Executive team

Team

David Benoit

President & CEO

David Benoit is the President and Chief Executive Officer for Build Nova Scotia.

David previously worked for the Department of Health Wellness as the Senior Executive Director of Strategic Investment and Infrastructure Planning for the healthcare facilities across the province. While in the Department, he co-led the provincial COVID 19 Vaccine and Immunization program. Prior to his joining the province, he served 30 years with the Canadian Armed Forces as an engineering officer in the Royal Canadian Navy retiring as a Captain (N). He served on the east and west coasts and in Ottawa, with his last appointment in Command of the Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Scott in Halifax.

A graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada in Electrical Engineering, David also holds a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Defence Studies, with a focus on the Arctic. He has a Graduate Diploma in Management, is a graduate from both the Joint Command and Staff Programme from the Canadian Forces College and the National Security and Strategic Planning Course at the Royal College of Defence Studies in the United Kingdom. He is a Professional Engineer in the provinces of Ontario and Nova Scotia and has completed courses with the Institute of Directors in the United Kingdom.

David is a busy volunteer in our community, enjoys golf and plays the bagpipes!

Dr. Alex Mitchell

Vice President, Healthcare Infrastructure

Dr. Alex Mitchell is an experienced surgeon, healthcare leader, and entrepreneur. As Vice President, Healthcare Infrastructure at both Build Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia Health, Dr. Mitchell leads the planning, procurement, and delivery of most major healthcare infrastructure projects for Nova Scotia. Alex is passionate about system level transformation and desperately wants to “Make Healthcare Make Sense!”.  Alex has built his career dreaming, developing, and executing great ideas in healthcare. 

Kristin O’Toole Scott

Vice President, Strategy, People & Culture

As an urban planner, Kristin’s professional career has spanned both the private and public fields of practice. She seeks to design comprehensive, collaborative processes with community, stakeholders, and partners that leverage infrastructure opportunities to transform our province’s lands and properties. The aim is to drive our economy forward and improve the quality of life for all Nova Scotians.

In her present role as Vice President, Strategy, People & Culture, Kristin leads the Corporation’s Transformation Program and strategic planning efforts, including the development of the organization’s inaugural Strategic Plan. She sits on the Alderney Landing Board of Directors and previously held seats on the Board of Directors for the Licensed Professional Planners Association of Nova Scotia, and the Downtown Halifax Business Commission.

Kristin holds a Master of Planning (M.Plan) from Dalhousie University, is a member of the Canadian Institute of Planners and is a Licensed Professional Planner.

Jonathan Veale

Vice President, Strategic Infrastructure & Development

Jonathan Veale is responsible for infrastructure and development projects that will drive our economy forward and improve the quality of life for Nova Scotians. The portfolio includes telecommunications and internet expansion, environmental management, and marine and waterfront developments.

Prior to joining Build Nova Scotia, Jonathan held various executive roles in Nova Scotia’s health system, such as leading the provincial Care Coordination Centre (C3), overseeing Nova Scotia’s health sector pandemic response, and spearheading major IT and operational transformation projects. Before entering the public sector, he founded a Calgary-based strategic consulting firm that served the energy, infrastructure, and health sectors.

Ken Swain

Executive Director, Boat Harbour

Ken Swain has worked in consulting, auditing, project management and leadership in the federal and provincial government and the private sector for over 40 years. Following executive and leadership roles with Consulting and Audit Canada, and Public Works and Government Services Canada, Ken took on the role of Executive Director, as project lead for the Boat Harbour Remediation Project.

Ken has served in executive and leadership roles on many major remediation projects including the Argentia NAVFAC NL facility remediation, the Cape Breton Coal Mines remediation and other major Crown projects. Ken has served as special advisor to federal deputy ministers on contaminated sites management and has received Head of Public Service and Deputy Ministers’ awards for work in contaminated sites, for partnerships, for leadership and for diversity. In 2012, the Governor General presented Ken with a Diamond Jubilee Award for his work with First Nations.

Bonnie Dobson

Director, Human Resources

Bonnie Dobson, a seasoned Human Resources Leader with over three decades of experience working in the public sector, is known for her approach to human resources management.  She specializes in labour relations, compensation, talent recruitment and development and Human Resources business intelligence. She is a respected figure in the HR community. Bonnie’s leadership style combines empathy and decisiveness, earning her a reputation for delivering tangible results while prioritizing the well-being and growth of the workforce. 

Beverley Ware

Director, Marketing & Communications

Beverley Ware is an award-winning print and broadcast journalist and experienced strategic corporate communicator. Her passion for news and storytelling and innate curiosity drove her to explore the transformative power of effective communications beyond the newsroom. With a desire to contribute strategically to organizations and impact a broader audience, Beverley has worked for Crown corporations and public utilities in Nova Scotia and believes strongly in fostering change through community volunteer work.  

News

Mill Cove Ferry Will Navigate Nova Scotians from Bedford to Downtown Halifax

People who live in and around the Halifax area will have a new, environmentally friendly, high-speed ferry service for travel between Bedford and down…

People who live in and around the Halifax area will have a new, environmentally friendly, high-speed ferry service for travel between Bedford and downtown Halifax.

Site Preparation Set to Start for New Healthcare Facility

Nova Scotians are one step closer to having better access to the healthcare they need with site preparation about to begin for the acute care tower at…

Nova Scotians are one step closer to having better access to the healthcare they need with site preparation about to begin for the acute care tower at the QEII Health Sciences Centre’s Halifax Infirmary site.

New Public Spaces at Cunard

More space to play is coming to the Halifax waterfront.

More space to play is coming to the Halifax waterfront.

Bayers Lake Community Outpatient Centre Opens

Nova Scotians will receive more care, faster at the new Bayers Lake Community Outpatient Centre.

Nova Scotians will receive more care, faster at the new Bayers Lake Community Outpatient Centre.

Province Taking Action to Bring Cell Service to All Nova Scotians

The Province is taking action to make sure all Nova Scotians have access to cellular service, no matter where they live or travel.

The Province is taking action to make sure all Nova Scotians have access to cellular service, no matter where they live or travel.

Halifax to Host ROCKWOOL Canada Sail Grand Prix

Build Nova Scotia is thrilled to announce that the Halifax Harbour will be the location of the ROCKWOOL Canada Sail Grand Prix!…

Build Nova Scotia is thrilled to announce that the Halifax Harbour will be the location of the ROCKWOOL Canada Sail Grand Prix!

Halifax Waterfront Food and Beverage Business Opportunity

Build Nova Scotia is seeking a morning-focused food and beverage operator for the perfect location on the Halifax waterfront!…

Build Nova Scotia is seeking a morning-focused food and beverage operator for the perfect location on the Halifax waterfront!

Evergreen Market Vendor Opportunity

July 11, 2023 — Halifax, NS: The Evergreen Festival will bring the bright and exciting spirit of the season to the Halifax waterfront from November 24…

July 11, 2023 — Halifax, NS: The Evergreen Festival will bring the bright and exciting spirit of the season to the Halifax waterfront from November 24-December 17, 2023. Local businesses and organizations are invited to ge…

Halifax Waterfront Year-Round Retail Business Opportunity

Build Nova Scotia is seeking a year-round retail operator for a prime location on the Halifax waterfront!…

Build Nova Scotia is seeking a year-round retail operator for a prime location on the Halifax waterfront!

Mobile Vending Opportunity

Build Nova Scotia is looking for several mobile operators to ‘Pop-Up’ with their vending carts at Tall Ships Quay this summer.

Build Nova Scotia is looking for several mobile operators to ‘Pop-Up’ with their vending carts at Tall Ships Quay this summer.