OUR TEAM
Chelsey MacNeil
CEO, Founder & Principal Consultant
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
Chelsey is a trusted leader in community economic development and social innovation, with over a decade of experience supporting purpose-driven organizations across Canada. Through The Purposeful Group, she helps organizations navigate complexity and design strategies that strengthen communities, economies, and the systems that connect them.
Areas of Expertise
- Community economic development
- Social innovation and policy design
- Rural development and place-based strategy
- Partnership and ecosystem development
- Strategic leadership
Work at The Purposeful Group
- Organizational and community strategy
- Multi-stakeholder facilitation
- Community investment and partnership development
What Guides Their Work
A commitment to building inclusive, resilient communities where economic success aligns with social and environmental wellbeing.
Michelle Strum
Managing Director
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Michelle is a lifelong entrepreneur who thrives on complex challenges and turning ideas into sustainable ventures. A practical and community-minded mentor, Michelle supports leaders and organizations to grow in ways that benefit both the people leading the work and the communities they serve.
Areas of Expertise
- Entrepreneurship and business operations
- Financing and asset development
- Enterprise scaling
- Inclusive leadership and workplace culture
Work at The Purposeful Group
- Entrepreneur mentorship and advisory
- Program and cohort design
- Financial strategy and asset-based development
What Guides Their Work
A belief that strong organizations are built when leaders, teams, and communities consistently live their values.
Lisa Lowthers
Senior Impact Consultant
Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia
Lisa brings over 30 years of experience supporting businesses, nonprofits, and social enterprises to find clarity and move forward with confidence. Known for balancing practical action with meaningful impact, Lisa’s work is deeply rooted in community-based and rural contexts.
Areas of Expertise
- Business and social enterprise development
- Nonprofit strategic planning
- Social impact measurement and evaluation
- Community and stakeholder engagement
- Governance and policy development
Work at The Purposeful Group
- Impact consulting and strategy
- Market and feasibility research
- Training, facilitation, and purposeful learning
What Guides Their Work
A desire to support local people, local economies, and meaningful work rooted in community.
Trevor Blackler
Project Coordinator
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
Trevor brings a strong academic foundation and a practical, solutions-focused approach to business development. With experience supporting nonprofits, social enterprises, and start-ups, Trevor is known for a collaborative style and steady commitment to community impact.
Areas of Expertise
- Business development and growth planning
- Social enterprise and entrepreneurship
- Nonprofit and start-up support
- Community-based initiatives
Work at The Purposeful Group
- Business development advisory
- Program support and implementation
- Community-based project delivery
What Guides Their Work
A drive to create meaningful, lasting change through practical solutions and strong relationships.
Willa Dunk-Gifford
Impact Consultant & Project Coordinator
Toronto, Ontario
Willa is a consultant and project coordinator with strong research skills and a deep appreciation for community-led solutions. Their work bridges research, policy, and practice to support equitable, practical, and people-centred change.
Areas of Expertise
- Community-based research and needs assessments
- Housing systems and homelessness prevention
- Social finance and impact investing ecosystems
- Gender-lens investing and inclusive entrepreneurship
- Impact measurement and evaluation
Work at The Purposeful Group
- Research and policy analysis
- Community engagement design and delivery
- Financial projections and social enterprise planning
- Ecosystem mapping and strategy development
What Guides Their Work
A commitment to equity, care, and solutions built alongside the people most affected by systems change.
Kirsten Lawrence
Special Projects Lead
Wolfville, Nova Scotia
Kirsten is a community builder with a passion for helping people turn ideas into action. With a background in youth engagement, social enterprise, and community-driven innovation, Kirsten supports complex initiatives from planning through delivery.
Areas of Expertise
- Project management and coordination
- Youth engagement and entrepreneurship education
- Event, convening, and conference planning
- Strategic partnerships and stakeholder management
- Program development and facilitation
Work at The Purposeful Group
- Project coordination across multi-partner initiatives
- Training and facilitation in community settings
- Event and conference planning
- Partnership development and relationship management
What Guides Their Work
A belief that young people and communities have the ideas, talent, and agency to shape their own futures.