Love, loss and legacy: The Saint Mary’s alumna behind My Grandfather’s Cat

When Angela Rafuse BComm’16 first stepped onto Saint Mary’s University’s campus, she immediately felt at home.

“I grew up on the South Shore. I’m very proud to be from Chester,” she said. “I loved that everything was in one city block. For a small-town girl who hadn’t spent much time in Halifax, it felt safe and close-knit.”

She graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Commerce in Global Business Management, carrying with her not only her degree, but a network of lifelong friends. “The friendships I made at SMU are everything. I’ve gone to their weddings. I’m now an aunt to their children. When I started My Grandfather’s Cat, I reached out to a lot of my friends from SMU.” These connections helped shape her not-for-profit in more ways than one, including web development, accounting and even establishing a board of directors.

“My friends and I still wear our SMU rings whenever we go out. I’m very proud to have gone there.”

The cat that started it all

After university, Angela’s career took her to Toronto, where she was working in marketing and communications for the Salvation Army’s national team. She loved the fast-paced learning and the sense of purpose that comes with working in not-for-profit organizations. Then, life changed with one phone call: her beloved grandfather passed away.

Her first thought wasn’t about logistics. It was about his cat, Mackenzie.

“She was 14, grumpy and didn’t like anyone except my grandparents,” she said, smiling. “My grandfather had even put money aside for her care. I just couldn’t imagine her going to a shelter.”

Determined to help, Angela told her parents she’d take Mackenzie, even if it meant flying her to Toronto. As fate would have it, just two weeks later, she was offered a position with the organization’s Maritime division, bringing her back home to Nova Scotia. “It felt like a sign.”

Then came the pandemic. With lockdowns in place and work shifting online, Angela and Mackenzie found themselves spending every day together. “Out of boredom, I started making TikToks,” she laughed. “I didn’t realize how it worked, that anyone could see them. Suddenly, people were asking, ‘Why did you name your cat Mackenzie?’ and I’d reply, ‘She’s not my cat. She’s my grandfather’s cat.’”

That simple reply sparked something bigger than she could have ever imagined. “People started commenting, saying they’d been through the same thing – a loved one passed away, and they didn’t know what happened to their pet. So I started researching and realized that there wasn’t an organization that helps seniors rehome their pets before they move or pass away. I thought, ‘Why is nobody doing this?’’”

Turning grief into good

On May 18, 2021 – her grandfather’s birthday – Angela launched My Grandfather’s Cat. “When a loved one passes away, their birthday becomes a sad day. This gave us a way to celebrate. It’s not sad anymore.”

The concept is simple: connect seniors or individuals with terminal illnesses who can no longer care for their pets with compassionate adopters. It’s built on the idea that both people and animals deserve dignity, love and continuity. “We don’t focus on the sad parts. We celebrate the good. The cats are in their second forever homes, and the seniors know their animals are okay. That’s what’s important to us.”

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In just a few years, My Grandfather’s Cat has grown far beyond a pandemic passion project. The charity has facilitated hundreds of adoptions, built a vibrant online community and inspired people around the world to take small, meaningful actions of kindness.

Still, Angela remains grounded. “I’m just a girl who took her grandfather’s cat. I’ve learned everything by doing and surrounding myself with the right people who share my passion for it. When I’m really down, I read the comments on our milestone posts and people celebrating with us. Sometimes the community keeps me going.”

That belief now echoes in every adoption story her organization helps create, in the seniors who find comfort knowing their pets are cared for and in the hundreds of cats who have found new homes because one young alumna decided to take a chance on an idea born from love.

Lessons in leadership

Running My Grandfather's Cat full-time hasn’t been easy. For the first two years, Angela balanced running the charity with her day job. “People say, ‘If you have a dream, quit your job and go for it.’ But you can’t pay rent in dreams. I had to do both. Running a charity full-time was a huge risk, and there wasn’t much money in the bank account, but I shifted my whole skill set to this. I’m thankful it worked, and I’m thankful people believe in it.”

That pragmatic optimism – part humility, part hustle – defines her leadership style. “To me, the entrepreneurial mindset isn’t about quitting everything and hoping for the best. It’s about doing what you love responsibly, trusting your instincts and learning as you go.”

Her advice to young alumni or current students? “Surround yourself with people who believe in you and then stop caring what anyone else thinks. If you have an idea that lights you up, follow that instinct.”

Full-circle moments

Today, Angela’s days are filled with emails, partnerships, adoption stories and a sense of gratitude that the work she does truly matters. And when she puts on her Saint Mary’s ring, she remembers where that belief began.

“Saint Mary’s will always be the first place I believed in myself. The place that taught me that I could do something more.”

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This story was featured in the Fall edition of the Maroon + White alumni magazine. Visit the online magazine to read more alumni stories!

A full circle moment: Celebrating the impact of Chancellor Michael Durland

Chancellor Mike Durland welcoming graduates during Spring Convocation

There’s a moment at every Saint Mary’s University convocation when the room settles, the energy shifts and all eyes turn forward.

A pause. A smile. “Well…”

And then: “You’ve done it!”

Mike Durland closed every convocation ceremony with great enthusiasm

For graduating students, it’s a moment that lands with meaning. One that signals both an ending and a beginning. And for Chancellor Michael Durland BComm'87 DComm'10, it became a defining part of how he connected with each graduating class.

“The closing gesture was quite involuntary at first,” he says. “I wanted to connect with them, give them a last jolt of energy, give them the sense that they have really arrived.”

As Mike concludes his term as Chancellor, it’s that ability to create meaningful, human moments that has come to define his time in the role.

The moments that matter

When asked what stands out most, Mike doesn’t point to a single milestone or announcement. Instead, he returns to a feeling. “It’s been an amazing experience. It’s actually hard to describe how fulfilling it’s been.” Much of that comes from convocation, the place where his role came to life most visibly and most personally. “You arrive on campus and feel the energy of the students and are reminded of the purpose of the university.”

Celebrating grads on stage at convocation

Over the course of his many ceremonies, he developed a habit of listening closely to valedictorian speeches, seeing them as reflections of something bigger. “They kind of tell the story of the time, for the university and for the students, and it’s often a story about challenges and support, and friendship, and it often reinforces the important, and often deeply personal, role a university plays in student’s life.”

But it was often the quieter, unscripted moments that stayed with him most—meeting families and supporters, hearing snippets of students’ journeys, witnessing pride in its purest form. “For many of them, they’re first-time graduates. There’s a lot of pride, a lot of emotion.” For Mike, these moments reinforced what he sees as the true privilege of the role. “You’re connected to a place that you love, and to all the members of that community in this really wonderful way.”

Coming full circle

Long before he stood on the convocation stage as Chancellor, Mike was a Saint Mary’s student himself. “Saint Mary’s was this amazing time in my life. I really found a love of learning here. I gained a lot of confidence here.” Looking back, he sees that transformation as foundational. “I could not have imagined the life I was about to lead and how much the university prepared me for that.”

It was also at Saint Mary’s where he met his wife, Catherine, something he describes as deeply intertwined with his experience of the university. “When you add it all up, meeting her was the most pivotal moment of my life and we both have very special memories of that time. Saint Mary’s is a constant in those memories.” Returning years later in the role of Chancellor brought that story full circle. “When we go back, it feels like home. It’s this really special place.” That sense of home became a thread throughout his time in the role, something he intentionally reinforces in how he speaks to students, particularly as they graduate.

Giving back with purpose

During his time as Chancellor, the Durland family made a transformative $3-million gift to support graduate research at Saint Mary’s. For Mike, the motivation was deeply personal. “When I look back at my journey, it was a special group of faculty members who really were at the heart of my experience.”

Mike and Catherine Durland met as undergraduate students at the Sobey School of Business

One of those faculty members still stands out vividly. While at Saint Mary’s, he approached professor Jan Bartholdy for a reference to law school, only to be met with a different idea. “He said, ‘I will give you a reference, but only if you apply to Queen’s for your PhD.’” What followed was more than guidance. The two worked together on a paper, and when Mike wasn’t accepted in the first round, Bartholdy took it upon himself to advocate directly, driving to Queen’s University in person to make the case. “He said, ‘You have to take this guy. He’s just a great kid.’”

It’s a moment that has stayed with him, not just because of where it led, but because of what it represented: a professor who saw potential, took the time and changed the trajectory of a student’s life. The gift, he explains, was a way to recognize that special relationship. “It was our attempt to bring back to our amazing faculty a special thanks.”

At the same time, it reflects a broader belief in the role of research and the importance of supporting both faculty and students. “I wanted to find something that would be beneficial to them, to encourage young graduate students to come and be part of their labs and to grow into our next generation of faculty.” Underlying that is a bigger question, and one he continues to think about: “How do we create an environment where all our students can flourish?”

Confidence in the next generation

After years of watching students cross the convocation stage, Mike is clear about what gives him confidence in the next generation. “They are amazing. You definitely walk away a little bit mind-blown.” In particular, he points to a sense of confidence and readiness—something he sees as especially meaningful in today’s world. “There could be a lot of reasons today to not be confident, but yet I think our students have a sense of confidence and readiness that’s truly inspiring.”

He also sees something else: energy. “They have more energy at the end than they had at the beginning of their journeys. They’ve done it.” For Mike, that combination matters. “If you have confidence and you have energy, you have a really good start to a winning formula.”

Advice for what comes next

Mike speaking at an alumni event

For graduates stepping into life beyond Saint Mary’s, Mike offers a perspective shaped by experience. “Many of our graduates feel a lot of pressure—they feel they should know exactly where that next leg of the journey is going to take them. When I left Saint Mary’s, I had no idea where my career would take me, and that was okay. That’s what makes the journey special—you work hard, absorb everything around you and the path eventually reveals itself.”

He often returns to an analogy his mother used. “Just because you have your driver’s license doesn’t mean you know how to drive a car.” The message is clear: learning doesn’t stop at graduation. “Keep educating, keep developing, keep having dreams. The day you graduate from university, you’re nowhere near through your journey. It’s really just begun.”

It’s advice rooted in patience, resilience and a willingness to embrace uncertainty. “Don’t fear failure. If you’re not failing, you’re not trying. That’s how you learn.”

A lasting connection

Ahead of his final convocation as Chancellor, Mike shared that the moment will be a meaningful one. “There’ll be a lot of mixed emotions.”

After years of standing at the front of the stage—welcoming, encouraging and celebrating each graduating class—it’s not just the ceremony he’ll reflect on, but the people behind it. The conversations, the stories, the moments of pride that unfolded between each name called. “You get to see the student’s moment of connection with their family and friends. Sometimes there’s a huge celebration, sometimes it’s more subtle. But there’s a lot of pride, a lot of emotion and you really get a sense of what it means to them.”

That connection, felt in those moments, has come to define his time as Chancellor. It’s something that reaches far beyond the stage, shaped by relationships, shared experiences and grounded in a deep appreciation for what Saint Mary’s represents in people’s lives.

A shared chapter

Throughout his term, Mike has worked closely with Saint Mary’s leadership, including former president Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray and Susan Summerby-Murray, whose presence helped shape the tone of campus life during his time as Chancellor. He has also supported the university through a period of transition, welcoming new president Dr. Michael Khan and the continued evolution of Saint Mary’s.

Being sworn in as Chancellor in 2019

Behind the scenes, he is quick to acknowledge the many people who make the university what it is, from its Board of Governors to faculty, staff and the broader campus community.

That spirit of shared leadership and collective care is something he has both experienced and contributed to, and something that will continue long after his term concludes.

And while he has spent years offering words of encouragement to graduating students, Saint Mary’s now has an opportunity to return the sentiment. For the time, energy and heart he has given to this role, for the moments he helped shape, the connections he strengthened and the community he championed…

Thank you, Mike. You’ve done it.

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Mike and his wife, Catherine BComm'87, established the Durland Family Doctoral Convocation Award to support PhD students as they reach this important milestone in their academic journey—reflecting their shared belief in the power of education and student achievement.

As we mark the conclusion of his tenure (2019 – 2026), we invite members of the Saint Mary’s community to honour his contributions and leadership by making a gift to support the Durland Family Doctoral Convocation Award.

Your generosity is a meaningful way to recognize Mike’s lasting impact and to help ensure that future students continue to benefit from the opportunities he has championed. Thank you.

Make a Gift in Honour of Michael Durland BComm'87

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This story was featured in the Spring edition of the Maroon + White alumni magazine. Visit the online magazine to read more alumni stories!

Pitch perfect

Meet the three unique women who made up the top Stock Pitch team in Canada

Keira Hennigar, Katelyn Abriel, Laura McAleese and coach/faculty advisor Ross Hallett

A team of three Sobey School of Business women are the top stock pitching team in Canada after competing in Virginia, USA, in March.

Laura McAleese graduated from the Sobey School of Business in 2025 with her Bachelor of Commerce in Finance. She “landed at Saint Mary’s after hip-hopping around a bit,” knowing that the Sobey School was where her mother had gotten her accounting degree. She says she toured SMU when she was a little girl and “vividly remembers the Atrium with the plant wall.”  

From her BComm, she applied to the Sobey Master of Business Analytics “on a whim,” although she adds that the future-facing AI-focused curriculum appealed to her.

Laura is an active participant in the Impact Fund program, which deepened her passion for, as she calls it, “the technical aspect of finance.”  Last year, in her first year on the Impact Team, she competed at the Stock Pitch.

Keira Hennigar is a third-year BComm student majoring in finance. She is a member of Saint Mary’s Equestrian Club and the Investment Society. Katelyn Abriel is also a third-year student, majoring in finance and accounting and aiming to get her CPA designation and pursue a career in accounting. Both are current Research Associates with the Sobey School Impact Fund, Keira for real estate investment and Katelyn for consumer staples.

In March, Keira, Katelyn and Laura entered the women-only Bianca Caragliano Stock Pitch Competition.  

So what is a stock pitch competition?

Participants are tasked with choosing the stock that they hope will beat the market over the next year. “After choosing a stock, we basically do equity research on that stock,” says Laura. “We look at the company, we look at its competitors, industries, and then we try to come up with an implied share price for the stock and see whether or not it's mispriced in the actual market. Then, we give a buy or sell recommendation.”

This preparation paid off. The team competed at William & Mary in Williamsburg, against 21 teams from across Canada, the US and beyond. They landed at number four, topping teams from the Ivey Business School, Memorial University, UBC and University of Regina, making them the highest-scoring Canadian team.

Sarah McLean BComm'06 message to graduates: You don’t need every answer to begin

Sarah McLean BComm’06

“Where do I start?” was the question weighing on Sarah McLean BComm’06 as her graduation date approached and she prepared to enter the job market.

It’s a feeling many graduates know well, and one Sarah still reflects today. That early uncertainty continues to shape how she approaches leadership and student engagement, while keeping her closely connected to Saint Mary’s.

Today, Sarah is a dedicated leader and volunteer, serving on the Board of Governors where she plays a vital role in shaping the university's strategic direction. Despite her leadership responsibilities, she remains deeply committed to the student's experience and enjoys returning to campus to engage directly with students and the broader university community.

Most recently, Sarah returned to campus as a panel guest for SMUSA’s International Women’s Day event, joining the “Women Leading with Impact” discussion. The event brought together women leaders from a variety of industries to share personal experiences, career insights, and lessons in leadership with students preparing to enter the workforce.

During the panel, Sarah spoke candidly about navigating career transitions, embracing uncertainty and the importance of saying “yes” to the new opportunities, even when the path forward is not fully clear.

“You don’t have to fit into a box or follow a single, defined role,” she told the audience. “Just put your hand up and say ‘yes!’”

For Sarah, post-secondary institutions are environments that help shape people, ideas, and future opportunities. That belief is what continues to motivate her involvement with Saint Mary’s and her commitment to staying connected with students and campus life. Through speaking engagements and governance work, she hopes to encourage students to remain open to different paths as they take their next steps after graduation.

Reflecting on the impact of these experiences, Sarah finds the most inspiration during the graduation season.

“As a Governor, I truly value convocation,” she says. “Witnessing students cross the stage alongside their proud families and supporters, are moments I find both meaningful and rewarding.’

Her journey from an uncertain graduate about where to begin to a leader helping guide the future of the university reflects the lasting connection many alumni continue to have with Saint Mary’s. By sharing her experiences and remaining actively involved in campus life, Sarah hopes to remind students that success does not always follow a single, clearly defined path and that sometimes the most important step is to simply be willing to say “yes.”

Alumni are often invited to speak at student events on campus throughout the year. Those interested in getting involved can contact the Alumni Office at alumni@smu.ca.

Ben Gaunce BA’17: Giving back to the community that shaped him

Ben Gaunce with Mary Ann Daye, Director of Alumni Engagement at the SMU Alumni Golf Tournament

“My time as a student at SMU was invaluable. It was filled with new experiences, opportunities, and learning, both inside and outside the classroom.”

For Ben Gaunce BA‘17, those experiences didn’t stop at graduation. They’re what brought him back.

Now, as a SMU alum and dedicated volunteer, Ben focuses on helping create those same experiences for others. Whether he’s connecting with students or taking the stage as a co-host for the 2024 Alumni Awards, he is committed to keeping the Husky sense of community strong.

Ben discovered his passion for advocacy, serving as the Board Representative on the SMUSA Council in 2017. Today, he continues to draw on that experience to ensure students and alumni have a seat at the table, helping shape the decisions that shape the university’s future.

Ben graduated with a BA in 2017

Co-hosting the Alumni Awards in 2024

From volunteering at his favourite event, Homecoming, or showing up for the community,  Ben views investing his time in SMU as his way of showing gratitude for the place that helped shape his journey.

When asked what advice he has for those looking to get involved, Ben keeps it simple: Show up to events and games, connect with others, don’t be afraid to reach out, and, most of all, wear maroon!

Discovering new worlds of possibilities: Jillian Taylor BSc'22

By Krista Keough

Jill Taylor BSc’22

The first time Jillian Taylor BSc’22 went to Saint Mary’s, it was to watch a football game with her family. “I must have been seven or eight,” she said. “There’s a photo of me holding boomsticks that you clap together…my mom’s kept it.”

Little did they know that Taylor would return to Saint Mary’s as a student, and this time, she would be the one on the field.

Born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Taylor excelled in science and played rugby throughout high school. Her former coach, Amber Davidson, was also coaching Saint Mary’s Huskies Women’s Rugby and encouraged her to apply to the university and join the team. Taylor is quick to note that the built-in friend group of players made the move to campus easier.

“What a great community of girls. To come in and have fourth-years who – this isn’t their first rodeo – they know the ropes and are able to show you around. That was really nice to have.”

Taking a step back from athletics in the years to follow to focus on her studies took Taylor in many directions.

“I switched my programs a lot. Trying to figure out my major was not linear at all. I ended up taking a lot of courses in different departments, which meant I took a little longer to finish my degree, but I got a good, well-rounded education.”

Jill participated in a SMU photoshoot

Taylor made time for extracurricular activities, such as scuba diving and participated in Model United Nations, an international conference where students learn about the UN system. “We actually went to the UN headquarters in New York City,” she said, where she made long-lasting friendships.

Ultimately, her credentials reflect her varied interests: Taylor graduated with a Bachelor of Science, double major in Biology and Psychology, Co-operative Education (Honours) and minor in Political Science.

“I feel like the whole point of an undergrad is to learn how to learn, and to try to learn what you don’t know.”

Taylor’s passion for exploration led her to achieve her scuba diving certification, unlocking a new world of possibilities. “I was doing biology courses, and I thought, 'This is so cool! The ocean’s in my backyard, I want to see what it’s like’.”

Scuba diving ignited her passion for underwater videography and photography. Despite the harsh conditions, she documented our “colourful, very biodiverse waters” in the Atlantic Ocean during her time at Saint Mary’s and in St. John’s, where she later moved to pursue her Master of Science at Memorial University.

Dive with Jill Taylor aired on Bell. Image: tv.bell.ca

While living in Newfoundland, she attended a networking event and met a director and a producer. They had watched some of her underwater scuba diving videos and pitched the idea of making a TV show together.

“That was something I’d never even thought about or conceptualized. It just honestly fell into my lap, and I’m really glad it did because it was so much fun.”

Taylor worked with the crew at Right There Productions and her partner and fellow diver, Tanner Stein, to host, produce and shoot footage for the six-episode series called Dive Newfoundland with Jill Taylor, which aired in April and May 2025 on Bell Media.

In each episode, they feature a different community and Taylor interviews local people before going underwater to film marine life.

“I think a common misconception of the North Atlantic is that there’s nothing to see here, that you have to hop on a plane and go somewhere tropical to see really cool fish species. And that’s just not the case.”

The co-operative education component of her degree at Saint Mary’s helped Taylor transition from the classroom to begin her career. “Having work terms interspersed with my school terms was the best decision I made.”

One work term, in particular, she credits with helping her land her current position as a science communicator for Coastal Action, a non-profit environmental organization based in Mahone Bay. “I worked for them as a field technician and now I’m back as permanent staff.”

These days, the 27-year-old is prioritizing her full-time job and completing her master’s degree, while honing her craft as a videographer and sharing her adventures via Instagram. Last summer, she assisted with the underwater diving portion of a major documentary and thinks it would be fun to do a second diving TV show series set in Nova Scotia.

“If the opportunity arose, I’d definitely jump at it,” she said, ready and eager to dive right in.

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This story was featured in the Fall edition of the Maroon + White alumni magazine. Visit the online magazine to read more alumni stories!

From Halifax to the Cayman Islands: Building a global career in accounting

Chase Gaudet BComm’19

After graduating from the Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting program at Saint Mary’s University in 2019, Chase Gaudet began his professional journey in Canada with BDO in Halifax. His academic experience provided a strong foundation in CPA-aligned competencies, including financial reporting, assurance, taxation and professional judgment, preparing him to navigate the early stages of his career with confidence. 

As his career progressed, Chase was motivated by the opportunity to gain international exposure and experience different business environments. In 2022, he moved to Deloitte in the Cayman Islands—a transition that has been both professionally and personally rewarding. 

In his current role as an Audit Manager, Chase manages audits for financial services clients, including hedge funds and private equity firms. His work involves coordinating cross-border engagements, reviewing complex accounting matters under US GAAP and IFRS, and ensuring compliance with local and international regulatory standards. 

Living and working in the Cayman Islands offers a dynamic and engaging lifestyle, with opportunities for networking, social events, and team-building that foster strong professional and personal connections. "The island’s year-round sunshine and vibrant expat community have made the experience especially rewarding. The proximity to Canada also allows me to easily travel home and stay connected with friends and family," says Chase. 

His advice to current students and new grads:

“Step outside your comfort zone and take advantage of opportunities that challenge you both professionally and personally.”

From campus to community: Maddie Vanderlinden’s alumni journey

Maddie (on the right) volunteers with SMU Alumni during Homecoming

For Maddie Vanderlinden BA’24, staying involved with Saint Mary’s University was a natural next step after graduation—and a meaningful way to stay connected. 

While completing her Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Intercultural Studies and French, along with a minor in Asian Studies, Maddie built a strong sense of community through her involvement with SAGA (Students Acting for Global Awareness), the French Society, WUSC (World University Service of Canada), and as a Welcome Weeks Leader—connections that made her experience unforgettable. 

Today, she continues that connection as a member of both the Alumni Council and the Young Alumni Committee, roles she stepped into immediately after graduating. 

“I chose to continue volunteering with SMU as a way to stay connected after graduating,” she shares. “I had such a positive experience during my time there.” 

For Maddie, volunteering is about supporting students and helping foster the same welcoming environment she experienced. She’s especially enjoyed attending cultural events like Caribanza and believes it’s important for alumni to show support for student societies and the work they do. 

We are very grateful to Maddie for her continued involvement and the energy she brings to the SMU community. 

Her advice for students and new graduates: 

“Getting involved before you graduate makes the transition to alumni engagement much easier—but it’s never too late to start.” 

Donna Davis is a woman with a plan

By Krista Keough

Donna Davis Hon BA’85

“I was always interested in cities,” said Donna Davis Hon BA’85, “which is kind of interesting given the fact that I grew up in a rural community.” Hants County in Nova Scotia is where Davis calls her hometown, but the bright city lights were calling her name from an early age.

“I didn’t get to go to the city very often, but I was very intrigued,” she said. “Lots of lights, lots of people, lots of activities going on. I was very excited by it, and interested in exploring cities and understanding how they worked.”

In high school, Davis discovered her passion for urban geography. One of her geography teachers, Robin Crickmer, was also a part-time professor at Saint Mary’s. He was instrumental in her application to the university and her pursuit of a career in the field.

“At that time, I didn’t want to leave Nova Scotia. Being able to go to a local university that has a well-known geography program, as well as having a professor that I knew, really made that decision pretty easy.”

With Davis’ stand-out grades, Crickmer and her guidance counsellors had put her name forward for a full scholarship, “so that also helped,” she said. The extra support, however, came with its own set of challenges.

“I had to maintain a 4.0 grade point average to keep the scholarship for four years,” said Davis. When asked how she handled the added pressure that comes with achieving the highest marks, she says she was very proud of the opportunity.

“I didn’t want to disappoint anyone, including my parents, who were pleased as punch. I was probably going to work really hard anyhow, but it drove me to succeed.”

While on campus and living in residence, she played recreational sports, took part in social activities and met a lot of really great friends. “The small class sizes also meant that I got to know a lot of my schoolmates.”

Davis completed her Master of Science in City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning at the University of Toronto after graduating from Saint Mary’s. She was drawn to the fact that Toronto is a really big city, and it gave her the chance to live that “big city life”.

As much as she enjoyed her experience, she returned to Nova Scotia to begin her career and be near family and friends.

Her first job was as a planning technician, followed by a position as a junior planner at the Municipality of East Hants. She moved to the (former) Town of Bedford and, after the amalgamation, transitioned to the Halifax Regional Municipality.

“I’ve been working for the municipality for 38 years. I’ve had the opportunity to do many different things, and that’s always kept my interest.”

For the first decade, she worked in planning and development. “I started as an urban planner writing urban planning policy, developing city plans and being involved in development approval processes.”

Davis took on more senior roles, up to Chief Information Officer, and led major initiatives using information and technology management to provide better services to residents. At the top of her game, she could have retired early, “but I didn’t,” she said.

“I had the opportunity to take on the role of project manager for the Cogswell District project,” she said, which is the biggest city-building project in the history of Halifax. “That really brought me full circle into the planning realm again.”

“To have a hand in what’s going to be a brand new neighbourhood, and a very pivotal piece in downtown Halifax in such a prime location, is just phenomenal. We’ve been able to take an area of land that really didn’t have a purpose and turn it into something really vibrant.”

Not only was the interchange underutilized, but it also represented a separation of the north and west end from the waterfront and downtown. “Our ability to remove it and knit those connections together again is one of the most exciting things for me.”

What’s next for Davis, now that she is officially retiring? Making memories with her parents and taking on meaningful volunteer work are at the top of her list. To fulfill her passion for exploring new places, she plans to travel more with her husband. “There are lots of cities and lots of urban areas to see in the world,” she said, as the bright city lights call her name once again.

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This story was featured in the Fall edition of the Maroon + White alumni magazine. Visit the online magazine to read more alumni stories!

From Halifax to national policy: How Peter Mackenzie MAE’20 found his path in economics

Peter MacKenzie graduated from the Master of Applied Economics program in the Sobey School of Business in 2020

When Peter Mackenzie MAE'20 first enrolled in the Master of Applied Economics program at Saint Mary's University, a PhD wasn’t part of the plan. Today, he’s helping shape national conversations on Canada’s economy as a Senior Policy Analyst at the C.D. Howe Institute—a journey he credits in large part to his time in Halifax.

“I honestly wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do after my undergraduate degree,” Mackenzie says. “But the MAE program stood out. It looked like a great opportunity to apply economics to real-world problems, and that really drew me in.”

Discovering a passion for economics

Originally from Ontario, Mackenzie came to Halifax for its strong academic reputation and the applied focus of the MAE program. What he found was something more transformative than expected.

“I liked economics before,” he explains, “but the program really deepened that interest. It got me to a point where I wanted to commit another five years to studying it.”

That decision led him to pursue a PhD at York University, specializing in econometrics, a field that combines statistical methods with economic theory to analyze data and inform policy decisions.

Learning by doing

A defining moment in Mackenzie’s academic journey came through his master’s thesis. This was the first time he led a full-scale research project from start to finish.

“That experience was huge,” he says. “Learning how to design research, analyze data and communicate findings clearly are skills I still rely on every day.”

Those skills carried him through his doctoral studies and into roles at institutions such as the Bank of Canada, where he worked as an economics PhD intern, and later into his current position at the C.D. Howe Institute.

Today, his work focuses on financial services research and economic analysis, including contributions to widely read commentary on Canada’s GDP performance and economic outlook.

Making sense of Canada’s economy

Mackenzie recently co-authored a piece examining Canada’s economic resilience in the face of global uncertainty. While many predicted a downturn, the economy proved more stable than expected.

“People were expecting a recession, and we didn’t see that,” he explains. “In some ways, the economy performed better than anticipated, but there’s still room for improvement.”

It’s this balance—combining data-driven analysis with real-world implications—that continues to motivate his work.

“One of the things I love about economics is how versatile it is,” he says. “You can apply it to almost any issue, especially when it comes to public policy.”

Advice for future economists

For current and prospective students, Mackenzie emphasizes both effort and genuine interest.

Peter’s cohort in the Master of Applied Economics program

“Work hard, but also make sure you enjoy what you’re doing,” he advises. “The MAE program prepares you really well for careers in economics and public policy, but that passion is what carries you forward.”

Looking back, he credits not just the program, but the people and environment for shaping his path.

“The professors, my cohort, the city itself...it all contributed to an experience that really solidified my direction,” he says. “It’s a great place to study, and I’d highly recommend it.”

From uncertainty to impact, Peter Mackenzie’s journey is a testament to where curiosity, strong mentorship, and applied learning can lead—and how Saint Mary’s continues to prepare graduates to shape the world around them.

How leaders at the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre are building their own venture

Michael Sanderson MBA’08 and Meredith Drost BComm’19 MTEI’25, leaders at the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre, have started their own venture called Athena’s Playground

At the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre, supporting entrepreneurs doesn’t stop at mentorship; it often means leading by example. That’s exactly what the Director, Michael Sanderson MBA’08 and Manager, Business Design, Meredith Drost BComm’19 MTEI’25 and their third co-founder, Mukul Gupta BSc’14, are doing through their latest venture, Athena’s Playground.

They co-founded Athena’s Playground, an online learning platform designed to bring people together through shared interests; whether that’s cooking, dance, photography or other creative pursuits. Building on the idea that learning should feel accessible, social and inspiring, the platform creates a community where people can explore new hobbies and connect with others from around the world.

“We wanted to create something that makes learning feel more accessible, connected and rooted in community,” says Meredith Drost. “Turning lessons from local experts into bite-sized micro-sessions makes new skills more attainable.”

The venture is entering an exciting new phase with the launch of its Kickstarter campaign. For the co-founders, the campaign represents more than just fundraising—it’s an opportunity to test, validate and grow the business to 50 trainers, bringing on new courses and applying the same entrepreneurial principles they use every day at the Centre.

Their dual role as educators and active founders highlights a core strength of the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre: its commitment to experiential learning. By actively building and scaling a venture, Michael and Meredith are reinforcing the Centre’s approach of learning by doing, demonstrating what it looks like to take an idea from concept to market.

“This is exactly what we’re doing with Athena’s Playground,” says Michael Sanderson, “taking an idea and building it into something we can test, refine and grow.”

The Kickstarter campaign also reflects the collaborative and community-driven mindset that defines Athena’s Playground. Supporters are not just backing a product; they’re helping shape a platform designed to make learning more engaging and become a part of the community.

Through Athena’s Playground, Michael and Meredith are creating a new kind of learning platform while showing exactly what it means to lead from within the entrepreneurial journey.

Discover how the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre supports ventures like Athena’s Playground and follow their journey through their live Kickstarter campaign.

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Watch:

The founders of Athena’s Playground were recently featured on Global News Morning Halifax.