Second Story Women's Centre supports women and gender-diverse people, provides
safer spaces, and advocates for social change.
safer spaces, and advocates for social change.
Executive Director
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Stephanie Balcome
Stephanie (she/her) first joined Second Story Women’s Centre in 2015 as the Financial Services Coordinator, a role she held for over seven years before stepping into the position of Executive Director. A proud Bluenoser, Stephanie lives just outside of Lunenburg with her husband, son and pets. She holds an Advanced Bachelor of Arts from Mount Saint Vincent University, with a major in Psychology and a minor in Business — a pairing that’s served her well in the complex world of community work. Her background is in finance, project coordination, and people management, but Stephanie strives to bring both heart and strategy to her leadership. As Executive Director, Stephanie is dedicated to guiding the Centre with compassion, clarity, and the occasional spreadsheet ;) Fun fact: When she’s not advocating for equity and empowerment, Stephanie fosters abandoned kittens — some just days old — and has become something of a local kitten whisperer. |
Program Coordinator
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Aliyyah Fazil
Aliyyah is the Program Coordinator at Second Story. Her recent education is in immigration and refugee settlement and holds a bachelor degree in film production and writing from York University. Aliyyah has worked various contracts at Second Story Women's Centre since 2018. In her current role, Aliyyah works with volunteer s, community members and other service providers to bring programming to the Centre. Fun Fact: Aliyyah once met Michael Moore. |
Client Navigation and Volunteer Coordinator
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Morna MacDonald
Morna comes from Scotland with a BA Degree in Commerce and a certification in Hair Dressing and as a Nutrition Coach. At SSWC she works with our Clients directly for intake, systems navigation, referrals and resource provision. Morna's organization skills combined with her naturally supportive, person-centered nature means that she is a wonderful connection between those who come through our doors or call on the phone and all of the programs and services we can provide. Fun Fact : Morna loves long walks with her Labrador 'Mia'. |
Finance Coordinator |
Meg Sims
Born and raised in Nova Scotia, Meg has always had a love for the East Coast and now enjoys life in the scenic town of Lunenburg. She works in administration and financials, supporting day-to-day operations with care and attention to detail. Meg is grateful to have found a place at Second Story Women’s Centre, where the work feels meaningful and connected to the community. Outside of work, she shares life with a small family and a couple of beloved pets. Meg also finds joy in the rhythm of the seasons—equally happy in the quiet of winter as in the warmth of summer. Whenever she can, she loves to explore new places and experience life beyond the familiar. Fun Fact : Meg once won first and third in a kite flying contest. |
Part-time Support Counsellor
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Sally Hutchinson
Sally's pronouns are she/her and she loves coming to work. Sally feels honoured and fortunate to work with a team of women as skilled and passionate as her sisters at SSWC. Sally is a Support Coordinator and brings with her 40+ years of working with individuals and groups focusing on the resilience, strength and creativity inherent in all. She started with the Centre in 2004 on contract, co-facilitating pre-employment programs for women and as coordinator of a Women and Gambling grant. Her role today entails sitting with women 1:1 to offer counselling for various issues. She has training in Solution-Focused Counselling, Reality Therapy Choice Theory Certification and she is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. Sally believes most of her true learning has come from the women she sits with every day whose courage and resourcefulness never fails to humble her. She believes that true presence and listening deeply can do much to inspire healing. Fun Fact: Sally finds balance and fills her soul by starting most days painting and making art in her family home outside Lunenburg. |
Nicole Robson
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Outreach Coordinator
Nicole, a registered Social Worker, spent years working in her field in Ontario, but was so drawn to Nova Scotia in 2016 that she moved here. She initially became involved with SSWC as a volunteer, but quickly joined the team as our Outreach Coordinator. Fun fact: Nicole prefers the leaves and fresh air of the fall over the summer heat. |
Annette McLellan
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Part-time Support Counsellor
Annette (she/her) started out at Second Story completing her practicum at the Center in 2021. She returned to the Centre part time in 2024 to reconnect to her community roots after spending some time establishing a private practice and gaining experience in the field. Her approach to counselling is trauma informed, non pathologizing, feminist - embracing the personal as political and invites the more than human and natural world into the work wherever it is welcome. Annette is a Registered Counselling Therapist (NSCCT) and a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCPA) and holds an MA in Women & Gender Studies (Trent University) alongside her MA in Counselling Psychology. Fun Fact: Annette used to teach screenprinting workshops in a not too distant past. |
Laura Keeler |
Part-time Support Counsellor
Laura (she/her) has been a part of Second Story Women's Centre since 2021, and is excited to be returning as a part-time Support Counsellor and Intake Worker. She grew up in Kespukwitk (on the South Shore of Nova Scotia) and loves spending time exploring the nooks and crannies of the area. Laura is a Registered Counselling Therapist who uses trauma-informed and somatic practices to guide her work. Her approach to counselling is creative and integrative, and she shows up curiously and honestly as a therapist. Fun fact: Laura loves playing the fiddle. |
Carly Wedge |
Support Counsellor
Carly (she/her) is currently a student at Yorkville University as a candidate for the Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology. She is near the end of her program and is currently completing her practicum as a student counsellor at Second Story. Carly is new to the South Shore and loves getting to know the wonderful community and land of Lunenburg County. She approaches her work with clients from a place of humility and unconditional positive regard, helping women and gender-diverse people to realize their own inner strength and dignity. Fun fact: Carly spent 8 years planting trees as a summer job in northern BC. |
Deirdre Connolly |
Part-time Support Counsellor
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Food Program Coordinator
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