Meet Will from Schmidtville, Halifax South Downtown

Background:

I was born and raised in District 7 Halifax South Downtown, in historic Schmidtville, where I work and live. This district is the heart of HRM and my family history is deeply rooted in Halifax. My maternal grandparents immigrated from Greece in the 1950s and made their home here. Being proud of both Greek and British stock has meant a bilingual home and an openness to multiculturalism. I understand the challenges and experiences that immigrants face. A sense of community and public service are values I cherish.

Education and Work Experience:

I graduated from St. Mary’s University in 2006 with a B.A. in Classics, History and Geography and from Nova Scotia Community College in 2010 with a Diploma in Business Administration-Investment Management. Since 2012, I have worked in retail banking. My role as an Operations Risk Administrator Specialist involves understanding and managing risk, finding solutions to clients’ banking needs, supporting colleagues, training and supervising front counter staff. Banking has allowed me to assist people in many ways, such as how to function in a regulatory environment and set financial goals. The bank’s global client base has helped me better understand the multicultural growth that is happening in Halifax.

My banking career offers a unique environment to work in as I have been able to interact with a global client base. Meeting people from around the world gives me a better understanding of the multicultural growth that is occurring in Halifax. I have achieved my mutual fund licence to better advise clients. I have been awarded numerous times HSBC’s Quarterly Lion Award for excellence and the 2022 Annual Lion Award for excellence in banking and customer service. For numerous years, I was the branch chair for the HSBC United Way Campaign, an initiative to help the needy in our community. I have also participated in the HSBC Caribbean and African Network for Diversity and Inclusion, which works to give equal opportunities to different cultural groups within the financial sector.

Contributions to HRM Heritage and Other Volunteer Work:

Since 2015, I have been an entrepreneur operating my own freelance history tours of Halifax and understand the importance of small businesses in Halifax. I also work as an independent historical researcher. It has been wonderful to meet visitors from all over the world and to serve as an unofficial ambassador for HRM. I enjoy educating visitors about Halifax’s rich history as we have so much to offer. I have worked passionately to improve my neighbourhood. I believe in collaboration and working with my neighbours as a team. Through this collaborative effort we have been able to acquire Heritage Conservation District designation, residential parking and have developed a real sense of community identity. I have used this advocacy and volunteer work to establish productive relationships with HRM staff and Councillors. These experiences have given me a solid foundation to bring to the role of District 7 Councillor. From 2015 to 2019, I was a member of the HRM Heritage Advisory Committee. Serving on the HAC, I have acquired first- hand experience and knowledge about the processes and practices of municipal government.

Mayor Savage awarded me Letters of Commendation (Letter 1 – Letter 2) first, as thanks for my service to the Heritage Advisory Committee. Secondly, for my service as Vice-Chair of the Stakeholder Committee for the creation of Schmidtville, the first mixed-use Heritage Conservation district in HRM. I would conclude that this work has ensured that future generations will be able to know the heritage of Halifax.

List of Volunteer Experiences:

Friends of Schmidtville: 2016 to current- Board Member and Vice Chair- promoting the local historic neighbourhood and better livability.

Friends of the Halifax Common: 2021 to 2024- Board Member – working for the conservation and improvement of the Halifax Common

Halifax Military Heritage Preservation Society: 2018 to 2023- Board Member and Term Chair – advocating for the preservation of Halifax’s dynamic military history

HRM Peninsula South Complete Streets Stakeholder Committee: 2021 to 2022- Stakeholder Representative Member – my role was to provide HRM with stakeholder input and represent Schmidtville regarding the proposed implementation of bike lanes and complete streets projects in South End Halifax.

Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia: 2019 to March 2022- Chair of Blue Plaques, Heritage Awards Committee and Co-Chair of the Halifax Committee – advocating for Nova Scotian heritage.

HRM Heritage Advisory Committee: 2015 to 2019- Board Member – advising HRM on heritage matters, proposing motions and approving heritage applications

HRM Schmidtville Stakeholders Committee: 2015 to 2018- Vice-Chair – my role was to be a stakeholder adviser to HRM staff and liaison between the stakeholder committee and the HRM Heritage Advisory Committee for the completion of Schmidtville as a Heritage Conservation District.

Walk ‘n Roll: 2016 to 2018- Board Member – advocating and working to promote pedestrian safety and a better pedestrian experience.

Save Centennial Pool Committee: Advocated to save Centennial Pool and Committee Member

HSBC United Way Campaign: 2013 to 2018- Branch Chair – led the branch fundraising campaign for the bank’s United Way National Campaign.