Michelle Colussi

Michelle Colussi has 20 years of nonprofit, community development experience with specific accomplishments in community recreation, mental health, and the arts. Her most recent experience as executive director of a Community Futures Development Corporation in B.C. has added small business training and sector-specific development strategies to her credit. She is an experienced facilitator, trainer, promoter, and consensus builder and is the author of several training and volunteer development manuals. She is currently manager of CCE's Technical Assistance Division. To contact Michelle, e-mail mcolussi (at) telus.net.

Paul Cabaj

Our Business Development Officer, Paul has worked as an employee and a consultant for a range of nonprofit and government agencies in employment, social services, and business development. A chef and restaurateur, he has assisted the development of dozens of CED initiatives and has particular experience with co-operative models. Study and work in Asia and South America bring an international edge to his work, as well as abilities in French and Spanish (and even a little Mandarin). To contact Paul, e-mail paul.cabaj (at) gmail.com.

Don McNair

An editor, writer, and illustrator, Don McNair is manager of CCE's Publications Division and managing editor of the quarterly magazine Making Waves. The latter responsibility keeps him in touch with CED practitioners, initiatives, and resources across the country. He has 22 years experience in the design, production, and distribution of publications concerning CED. To contact Don, e-mail mcnair (at) cedworks.com.

CCE ASSOCIATES

Dr. Stewart E. Perry

Dr. Stewart Perry has been active in CED in the U.S. and Canada since 1967, when he headed design work to launch the first federal CED program, elevating the community development corporation as a key vehicle for local revitalization. (He also had a role in the design of Canada's first federal CED program, LEDA, in the 1970s.) As head of the (U.S.) Center for Community Economic Development from 1969 to 1975, he helped create the first finance institution for CED, the Massachusetts Community Development Finance Authority, and also helped start Canada's first CDC, New Dawn Enterprises, Ltd. In the years 1988-1993 he headed the Community Economic Development Center in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. A consultant, trainer, and author in many aspects of CED, Stewart currently works with CCE out of Cambridge, Massachusetts. To contact Stewart, e-mail stewartp (at) igc.org.

Sandy Lockhart

Dr. Sandy Lockhart helped found the Native Management Program at Trent University (Peterborough, Ont.), where he taught for many years as a full professor. His academic career was constantly interrupted by his commitment to keep a foot in the CED field at the grassroots level, however. Now professor emeritus, he has a singular ability to apply his great skill as an educator with people regardless of their walk of life. Sandy has also been an important contributor to CED literature in the field and is an expert in social science research. To contact Sandy, e-mail ralock (at) shaw.ca.

CCE AFFILIATE

The following organization works in affiliation with CCE when the project requires the specialized skills and experience it can offer.

Atlantic CED Institute (Truro, Nova Scotia)

Dianne Kelderman is Chief Executive Officer of the Nova Scotia Co-operative Council and President of Atlantic Economics, a firm specializing in economic analysis and development, related public policy, and alternative finance. She is past-President of the Atlantic Provinces Chambers of Commerce and the Nova Scotia Chamber of Commerce. She has worked in all aspects of CED over the past 15 years, but as an entrepreneur she has a particular interest in business and alternative finance development. Having grown up in rural Newfoundland, she is keenly interested in using the resources of such traditional power sectors as business and finance to build communities and grow new economic bases. To find out more, visit the website of the Nova Scotia Co-operative Council.