Board of Directors

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, and since then 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, and as an expert consultant for Plum Creative and Admiralty House Museum and Archives, and more. She currently also sits on the board for the Conception Bay Museum in Harbour Grace.

Lisa holds a B.A. (hons.) from Memorial University in Physical Anthropology (Archaeology), an M.Sc. from Bournemouth University in Forensic and Biological Anthropology, a diploma in Heritage Resources from Memorial, as well as her Ph.D. in Archaeology, also from MUN. 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, and talks, and sometimes even updates her blog: planecrashgirl.ca. She also writes fiction, much of which is inspired by her research.

James (Jim) Miller (B.A., C.F.M) is originally from New Bonaventure and now resides in Trinity, NL. He has worked for the Trinity Historical Society since 2000 as project coordinator/ archivist, where he is responsible for the administration of all projects of the Society – fundraising, proposal writing, research and the general day-to-day operation of the not-for-profit organization.

Jim became a co-owner of Sherwood Suites accommodations in Port Rexton in 2015. He also spends a great deal of his time volunteering in various roles on the Bonavista Peninsula, including his position as mayor of the Town of Trinity since 2005; chairperson of Cape Random Trust/Random Passage Site in New Bonaventure; chairperson of the Discovery Regional Services Board; and is a member of various other committees in the Bonavista Peninsula region.

In recognition of his work in relation to supporting partnerships and regional tourism initiatives, he was awarded the Doug Wheeler Award, Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2010 and the Queen’s Jubilee Medal in 2012 in recognition of his community service. Jim holds a Bachelor of Arts from Memorial University of Newfoundland, with a concentration in Newfoundland and Labrador history, and a Certificate in Fund Raising Management from the College of the North Atlantic.

Sarah Ryan is the Museum Manager of Admiralty House Communications Museum and Archives in Mount Pearl, NL. Here Sarah works to inspire an appreciation of local history through engaging programs and exhibitions that focus on early wireless communication, naval history, and Mount Pearl.  When Sarah isn’t at Admiralty House you will find her at The Rooms working as a Museum Interpreter.

In 2011 Sarah obtained an Honours Diploma in Advanced Museum Studies from Algonquin College in Ottawa, Ontario.  During that time Sarah interned at the Canadian War Museum working with the photograph collection. Sarah also holds a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Archaeology and History from Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Philip Wood is currently the Mayor of the Town of Bay Roberts after previously serving as a Councillor and Deputy Mayor. As a member of Council, he serves on the Town’s Heritage Advisory Committee along with being a member of the BR Heritage Society.

He is a Life Member of the Royal Canadian Legion and is a past President of Branch 32, Bay Roberts. Philip currently serves as District Commander in the Legion for District 2.

Philip is a retired educator, retiring in 2008 as Principal of Ascension Collegiate, Bay Roberts. Prior to him starting a career of 30 years in education – he enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces and graduated from Officer Candidate School in Chilliwack, British Columbia as a 2^nd Lieutenant – later serving briefly on the HMCS Annapolis out of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Philip is married to wife Joan, they have three sons, Greg, David, Paul, daughter-in-law Ashley and their pet (Chocolate Lab) and companion – Duke.

Dave Lough has been involved in various work and volunteer capacities in the community economic development and heritage sector throughout Newfoundland and Labrador since 1972. He has had the opportunity to work in adult education and economic development with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the tourism industry with Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador, business and community development with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Parks Canada and in cultural development with the Nunatsiavut Government.

From 2017 to 2021 Dave served as Executive in Residence at Memorial University’s School of Business Administration at their St. John’s campus.

A founding member of the Labrador Heritage Society and Labrador’s Them Days Magazine, Dave has helped facilitate efforts by communities to preserve, protect and present their unique heritage places and stories for the benefit of future generations.

Dave is looking forward to working with Heritage NL and its committed staff and volunteers throughout the Province to build on our significant historic places and incredible array of cultural traditions and stories. The strength of Newfoundland and Labrador’s future is its strong identity and connection to place and the good work of individuals and communities to celebrate it.

Elizabeth Murphy (B.A., B.Ed., M.Ed) is currently the chair of the Placentia West Development Association and serves as Vice Chair of the Placentia West Region’s Heritage Committee. She has been a member of the Heritage Committee since it was founded in 1983.  Elizabeth led the committee in the development of a heritage based social enterprise that encompasses the Paddle House museum, the Tea Rose restaurant and the Livyer’s Lot Economuseum. Through these enterprises, the committee provides seasonal employment to six people while preserving and promoting traditional foodways and craft skills.

Elizabeth retired in 2006 after 32 years of classroom teaching. During this time she served 8 years on the provincial council of the NLTA, received a Prime Minister’s award for teaching excellence and a Special Recognition Award for her volunteer work. She is the mother of six children and has one grandson. Elizabeth currently uses her skills as an educator teaching traditional ways at the local economuseum and documenting the cultural heritage of Placentia Bay.

Raymond Cusson lives in Shoal Brook, a municipality within Gros Morne National Park. He has experience in community development, training, negotiation, capacity building, sustainability, environmental and tourism initiatives. He also served as a municipal councillor.

Raymond has worked for federal and provincial departments and agencies, as well as advising Indigenous organizations in the areas of justice, governance and self-government.

Raymond has authored books and publications on nutrition, long-distance swimming, corporate security and First Nations governance. In 2012 he published The People’s Map of Bonne Bay, a photographic collection of place names around the bay.

He is a former chair of the Gros Morne Co-operating Association, a non-profit organization supporting Parks Canada’s programs and working in socio-economic development including sustainable tourism. He also collaborated with the Canadian Institute of Planners for the Climate Change Adaptation Plan in his community and continues to be involved in climate change initiatives throughout the province including the Harris Centre Forecast NL project.

Raymond firmly believes in the concepts of Education by Action and Community Empowerment.

Gerry Osmond has worked in the cultural field for more than twenty years including positions in management, advisory, curatorial, programming, collections and conservation. He has experience in a variety of cultural institutions in Newfoundland & Labrador, United Kingdom, Alberta, and New Brunswick. From 2001 to 2008 Gerry worked for the Alberta Museums Association, the last 3 years as Executive Director, and he also served as CEO of Kings Landing Historical Settlement in New Brunswick. From 2009 to 2015, Gerry was the Manager of Provincial Historic Sites – Newfoundland and Labrador. In 2015 and 2016 he served as both Director of Arts and Director of Heritage with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation. Gerry is currently the Director of Arts and Heritage, and serves as the Departmental ex-officio representative on the Heritage NL Board.

Gerry holds a Bachelor of Arts (Archaeology), a Master of Arts (Museum Studies), a Diploma in Public Sector Management and Leadership, and is a Certified Association Executive.