Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that HOPA is located in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People, and we acknowledge them as the past, present, and future caretakers of this land. We are all treaty people who benefit greatly from the shared resources of this land covered by the treaties of Peace and Friendship.
Diversity Statement
HOPA embodies the values of respect, collaboration, diversity, and inclusion, and has a strong commitment to employment equity. We value a workplace where diversity, in all its forms, is encouraged and recognized for its contribution to a more creative, rewarding workplace.
Staff Bios
Cheryl Canning, KC
CEO & Attorney-in-fact
Prior to joining HOPA in 2020 Cheryl spent 22 years representing and advising national and international insurers on a wide range of matters, including defence of property and casualty claims, professional liability claims, institutional abuse claims and coverage concerns. While in private practice Cheryl was honoured to be listed among the Best Lawyers in Canada in Insurance Law. She is Chair of the Board of Directors of another Canadian insurance reciprocals and is an active member of the Canadian Association of Insurance Reciprocals. She spent over two years as HOPA’s Senior Legal Counsel, providing claims and risk management services to HOPA’s Subscribers, before assuming the position of Chief Executive Officer and Attorney-in-Fact in 2023.
Matthew Brothers-Moulton, JD, LLM
Claims Counsel
Matthew joined HOPA in 2022 as Claims Counsel. In his role, Matthew is responsible for the assessment and handling of claims involving HOPA’s subscribers. Prior to joining HOPA, Matthew was an associate with a regional law firm in Halifax where he practiced insurance and medical defence litigation. Previously he served as chair of the Equity Committee for the Canadian Bar Association – Nova Scotia branch and was on the Board of Directors for Eating Disorders Nova Scotia where he continues as a trained peer mentor. Outside of the office, Matthew is active in the weightlifting community in Nova Scotia and is a member of the Ironstone weightlifting team.
Ismene Nayagar, LLB, CIP
Claims Examiner
Ismene joined HOPA in 2024, bringing relevant litigation and claims experience. Ismene has a background as an insurance defence litigator where she primarily defended medical negligence claims in South Africa. Further studies in Insurance Management led her to Ontario where she gained valuable insurance knowledge. She gained experience as a claims examiner at a national healthcare reciprocal handling medical negligence claims and then as a bodily injury adjuster at one of Canada’s largest property and casualty insurers. Ismene holds her Chartered Insurance Professional designation in addition to her law degree. She is passionate about environmental conservation and sustainability.
Brett MacInnis, B.Comm, FCIP
Risk Manager
Brett joined HOPA in 2024. Brett brings 15 years of industry experience to his role as risk manager, providing risk management support and services to HOPA’s Subscribers. Prior to joining HOPA, Brett was a commercial insurance broker providing insurance and risk management services to many sectors across Nova Scotia. Most recently, he moved to the public sector and was a Risk Analyst in the Nova Scotia government. He is currently on the Board of Directors of the Maritime Chapter of The Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS).
Susan Beal
Human Resources & Financial Administrator
Susan joined HOPA as Executive Assistant to the CEO in August 2012 bringing with her 32 years of prior experience in a variety of administrative, financial and office management roles. She is currently our Human Resource and Financial Administrator where her extraordinary attention to detail has been directed towards the management of HOPA’s financial records, human resource administration and on data analysis. She is proud to have participated in HOPA’s growth and looks forward to HOPA’s continued evolution.
Jocelyn Fisher
Senior Association Manager (HOST Management)
Jocelyn is a Senior Association Manager with HOST Management and provides contracted administrative support to HOPA’s CEO. A graduate of Mount Allison University, Jocelyn brings 18 years of administrative and event management experience to her role. She supports a wide range of governance and operational activities, including coordinating board and committee meetings, preparing governance materials, and managing key administrative processes. Jocelyn’s strong organizational skills, professionalism, and attention to detail contribute significantly to the effective functioning of HOPA’s leadership and governance work.
Board of Directors
Danielle Hughes, FCIA, FIA (Chair)
Principal, Mercer
Barry Burke, MBA, CPA, CMA (Vice Chair)
Executive Director Finance, NS Dept of Health & Wellness
Cecil Snow, CPA, CGA, BBA-IT/Acct (App) (Treasurer)
Chief Financial Officer/Director Corporate Services, HANS
Stefan Cowell, CFA, MBA, ICD.D (Past Chair)
Chief Executive Officer, NSHEPP
Mary Anne Campbell, LL.B
General Counsel, WCB
Christopher Madill, LL.B.
Partner, Stewart McKelvey
Jarrett Reaume, B.Acc., CPA, CA, CBV, CFF
Partner/Senior Vice President, MDD Forensic Accountants
Lawrence Rubin, LL.B
Director of Insurance, LIANS
Laura Woodworth, JD
Associate, Stewart McKelvey
Rochelle Currie
Senior Director, Quality Improvement & Safety, NS Health
Philip Stewart
Senior Executive Director (Acting), Emergency Health Services, NS Dept of Health & Wellness
Cheryl Canning, KC (ex officio, Secretary)
Chief Executive Officer, HOPA