Landing, Listening, and Learning: Early Reflections from the East Coast

In the fall of 2025, my family relocated from Vancouver to Halifax. We wanted to be closer to family, explore a new part of Canada, and put down roots for the long term. With so much of my work at Roots & Rivers being connected to communities and organizations in Vancouver, it wasn’t exactly a strategic business move and the move could have led to stepping away from Roots & Rivers altogether.

Through conversations with the team, we began to approach the move as both a personal transition and an opportunity to support Roots & Rivers’ goal to build stronger relationships in different regions.

This has allowed me to continue working with the team while stretching into a new role of establishing our presence on the East Coast.

People First 

One of the first things I noticed is how relational the community here is. Many early “work” conversations didn’t end up being about work at all. People asked how my family and I were settling in, shared local knowledge, offered introductions, and checked in on our needs. Stepping into our professional roles and discussions came later. That sequencing set the tone for how I hope to continue building relationships. This people first approach resonates deeply and reinforces a core belief: meaningful work starts with human connection.

Context Before Contribution

A consistent message I’ve heard is to take time to understand how things really work here. That has meant letting go of the pressure to “get something going” quickly and accepting that learning is the first step. This approach is consistent with the way we do things at Roots & Rivers. It’s really refreshing to see that focus in practice in the community. 

Context does not transfer cleanly across regions, and it is important to understand how these nuances and differences impact the work. Education is a clear example.  In British Columbia, Roots & Rivers has extensive experience working with elected school boards. In Nova Scotia, education is delivered through Regional Centres for Education (RCE) that are closely tied to the provincial Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. Instead of elected trustees, RCE’s have executive directors appointed by the province. 

Understanding these differences isn’t a small detail, it’s fundamental to understanding where power sits and how strategic decisions are made. I’m curious to explore how we can bring Roots & Rivers’ expertise in areas like education while adapting to meet local context and realities.

Different  Scale, Same Opportunities

While Nova Scotia is smaller in population and geography than BC, challenges and opportunities are just as significant. Population growth and economic change are putting real pressure on systems across the province, from land use planning and housing to healthcare and jobs.

Many people I’ve spoken with share challenges around capacity and funding gaps in the social purpose sector. There is strong demand for evaluation, facilitation, community-based research, and equity-informed engagement, particularly in public health, education, economic development, and food systems. At the same time, there’s a desire for more collaboration and less duplication despite the challenges of limited capacity. To understand what Roots & Rivers can contribute, we have to listen carefully to understand what’s truly needed, and offer support in collaboration with people who are embedded in this community.

What I’m Carrying Forward

A few early lessons are already shaping how I approach this work:

• Relationships come before work

• Trust is built by showing up 

• Regional differences matter and can’t be treated as minor adjustments

• Listening isn’t a preliminary step, it is the work.

• Shifts are happening in Nova Scotia, providing opportunities for courageous reflection and an appetite to collaborate.

  
  

As I continue to settle in Nova Scotia, my focus is on learning first and contributing thoughtfully. This is slower work by design. It doesn’t produce quick wins, but it does build relationships and communities that last. I’m in it for the long haul, and I look forward to building relationships with anyone keen to make connections and explore possibilities. If you’re interested in connecting with me or our team, please reach out!