and Chief Science Officer of Monark, a company that is revolutionizing leadership development for a new generation of leaders. Monark’s approach combines evidence-based learning content, an on-demand digital platform, reminders, automatic feedback, and engaging activities to drive lasting behaviour change.
 
While Amanda now resides in Calgary with her husband, who is also an alumnus of MtA, she frequently returns to the east coast to reconnect with friends and family.

Cathy (Brown) is a proud third generation woman graduate of Mount Allison.  Her mother, Eleanor MacNair, is class of 1953, and her grandmother, Gertrude (True) Clarke is class of 1910.  
 
Cathy lived in Palmer, and graduated in 1989 with a BSc in Math and Computer Science.  While on campus, she participated in residence council, the MathCS Club, hosted the Friday morning breakfast show at CHMA, restarted the Shinerama Campaign after it’s absence from Mount A for a number of years, was the student ambassador for the Admissions office and worked the door at just about every beer garden during her time here.  Also active in the community, she was a Brownie and Girl Guide leader during her time at Mount A, and continues her involvement in the Scouting movement even today.  
 
A fellow Palmer resident, nervous about applying for a job in the Alumni/Development office, asked Cathy to accompany her over to a group interview.  At the end of the interview, they were both offered the position as a student caller on Mount A’s first ever Alumni Calling Program.  That chance visit turned into a career.  Cathy spent two years as a student caller, then, after graduation, was hired by the Admissions Office to promote Mount A across the Maritimes.  Subsequently, she was hired by the Development office as Assistant Director of the Annual Fund.  After Mount Allison, she went on to become Director of Development and Campaign Director at Nipissing University in North Bay.  Later positions included Director roles at York University, Sheridan College, Centennial College, Mohawk College, McMaster University and Intervarsity Christian Fellowship.  
 
Active in local alumni gatherings, she continues to encourage alumni participation in events and reunions and always chats to potential students to ask them to consider Mount Allison.  In March 1987, a couple of her fellow Palmer residents talked her into attending a beer garden featuring the Barra MacNeils, which has led to her becoming a “groupie” and she currently runs their fan club group.  Cathy is very much looking forward to her class’s 35^th reunion in May 2024 and has already started contacting her classmates!
 
Originally from Fredericton, she grew up in Etobicoke, Ontario and now lives in Oakville, Ontario with her husband Steve.  Summers though have always been spent in the maritimes as her Mom’s family has been in Jacquet River NB since 1850, and her Dad’s family is from the Parlee Beach area.  She couldn’t talk any of her kids, Alex, Tyler, Nick or Caitie into attending Mount A but is hopeful for the (as yet non-existent) grandchildren!

Shannon comes from a family of Allisonians. Her mother and four aunts, several cousins and three siblings all attended Mount A. There she met her husband, Mike (’90); they are proud parents of three children.  Their son, Robbie, graduated from Mount A in 2017 and played offensive line with the football Mounties. Actively involved in campus life at Mount A, Shannon was the co-organizer of the Winter Carnival for 2 years. Shannon graduated in 1988 with a BSc in Math followed by an MBA in Finance from Saint Mary’s University.  She works for Grant Thornton LLP in Moncton, NB.