Special Guests
Wade Lynch - Master of Ceremonies
WADE LYNCH is a 40+ year veteran of Canadian theatre as an actor, producer, director, playwright, and educator. He is the former Associate Artistic Director of the Charlottetown Festival and author of the plays, Epiphanies, On the Road with Dutch Mason, Come All Ye, Canada Rocks, Reconciliation on the Street, Something Wonderful, Abegweit Soul of the Island (Wendell Boyle Award), Quebec a la Carte and many others. He earned his BA in theatre at Western Washington University and a master’s degree in education from the University of PEI. He currently teaches in the Workplace Essential Skills program for the CMHA and in the online Knowledge Mobilization program at Bishop’s University in Sherbrooke, Quebec. Wade is the former co-host of MA-TV’s arts and culture program, Teatime at Uplands. Wade is looking forward to directing the 2025 production of Anne and Gilbert at the Florence Simmons Performance Hall.
Helen MacDonnell - Guest Speaker
Helen MacDonnell is an award-winning mental health advocate and founder of Women & Wellness, a national awareness and fundraiser for the Canadian Mental Health Association. Helen grew up in Nova Scotia and raised her family in New Brunswick. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Nonfiction Writing and has a background in journalism and law.
In 2018, Helen became the Executive Director of Community Links (now Aging Well Nova Scotia), where she worked to support age-friendly communities and combat ageism. She draws parallels between the stigma of mental illness and ageism, including their shared roots in fear and discrimination.
Helen led a significant $1.2 million research project to study the impacts of COVID-19 on older adults and community organizations before retiring in June 2024. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, including her granddaughter, Eleanor, and her dog, Willow.
Anne Worth - Guest Speaker
Ann Worth, President of Worth Consulting Group is a business owner, consummate connector,
economic developer, commercial real estate advisor and professional facilitator and trainer passionate
about helping people succeed. With extensive market knowledge and experience, her commitment to
understanding and facilitating exceptional client relationships and solutions is a passion.
She brings over 35 years of business facilitation experience in various areas of competency including
entrepreneurship, international trade, marketing, retail, manufacturing, commercial real estate, wellness
and workplace skills development.
A champion for Next Level Leadership, Personal Empowerment, Wellness and Respect in the Workplace,
Ann’s extensive experience in the private and not profit sectors have given her a rich foundation of
leadership competency through these incredible experiences. Experiences that have enabled her
facilitation competency and excellence through the delivery of engaging content designed to lift people
up.
Diversity and Global View
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A commitment to continuous learning and professional development has permeated Ann’s career
development with growth and change evolving a rich tapestry of workplace experiences spanning
• International trade leading Canadian companies to develop export markets around the world.
• Co-creating Grow Export Programs and delivering professional training to business leaders and
teams throughout the region.
• Business ownership including gift retail, vending, food manufacturing, real estate sales,
consulting, training and facilitation services.
• Service in various leadership positions in the not for profit and private sector including Meetings
and Conventions Prince Edward Island, The PEI Aquaculture Alliance, the Atlantic Canada Food
Export Partnership, Delta Hotels, the Halifax Board of Trade, Rodd Hotels and Resorts and COWS
Ice Cream.
• Service to community with leadership roles to the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Women
President’s Organization and Central Development Corporation as examples.
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An outdoor enthusiast, adventurer and avid mountain biker and hiker, Ann lives in the best place on
Earth, Prince Edward Island, an incredibly beautiful place that inspires her every day to make a
meaningful positive difference in the lives of others. Effective facilitation is the talent and the tool that
brings empowerment to the world one session, one person at a time.