The Resource Team
Executive Director
Michaela Maclachlan
Michaela has been with the centre since 2009, and has worked her way up the ranks beginning as the administrative assistant to office manager and finally to Executive Director. Through a combination of these years of experience, involvement in the community, and education from both St. Mary’s University and the Nova Scotia Community College, Michaela ensures that the organization runs smoothly and has a myriad of knowledge to help not only the staff and the board, but also the women in our community.
Michaela is a woman with a true belief that helping our community can really make a difference for everyone who lives here.“It has been my experience that when you treat people with kindness and dignity, connections are made and people are able to be successful in whatever they set their minds too.”
Women's Support Worker
Ingrid Sheppard
Ingrid (She/Her) is an experienced Addictions and Community Service Worker who has joined the Lotus Centre on a 6-month contract to provide support and connection with available resources locally, provincially and nationally. She will provide referrals and navigation where needed and will be coordinating and facilitating workshops on topics of interest.
Please feel free to reach out to The Lotus Centre to schedule an intake appointment if you are starting or needing momentum along your wellness journey.
Office Coordinator
Jennifer Teal
Jennifer studied Human Services with NSCC and has a long history with non profit organizations including: Colchester Residential Services Society, the Truro Inclusion Project, Phoenix Youth Programs and even has a history with the Lotus Centre. In 2009 she ran the Girl Power program (now called Empower) and she did a term as a board member in 2017.
Jennifer spends most of her time with her two cats: Leonard and Dwight, and loves every dog she's ever met. Jennifer also enjoys spending time with her husband being as nerdy as possible: watching films, attending live music, seeing musical theatre, and travelling to new and adventurous places.
Outreach Coordinator
Candace Smith
Candace started her career in Youth Care, obtaining her Diploma in 2013 from the Institute for Human Services Education in Truro. She continued her training through School-Age Approval Certification with the Early Childhood Education Services. Since then, she has pursued her Bachelor of Professional Arts in Human Services through Athabasca University while volunteering within the community.
Over the past four years, she has helped develop and implement the West Colchester Volunteer Delivery Service, a community initiative partnering with the Colchester Food Bank and Great Village Volunteer Fire Brigade to bring food boxes to community members who struggle with transportation in rural areas. She has also dedicated her time to volunteering with community organizations such as the Northern-Zone Community Health Board and the Portapique Hall. She has volunteered with the Portapique Hall to be certified in ASIST and trained to facilitate safeTALK training within the community to create suicide-safer communities.
In her free time, Candace enjoys spending her days with her family, friends, and dog in nature or near any body of water.
Director of Snuggling
Lexi
With so much love we welcome Lexi to the team at the Lotus Centre. You'll find her snoozing in her mom's office.