Pronouns: she/her
Natalie is a business advisor and project lead with the Centre for Women in Business (CWB) at Mount St. Vincent University (MSVU) where she focuses on student engagement, start-up development, and leads the economic advancing- Specialized Program in Cooking Entrepreneurship (SPICE). Her work empowers women and students to move from idea to implementation by connecting them with the right advice, tools, entrepreneurial education and training.
Recently appointed to the Board of the Centre for Local Prosperity, Natalie brings a deep commitment to inclusive economic development, rural resilience, and the advancement of Nova Scotians. She believes in the transformative power of community-led economic localization to address some of the region’s most pressing challenges—climate change, biodiversity loss, and inequality—while building agency and opportunity for future generations.
A former business owner, Natalie is a recognized leader in Nova Scotia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Her accolades include New Business of the Year and Small Business of the Year from the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, Entrepreneur of the Year from the Black Business Initiative, and the Invisible Champion Award from United Way Halifax and The Bhayana Family Foundation. She was also named one of the “Top 25 Immigrants in the Maritimes.”
Natalie holds certificates in Business Development from Waterloo University; and in Leadership and Innovation from Dalhousie University’s Rowe School of Business. She brings hands-on experience in business automation, customer service, and the food sector, with a passion for helping rural and underrepresented entrepreneurs adopt the technologies and mindsets needed to thrive.
As an American immigrant of Afro-Caribbean heritage, Natalie believes that helping others succeed is the greatest form of service. She actively mentors international students and newcomers to Nova Scotia and frequently shares her insights as a speaker, and refuses to be a “doorkeeper” to information that could positively impact others. Her approach is rooted in stewardship, inclusion, and action—ensuring that everyone, regardless of background or geography, has a fair opportunity to shape their future.
When she’s not working, Natalie documents her family’s local adventures on social media with the belief that adventure is for all.