Board of Directors

We come from all walks of life, but we stand together in our belief in second chances, dignity for all, and paths toward community healing

Peter James

Peter James is Chair of the Board of Directors of the John Howard Society of Nova Scotia. His career has been rooted in public service, community safety, and improving access to justice.

 He recently retired after more than 20 years as Director of Court Services with the Nova Scotia Department of Justice, where he worked closely with justice partners to modernize services and improve outcomes for Nova Scotians.

 Earlier in his career, he served for 22 years retired as a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Canadian Navy, held leadership roles with Halifax Regional Municipality, and spent nine years as a member of the Nova Scotia Police Review Board.

 Peter is passionate about building safer, stronger communities and believes deeply in rehabilitation, reintegration, and second chances. In his role as Board Chair, he is committed to supporting the John Howard Society’s important work across the province and helping create opportunities for individuals and families to thrive. 

Board Chair

Vacant

Currently Vacant

Vice-Chair
Treasurer

Robin Angel

Creative and strategic in equal measure, our marketing director brings fresh ideas to every campaign. They turn insights into action and help our message resonate with the right audience.

Board Member

Janis Aitken, MSW, RSW

Prior to her retirement in 2024, following a 51-year career with NS Correctional Services, Janis was an employee with the Department of Health for 2 years (1971-1973) as a social worker at the Victoria General Hospital. She transferred to the Department of Justice (formerly the Attorney General's Department) in 1973, where she held various positions, beginning as a Probation Officer, Regional Supervisor, Senior Probation Officer and Part-time Trainer, finishing her career as a Provincial Program Officer.  Her work experience provided her with a wide variety of opportunities including management, program development and implementation, supervision of student social worker placements, and part-time instructor at the Dalhousie School of Social Work and St. Mary's University.

 Additionally, Janis continues to be a Registered Social Worker with the NS College of Social Workers and continues to be a longstanding member of three community boards: Coverdale Justice Society, NS Criminal Justice Society, and Freeing the Human Spirit (FTHS). The FTHS is committed to providing Yoga in federal and provincial custodial facilities.

 Janis completed a Bachelor of Arts (Sociology & English) at Mount. St. Vincent University and a Masters of Social Work at the University of Toronto.

Board Member

Emran Billah

Emran Billah is a technology leader and engineer with a passion for using innovation to solve complex challenges and create positive community impact. He holds degrees in Computer Science from Saint Mary’s University and Electrical and Computer Engineering from Dalhousie University, and has built a diverse career spanning software engineering, robotics, artificial intelligence, fintech, space technology, and clean technology. His experience includes developing autonomous systems, advanced simulation platforms, drone technologies, AI-driven solutions, and innovative water testing technologies. He currently works as a Senior Software Engineer at Ultra Maritime and is the Co-Founder and CTO of Bluethumb Technologies, where he focuses on building technology solutions that address real-world problems.

Beyond his professional work, Emran is passionate about community development, education, and creating opportunities through technology and collaboration. He brings a multidisciplinary perspective shaped by working across industries and a strong belief in using his skills and experience to support initiatives that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

Board Member

Carl Gannon, CPHR

Carl holds a professional designation as a Chartered Professional of Human Resources (CPHR) with over 30 years experience in the area of Strategic Human Resources Management.  Carl has also obtained Certification in Staffing/Recruitment and an Accreditation in Classification & Job Evaluation.  Carl has extensive experience in Staffing, Labour Relations, Human Rights, Pay Equity and Equity & Diversity Inclusion. Carl has five years experience as an Operational Manager prior to transitioning into the field of Human Resources. He also has worked as a Human Rights Investigator with the Canadian Human Rights Commission and a Workplace Equity Officer with Labour Canada.  He has held various positions within the Human Resources Profession up to and including Manager of Human Resources within the Public and Private sectors.  Carl has worked at all three levels of Government providing Human Resources advice & guidance within the Provinces of Nova Scotia and -New Brunswick. 

 Awards presented to Carl over the years to recognize his achievements and excellent Public Service:

  • Nova Scotia Federal Council Award for Excellence in Sound Practices and Staffing Management

  • Associate Deputy Minister of Civilian Human Resources Merit Award of Excellence in Recruitment & Workforce Renewal Initiatives Scotia Federal Council Award

  • Democracy 250 award (Provincial Government) for his Leadership of a Non-Profit Organization and Outstanding Community Enhancement

  • Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for his Leadership of a Non-Profit Organization and Outstanding Community Enhancement

Board Member

Emily Parker

Emily grew up in Halifax and stayed there through her master's degree in Classics at Dalhousie University. She then moved to Dublin to pursue interdisciplinary doctoral studies in Near and Middle Eastern Studies, successfully defending her dissertation before moving to Toronto. Fundraising found her there almost by accident, and it turned out to be a great fit. She went on to work with a range of non-profit and charitable organizations, including two public art galleries, and now works in fundraising for a Halifax-based organization that supports Black entrepreneurship.

Outside of work, Emily enjoys cycling, painting, cribbage, and many other pursuits. She has maintained a yoga practice for many years and believes that yoga and meditation are powerful tools for emotional regulation, resilience, and improving overall quality of life.

Emily is delighted to join the Board of Directors of the John Howard Society of Nova Scotia and hopes to help advance access to yoga programs in correctional facilities across Nova Scotia.

Board Member

Gift Iluyomade

Gift Iluyomade is a recent graduate from Mount Saint Vincent University holding a undergraduate degree in Psychology. Professionally, he serves as a Team Lead at IHeartBikes where he contributes to overall day-to-day operations through support of staff, organization and task delegation. When not at work he involves himself in community extracurricular roles such as being a mentor in the Big Brother Big Sister initiative as well as performing in African drumming performances year round. In a pursuit to learn more about community justice and reform, he has joined the John Howard Society to gain and apply experience acquired along his life journey.

Board Member

Jay Healey

Jay Healey is a criminologist specializing in the development of aggression and violence, life-course trajectories, and applied quantitative methodologies. He earned his Ph.D. in Criminology from Simon Fraser University, an M.Sc. from California State University, Fresno, and a B.A. (Honours) in Sociology from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Dr. Healey previously served as a faculty member at Saint Mary’s University within the Department of Sociology and Criminology.

His research interests focus on life-course turning points, dynamic event-level situational modeling, and recidivism to inform actionable social policy and community intervention. His work aims to translate empirical data into practical community and policy solutions. In addition to his academic scholarship, Dr. Healey brings extensive consulting experience collaborating with non-profit and community initiatives across Nova Scotia. As a board member of the John Howard Society of Nova Scotia, he contributes strategic governance and advocacy dedicated to effective, just, and humane responses to the causes and consequences of crime.