ACNS welcomes your inquires and feedback.
Whether you need information about our programs and services, volunteering, information for school, or just to say hello – we are here for you. Please know that all submissions are carefully considered and we maintain the strictest confidentiality.
ACNS Staff
All successful organizationshave a team whose goal is meaningful change. Each ACNS staff member makes his or her own unique contribution to our success. We are proud of the level of dedication and commitment they embody in making Nova Scotia a better place through support, education and empowerment.
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Chris Aucoin
Executive Director
902.425.4882 ext 227
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Chris (He/Him) moved up to the Executive Director chair in December 2019 after having worked as the ACNS Gay Men’s Health Coordinator for over a decade. An educator, writer and freelance designer, Chris has a master’s degree in Educational Psychology, a diploma in graphic design, and broad community-based experience in cultural industries and social justice stretching back more than two decades. His work in social justice has included poverty and food security, and a wide range of 2SLGBTQ+ support, social and political causes. His current passion is working on rewrites for his first completed theatre script A Boy And His Dog which he workshopped at Queer Acts 2014. Chris loves dogs, dancing, and singing weekly with the Halifax Gay Men's Chorus!
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Ned MacInnis
Program Support
902.425.4882 ext 224
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Ned (He/Him) holds the position of Program Support at ACNS. Involved in the AIDS movement for over 20 years, Ned has provided support and sexual health education with Men-Who-Have-Sex-With-Men, conducted training and education sessions, and has worked with People Living with HIV/AIDS creating health promotion strategies. His ancillary work includes: HIV/AIDS Education in Jamaica Project, Mount Saint Vincent University; Peer Outreach Worker: Stepping Stone Association; Consultant: Prison Outreach, Counseling, Education and Resource Development, Correctional Service of Canada; Research Assistant: Promising Practices in the Engagement of People Living with or At-Risk for HIV/AIDS in Rural Canada, Thompson Rivers University. He says “The greatest lesson I have learned here is this: I am not a salmon; I do not have to swim upstream. I have developed a strong passion about community-based work and as a result, I have learned to live life to its fullest. Carpe Diem!”
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Dylan Samson
Support & Program Services
902.403.7841 (phone+text)
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Dylan (He/They) is the new Support & Programs Coordinator at the AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia. He is a graduate of Dalhousie University's School of Social Work, and is in the process of working through his social work candidacy with the NSCSW. He also has a double-major in Psychology and French. In addition to his work experience with community services and group homes, he has experience volunteering with a variety of queer organizations and events. He is a self-professed “Massive Nerd” and his hobbies include listening to podcasts, running, photography, and water polo.
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Jordan Parker
Fund Development & Communications Coordinator
902-240-7384 (phone and text)
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Jordan Parker (He/Him) is the Fund Development & Communications Coordinator at ACNS. He has a Masters in Investigative Journalism from the University of King's College, and an Advanced Diploma in PR from NSCC Ivany campus. A freelance journalist and owner of arts and entertainment firm Parker PR, Jordan is an award-winning writer and communicator who also volunteers with Halifax Pride, the International Association of Business Communicators, and has helped the Halifax Mussels 2SLGBTQIA+ and allies hockey team. He loves movies and runs a film review site called Parker & The Picture Shows, and is an unabashed Toronto Maple Leafs fan, coffee snob and foodie.
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Hanley Smith
Health and Wellness Coordinator for 2S/TNB+ Folx
902.425.4882 ext 226
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Hanley Smith (They/Them) is our Health and Wellness Coordinator for 2-Spirit, Trans and Non-Binary programs at ACNS. Hanley is a non-binary activist and community leader in Nova Scotia’s queer community. They have developed and implemented queer youth programs, and done award winning work caring for trans* youth throughout their many years of volunteer service. Hanley is also a musician and has worked to ensure the success of disabled artists as they are one themselves. They are currently completing their bachelors degree in psychology and a certificate in non-for-profit business from Mount Saint Vincent University. Hanley is a big fan of dungeons & dragons with a dice collection the size of a watermelon. They are very excited to do the work that they care about most, protecting and caring for trans* people.