Our Story

Susan (Susie) M. Brigham, Ph.D is a Professor in the Faculty of Education at Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU). She is of African descent from an immigrant family.  As a mother of two daughters, a  former school teacher, past Chair of the Alexa McDonough Institute and past chair of Girls Conferences held at MSVU for over a decade as well as an organizer and education consultant for other programs for girls, she has a drive to contribute to the learning experiences of girls.

Cassandra McDonald, M.A.Ed., is a Research Associate and PT Professor in the Faculty of Family Studies at Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU). From 2013-2020 she volunteered and worked for the Alexa McDonough Institute for Women, Gender and Social Justice as the event coordinator for the Girls Conference, the International Day of the Girl Child, and many other events. Cassandra is dedicated to creating change around gender equality by providing opportunities for girls of all ages to empower themselves and become future leaders.  

Rennée Julien is an Associate Group Lead, Commercial Banking at Scotiabank in Halifax. Passionate about serving and influencing change, on both professional and personal levels, Rennée is involved with various organizations. As a young girl growing up in Trinidad & Tobago, Rennée did not have access to resources on skills girls/women require to be successful. At the age of 40, she attended her first confidence building workshop for women. That workshop impacted Rennée’s professional and personal life, that she’s since been committed to providing mentoring, similar resources, or access to girls and women of all age groups. Rennée is a proud mother of two young adults. In her spare time, she is a health fitness enthusiast and competes as a natural Bodybuilder.

Lily Brigham-Gale is a Bachelor of Science graduate and currently completing an Honour’s Thesis in Biology at Mount Saint Vincent University. She is of African and European descent and uses the pronouns She/Her. As a woman and someone passionate about women’s rights and equity she has been involved in Girls Conferences and celebrations of the International Day of the Girl Child at MSVU for years. Lily is especially interested in women’s health and advocacy, and empowering girls in STEM. 

Kwe’ my name is Holly Meuse from L’sitkuk First Nation (Bear River). I am a single mom of three awesome boys, and I enjoy spending time with family. I am a Mi’kmaq artist in my spare time. I completed a Certificate of Fine Arts at the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology and a degree in Sociology and Social Work. I am a registered Social Worker and completed a Master of Arts in Education in Lifelong Learning. I am currently a doctoral student in Educational Studies at Mount Saint Vincent University.  

Damini Awoyiga is a high school student and a dynamic young leader with a passion for activism, art, and creative expression. As a spoken word poet and former Youth Poet Laureate of Halifax (2023–2024), Damini uses her voice to inspire change and amplify important social issues. She is the founder of Damini Creatives and the Afro-Indigenous Book Club, a platform designed to encourage young people to read works by Black and Indigenous authors while fostering conversations about the realities and experiences of Black and Indigenous
Canadians.

Damini is also a youth freelance journalist for CBC Mainstreet and a dedicated member of the HRM Youth Advisory Committee. Her recent creative highlights include two self-directed events with a collective of artists: Through Our Eyes at the Nocturne Arts Festival and Melanin in Motion at
the Prismatic Arts Festival. These performances seamlessly blended music, poetry, and dance to tell powerful stories. Beyond her artistic pursuits, Damini loves to dance, write, create, sing, and
perform poetry that addresses the social justice issues she is deeply passionate about.

My name is Breagh Clements, I was born and raised on beautiful Cape Breton Island. I am a current student at Cape Breton University, and I hope to one day work within the helping field. I am so happy and proud to be a part of NSGIRL!