"The engine that drives the train of organizational change."
The Board of Directors is the governing body of the association, responsible for the direction of the management of the affairs of the organization.

The Board is made up of a group of volunteers elected by the membership. Those in a position of governance (Directors) act in a unified way that reaches beyond the views and aspirations of individuals.

Governance is the process undertaken by a group of nine (9) individuals (the Board of Directors), who act as a single entity in a moral and sometimes legal sense to create a single resolution from the different views and values of its peer members. It is a process that focuses on policies to meet the high level, long term goals and needs of the organization (the Association).

Members become a Director of the Board of Directors by virtue of the Association's Act and By-Laws.

The current Board members (voted in by the members at the annual general meeting 2022) are:

Pat Twast - Board Chair - Director (re-elected October 2023)

Pat resides in Newtown NS, where she instructed hairdressing for over 30 years at the NSCC in Port Hawkesbury. Now retired, Pat continues to volunteer her time in the industry, which includes: serving on the Board and instructing apprentices for the Apprenticeship Pilot Project (Hairdressing). In 2018, Pat also traveled to Ottawa to work with many other hairstylists from across Canada to help build the new Hairstylist RedSeal test.

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Cameron DeBaie - Director

Cameron has been working in the industry for over 10 years as a professional Make-Up Artist and Eyelash Extension Technician. Cameron graduated from Concepts Career College in 2011 and has worked on several fashion shows and numerous photo shoots with some of Halifax's top photographers. He has taught lash extensions in the industry and has been an active participant with the Association since day one of his Cosmetology career.

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In addition, Cameron has over 10 years of experience teaching in the public education system for Halifax Regional Centre for Education. Cameron served as Board Chair and is very passionate about promoting the profession. Cameron is always working towards a better tomorrow for the industry and continues to work on projects with the Executive Director and the Board on behalf of the Members, such as working with the government to implement Clinical Esthetics and supporting the industry throughout COVID. In his free time, you will find him on the slopes with his family in Banff!

Tracey L. Crawley - Co-Chair (re-elected November 2022)

Proprietor of Crowning Glory Hair Studio, Tracey has been making people look and feel great for over 25 years.

A Master Stylist and educator, Tracey enjoys both working behind the chair and teaching the various aspects of black hair Care in private schools and Nova Scotia Community Colleges (NSCC) throughout the province.

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Tracey earned Red Seal Certification in Hair Styling (Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency), graduated from the Master’s Program for Women (North Carolina, USA) and holds a Certificate in Adult Education through Dalhousie University (Nova Scotia), and serves on the Board of Directors for the Cosmetology Association of NS and on the TAC committee (Trade Advisory Committee) for the Hair Stylist Apprenticeship Pilot.

Tracey is educated in many aspects of hair design including Mizani Relaxer System, Design Essentials, Natural Hair Care, Liquid Keratin Professional, Schwarzkopf Law of Color, Babe Hair Extensions (to name a few) and refines her skills through continuous training and upgrading.

Tracey believes that “One person cannot do everything; but everyone can do something.”

Tanya Baker-D'Arcy - Director

Tanya started her career in cosmetology in 1984 and has been the area supervisor for a local salon chain since 1989. Tanya holds a Master Instructor licence in hairdressing and esthetics and is a certified Red Seal hairstylist.

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Tanya has participated in numerous professional development and career-oriented courses and is passionate about the cosmetology profession. Tanya is an advocate for the Apprenticeship Program in Nova Scotia and is excited for the opportunities it will present to people considering a career in hairstyling. In her spare time she enjoys cheering for the Halifax Mooseheads, yoga, travelling, and spending time with her husband Mike and dog Bentley.

Angela Burns - Director ( re-elected October 2023)
Angela Burns, a wife and a Mom to 3 beautiful daughters. Angela is a Master Cosmetologist Instructor at NSCC Pictou Campus and a proud Association member of 20+ years and counting.

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Hairdressing has always been a huge passion for Angela from the time she was 5+ years old, doing hair, braiding cabbage patch dolls to eventually cutting and melting Barbie’s synthetic hair. In elementary school Angela proceeded to open a salon in her parent’s basement to braid and style all the neighbourhood kids. In high school when everyone was trying to figure out what to do with their lives Angela knew her path. First came Cosmetology school, then working in salons, being mentored, becoming an Instructor, a salon owner, joining a brand and eventually reaching her goal as an educator teaching the very program I graduated from, talk about full circle. Now Angela is proud and honoured to represent all of the Association members by being a voice for them. Angela feels it takes the first year to learn the process of being a Board member and the second year to get to know members and to learn what members and industry need to continue to grow stronger.

Angela looks forward to getting to know more members and industry partners, growing, learning and serving the Association to the best of her abilities during her term and with your vote for years to come.

Lisa Silliker - Director (re-elected November 2022)
Lisa has been involved in the beauty industry for more than 30 years. She began her career as an esthetician, grew into a salon owner, transitioned to beauty supply sales and education and is now the owner of Elevate Beauty Institute of Cosmetology in New Minas, Nova Scotia. Lisa would describe herself as a leader that is not afraid to voice her opinion - but does so with an open mind and with respectful communication.

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With her extensive industry experience, Lisa's vision and tenacity is a valuable asset to the Board the Association’s members.

"The growth and future of our industry is not only important for me but now for the students we work so hard to shape into the beauty professionals of the future. I will ask you to please consider voting for me and giving me a chance to show you positive change that will only add to the professionalism and success of our industry."

Desiree Couillard - Director (elected October 2023)
Desiree Couillard is a licensed, master esthetician with 14 years of experience that brought her from British Columbia to Nova Scotia. Desiree has succeeded in growing her career by attending inter-provincial as well as international education, receiving guidance from mentors which inspired her to become a mentor to students from the NSCC esthetics program. She has continued her involvement in her industry by volunteering to be a judge for Skills Canada for two years.

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Known for her eyebrow transformations and skin care treatments she has built her career here for the past 8 years. With an extreme eye for detail, she provides luxurious and completely personalized services for her clientele. She has a passion for continuing education, sustainability, and creating a routine in her services to guarantee consistency in her work. Desiree is passionate about the beauty industry and is excited to assist in elevating the cosmetology community to increase the professional standards for current and future members

Melanie Murphy - Director (elected November 2022)
Melanie Murphy is a Master Instructor Esthetician offering over fifteen years of advanced skincare working at Vitality Medi Spa and over five years working as an instructor at the Hair Design Center. Working in this industry she has had the opportunity to travel and was fortunate to work in Jasper at the Fairmount Jasper Park Lodge. She has also worked in Australia which allowed her to learn skills she wouldn’t have otherwise had the chance to.

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Lurinda Swanepoel - Director
With over 17 years' experience in the beauty industry, Lurinda began her career as an esthetician and then went on to become a spa manager and medical sales representative. She graduated with a degree in Somatology. She established herself in the esthetics industry as a pioneer and leader of advanced technologies. Lurinda started her first business at the age of 24 and has won international awards.

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Lurinda has a huge passion for esthetics and medical skincare. She immigrated to Nova Scotia from Cape Town, South Africa in 2019. She is now a Master Cosmetologist Instructor in Esthetics, and the owner of Medika Beauty Institute where she trains in clinical and medical technologies. Lurinda launched the medical skincare brand Biomedika in October 2021, and also serves on the Clinical Esthetics Committee for the Cosmetology Association of Nova Scotia.

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Cosmetology Association (NS)
126 Chain Lake Drive
Halifax, NS B3S 1A2
Canada

Hours of Operation

Monday	8:30 - 4:00
Tuesday	8:30 - 4:00
Wednesday	8:30 - 4:00
Thursday	8:30 - 4:00
Friday	8:30 - 3:00

*Holiday or Weather closures/cancellations will be noted in the Calendar.

Office: (902) 468-6477
Fax: (902) 468-7147
Toll Free: (800) 765-8757

General Inquiries
info@nscosmetology.ca

Provincial Exam Information
jill@nscosmetology.ca

Executive Director
Dana Sharkey, CAE
executivedir@nscosmetology.ca

Cosmetology Colleges

Industry Links

Job Postings

Schools

Academy of Cosmetology
Hair, Esthetics, Makeup Artistry
33 Thornhill Drive, Unit 201. Dartmouth

Cape Breton Business College
Hair, Esthetics
93 Johnston Street, Sydney

CBBC Regency - Halifax
Hairstyling, Aesthetics, Eyelash Enhancement Technician
1046 Barrington Street, Halifax

Eastern College
Makeup Artistry
7067 Chebucto Road, Halifax

Eastern Esthetics
Nail Technology, Hair Removal, Eyelash Enhancements.
19 Crane Lake Drive, Halifax

Hair Design Centre
Hair, Esthetics, Makeup Artistry
278 Lacewood Drive, Halifax

Hair Masters
Hair, Esthetics, Nail Technology
26 Archibald Ave., North Sydney

Elevate Beauty Institute of Cosmetology
Hair, Esthetics, Nail Technology, Lash Technician
77 Crescent Drive, New Minas

NSCC Annapolis Campus
Hairdressing
50 Elliott Road, Middleton

NSCC Burridge Campus
Hair, Esthetics, Nail Technology
372 Pleasant Street, Yarmouth

NSCC Marconi Campus
Hairdressing
1240 Grand Lake Road, Sydney

NSCC Pictou Campus
Hairdressing
39 Acadia Avenue, Stellarton