Abby David is a determined and passionate professional, with years of experience in the Telecommunications, Knowledge Management and Training, who immigrated to Canada with her family in 2014.

Volunteering with YMCA assisting newcomers and people from all walks of lives to find volunteer placements, she later became the director of the New Brunswick Multicultural Council’s Employment Initiatives Team.

Through her work, Abby saw the challenges faced by newcomers and worked tirelessly to help them find meaningful pathways to employment and education. Her collaborative efforts led to the launch of a successful provincewide experiential learning program called ‘Skills Launch’ in 2017 which now has expanded to all corners of the province, offered to youth and adults, in rural and urban communities, virtually or in-person, in English and French.

Abby also collaborated with women's shelters and women-focused groups on designing programs addressing gaps and supporting newcomer women in reaching their full potential, such as the Rural Employment Language Initiative (RELI); initiatives for internationally educated nurses; The Bridge; and advocating for International Qualifications Recognition helping newcomer women become certified and licensed in New Brunswick and secure careers that value their skills and experiences.

Abby is a Strategic Program Director at the McKenna Institute at UNB, leading initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion in the tech industry and beyond, empowering individuals from diverse underrepresented groups to develop pathways to careers in tech. Abby is leading the McKenna Institiue five years partnership with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, the Center of Excellence for Digital Innovation and a number of programs focused on optimizing New Brunswick’s Digital Growth through a Skilled and Diverse Workforce.

In 2023 Abby was the recipient of the prestigious VIVE award – the Minister’s Award for Excellence in Championing Gender Equality.

Lynne has been with the McKenna Institute since February 2022. Her vast experience in building and leveraging community partnerships is a valuable contribution towards enabling digital equality in New Brunswick. As the Strategic Program Director for the McKenna Institute, Lynne brings over 25 years of experience in building successful community partnerships and in project management.

Previously, she managed the Stakeholder and Sponsorship portfolio within Atlantic Lottery; designing, developing and implementing programs across Atlantic Canada. Prior to that she was with the Calgary Events Center, responsible for building partnerships and executing events with their top North American clients.

Her passion for community is evident outside of work as well. Lynne understands the importance of community volunteerism and the role each of us play in sustaining healthy communities. Outside of work she is committed to a number of community-based initiatives and is a long-time active member of the Community Investment Committee with the United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern New Brunswick.

With a career built on creativity and innovation, Lynne is a leader when it comes to maximizing marketing and community engagement opportunities. Her partnership approach is based on mutual respect for desired business outcomes, and using her experience to deliver business results.

Liam Floyd joined the McKenna Institute in February 2024 as Communications and Events Officer. Prior to joining the McKenna Institute, Liam accumulated a diverse portfolio in media and communications as New Brunswick's Regional Promotions Manager for Acadia Broadcasting and as a Reporter for Huddle.Today.

He holdsa Master of Arts in Communication and New Media from McMaster University and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of New Brunswick.

Ginette Gautreau joined the McKenna Institute as Strategic Program Director in the fall of 2022. She brings with her over a decade of leadership and project management experience, having worked in the non-profit sector in the fields of immigration, economic development, and social inclusion. Prior to joining the McKenna Institute, Ginette was the Executive Director of the New Brunswick Multicultural Council, leading the Council’s diverse initiatives, including labour market development, housing, and health care access.

She returned to her home province of New Brunswick following several years living in Ottawa where she completed her master's degree in international development and Globalization at the University of Ottawa. Ginette also holds a bachelor's in international relations at Mount Allison University, and she has studied and worked abroad in both France and Mexico. She is fluently bilingual in English, French and proficiency in Spanish.

At the McKenna Institute, Ginette supports a number of files pertaining to scaling digital education in schools across the province, scaling investments and research in artificial intelligence and data science, and expanding access to internet and connectivity, working in partnership with national and multinational partners. She plays a key role in the strategic and operation excellence of the Institute, supports government and stakeholder relations, and acts as a critical liaison on Francophone partnerships and engagements.

David was born and raised in Fredericton New Brunswick and attended High School at Ecole Sainte Anne in 2013. After graduating he moved to New York for University where he graduated from Siena College in 2017 with a bachelor’s in finance and a minor in Information Systems! In 2019 he returned to his hometown to complete a master's in engineering in Technology Management and Entrepreneurship from the University of New Brunswick. Itoafa joins the McKenna Institute after 3 years of work with LifeTrack Safety Systems where he worked as the Chief Financial and Operations Officer.

David is passionate about soccer and speaks French, Romanian, and English, and loves learning about how emerging technology can positively impact the world.

Lisa originally started her career as a certified Level III Dental Assistant from the University of Alberta, she worked as a dental assistant for 8 years and then an instructor in the dental assisting program at Oulton College for 2 years in Moncton before deciding to return to her hometown of Fredericton. Her career path changed in 2007 into an Administrative/Executive Assistant role and has been a key team member to many organizations including NBREA, Horizon, ANBL. She brings years of experience with planning, organization, and coordination. She is also fluently bilingual in English and French.

Lisa joined the McKenna team late summer 2022 as the Executive assistant providing efficient, professional, and confidential administrative support to the Executive Director, in scheduling meetings, managing calendars, financial support etc. Lisa also helps support the McKenna team members as needed. She is the liaison between many key stakeholders and the McKenna team.

Jhanvi Joshi came to Fredericton, New Brunswick to attend UNB as an undergraduate student in the Faculty of Arts. While traversing through life as an international student from India, Jhanvi came across the opportunity of working at the HIL Research Commons at UNB in its inaugural years. Through efforts to increase the engagement of this highly tech-enabled space, she understood the inevitability of incorporating digital innovation across disciplines and went on to apply this work at the Centre of Excellence for Digital Innovation at EECD right after graduation from UNB. Jhanvi comes to the McKenna Institute with her work experience and passion for social impact through digital innovation in this context.

When not in front of a computer screen, Jhanvi can be found running around and planning events, engaging with students and, dreaming up ideas. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, exploring good food, books and movies.

Adrienne brings deep leadership experience and a passion for economic and social development in New Brunswick to her role at the helm of the McKenna Institute. Over more than 25 years in senior management positions in the public and private sectors, she has served as president and CEO of the New Brunswick Business Council and COO of Atlantic Lottery Corp., among other roles.

Adrienne serves on the Board of Assumption Life and is the Chair of the UNB Faculty of Management Advisory Board. She regularly volunteers to facilitate strategic planning engagements with local community organizations.

Adrienne holds an MBA from the University of New Brunswick and a BSc from Dalhousie University. She has also completed several programs through the Institute of Corporate Directors and Queen’s University’s Executive Education Program.

In 2018, Adrienne was recognized by the Ottawa-based Public Policy Forum with the Frank McKenna Award for Public Policy, presented to distinguished Atlantic Canadians who have built bridges between sectors, contributed to public policy and shown exceptional leadership. UNB’s Faculty of Business Administration has awarded her the Certificate of Achievement.

Melissa is a community builder who is curious about people and passionate about sustainable development. In 2022, Melissa joined the McKenna Institute as a Strategic Program Director and was named Associate Executive Director in 2024. Her areas of focus include digital health, cleantech, and ideas acceleration. Prior to this role, she oversaw a portfolio of ocean innovation impact projects valued at $20+ million and supported the growth of 40+ new ventures through the management of a business accelerator program.

Overall, Melissa is a project management specialist with strong skills in business development, stakeholder relations, and strategic communications. She holds a Master of Public Administration from Dalhousie University and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Mount Allison University.

Tusher Samadder is a dedicated professional with a strong background in telecommunications, banking, and data analysis. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering from Khulna University. Tusher’s career began with roles in technical support and transmission engineering, where he significantly improved processes and customer satisfaction.

Tusher spent over three years at Banglalink, where he spearheaded the automation of troubleshooting processes, leading to a 70% reduction in site restoration times. He also led the transition of the optical transmission network from 3G to 4G technology and managed bi-lateral connectivity for SMS services, optimizing B2B sales strategies.

After gaining valuable experience in the telecommunications sector, Tusher transitioned to CIBC, where he managed comprehensive mortgage portfolios and leveraged data analytics to identify new business opportunities. His roles in mortgage servicing and contact center support further honed his skills in financial planning and customer service.

In his current role as Digital Success Coordinator at the McKenna Institute, Tusher is at the forefront of deploying the IBM SkillsBuild program. He designs and implements strategic learning initiatives that enhance digital literacy and job readiness across New Brunswick. His efforts have significantly improved educational access and quality, making a positive impact on the community.

Tusher’s expertise in data analysis and project management is complemented by his certifications in Tableau Desktop, Microsoft Power BI, and Azure Data Fundamentals. His recent certification in Project Management Fundamentals from IBM further solidifies his commitment to driving digital transformation and operational excellence.

With a passion for transformative projects and a track record of success, Tusher is dedicated to empowering individuals through education and technology, helping them achieve their professional goals.

Josh Waite brings over nineteen years of rich and diverse experience in leadership, strategic planning, and operational excellence to the McKenna Institute. With a passion for economic development and a proven track record in both the private and public sectors, Josh has consistently demonstrated his ability to lead complex initiatives that drive growth and innovation. His tenure includes transformative roles with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, where he spearheaded strategic development projects in key sectors such as aerospace, defence, and digitalization, significantly contributing to regional economic prosperity.

An ardent believer in the power of human capital, Josh has dedicated his career to coaching and developing others, fostering environments that encourage continuous improvement and inclusive growth. His leadership style is characterized by empathy, strategic insight, and an unwavering commitment to achieving results. Through roles at prestigious organizations like Skillsoft and Marriott International, Josh has expertly navigated the challenges of scaling businesses, leading high-performing teams, and engaging with stakeholders across all levels.

Josh holds an MBA with a specialization in Innovation Leadership, reinforcing his credentials as a forward-thinking leader. Fluent in both English and French, he embodies the spirit of collaboration and diversity.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Josh is deeply committed to maintaining a balanced lifestyle, advocating for mental and physical well-being. He is an avid trail runner, a hobby that reflects his love for the outdoors and his home city of Fredericton, New Brunswick. His leadership extends into the community through various volunteering efforts, including steering committees and advisory boards, emphasizing his dedication to education and workforce development.

With a vision for transformative leadership and a knack for navigating complex situations, Josh Waite is poised to make a significant impact at the McKenna Institute and beyond, driving strategic initiatives that support sustainable growth and innovation.