ABOUT

Nursing Homes of Nova Scotia Association

Nursing Homes of Nova Scotia Association is the collective voice for advancing world class nursing homes in Nova Scotia. Founded in 2011, we are a not-for-profit Association supporting not-for-profit, for-profit, municipal, and multi-facility nursing homes across the province of Nova Scotia. We are solution-focused, and bring an innovative approach to address opportunities and challenges across the sector.

Our Association believes in advocating and leading to influence change. We are committed to innovative approaches that ensure safe, high-quality standards of care. We support our members by sharing best practices through facilitated discussions; offering educational and networking opportunities; and engaging direct feedback on government policy and sector issues.

OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Debra Boudreau

Executive Director

Debra Boudreau is the Executive Director of the Nursing Homes of Nova Scotia Association (NHNSA), bringing more than 30 years of leadership experience in long-term care, continuing care, healthcare administration, and executive coaching.

Before joining NHNSA, Debra served as CEO and Administrator of Tideview Terrace for 20 years, where she led the organization in adopting a person-directed approach to care through certification with the Eden Alternative®. She has also held leadership positions with Nova Scotia’s Continuing Care Branch and taught in Dalhousie University’s School of Occupational Therapy.

An Associate Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation, Debra is passionate about supporting leaders, building strong teams, and helping organizations navigate change. She holds a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (Post Professional), along with bachelor’s degrees in Occupational Therapy and Psychology from Dalhousie University.

As Executive Director, Debra is committed to supporting NHNSA members, strengthening advocacy efforts, and working collaboratively to ensure Nova Scotia’s long-term care sector continues to grow, innovate, and provide high-quality care for seniors across the province.

MEET OUR BOARD

Krista Beeler, Board Chair

CEO | Dykeland Lodge | Windsor

Krista Beeler is the Chief Executive Officer of Dykeland Lodge, a non-for-profit long-term care home in Windsor, Nova Scotia, where 111 residents call home. With more than 30 years of leadership experience, including a strong foundation in hospitality, Krista brings a distinct service-focused perspective to her strategic and visionary leadership in long-term care. Her diverse career has spanned hospitality, healthcare, education, home support, business development, and long-term care, giving her a broad perspective that allows her to balance strategic vision with an appreciation for the details that matter.

Krista is a graduate of both Dalhousie University and Saint Mary’s University, holding degrees in Science, Gerontology, and Adult Education. Throughout her career, she has held leadership roles including General Manager of The Berkeley, Recruitment & Training Specialist with the Capital District Health Authority (Compass Canada), Director of Business Development with Home Instead Senior Care, Executive Director of the Home Support Nova Scotia Association, among other roles. She has also contributed to the development of the sector as a founding committee member of the Education for Leaders in Long-Term Care certificate through Dalhousie University and a founding committee member of Aware NS, co-formed with the Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia.

As CEO of Dykeland Lodge, Krista is leading the organization through an exciting and highly anticipated transition to the New Build, a 144-bed replacement for the current Dykeland Lodge in Windsor, scheduled to open in Fall of 2027. The New Build will feature all private resident rooms and bathrooms, supporting greater privacy, dignity, and comfort for residents. She recognizes the importance of this development not only for Dykeland, but for the broader West Hants community and the future of long-term care in rural Nova Scotia. The land surrounding the New Build will also support the future development of more than 100 affordable housing units for seniors and persons with disabilities, creating an opportunity to build a community that extends well beyond the walls of the new home. Krista takes great pride in leading this work and in seeing a vision for the future of Dykeland become a reality.

In January 2026, Krista was appointed Chair of the Nursing Homes Association of Nova Scotia (NHNSA) Board of Directors. She brings to this role a deep commitment to advocating for residents, families, frontline staff, and long-term care providers across the province. Known for her warmth, energy, genuine kindness, and thoughtfulness, Krista is a steadfast champion of the people and the sector she serves. Her infectious laughter ricochets wherever she goes, and, in some cases, so does her singing. A visionary leader with an unmistakable enthusiasm for her work, Krista is committed not only to imagining a stronger future for long-term care, but to helping make it a reality.

Jessica Pulley, Vice-Chair

CEO | Tideview Terrace | Digby

Jessica Pulley is the CEO /Administrator of Tideview Terrace, a long-term care home in Digby, NS and has 11 years of senior leadership experience in the long-term care sector. Prior to her appointment as CEO/Administrator, Jessica held the positions of Quality & Excellence Manager, Neighbourhood Manager and Clinical Dietitian/Food Production Manager throughout her tenure.

Jessica holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Human Nutrition with Integrated Internship Education from Mount Saint Vincent University and is licensed as a Registered Dietitian with the Nova Scotia Regulator of Dietetics. She holds a Green Belt in Lean/Six Sigma Management and is also a graduate of the Leadership in Continuing Care Administration and the Legal Aspects of Canadian Healthcare Delivery certificates from Dalhousie University. Jessica is currently in pursuit of her Certified Health Executive (CHE) designation with the Canadian College of Healthcare Leaders.

Jessica joined the NHNSA Board of Directors as a Member at Large in 2024 and serves on the Acadia University Dietetic Practicum Selection Committee. Jessica supports her teams using a facilitative leadership style to harness their expertise and creativity to create positive outcomes and meaningful relationships. Jessica has a passion for long-term care and continuing to push the envelope of what is possible for the residents we serve to improve their quality of life.

Jessica supports the vision of the NHNSA of creating the very best long-term care for Nova Scotians. She believes that working together as a collective strengthens our sector and will improving the quality of life of those we serve by sharing best practices and identifying key opportunities that support our continuous improvement and growth.

Jennifer Jesso, Director

Executive Director | Rosedale Home for Special Care | New Germany

Jennifer Jesso is a Registered Nurse with more than 20 years of healthcare experience and over 10 years of leadership experience in the long-term care sector. She holds a Bachelor of Nursing degree from the University of Victoria and a Change Management Certificate from Dalhousie University.

Throughout her career, Jennifer has been dedicated to improving the lives of seniors and advancing excellence in long-term care. As Executive Director of Rosedale Home for Special Care, a small rural not-for-profit nursing home on the South Shore, she works closely with residents, families, staff, community partners, and government stakeholders to enhance care quality and support sustainable services.

Jennifer is passionate about helping residents live fulfilling, meaningful lives. She believes that long-term care should focus not only on providing excellent clinical care, but also on creating opportunities for connection, purpose, dignity, and choice. Her guiding philosophy is to support residents to “live their best life for the rest of their life.” Having spent much of her career in rural healthcare, Jennifer understands the unique challenges and opportunities facing small not-for-profit nursing homes. She is a strong advocate for equitable access to quality care regardless of geography and is committed to ensuring that the voices of rural providers are heard in provincial discussions and decision-making.

As a member of the Nursing Homes Association of Nova Scotia Board, Jennifer values collaboration, innovation, and collective advocacy. She believes that by working together, the long-term care sector can better address shared challenges, strengthen services, support the workforce, and improve outcomes for residents and families across Nova Scotia.

Jennifer is proud to contribute her experience, leadership, and passion for resident-centered care to support the Association’s mission and the continued advancement of long-term care throughout the province.

Erin Fortin, Director

CEO | County of Inverness Municipal Housing Corporation | Inverness, Cape Breton

Erin Fortin is CEO and Administrator of the County of Inverness Municipal Housing Corporation (CIMHC), a municipal not-for-profit in rural Cape Breton. She was appointed to the permanent role in July 2026 after serving as Acting CEO from April of that year, and joined the organization as Director, HR Services.

CIMHC operates two long-term care homes: Inverary Manor in Port Hood and Foyer Père Fiset in the Acadian community of Chéticamp, along with two small options homes. Together they serve approximately 142 long-term care residents and eight special-needs participants and employ roughly 225 people across the county. Erin also oversees the Foyer Père Fiset capital build.

Her work at CIMHC has centred on workforce stability and the day-to-day realities of delivering care in rural Nova Scotia. Through engaging community programs such as Grow Your Own and utilizing international recruitments and immigration pipelines under the Atlantic Immigration Program and Nova Scotia Nominee Program, endorsing permanent residency pathways for healthcare workers. and moving the organization from 16 travel staff positions to zero within seven months. She has led the organization through collective bargaining, a full employee group strike, and the operational response to an October 2025 wastewater emergency that required the evacuation of 71 residents and the relocation of 22 to partner homes.

Erin studied International Development and Political Science at Saint Mary’s University, with additional training in data analytics, business analysis, and AI for business. In 2014 she started, owned and operated Free to Be Me Caregiving in Calgary, Alberta – providing holistic therapies and respite for children and young adults with complex physical challenges.

A lifelong advocate for people with disabilities at the national and international level, Erin’s community work has included crisis line counselling in Halifax, Rotary’s Camp Tidnish, and outreach in Mexico with World Vision. She is a recipient of the A.J. Fanning Citizenship Award and the Global Awareness and Leadership Award.

Erin feels privileged to be part of a group willing to name the sector’s real problems and tackle them together rather than in isolation. She believes a strong collective voice makes for more meaningful engagement with government, and that the best long-term care in Nova Scotia will be built by providers who share openly what is working and what is not.

Andrew Holland, Director

CEO & Administrator | Grandview Manor | Berwick

Andrew Holland has served as the Chief Executive Officer and Administrator of Grand View Manor since April of 2024. Prior to assuming his current role, Andrew was Chief Administrative Officer at East Cumberland Lodge in Pugwash NS. A dynamic and innovative leader, Andrew strives to elevate the lived experience of his residents through high-quality practice and a continuous aim to improve long term care at all levels of delivery. An active member of the healthcare community, Andrew is pleased to be on the Board of Directors for the Nursing Homes of Nova Scotia Association and is a prior Co-Chair of the Long-Term Care Administrators Group (Northern Zone) and current Co-Chair of the Western Zone Group of the same name. He previously held the role of Zonal Representative for Long Term Care Nova Scotia (Health Association Nova Scotia). In addition to this, Andrew has been a course instructor for the Leadership In Continuing Care Administration program at Dalhousie University since 2021 along with being an active mentor for students of the Master of Health Administration program and guest lecturer in the School of Health Administration.

Prior to assuming his leadership roles in long term care, Andrew successfully competed a Master of Health Administration degree from Dalhousie University along with a Graduate Certificate in Strategic Decisions in Health Administration and a Certificate in Interprofessional Healthcare Education from Dalhousie. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, is a Registered Nurse with the College of Nurses of Ontario, a Certified Health Executive with the Canadian College of Health Leaders and is currently in the process of concluding a Fellowship with the American College of Healthcare Executives. Andrew was recently awarded the 2026 Robert Zed Young Health Leader Award by the Canadian College of Health Leaders.

Advocacy is a strategic priority for our Association. We are a respected collective voice for this critical sector within the Nova Scotia health care system with an ear to the ground about the needs, strengths, challenges, opportunities awaiting, and the investments needed for long term care.

From the front lines, to behind the scenes, to the leadership and governance tables; from quality care standards to best practices, to staffing needs and infrastructure, we have expansive expertise that is recognized by community partners, orders of government, media, business, and communities.

Our campaign, It’s Our Turn, along with an extensive communications strategy, shone the spotlight brightly on long term care and this increased awareness garnered significant outcomes. We advocated strongly for a Ministerial portfolio and department dedicated to long term care. We were very pleased to see the creation of the first provincial department of seniors and long term care. Our call to action was rewarded with investments in infrastructure, staff recruitment support, increased infection prevention and control resources and wage increases for front line staff.

Long term care is gaining strong momentum and we are proud to play a lead role in the transformation that is on the horizon.