Panelists
Executive Director of the Parker Street Food and Furniture Bank
Dr. Denise Daley is a Functional Food and Nutrition Scientist with over 15 years experience in research and over 10 years experience working and volunteering in outreach, health, food, nutrition education and promotion. Her research has won her numerous Prizes such as the Sectional Prize for Health and Wellness in 2012 at the Minister of Science and Technology Awards and the prestigious prize of “Innovator of the year”. She is a graduate of The University of the West Indies, Jamaica and The University of Manitoba, Canada where she studied Natural Products Biochemistry including functional food, nutraceuticals and nutrition for health and wellness.
Dr. Daley’s new role with Parker Street Food & Furniture Bank, as the Executive Director, binds her educational background with her love for community outreach. During her tenure, Parker Street was recognized for their work as a charitable organization for over 40 years by the Halifax Chamber of Commerce – Not-for-Profit of the Year Award 2023 and by the United Way & Bhayana Family Foundation Invisible Champion Awards 2023.
Founder & CEO of Better Day Vintage
Sara Shabnam BComm’15 (she/her) is Bangladeshi Canadian citizen who migrated to Halifax in 2010 at the age of 18. She graduated from Saint Mary's University with a Bachelor of Commerce in 2015 and Honours in Psychology in 2021. During the peak of Covid, Sara decided to follow her passion and launched her own business.
Her brand, Better Day Vintage, aims to spread awareness about the environmental and labor impacts of the fashion industry and promote sustainable living through purchasing second-hand. As the daughter of a retired garment factory owner in Bangladesh, Sara witnessed firsthand the waste generated by the fashion industry and its adverse effects on people and the planet. She is dedicated to using creativity and collaboration to advance sustainable, equitable, and responsible fashion through her brand's mission.
Sara also uses her platform to address various social issues affecting the local and global community. A portion of the proceeds from Better Day Vintage is donated to support communal causes throughout Canada.
Rebecca de Condé BComm’15 works with the Province of Nova Scotia in Clinical Procurement which involves writing requests for proposals and the development and negotiation of contracts for high-value procurement for Nova Scotia Health. In her spare time, she is also the owner of Effex Curated Vintage, an antique and vintage business selling out of three group shops and various vintage shows throughout Nova Scotia.
Director, Responsibility & Sustainability, NSLC
Marley MacDonald is an established Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability professional with a passion for creating shared value and positive impact. As Director of Responsibility and Sustainability at the NSLC, she is leading the NSLC’s first ESG commitment. She is also is currently enrolled in the Graduate Diploma in Social Responsibility and Sustainability program at the University of St. Michael's College at the University of Toronto. Marley also holds a Master of Arts in Criminology from Saint Mary’s University. She has held progressively senior roles in the energy and retail sectors, bringing 15 years of diverse leadership experience in community investment, responsible retailing, strategic communications, corporate social responsibility and most recently sustainability. For Marley, work life balance is a necessity with a busy family, including being a mom to her two kids, and her demonstrated commitment to her community of Hatchet Lake.