Board of Directors

Matt C. Reynolds holds a Master of Architecture from Dalhousie University, is a Registered Graphic Designer, and a member of the Nova Scotia Association of Architects.

Originally from St. John’s, NL, Matt has studied the vernacular traditions and material culture of coastal settlements throughout Atlantic Canada, Norway, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands for over a decade.

His architectural thesis reimagined a vacant school building in Bonavista as a cultural space for traditional knowledge exchange and explored how built heritage can be adapted for modern use.

Matt brings a range of knowledge to Heritage NL including architectural design, conservation, brand identity, and interpretive design. He has experience writing conservation plans, heritage impact assessments, building condition assessments, and interpretive plans. Matt brings a holistic, collaborative approach to design, approaches projects with curiosity and humility, and his breadth of experience represents a desire to craft an engaging design narrative.

Pamela Gill has called Corner Brook home for 31 years. She completed a Bachelor of Arts in English and French at Memorial University, a Bachelor of Journalism from University of King’s College, a Master of Education from Memorial University, and a Master’s Certificate in Project Management from York University.

Her employment includes 28 years as Manager of Communications at Memorial University’s Grenfell Campus, Public Relations Specialist with Western Health Care Corporation, and Reporter/Editor with The Western Star. She has served on the boards of several organizations, including the Western Regional Service Board, Theatre Newfoundland Labrador (Chair), Newfoundland and Labrador English School District (Zone 5 Trustee), Greater Corner Brook Board of Trade (Secretary), and Canadian Parents for French.

Lorna Sargent grew up in Lewisporte, NL and holds a Bachelor of Science from Memorial University and a post-graduate certificate in Information Technology from the Information Technology Institute in Halifax, NS.

Lorna spent a decade in the United States working in ecommerce before returning to raise her family and work in the family business, Notre Dame Agencies. Her career includes serving as the V.P. Operations and Executive Director at Notre Dame Agencies, where she successfully managed a diverse portfolio of 31 properties across Newfoundland and Labrador, and drove financial growth through strategic operational and marketing initiatives. Prior to this, her role as Director of E-commerce Marketing at Sears Holdings Corporation equipped her with a strong foundation in digital and analog marketing, promotions, and corporate communications.

Lorna’s passion for Newfoundland and Labrador’s heritage is deeply personal, rooted in her hands-on hobbies and family history research. She actively engages with traditional methods of growing food in her garden and also preserves and stores food in her root cellar. Lorna also enjoys learning about and practicing crafts like quilting.

Kerri Abbott is from Carbonear, NL, and has spent over 20 years working in community development and strategic planning here in the province and across Canada. Currently employed with the Town of Carbonear as their Economic Development and Tourism Officer, Kerri works with businesses and residents to support and promote the Town of Carbonear and the region.

An active volunteer, Kerri is Chair of the SSVP Carbonear Food Bank, an executive member of the Carbonear Harbour Authority, and a member of the Sunrise Funeral Home Cooperative, as well as a volunteer with many community events and organizations.

As part of her role with the Town of Carbonear, Kerri oversees the operation of two community museums and is passionate about education and promotion of cultural heritage. Kerri also brings her 20 plus years experience with proposal writing, strategic planning, and youth engagement to share.

Marilyn Coles-Hayley is from Elliston, NL, and has dedicated much of her career to post-secondary education and community development. She holds a Bachelor of Post-Secondary Education and a Masters of Education. Marilyn spent many years with the College of the North Atlantic, where she held several leadership roles, including Campus Administrator of the Bonavista Campus and District Administrator for the College’s Eastern region. During her tenure, Marilyn spearheaded the creation of the Bonavista Institute for Cultural Tourism—a Centre of Excellence for Atlantic Canada focused on cultural tourism training.

Marilyn is deeply passionate about community economic development and has been an active volunteer across the region. She has contributed to numerous organizations, including the Discovery Geopark, the Legendary Coast Destination Management Organization, the Regional Council of the Rural Secretariat, and the Home from the Sea Foundation. She has served as Chair of Tourism Elliston for 28 years, a committee which has undertaken significant work to preserve Elliston’s built heritage and cultural landscape.

Following retirement from the College, Marilyn served as Executive Director of the Sealers Interpretation Centre and now works as Project Manager with the STAR (Strategic Tourism for Areas and Regions) program for the Bonavista Trinity Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Duane Collins was born and raised in Hare Bay, NL, where he currently resides with his spouse Renee and their daughter Grace. He is a graduate of Memorial University, having completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Archaeology.

Duane has been involved in the tourism industry for 25 years and takes pride in highlighting the province’s cultural heritage. He and his wife are the owners and operators of Hare Bay Adventures, which offers a wide variety of outdoor experiences – from whale watching, fishing, resettled island tours, visits to archaeological sites, and other custom options. They also operate a cafe and retail space that features only Newfoundland and Labrador products.

Duane is a passionate believer in the value of cultural heritage, the critical role it plays in the tourism industry, and how tourism can aid in the preservation of our province’s cultural heritage. When he isn’t in Hare Bay sharing the amazing story of central Newfoundland with the world, there is a good chance you’ll find him leading polar bear tours in Churchill, Manitoba.

Dr. Lisa M. Daly is an aviation archaeologist and expert in Newfoundland and Labrador’s aviation history. Her thesis work focused on the Second World War aviation material culture of Gander, but her work has taken her all over the province for archaeological and historical research.

She has been involved in the heritage and tourism industry since 2001, starting with a summer position at the Provincial Archives of NL. Since then she has worked as a tour guide with Wildland Tours, the coordinator for the Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove Museum, the event manager for Anna Templeton Centre’s We Love Craft Skill Sharing Series, as an expert consultant for Plum Creative and Admiralty House Museum and Archives, and more. She currently works with Parks Canada, teaches ballroom dance, is the non-fiction editor for Engen Books, and is a volunteer board member for the Conception Bay Museum in Harbour Grace and the Newfoundland and Labrador Historical Society.

Lisa holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from Memorial University in Physical Anthropology (Archaeology), a Master of Science from Bournemouth University in Forensic and Biological Anthropology, a diploma in Heritage Resources from Memorial University, as well as a Ph.D. in Archaeology, also from Memorial University.

For a while she worked as an archaeologist with the Government of New Brunswick, but decided to move back to St. John’s. She is currently working on multiple research projects, conference presentations, books, and talks, and sometimes even updates her blog, planecrashgirl.ca. She also writes fiction, much of which is inspired by her research, published by Engen Books.

Kyla Miranda grew up in Holyrood, NL in a close knit household that enjoyed many kitchen parties and in a place where she was free to play in the woods and skip rocks on the beach. Growing up there and recording her Nan’s stories first sparked a passion for heritage and storytelling. Her first job was at the Holyrood Public Library doing genealogy research about the town, a role that introduced her to community history and engagement.

Now a realtor based out of St. John’s, Kyla brings her interest in historic buildings and cultural landscapes into her professional life, connecting people with the significance of space and place.

She completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Archaeology with a minor in Folklore at Memorial University and a Master of Arts in Anthropology at  the University of British Columbia. She also has a post diploma in Information Management from the College of the North Atlantic.

Since 2012, she has also worked as a freelance artist, while welcoming visitors to Newfoundland and Labrador as an Airbnb host and local ambassador. Across her work in real estate, art, and heritage, Kyla remains dedicated to preserving and sharing the province’s rich cultural history.

Dr. Roza Tchoukaleyska is Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography and Environment at Western University, Ontario. She holds an Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Cultural and Historical Geography from the University of Toronto, a Master of Arts in Geography from the University of British Columbia, and a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Sheffield, UK.

Prior to joining Western University, she was an Assistant Professor in the School of Science and the Environment, Grenfell Campus, Memorial University. Dr. Tchoukaleyska is also a professional planner and a candidate member of the Canadian Institute of Planners.

Her teaching interests include cultural geography, urban planning, experiential learning, and community engaged teaching. Her research examines the politicized rhetoric surrounding public space redevelopment, and the form and function of public spaces in cities in France and Canada. She frequently draws on ethnographic and sensory research methods to consider how cultural identities are imprinted on urban landscapes, and examines the material implications of urban planning and heritage protection policies. She also works closely with community groups in Western Newfoundland on topics related to regional economic and social resilience.

Philip Wood hails from Bay Roberts, NL, where he served on the municipal council as a councillor, deputy mayor and, for ten years, as mayor. He currently serves as vice chair of the Bay Roberts Heritage Society.

He is a life member of the Royal Canadian Legion and is a past president of Branch 32 Royal Canadian Legion Bay Roberts. Philip also currently serves on the Royal Canadian Legion’s Provincial Executive as its 1st Vice President.

Philip is a former educator, retiring in 2008 as principal of Ascension Collegiate, Bay Roberts. Prior to his 30-year career in education – which began in Rigolet, Labrador – he enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces and graduated from Officer Candidate School in Chilliwack, British Columbia as a 2nd Lieutenant. He later served briefly in the Canadian Navy stationed out of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Philip is married to wife Joan (nee Glavine) from Buchans, NL, and they have three sons – Greg, David (Ashley), and Paul.