Commissioner Lindell Smith - Chair
Commissioner Carole McDougall - Vice-Chair
Carole is an active member of the community with a background as communications professional, teacher, mentor and volunteer. She has worked in Communications and Marketing for 30 years in both private and non profit organizations.
Carole taught elementary school at the former Richmond School (now Family Court), was media coordinator for the Inquiry into the Wrongful Conviction of Donald Marshall Jr., worked as Marketing and Promotions Manager with The Halifax Daily News and more recently was Communications Director with United Way Halifax. During her 18 years with United Way, she worked alongside community organizations, their staff and leaders as well as countless volunteers working daily to alleviate poverty and support people.
While working full time with United Way, she was also a part time instructor at Mount Saint Vincent University, teaching 3rd and 4th year Public Relations students the art and science of Strategic Communications Management.
Volunteering with community, charitable and cultural organizations is her passion. She was the first woman to chair the board of directors of the YMCA Halifax/Dartmouth and is a member of the Board of Trustees. She served two terms as Provincial Director of Canadian Parents for French. Carole was a member of the National Arts Centre Board of Directors. During her six years on the NAC board she co-chared the Human Resorces and Compensation Committee and the Marketing Committee.
Carole holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Ottawa and a Bachelor of Education from Dalhousie University.
Commissioner Anthony Thomas
Anthony (“Tony”) Thomas is the Provincial appointee to the Board of Police Commissioners. Thomas is Cree First Nation from Norway House, Manitoba, but has been a band member of Sipekne’katik First Na-tion for over 15 years. Thomas has followed a traditional path, participates in cultural ceremonies, and is always willing to share his knowledge on traditional teachings from Elders involved in his journey. Thomas completed his Bachelors of Social Work in 2000 and began working for Correctional Services Canada in 2002. Thomas is currently a Federal Parole Officer with Correctional Services Canada.
In addition to periodically coaching and volunteering on his three sons’ hockey and lacrosse teams over the years, Thomas has also worked on multiple boards in HRM; including the Lake District Recreation Associa-tion (LDRA), the Indigenous Black and Mi’kmaq Law Program at Dalhousie University, as well as serving on the Board of Directors for the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre for over 20 years.
Commissioner Yemi Akindoju
Yemi Akindoju is President of Vanity Fashions Limited, a privately owned and operated Canadian company founded in 1989 and a leader in the fashion jewellery industry. Prior to this, Yemi worked with Scotiabank for 12 years, where he retired as a senior client relationship manager – commercial banking. Immediately prior to immigrating to Canada in 2001, Yemi was a Senior Executive at Sterling Bank (Nigeria) Plc.
Yemi holds an accounting diploma and an MBA (Banking and Finance) from Nigeria, he is also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) 1991. He has over 35 years’ experience in the financial services industry including commercial and retail banking, microfinance, accounting, treasury management, audit, and assurance. Yemi commenced his career as an audit trainee before transitioning into banking where he provided professional support to mid-market corporate and small businesses. Yemi has been recognized for his creativity and fresh perspective in solving problems for his clients. As a senior executive, he was responsible for setting the strategic direction and leading all lines of business that served small businesses, retail, and commercial clients.
A very active member of his community in Halifax, outside of work, Yemi enjoys spending quality time with his family, swimming, and golfing. Yemi is also involved in community work through volunteer board and membership in the following organizations; Board of Directors - Canada Games Centre (Immediate Past Chair); Board Member (Treasurer) - Black Business Initiative (Current); and Volunteer, Member Standing-in-the-Gap (Help for Homeless).
Commissioner Harry Critchley
Harry Critchley is a resident of District 8 Halifax Peninsula North and a third year law student at the Schulich School of Law. Before going back to school, Harry worked for several years as an educator and researcher, including at Dalhousie University, the School of Access at the Nova Scotia Community College, and the Access to Justice and Law Reform Institute of Nova Scotia (formerly the Law Reform Commission of Nova Scotia).
While at Schulich, Harry has also worked with the BC Civil Liberties Association, the oldest and most active civil liberties advocacy organization in the country, where his work has been primarily in the areas of administrative and constitutional law, with a focus on policing, prisons, and privacy.
Outside of these professional contexts, Harry has a significant history volunteering in educational and advocacy capacities with currently and formerly incarcerated Nova Scotians. Harry currently serves as the Co-Chair of the East Coast Prison Justice Society and the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for the Elizabeth Fry Society of Mainland Nova Scotia.
Commissioner Becky Kent