Commissioner Carlos Beals
Carlos Beals, a lifelong resident of Dartmouth North, is an established community leader and strong anti-poverty activist with a deep-rooted passion that stems from his own lived-experience. Beals completed his undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice at Humber University in Toronto, Ontario, before returning to work with youth in Dartmouth. With more than a decade of experience in outreach, Beals has been actively involved in strengthening marginalized communities. Presently, Beals is the Senior Manager with Ceasefire Halifax, an anti-violence organization that uses a public health approach to address the issue of street violence amongst at-risk youth.
Beals is a recent recipient of the 2017 Minister’s Award for Leadership in Crime Prevention from the Nova Scotia Minister of Justice, in recognition of his exemplary leadership, dedication and commitment to crime prevention.
Commissioner Stephen Graham, Provincial Appointee, Vice Chair
Steve Graham OOM, MBA, retired in 2013 as the Deputy Commissioner responsible for all Royal Canadian Mounted Police operations East of the Manitoba-Ontario border. Over the course of his more than 35-year career, he served in operations, security, and staff roles, including executive leadership as the Commanding Officer of Prince Edward Island (2001–2003), New Brunswick (2004–2008), and Nova Scotia (2008-2010).
He has been president and executive member of provincial Chiefs of Police Associations, the Criminal Intelligence Service of Canada, as well as a member of the Board of Directors and committee chair of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. He is an Officer of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces and spearheaded initiatives in support of mental health supports for those who serve in first responder roles. He is a life member of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police and member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
He is an active community volunteer currently serving as a Governor of Commissionaires Nova Scotia—a NFP supporting veterans— a member of the Law Foundation of Nova Scotia, Treasurer of the Canadian Association of Police Governance, and a member of the Board of the Nova Scotia Association of Police Governance.
Commissioner Carole McDougall
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 Sylvia Parris
Sylvia is the daughter of the late Joseph and Viola (nee Borden) Parris. She hails from Mulgrave, Guysborough County, Nova Scotia. She is a proud mother and grandmother.
Sylvia utilizes her private company work (SVPARRIS Consulting) to support African Nova Scotian communities and the broader community to develop visions, develop and implement strategic plans, operationalize business plans, and strategize to build capacity. Some of her more recent projects are: board development with local non-profit organizations; project coordinator and co-writer for evaluation of the African Canadian Transition Program (Akerley Campus, NSCC, Nova Scotia); principal evaluator of the Rights of Passage Program (Community Justice Society, Nova Scotia); and facilitator for the Africentric Parenting Workshops.
Sylvia is committed to lifelong learning in both the formal and informal realm. She holds two graduate degrees: Master of Arts in Lifelong Learning: Africentric Leadership (Mount Saint Vincent University) and Master of Education: Curriculum (St. Mary’s University). She has also achieved certificates in MS Project 2013 and Leadership Development. She attends community meetings and sharing sessions to learn and nourish her community spirit.
Sylvia has also played a leadership role through facilitating learning. She has taught in the public school system in Nova Scotia for 18 years. As well, she has served as instructor in the Nova Scotia Community College system, and at both St. Francis Xavier University and Mount Saint Vincent University.
She is currently Chief Executive Officer for the Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Institute. Prior to taking on this leadership role she was Consultant for Multicultural Education within the Province of Nova Scotia. She brings to this board operational experience within municipal government as she completed a two-year contract position with Halifax Regional Municipality, during which she led the establishment of the African Nova Scotian Affairs Integration Office. It was designed to support the enhancement of service delivery to African Nova Scotian communities.
Sylvia is innovative and analytical and values her results-driven work ethic. Additional to her salaried work, she is an engaged volunteer. She is President of Akoma Family Centre / Akoma Holdings, Secretary of the Black Business Community Investment Fund and a member of the Council of Parties for the NSHCC Restorative Inquiry. Sylvia takes on leadership roles, such as president, secretary and committee chair, on various for profit and not for profit boards.