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Kate Barnett – Chair
Coming from away, Kate jumped into Saint John life with both feet. Originally from Ontario, she attended Rothesay Netherwood School before moving on to complete her Bachelor of Arts degree at Acadia University. She returned to Saint John and immediately signed up for Fusion.
She was Co-Chair of the Events Planning Committee before taking on her current role of Chair of the Board of Directors. When she is not knee deep in Fusion, you can find Kate at Xerox Corporation, where she is a Graphic Arts Communication Consultant. She is involved in her community and believes Saint John has so much to offer its citizens, especially the ones that love to grab life by the horns and embrace it.
Her motto is: "If you can do it anywhere in the Maritimes, you can do it in Saint John!"
Danny Jardine – 1st Vice-Chair / Community Engagement Committee Co-Chair
Danny Jardine is a native of Charlottetown, PEI, who moved to Saint John in 2000 to pursue his Masters in Science (Biology) at UNBSJ. Danny works for Long-Term Mental Health as Regional Manager for Supported Employment and Housing, and is studying for a Masters in Public Administration degree through Dalhousie University.
Danny serves Saint John well as a passionate advocate for social justice. He was the founding President of Port City Rainbow Pride and an active organizer of Saint John’s first Pride Week in 2003. Danny is also very interested in political issues at all levels of government and had a good showing when he ran for a position on Saint John’s City Council in 2004.
Danny has been very involved with Fusion since its inception and currently serves as 1st Vice-Chair on Fusion’s Board and Co-Chair of the Community Engagement Committee. He also serves on numerous boards in the community, including (amongst others!): P.R.O. Kids, Vibrant Communities Education to Employment Group, Saint John Domestic Violence Community Action Group, the Business Communities Anti-Poverty Initiative’s Training and Employment working group, the Sex Trade Action Committee, and is a volunteer with Saint John Police Force in Victim Services.
Shawn Peterson – 2nd Vice-Chair / Community Engagement Committee Co-Chair
Shawn Peterson is a Software Developer with T4G Limited in Saint John. Born, raised, and educated in the city, he works to make it a better place to live, work, and play by getting involved with various groups like Fusion.
He currently serves as the 2nd Vice-Chair on Fusion's Board and is also the Co-Chair on the Community Engagement committee. Other groups he is involved with include the Saint John Board of Trade and Freespots. He is also very active in municipal, provincial, and federal politics.
Shawn loves Saint John for the friendly people, work opportunities, and its amazing quality of life.
Deanna Graves – Past-Chair / Ambassadors Committee Co-Chair
Deanna Graves is a Senior Cost Accountant with Moosehead Breweries in Saint John. As a new arrival looking to meet people, Deanna became hooked on Fusion when she attended the 1st Annual Faces of Fusion dinner in April 2005.
She currently serves as Co-Chair of the Ambassadors Committee and has previously filled the positions of Chair and Treasurer. Deanna is a Certified General Accountant and M.B.A. student who does her part by dedicating time to the Canadian Mental Health Association, Saint John Board of Trade, and Saint John Learning Exchange.
She counts the friendly people and historical architecture among Saint John’s “wonders”, and her passion is introducing newcomers to all the city has to offer!
Lesley MacLeod – Communications
Lesley is an expat Bluenoser who moved to Saint John in late 2006 to work for Irving Oil. After falling for her new hometown and the lovely people in it, she decided to put her PR skills to use for Fusion as a member of the Community Engagement committee and later as Communications Chair.
She's also a highland dance instructor, but hasn't put those skills to use for Fusion (yet)! She loves welcoming people to Saint John, uptown living, and seeing the city's potential come to life.
Janice Lavigne – Treasurer
Janice Lavigne is a Staff Accountant at Teed Saunders Doyle & Co. After arriving in Saint John to pursue an education in accounting, she decided to stay and see what the city had to offer. Five years later, she is still here and now proudly calls Saint John her “home.”
When Janice is not busy studying for her Certified General Accountant designation, she enjoys getting to know the city and its surroundings. Currently serving as Treasurer, she does her best to keep all the dollar signs going the right way.
Scott Masters – Policy Development
Born an Upper Canadian, Scott sought greener pastures and a more enjoyable lifestyle. He settled down in Rothesay three years ago and hasn't regretted it one bit. Scott and his wife have become active in the Saint John community.
He joined Fusion shortly after moving to New Brunswick and subsequently joined the Board where he now helps to develop Board policies that are helping Fusion continue to grow. Scott has a Politics degree and watches the Canadian Parliamentary Channel for fun.
When not working for Minister Ed Doherty, Scott can be found at one of the many great social spots in uptown Saint John enjoying an Apple Martini.
Katie Emrich – Ambassadors Committee Co-Chair
 Raised in Rothesay, Katie is now living in Saint John and loving it! Katie is proud to say that she lives here, and is excited about all the great things going on. Katie is a second year high school teacher (French Immersion Math) and, as cliche as it may sound, she is very excited to see the leaders of tomorrow develop in her classes.
Having been raised by eco-friendly and civic-minded parents, Katie is very passionate about her community, foreign aid, and environmental issues. Things she is most proud of: having been a 5 year residence leader at UNBF, travelling to Zambia in 2006 with Habitat for Humanity International, being a Big Sister with BBBS, raising funds for all types of causes (especially Skate to Care), and her involvement with Fusion as Co-Chair of the Ambassadors Committee.
Julia Higgins – Events Committee Co-Chair
Julia Higgins is Resource Development Coordinator for the Saint John Branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association. When she is not spending time with her husband and three children, she enjoys giving back to her community.
She has been Co-Chair of Fusion’s Events Planning Committee for the past two years, and is also involved with the United Way, Skate to Care, and the Saint John Board of Trade.
Amanda Masters – Events Committee Co-Chair
Amanda Masters is the Director of Marketing for McDonald’s Restaurants in Saint John & Quispamsis. After completing her Master of Arts degree at Queen’s University, Amanda moved to Saint John. This was a big move away from her hometown in Ontario. With a little nudging from family, Amanda explored some of the exciting events Fusion had to offer.
Today she serves as Co-Chair of the Events Planning Committee. She is also involved with the Boys & Girls Club of Saint John and the Drug Abuse Resistance Education Board. Amanda takes pride in her community involvement and is finally ready to call Saint John “home”.
Jennifer Waldschutz – Arts & Culture Committee Chair
Actively involved in art, music, sports and community service, Jennifer Waldschutz enjoys a full life in uptown Saint John. Her passions are live music, traveling, preserving heritage and the environment. A natural “people person”, Jennifer has professional work experience as an event planner and in human resources specializing in recruitment - her current profession.
Jennifer is involved with several organizations, including “Friends of the Christmas Mountains”, HOLA Saint and the Saint John Arts Centre. Jennifer has been involved with Fusion Saint John Inc. since its launch in 2004 and currently serves as a board member representing the Arts & Culture Committee, which promotes supporting local artists, musicians and other performers.
Jennifer is the Chair of the annual Harvesting the Arts Festival which showcases local talent for the community free of charge. Jennifer is proud of the local art and music our community has to offer and she encourages you to experience the growing energy forming the arts buzz in Saint John.
Mike Martin - Legal
Originally from Waweig, a small community in Charlotte County, Mike attended high school at Sir James Dunn Academy in St. Andrews. From there, he went on to pursue studies at UNB's new Renaissance College programme, eventually obtaining a Bachelor of Philosophy (in interdisciplinary leadership studies).
He has since completed a law degree and is now in the midst of fulfilling articling requirements to practice in New Brunswick. Employed at Gilbert, McGloan, Gillis in Saint John, Mike enjoys working in multiple practice areas and the challenges that arise at a general practice firm.
In his spare time, he enjoys playing sports, travelling, learning new things, reading, and meeting new people.
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