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.
Stephanie Balcome
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Executive Director
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. |
Nicole Robson |
Outreach Coordinator
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Laura Keeler
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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. |
Sally Hutchinson
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Creative Coordinator
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 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. |
Aliyyah Fazil
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Program Coordinator
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 volunteers, community members and other service providers to bring programming to the Centre. Fun Fact: Aliyyah once met Michael Moore. |
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Client Navigator
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'. |
Morna
Macdonald
Carly Wedge |
Support Counsellor
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