Meet the Team
Staff
Magali Grégoire (she/her/elle)
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Magali is a museologist, biologist and informal educator with a passion for making people fall in love with creepy crawlers. She holds a B.Sc in Biology and an M.A. in Museum Studies.
After working in science museums in Quebec and Newfoundland, Magali settled in Halifax where she founded the Back to the Sea Centre.
She lives in Eastern Passage with her husband and two kids, with the ocean as her backyard - a daily reminder of why ocean education is such important work!
Enya Hickey (she/her/elle)
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Growing up in Halifax, Enya has always loved spending days at the beach, swimming, and enjoying the sun!
This interest in the ocean led her to Volunteer at the Back to the Sea Touch Tank Hut in the Summer of 2021 where her love for intertidal species and desire for ocean conservation continued to flourish. She joined our staff team for the summer 2024 season. She has been working with us ever since, now as our Programs Assistant!
She recently graduated from a Bachelor of Science (Honour’s) at Queen’s University specializing in Environmental Toxicology, where she did research on microplastics.
Liv Robichaud (she/her)
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Liv is a marine biologist originally from Ottawa, Ontario, who is currently completing a graduate certificate in Oceans Technology from NSCC.
Liv has always loved the ocean and her interest in diving, snorkelling and marine life has brought her travelling around the world, hoping to see as many ocean animals as she can along the way!
Her passion for animals, marine conservation and science literacy brought her to the Back to the Sea Centre in 2026 where she is the animal curator. In this role, she ensures that the animals are healthy and happy and that their tanks are always well maintained!
Harry Atkinson (he/him)
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Harry is currently studying aquatic resources and biology at St. Francis Xavier. He likes to spend his free time outdoors and with his friends, including the smallest critters! (especially Brutus, the crab on the picture)
His passion for animal welfare and conservation led him at Back to the Sea Centre for this 2026 season.
Kylie Swann (she/her)
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Born and raised in Sackville, Nova Scotia, Kylie is studying Marine Biology at Dalhousie University.
She has always been interested in the Ocean from a young age and spent much of her time sailing, swimming, and exploring the ocean and its critters!
She has been working as a dedicated mobile program coordinator since 2025.
Laure-Hélène Vinot (she/her/elle)
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Laurie is an environmental scientist and communicator with an insatiable curiosity about the natural world — especially the ocean. She is always eager to learn more.
She holds a B.Sc in Biology, Geology and Ecology and a M.Sc in Ecophysiology and Ecotoxicology.
Laurie settled in Halifax after her studies in France, where she tuned her communication skills in both French and English for four years before joining this 2026 summer season!
Marissa Emberly (she/her/elle)
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Marissa is a recent graduate from Mount Allison University. She earned a B.Sc in Aquatic Environmental Science & Biology with honours. She is a returning staff member from 2024 and she is excited to be back as the new Volunteer Coordinator.
The love for marine life found Marissa at a young age. Whenever she goes to the beach she is flipping rocks trying to find her favourite intertidal friends. She has always been incredibly fond of cetaceans, and hopes to pursue her masters on that very subject.
Marissa has an extensive background as a mentor. She intends to put her experience to good use in her role and provide the best possible support for all our volunteers!
Owen Weigelin (he/him/il)
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Bio coming soon!
Mae Gallant (she/her/elle)
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Mae developed an interest in nature conservation while working on a project about microplastics on Nova Scotia beaches. In September, she will begin studying on the Environmental Sciences program at Mount Allison University. She loves the beach and all the critters that live there, and she is determined to protect them!
She volunteered at the Back to the Sea Centre in summer 2025 and is excited to return as a Science Interpreter for summer 2026. In her spare time, you can find her on the beaches of Nova Scotia and PEI, looking for sea creatures.
Interested in joining our team?
View our open roles here.
Board Members & Committees
Board of Directors
Kate d’Entremont, Co-President
Kat Mataya, Co-President
Natasha Tucker, Vice-President
Nicole Chretien, Treasurer
Shawn Adderley
Blair Crawford
Natalie Gilson
Andrew MacKinnon
Jaymie Paisley
Jonathan Primack
Ella Traversy
John Woodrow
Senior Committee Members
Meghan Borland, External Action Committee
Kaitlin Burek, Special Tasks Committee Chair
Ronnie Noonan, External Action Committee
Joy Samuel, Internal Affairs Committee
Special Tasks Committee
Kaitlin Burek, Chair
Sarah Brown
Maddy Cameron
Laurel Dykun
Adam MacCormack
Kareena Mahtani