Our Team

Meaghan has been the Executive Director of CARES since November 2022. She enjoys building rapport with the participants, advocating for their rights of choice and overall wellbeing. She stays engaged and connected with best practices across the province, especially in Nova Scotia’s response to the Human Rights Remedy. In her spare time, Meaghan enjoys camping, going to the beach, practicing Muay Thai, and travelling the world with her daughter and husband.

Paula is our Manager of Bookkeeping; she has been with CARES since April 2023. Her education in Business Administration, Bookkeeping and Microcomputer Business Applications supports her strong skill set. Paula lives in Margaree Valley, is happily married with four children and has 2 grandchildren, who she thoroughly enjoys. Her faith and family are her world! In her spare time, Paula loves being outdoors, cooking/baking, reading, listening to music, and spending time with her family and friends.

Chris has worked for CARES since 2017 and started in his role at the Green Door in February 2020. Chris makes a positive impact everyday as he helps individuals grow and gain new skills. Outside of work, he is an adventurer at heart who loves exploring Cape Breton with his wife and their two goldendoodles, no matter the season. Chris also enjoys softball, hiking and volunteers on the local Search and Rescue team.

Johanne has been with CARES since 2005 and is a CCA. Johanne joined the management team in 2014 and brings tons of experience, dedication, and wisdom to our team. She worked as a Supervisor of Maison Rodrigue for over ten years and started as the Administrative Assistant in July 2025. In her spare time, Johanne enjoys baking, being out in nature with her dog, and spending time with family and friends.

Born and raised in Margaree, Ashley has been working with CARES since 2015 and holds a diploma in Social Services. She joined the management team in January 2023, where she is known for being a compassionate listener, empathetic, and always willing to lend a helping hand. Outside of work, Ashley enjoys chasing sunrises and sunsets with her family and her two Goldendoodles.

Keshia Timmons has been with CARES since January 2023 and holds a diploma as a Continuing Care Assistant. In July 2025, she stepped into the role of Supervisor, where she brings dedication, strong leadership, and a genuine commitment to enhancing the lives of the individuals we support. Keshia is passionate about creating a positive, safe, and inclusive environment where residents are encouraged and supported to reach their fullest potential. Outside of work, Keshia enjoys spending quality time with her three boys and her fiancé, listening to music, and relaxing at the beach.

“I spent over 30 years volunteering and working alongside people living with disabilities. They, their families and educators continually remind me that the world is truly better when everyone belongs. Now retired and back in Chéticamp, it feels natural to get involved with CARES. Each Board member brings a unique mix of experience, passion, and commitment, and all show up with pride ready to contribute to building an inclusive and diverse community. Individuals with disabilities are being seen and heard more than ever, and their message is clear: they want to belong in their community, just like everyone else. CARES understands this vision and is ready to act on it. Guided by strong leadership and a passionate Executive Director, our team is well positioned to turn hope into action. In future, I hope to see CARES boldly bring inclusion to life and make true belonging a lived reality for all.”

“I joined the CARES Board of Directors because I believe every person deserves the opportunity to live with dignity, purpose, and connection. I wanted to use my time and experience to help ensure adults with disabilities have the support, confidence, and opportunities they need to thrive in their own lives and in their community. CARES is compassionate, community-driven, and deeply person-centered. Everything we do is grounded in respect, inclusion, and empowerment. Staff, residents, and Board members work together, genuinely committed to helping each individual grow, belong, and succeed at their own pace. My most rewarding experience as a Board member is seeing firsthand how our decisions create meaningful opportunities for independence, dignity, and belonging for participants and residents.”

“I joined the Board because I believed I could contribute in some way. In my opinion, the progress we have made in community inclusivity is our biggest accomplishment so far, but the most rewarding thing for me has been the joy and gratitude of the residents when we do something for them. In recent years, the participation of young, well-educated members on the Board of Directors has created a very productive culture within the Board. A situation which can only continue to improve as I see a future where being a CARES Board member is seen as a privilege.”

“I joined the CARES Board of Directors because I wanted to know more about the organization. I have discovered a great cooperation and collaboration with my fellow Board members, where each contributes to the organization by doing whatever has to be done to provide support for those who need it and to increase public awareness of our organization and its goals. We can take pride in always being able to recruit new staff and volunteers. My personal participation has made me appreciate the good that CARES is doing for its participants in the community.”

“When I was asked to join CARES Board of Directors after retiring from work in Communications, I was happy to find an outlet for volunteer work that would allow me to give back to my community. I found a group where differing opinions are accepted, respected and discussed to determine Board priorities and help us reach a consensus. In future, I hope CARES can move forward with creativity and gusto as we implement the Remedy following governmental guidelines to help our participants/residents live independently, socialize, and work as fully contributing members of our community.”

“I became a member when I was invited because it was a good idea and I thought I could help to get more homes for us. I have found the Board to be very welcoming and friendly. In future, I would like to see the homes better equipped with new furniture and I hope there are more opportunities for staff and participants.”

“After working for CARES for 23 years, I felt using my years of experience would be a great way of helping CARES achieve great things. It is great to see that all members of the Board of Directors prioritize the well-being of staff and participants in any decision making. Seeing how things have changed for the better over the years has been very rewarding.”

“I’ve always admired the work CARES does to support its participants, and joining the Board of Directors seemed a great opportunity to make a difference and give back in a meaningful way in our community. The Board is collaborative, supportive, and focused on the shared mission. One of our biggest strengths is the diversity of our members—we come from different walks of life, and each person brings something unique to the table. Some members have specific skills—whether it’s finance, healthcare, business, fundraising, or community outreach—and we naturally lean on those strengths when needed. One of the biggest accomplishments has been the continued growth and stability of the organization, even during challenging times. We’ve introduced new initiatives in our day programs and strengthened our community outreach efforts to ensure the public stays informed about the important work CARES does. That visibility and connection have helped reinforce the organization’s value within the community. It’s been a rewarding experience to be part of an organization that plays such an important role in our town.”

“When I was approached to join the CARES Board of Directors, I was grateful for the chance to join an organization that has always been important to me and where I felt that I could contribute as well as benefit from the experience. I have found my experience to be challenging as well as very rewarding. It is my hope that in future, we will see an increase in community inclusivity for the participants; a place where they can live, work and grow.”