Saint Mary’s University is celebrating the success of the Saint Mary’s alumni whose innovation, drive and business leadership were recognized by Atlantic Business Magazine’s Top 50 CEO Award.
The well-attended award ceremony took place in the recently opened Halifax Convention Centre. It was a fantastic night of entertainment and celebration, that recognized the successes of leaders who are driving growth and prosperity in the Atlantic region.
It was a particularly spectacular night for Saint Mary’s University, our alumni, our friends and our partners. This year's award winners includes alumni Joyce Carter, BComm’84, Stuart MacLean, EMBA’97; Darren Nantes, BComm’89; Carl Sparkes, MBA’87 and Saint Mary's University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray.
Read on for more about our alumni recently named Top 50 CEOs by Atlantic Business Magazine.
Joyce Carter, BComm’84
President & CEO,
Halifax International Airport Authority
Joyce Carter, BComm’84
President & CEO,
Halifax International Airport Authority
Joyce joined the Halifax International Airport Authority in 1999, and since then she has been integral in its growth and development, becoming Chief Financial Officer in 2006, Chief Strategy Officer in 2008, and President & CEO in 2014. Since she became CEO in 2014, there’s been tremendous growth in both passenger and cargo numbers. In 2016 alone, the airport contributed $2.8 billion to the Nova Scotia economy.
Stuart MacLean, EMBA’97
CEO, WCB Nova Scotia
Stuart MacLean, EMBA’97
CEO, WCB Nova Scotia
Stuart is passionate about making a difference in the lives of working Nova Scotians by reducing the impact of workplace injury. Five years ago, the commercial fishing sector had the highest rates of injury and fatality in Nova Scotia. MacLean was determined to end the tragic legacy. He and WCB teamed up with government and safety champions in the fishing industry, engaged their board, made investments and watched a safety culture begin to emerge. Today, injuries are at an all-time low.
Darren Nantes, BComm’89
Chairman & CEO, Nantes Capital Inc
Darren Nantes, BComm’89
Chairman & CEO, Nantes Capital Inc.
Darren started his career as a CA and went on to hone his entrepreneurial skills by acquiring underperforming companies and implementing change to increase value. Nantes acts on investment opportunities through his private venture capital firm, Nantes Capital Inc. He currently owns 10 companies in a variety of business sectors.
Carl Sparkes, MBA’87
President & CEO, Devonian Coast Wineries Ltd.
Carl Sparkes, MBA’87
President & CEO, Devonian Coast Wineries Ltd.
To Carl, business is like a sport. Winning is important but having fun while doing it makes it worthwhile. If the fun leaves, so does he. As president of Olivieri Foods, he quadrupled growth in as many years. That was followed by similar results for Canada Bread, Eastern Bakeries, Omstead Foods and Bento Nouveau. By 2011, he was more than ready to pour his energies into a business of his own, so he created Devonian Coast to acquire Jost and two other Nova Scotia wineries.
Saint Mary's is proud to have five members of the Saint Mary's community recognized as Top 50 CEOs by Atlantic Business Magazine. You can read more about the Top 50 CEOs in the May-June issue of Atlantic Business Magazine, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the awards.