Executive Director- Robert Howlett (he/him)
Robert attended Memorial University of Newfoundland graduating from the Bachelor of Recreation program with a minor in Sociology. He moved to Nova Scotia in 2013 and has been a leader in a variety of community oriented and health care roles which has built his passion for inclusion and community development. Working in recreation therapy with seniors health, neurology and acquired brain injuries, mental health and all populations, he built a strong passion for health and wellness and bridging gaps to community integration. Working in non profits, strengthened his passion for volunteer management to help grow community capacity. The value that volunteers bring is undoubtedly the foundation of any organization and he is looking forward to working with EAM volunteers and our community members.
In his leisure time, Robert likes to hike, camp, cook and be with friends and family. He is excited to take on this new role with the Epilepsy Association of the Maritimes and will work diligently to increase the awareness and services provided for those living with epilepsy.
Education & Support Coordinator- Susan Rahey (she/her)
Susan Rahey recently joined the Epilepsy Association of the Maritimes Team as their Education and Support Coordinator, but her involvement with EAM dates to the late 1980’s. Her interest in epilepsy diagnosis and management predates that by about 10 years when, following her graduation from Dalhousie University with a BSc in Biology, she began her future career at the Victoria General Hospital as a student in electro-neurophysiology technology.
Susan was employed for over forty years in heathcare, both in frontline care and management positions. She held numerous leadership roles in local, regional and national healthcare related organizations. She retired in 2020 as the Neurophysiology Program Coordinator, with responsibility for coordinating the Epilepsy Medical and Surgical program at the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, NS.
She has received many distinguished awards from societies and organizations in which she has participated. However, she ranks as her proudest achievement her leadership role in the planning, fundraising and construction, together with her mentor and colleague of more than 30 years, Dr. R. Mark Sadler, of the newest and most patient-centered Epilepsy Monitoring Unit in Canada, that opened in 2017.
In 2017, Susan received the Clinical Care/ Advocacy Award from the Canadian League Against Epilepsy. She Credits Dr. Sadler and the division of Neurology, QEII HSC and especially her patients for sharing their lives with her.
Purple Day Coordinator- Jordan Thomey (she/her)
Jordan Thomey from Bedford, NS. She graduated high school from Charles P. Allen high school in 2021. She started with EAM volunteering in March 2022 and started working here as a Purple Day Coordinator at the beginning of September. She’s done work with non-profits since the sixth grade and has hosted her own Christmas Toy drive since 2016. She has volunteered with the Bedford Fusion Youth Group and was an intern there for six years; after her internship, she worked there as a Youth Recreational Coordinator.
Jordan has always been passionate about working in non-profits; and those values come from direct impacts from non-profits that have change her life and she understands the amazing things they do for our communities. She is excited to have this opportunity to work with EAM and learn more about the epilepsy community!
Volunteer with us! Fill out your application below.
