Digital Nova Scotia Welcomes Newest Members to Board of Directors

At the 2024 Annual General Meeting, Digital Nova Scotia proudly introduced four new members to its Board of Directors, each bringing a wealth of experience, leadership, and innovation to Nova Scotia’s tech sector. We are thrilled to welcome Michael Hebert of Turtle Island Technology Solutions, Annamarie Bermundo of EfficiencyOne, Allison Boutilier of Cape Breton University, and Emran Billah of Spiri Robotics. Their expertise will help guide Digital Nova Scotia’s ongoing mission to foster growth and innovation in the province’s digital economy.

Michael Hebert joins the board as a seasoned IT professional with over 24 years of experience in both technical and leadership roles. As the founder of Turtle Island Technology Solutions Inc., Michael specializes in delivering cybersecurity-focused solutions and is committed to increasing Indigenous representation in the technology sector. A proud member of the Cree Nation, Michael’s mission is deeply rooted in his cultural values and his drive to build partnerships within the industry. Turtle Island Technology Solutions, based in Millbrook First Nation, reflects this dedication, and Michael’s leadership promises to strengthen collaboration and innovation across the tech community in Nova Scotia.

Annamarie Bermundo, Vice President of Marketing and Customer Experience at EfficiencyOne, brings a wealth of knowledge in data transformation, martech, and customer experiences. Her career spans national and international executive roles with top-tier companies like L’Oréal, LVMH, and Capgemini Consulting, where she’s earned recognition for her work in innovation and personalization. Annamarie’s journey started at Dalhousie University, where she was one of the first graduates of the Marketing Informatics BComm Co-op program. Her return to Nova Scotia, where she continues to inspire through her leadership in data-driven growth, is a welcomed homecoming.

Emran Billah, Director of Software Engineering at Spiri Robotics, is a recognized leader and innovator in Atlantic Canada’s tech sector. With a strong educational background in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, Emran has played a pivotal role in developing cutting-edge solutions in drone technology and water testing. Named one of Atlantic Business Magazine’s Top 30 Under 30 Innovators, Emran is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of hardware and software engineering. His global influence extends through his work with NASA’s Space Apps Challenge, where he fosters innovation in space technology, and his commitment to civic science literacy through Science Slam, Canada.

Allison Boutilier in the Chief Information Officer at Cape Breton University, where she proudly offers her vision, leadership and planning for all aspects of information technology in line with the University’s mission, vision and strategic priorities. Allison’s 20+ years in IT have been largely focused on ERP Management, Program Delivery and Operational Excellence. As a university graduate of St. Francis Xavier University, Allison spent several years working in Calgary until her love of home drew her back to Cape Breton, where she successfully continued to work as one of the first “telecommuters” at Shell Canada for over a decade. Allison has spent the majority of her career bridging the gap between operations and technology — delivering pragmatic tech solutions that drive strategic outcomes at all levels. In May of 2023, Allison was among the first cohort to receive a CIO designation (CIO.D) from Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto. Allison is a proud Cape Bretoner, who lives on the Island with her husband, 2 children and their canine companions, Florence and Bennie George. As we move forward, we are excited to see how these new members will contribute to Digital Nova Scotia’s mission of fostering innovation, diversity, and economic growth within our thriving tech sector!