Meet the Board of Directors
Maggie Coffin Crowse, President - Maggie is a practicing lawyer out of Saint John New Brunswick. She received her Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Laws from the University of New Brunswick and her Master of Laws from the University of Alberta. Maggie has worked in the private sector as corporate/commercial counsel, then as in house counsel with a major oil company and most recently as General Counsel of an international engineering company, Jacques Whitford, now Stantec. Maggie is currently Counsel to McInnes Cooper. Maggie began her relationship with First Steps as the organization's corporate lawyer in 2002 and has been a Board Member since that time, with the exception of a brief hiatus to have a child of her own. Maggie is now the proud parent of two young boys, Ben, 7 years old, and Eric, 5 years old.
Bruce A. Drost, Acting Vice President - Bruce is a lawyer employed by J.D. Irving, Limited. He has a Bachelor of Commerce from the School of Management of McGill University and a Bachelor of Laws from Osgoode Hall Law School of York University. He is a native of Bath, New Brunswick. He has been on the Board of First Steps since 2002 and a member of the Steering Committee prior.
Dr. Christine Davies, Past President - Christine is a family physician in Saint John and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine. In January 2000 she received the Marion Powell Award for her contributions to Women’s Health. Christine also provides clinical services at the Sexual Health Centre, in cooperation with Public Health one half day per week. Christine is the founder of First Steps and has served as Chair of the steering committee since 1998 and President of the Board since 2002. In 2007, the First Steps School was renamed the Dr. Christine Davies Education Centre in honour of her commitment to First Steps.
Kirk McLennan, Treasurer - Kirk McLennan is a CA who graduated from the University of New Brunswick in 2004. He currently holds the position of Controller at Cobalt Properties Limited, and previously was employed with Grant Thornton LLP as an audit/advisory manager. Kirk has been involved with First Steps since January 2009. He is also a member of the Finance Committee. Kirk & his wife Ashley live in Quispamsis and are the proud new parents of their little boy, Rory, who is 1 year old.
Margo Emrich, Secretary - Margo is a native of Saint John, New Brunswick. She is a graduate of the University of New Brunswick with both a Bachelor and a Master of Education. Margo took an extended hiatus in the ‘80s and 90’s to raise her three daughters but during that time continued helping to foster independence in youth through her involvement in various programs targeting at-risk youth and their families through organizations such as the Boys’ and Girls’ Club of Saint John. She returned to full-time teaching in 2000 and is currently employed by School District 8 as the teaching vice-principal of Havelock Elementary School. She has a particular interest in enhancing the teaching of mathematics for young learners. Margo has been a First Step’s Board Member since 2003 assuming the roles of Secretary and Personnel Committee chair two years ago.
Sheila Fitzpatrick - Sheila was born and raised in Saint John New Brunswick. She graduated from the University of New Brunswick (BEd.), the Saint John School of Nursing (R.N.) and The College of Extended Learning at U.N.B. (clinical supervisor -ASD). Sheila has been involved with many organizations over the years including: Chairperson of the Family Resource Centre, Board Member of Westfileld Golf and Country Club, Home and School executive member, Canadian Cancer Society volunteer just to name a few. While at First Steps Sheila has served on the original Steering Committee, and as a member of the first Board as Vice Chair and Chairperson of the Resource Committee.
Kit Hickey - Kit is the Executive Director of Housing Alternatives Inc., a nationally accredited non profit organization providing management and development services to housing co-ops and non profit housing organizations in southwestern New Brunswick since 1981. Kit served on the Board of Directors of the New Brunswick Non Profit Housing Association for 8 years - 6 as President and has been involved with the Conference Planning Committee for many years. Kit currently serves on the Board of Directors of The ONE Change Inc., Urban Core Support Network - Saint John Chapter, First Steps Housing Project Inc. and the National Board of Directors of Rooftops Canada Inc. Kit received the CMHC Outstanding Contribution to Co-operative Housing Award in 2004. She has been a Board Member since 2002.
Lisa Gribbons - Lisa Gribbons, a member of the First Steps Board of Directors since 2005, is currently serving on the Bursary and Resource Committees. A native of Riverview, New Brunswick, Lisa graduated from NBCC St. Andrews’ Accommodation, Food & Beverage program in 1986. After several years in the hospitality and cable television industries, Lisa formed her own home-based business, EventPro Inc., which specializes in corporate and community event planning. Lisa has been actively involved with various community organizations since moving here in 1986 – the Saint John Board of Trade, Rothesay High School PSSC, CIBC Run for the Cure, East Coast Music Awards, Festival by the Sea and others. Lisa lives in Rothesay with her husband Tom and two children, Kate and Conor.
Holly Stone - Holly has been on the Board at First Steps for seven years. She has worked as a Social Worker for over 28 years. Holly has Bachelor Degrees in Arts and Social Work, and a Master’s Degree in Adult Education. Her expertise lies in Addictions, Child Welfare and Individual and Family Counseling. Holly is a native of Saint John, but worked and studied throughout New Brunswick, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Alberta. Saint John will always be home. Holly is currently employed as a Social Worker with the Department of Social Development, and has been for the past thirteen years.
Margie Skidd - Margie was born and raised in Niagara Falls. She attended St. Thomas University, met and married Mike Skidd from Saint John, N. B. Margie is the mother of four grown daughters and one grandson. She has had a long career with RBC holding various positions, presently Manager, Client Care of Main Branch in Saint John, N. B. Margie has been a member of the Board of Directors of First Steps since October 2007.
Sharon Amirault, Executive Director - Sharon has been the Executive Director at First Steps since inception (2002). She moved from her home in Dartmouth Nova Scotia to help with the set-up of the idea that the Steering Committee so clearly imagined. Sharon still loves working at First Steps and is inspired every day by the women who live and work there. Sharon received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Dalhousie University. She worked for Boys and Girls Clubs, a Family Resource Centre, Community Centre as well as Parks and Recreation in Dartmouth before coming to Saint John. Sharon loves to travel and read.