Roxanne Fairweather
Co-Chair
Roxanne Fairweather is an entrepreneur and activist. She is presently the co-owner of Innovatia Inc., a global management company, and has spent the last decade fostering a corporate environment of respect, inclusion, and diversity. Roxanne is a recipient of both the Order of Canada and the Order of New Brunswick. She has been a lifelong advocate for education, believing that education is a key driver of economic growth and opportunity. She has been on the Board of Governors for the University of New Brunswick since 2003, including a two-year term as Chairperson. During that time, she led the board to a structurally balanced budget, a strategic renewal, and a review of the UNB Act, moving to the future with stability. Roxanne is also the Chair of the Elementary Literacy Friends, which is a partnership with the New Brunswick Department of Education and all elementary schools in New Brunswick, which aims to improve literacy among our youngest children. Roxanne is also a co-founder of Women for 50%, a group dedicated to increasing the number of women serving as Members of the Legislative Assembly. Education, equity, and diversity have been a passion of Roxanne's for many years.
Gail Costello
Co-Chair
Gail Costello is a retired schoolteacher, with over 30 years of experience teaching in elementary, middle, and high school settings. She was the facilitator of her school’s Gender-Sexuality Alliance, which was recognized as one of the top 5 Gender Sexuality Alliances (GSA) in Canada. Gail was also a collaborator in the Prime Minister’s Apology to the LGBT community. She is a lifelong advocate and activist and is currently the outgoing Chairperson of Pride in Education, the organization that helped to co-author the original Policy 713. On behalf of Pride in Education, she accepted the New Brunswick Human Rights Award for 2023. Among other honours, Gail was chosen as one of six New Brunswick “Pride Heroes” in 2018 and a portrait was commissioned to celebrate and acknowledge her work and achievements with 2SLGBTQ+ youth in schools. Gail is presently the 2SLGBTQI+ Wellness Advisor at St. Thomas University, where she advocates on behalf of 2SLGBTQI+ students on various matters of policy.
Ron Tremblay
Director
Wolastoq Grand Chief Ron Tremblay is a citizen of Wolastokuk and is a native Wolastoqey speaker. After moving to Fredericton in 1991 he befriended several Elders from the local area. After years of involvement in various ceremonies with his teachers, Chief Tremblay gained wisdom and knowledge of the Wolastoqey way of life. Still today, Chief Tremblay practices the traditional ways of Wolastoqewiyik. In November 2016, Chief Tremblay was installed as Traditional Wolastoqewi-Grand Chief. The mandate of Wolastoqey Grand Council is to protect and preserve Wolastokuk, their non-ceded traditional homeland, waterways, ceremonies, and language. As part of his mandate, Chief Tremblay has been a fierce advocate for the Two-Spirit community as it represents an integral, and often ignored, aspect of Indigenous culture and history. Chief Tremblay also has an extensive background of advocating for his community, educating others about his community and its traditions, and working with governments of all levels for the advancement of Indigenous language and culture.
Penny Ericson
Director
Penny Ericson was the longest-serving Dean in the Faculty of Nursing, serving from 1988 to 1999. While Penny was Dean, she facilitated the faculty’s development of an innovative undergraduate curriculum that has been modeled in other Canadian Universities. Penny collaborated in research initiatives where her expertise in gerontological nursing led to her involvement in publications related to Alzheimer’s caregiving. She has also participated in collaborative, participatory action research related to violence in military communities. Penny is very well-known and respected in the Canadian nursing profession and academic communities.
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As the Dean of Nursing, Penny was instrumental in empowering First Nations students to become nurses. At the time, Robert Atwin, Executive Director of First Nations Education Initiative Incorporated and former Chief of Kingsclear First Nation, called Penny “A gift to humanity.” Penny extended the UNB nursing program from four years to five years to accommodate First Nations students, allowing them to complete their education while managing family needs simultaneously.
Most recently, Penny was inducted into the Order of New Brunswick for her many accomplishments achieved during decades of tireless work in this province. She has been recognized for "outstanding achievements and leadership in improving the health, social and cultural well-being of her community and province."
Dr. Adrian Edgar​
Director
Dr. Adrian Edgar is currently a Medical Officer with CFB Gagetown, the Medical Director at Clinic 554, a Family Physician at the Dr. Everette Chalmers Hospital and the Medical Team Mentor for the Gender Affirming Care Clinic. In the past, Dr. Edgar worked as a Maternity Care Physician, an Addictions Physician and a Canadian Armed Forces Cadet Instructor. Some of his academic appointments include: Clinical Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie University; Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at Memorial University and Department of Indigenous Studies at Trent University.
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Dr. Edgar has received numerous awards and honors from the Canadian Medical Association, the College of Family Physicians of Canada. McMaster University and the Ontario Medical Association. He has been an expert panelist and presenter at conferences all over the world. Some of these conferences include: Trans Pulse Canada, PEI Human Rights Commission Reproductive Justice New Brunswick, Canadian Professional Association for Transgender Health, Canadian Bar Association Heath Law Summit, Canadian Association of Nurses HIV/AIDS Care Conference, Pride in Education Gender Sexuality Alliance Conference, International Conference on Prisons and Health Protection, World Professional Association for Transgender Health. Dr. Edgar’s work in the fields of Trans care, addictions, women’s health care, psychiatry, Indigenous care and family medicine have contributed to him being recognized throughout Canada as an integral part of our healthcare system and a leader in his field.
Shawn Rouse
Director
Shawn works as a Senior Project Manager in the Information Technology field. He and his wife of 25 years, Amanda, are lifelong residents of southern New Brunswick. Along with his family, Shawn is fiercely committed to advocating for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and adults and has spoken out publicly against changes that will roll back the rights of the Trans and Non-Binary communities. During his undergraduate studies, Shawn held executive positions in the New Brunswick Student Alliance which advocates for accessible post-secondary education for all New Brunswick youth. Amanda and Shawn are parents to two adult children and one high school student.
Cathleen Belliveau
Director
Cathleen Belliveau has spent a lifetime working in the non-profit sector and has a strong commitment to challenging social judgment. Her experience and dedication to working with and helping those who feel alienated and marginalized is exemplary.
Cathleen is a former member of the NB Provincial Domestic Violence Death Review Committee and a previous employee and Board Member at Avenue B: Harm Reduction, Saint John. As well, Cathleen is a former member of the Saint John Sexual Assault Response Team and the Saint John Sex Trade Action Committee. Cathleen worked as the Research Coordinator at the IWK studying the efficacy of parenting interventions through a trauma lens.
We welcome Cathleen to our Board!