Line Doiron brings her passion for economic development, her commitment to the advancement of rural communities along with her ability to listen to the needs of others while developing long lasting relationships to her role as Executive Director of the NB Association of CBDCs.

An honours graduate in the top three percentile from Université de Moncton with a degree in Business Administration, Line spent six months working in international trade, before joining the CBDC community, six years ago. She began as a project coordinator and her vast knowledge and expertise was quickly noticed which made her a fitting candidate for her position as executive director.

Among Line’s many roles, she ensures that the strategic objectives of the Association are met; she provides guidance and support to her personnel, works with her members, provincial and federal government organizations and other economic development agencies to help promote strong and vital rural communities in New Brunswick.

Line’s commitment to grass roots organizations is also shown through her community involvement. She is the president of a committee that assists those in low-rental apartments. Moreover, she is a newly appointed board member of Foundation Communautaire Péninsule acadienne, an organization that is responsible for the collection of funds which are collected and distributed to charitable organizations in the region.

Furthermore, Line is the vice-president for the Péninsule acadienne’s major fundraising campaign to support Théatre Populaire D’Acadie. In her formative years, while many youth participated in sports and musical endeavours, Line found solace in theatre and performing, having starred in productions and attended many summer camps. This is evident today in her public speaking abilities in both official languages. Line’s sense of charity, her energy and passion for the advancement of rural communities is truly inspirational.

Audrey Poitras is the dynamic development officer for the Northwest region for the NB Association of CBDCs and also serves as coordinator for the program. She enjoys meeting with various entrepreneurs through her role and is amazed to see women excel in so many fields, even those that are traditionally male-dominated.

Many of the women Audrey works with on a regular basis are also community leaders and it is a pleasure for her to recognize them through galas she hosts in her region. Audrey is proud of the Grand Falls and Regions Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Gala which she co-hosted with the Women in Business Network, she helped create.

Audrey always adds a personalized touch to each award ceremony and goes the extra mile to ensure that women entrepreneurs feel valued. Audrey finds it rewarding to see how the services, professional training through consultants in particular, benefit her clients.

This year’s winner, Carole Michaud of CAJMO Comfort Inc. said of Audrey, ““Audrey has been a great asset to my business. She always advises me and she helps me grow. I have known Audrey for more that six years and with her help, I was able to increase my knowledge, create new business deals and much more.  Either through training seminars and networking, she has the ability to bring all of us business women together. ”

Audrey has a Bachelor of Business Administration through Université de Moncton and pursued continuous training throughout the years. She is an internationally certified Small Business Counsellor through Acadia University.

Audrey has been a part of the CBDC community since 1990, first as a Coordinator through their SEB and SEED Loan Programs. In 2003, she embarked on her new role as development officer working with women in business. She brings her passion for event planning and counselling to the Association and is a valuable asset. Her energy and enthusiasm are contagious and clients and co-workers find her a pleasure to work with.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family (is the proud mother of two beautiful girls), swimming and reading.

In her position as development officer for the NB Association of CBDCs, Sarah works with women entrepreneurs that are either staring or expanding their business. She enjoys seeing these owners triumph through difficulties and succeed. She provides one-on-one counselling with aspiring or existing women entrepreneurs arranges group training session for clients and provides entrepreneurs with information regarding start up, financing and other available programs.

Some of Sarah’s beneficial qualities that she brings to her position are as follows: Resourceful communication and interpersonal skills, efficient problem-solving and organizational skills, self-starter with the ability to take the initiative to get excellent results.

Sarah has experience in sales and event planning, curriculum and program development, building and managing partnerships, project management and strategic planning, target marketing to name some of her many assets.

A passionate student, Sarah holds a Bachelor of Administration from University of New Brunswick with a concentration in human resources, e-commerce and trade. She brings a vast array of knowledge through past work experience for CBDC Southwest by administering many business loan programs such as ACOA SEED, DPETL SEB Program, BNB Entrepreneur Loan Program and CBDC Southwest Investment Loan.

Sarah is an active member and leader of her community through organizations and associations such as the Women in Business Network, United Way, Lobster on the Lawn, Harvest Jazz and Blues and Capital City Connections.

Diane Vigneault is a development officer for the New Brunswick Association of Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs). Covering a large territory, from Restigouche to Néguac, she brings her passionate and energetic personality in order to serve women in business throughout the Northeast of the province.

As a development officer, Diane ensures that women have access to information on funding, resources and networking opportunities. In addition, she organizes a variety of training sessions to help women in business enhance their business skills and have the tools they need to succeed and grow in today’s dynamic environment.

Diane has a broad knowledge base. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University de Moncton. Moreover, she has expertise in the areas of finances, accounting, business planning and event planning. Diane is known to be motivational and one her clients said the following: “Diane helped me a lot. She put me on track when it comes to business concepts, time management and paperwork. It is great to know that there is someone there to help you.”

Diane is very community-minded and is dedicated to the advancement of women in business. This was evident when she organized the first ever Woman Entrepreneur of the Year awards for the Greater Bathurst region and the Péninsule acadienne. Furthermore, she took her passion for organization to a new level by spearheading New Brunswick’s Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Diane is also a mother, an avid reader, enjoys sports and exercise and helping people seek their true potential.

Florine LeBlanc is a Development Officer with the New Brunswick Association of Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs) in Southeastern New Brunswick. She covers a large territory, happily travelling to visit Women Business Owners in her territory from Petitcodiac to Richibuctou including the Greater Moncton Area.  She brings with her a sense of vision, a passion for helping people and the energy to motivate those with whom she makes contact.

As a Development Officer, Florine ensures that women have access to information on funding, the resources they need to help them and the networking opportunities required for making vital contacts.

Florine has a colourful and diversified knowledge base. She has lived in four provinces and two territories. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Literature from the University of Ottawa, has a Certificate in Early Childhood Education, her Canadian Securities Course and Courses in Business Management, Marketing and Event Planning. She worked for many years as an independent Financial Advisor and knows the joys and heart aches of being a small business owner.  Florine is known to be motivational and one of her clients had this to say about her: “Florine LeBlanc of the NB Association of CBDCs proved to be one of the best assets I discovered when I was first putting my business together.”She went on to say: “Without Florine’s expertise and knowledge, I know I would have experiences a harder time to get my business up and running as smoothly as I did. I owe a big Thank You to Florine and to the New Brunswick Association of CBDCs for their assistance.”

Florine likes challenges and is committed to seeing women in leadership positions she has often taken on an activist role to ensure women’s voices are heard. She is dedicated to the advancement of women in business and is committed to service excellence.  To that end last October she launched the DIVA Network to promote leadership within groups of women in business and to foster the climate that helps Develop Intentional Venture Attitudes hence the acronym DIVA. She is also spearheading a mentorship program to assist women in business.

Florine is the mother of two grown children, an avid reader; she enjoys fine cuisine, collects art, plays sports and loves beachcombing.  Her passion is to awaken people to their true potential, empower them and then see them flourish.

Danielle Sullivan brings knowledge and experience to the position of development officer for the NB Association of CBDCs. Danielle has vast experience with budgeting, business lending, information/business plan analysis, client service, loan proposal writing and conference/event planning. She is an articulate public speaker and gained through making numerous presentations for work and school.
 
Officially bilingual in English and French, written and spoken, this is a huge asset to her role as development officer. She is a successful leader, having served as a certified coach along with many years’ experience as a team member and leader during sport, work and educational events.

Danielle graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration from Acadia University and garnering a Master of Business Administration from St Mary’s University, with an International Business Concentration. She advanced her skill set by taking courses which focused on international management, international finance, and government & business regulation. This dynamic individual also served as a Loan Officer for CBDC Charlotte/Kings

Danielle is an avid traveller, golfer and skier.  She is active in the St. Stephen Chamber of Commerce, and is the chairperson and creator of the Annual Food Bank Charity Golf Tournament & Corporate Food challenge in the St. Stephen area.

As a development officer for the NB Association of CBDCs, Nadine assists her clients through mentoring and advising young entrepreneurs as well as women in business in determining their needs so that they can grow their business. She organizes monthly networking events through MYPIE network-Miramichi Young Professionals and Involved Entrepreneurs; as well as organizes quarterly networking & training events for the Women of Miramichi Entrepreneurial Network.

Nadine is recognized for energy, drive and commitment to the people she works for and with and follows up with every client, while stimulating and encouraging them. She brings great organizational skills and language expertise to her position as she is fluently bilingual in three languages.

Her clients say the following: “As mentioned before you are doing a great job for Miramichi. I know you have been a great help to me!!!!” - Lisa McCormack, Realtor.

“Wow, what a wonderful job you have done Nadine and it has not gone unnoticed by the ZOOMERS---in case you do not know these are people over 55. the mature baby boomers.  I will look forward to working with you on the new venture,” Pauline Sweezy, Realtor

Nadine has a professional designation as a Certified International Trade Practitioner, International Trade Training Diploma-FITT (Forum for International Trade Training, International Business Diploma- NBCC St.Andrews and a BA from Université de Moncton.

She is the owner operator of The Compello Institute of Language since May 2006, acted as Job Liaison Officer with Enterprise Miramichi and was a Business Development Manager/ Acting Marketing Manager for Northumberland Dairy Cooperative Ltd to name some of the many positions she has filled.

In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her children Jeremi and Zoey, reading, watching movies, walking, meeting new people, cultures, languages and sports.