Our Staff
Barry Waldman
Executive Director
As a volunteer, Barry administers and supervises all EPIC projects and programs including hiring and proposal writing, reporting and financial oversight. He also serves on the Board as Director of Finance. He holds a Masters in Educational Administration and has a wealth of experience working with marginalized learners. He founded EPIC in 1996.
Amber Buchanan
Program Manager
Amber Buchanan joined us in September 2024. She comes to Youth Peer with a strong background in community building and service and is especially experienced in leading educational workshops and events. Amber is a Gaelic (and Spanish) speaker, She has worked extensively with Cape Breton's Gaelic community. EPIC is so pleased to have her on board!
Ian McNeil
Volunteers Coordinator
Ian began his third year with Youth Peer and first year in this role in September 2024. As is often the case with EPIC, Ian started as a Youth Peer volunteer. His enjoyment and enthusiasm made him a stand-out and the following year, he moved up to a paid position as Program Assistant while continuing to help out in many volunteer capacities. His favourite thing about Youth Peer is seeing how rewarding it is for everyone involved!
Susanne Donovan
Creative Arts Instructor
Susanne, has been the Art Instructor at Youth Peer since the creative arts program was added in 2002. She provides youth and their mentors with a wide range of fun, enriching and educational creative activities. Susanne holds a Fine Arts degree from Mt. Allison University, New Brunswick, Canada.
Emile Conn
Music Instructor
We have been fortunate to have Emile working with our students since 2004.
A patient teacher and talented musician who plays multiple instruments, Emile provides private keyboard and guitar instruction to any interested Youth Peer student.
Each February, EPIC hosts the staff and supports the area's Black Community by attending the African Heritage Dinner and Dance, paid from a board donation. This is from 2014.
Anne Pentecost
Educator
Anne started in with EPIC in 2019 as Educator for the Outreach team in Glace Bay, New Waterford and Northside. In 2022, she expanded her role to include the Sydney site. She is an experienced teacher who now works full time as a Math Coach for teachers at the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional Centre for Education in Northside middle and high schools.
Progam Assistants
Sydney, Glace Bay, New Waterford, Northside, Iona, Whitney Pier, Sackville and Online
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Our wonderful PAs are all former Youth Peer volunteer/ mentors who have and continue to distinguished themselves
as caring, talented young role models:
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Kendall Miller
Makayla Embree
Nick Kearney
Jewelee Maxwell
Callum MacAllister
Kate MacDonald - Special Projects Liaison
Brett MacKenzie - Special Projects Liaison
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Sam Fernandez
Outreach Coordinator
Whitney Pier
Samantha has been with Youth Peer for years, first as a tutor, then Program Assistant, and Outreach Facilitator. She always does a wonderful job giving 110% with everything she does. She recently added Program Developer to her EPIC resume. She is assisting ADAPT center in Sydney to get their peer tutoring program based on the EPIC Youth Peer model to Malcolm Munroe Middle School. She is also Facilitator at Whitney Pier. She is studying to become a social worker and recently returned from a semester abroad in Ireland.
Kyla Edmond
Volunteers Consultant
Kyla came to Youth Peer on a school work placement as a tutor/mentor and from there was hired as staff. She has served as Program Assistant, Volunteers Coordinator and Outreach Coordinator at Whitney Pier. This year she is PA at Whitney Pier and has been hired to help with the planning and coordination of the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner this spring. She loves Youth Peer because it provides youth with a safe space to learn and provides them with a sense of belonging. She sees Youth Peer as a small community who is always there to support one another.
Breagha Embree
Outreach Coordinator
Glace Bay, New Waterf0rd
Breagha started out at Youth Peer as a tutor when she was in her grade 12 year and after that came to work at EPIC. It has been such a rewarding experience that she continues to enjoy more and more as the years go by.
Tessa Dixon
Outreach Coordinator
NorthSide
Tessa was first introduced to the youth peer program in grade 11 and was eager to get involved. When she attended her first session she knew that what this program had to offer to kids was very special and was needed in every community. She has since graduated and is so grateful to be participating in this wonderful program!
The end-of-year Staff Party in 2016
