Keynote Speakers:
Bill Carr
Award-Winning Comedian & Motivational Speaker
Bill helps people see their world in new and exciting ways. His unique blend of humour and insight inspires laughter and consideration, offering his audience a fresh perspective on what they face everyday. At the root of all of Bill’s work is the use of humour to help people reflect on their own innate human nature and understand who they are in a greater social context.
Throughout his career, Bill has performed on theatrical stages across Canada and internationally. He has also worked extensively in the Film and Television industry in character roles and also as a social commentator on CBC’s The Journal. By playing roles as challenging as Lophakin in The Cherry Orchard by Chekhov, as comedically satisfying as Eddie the Cook on The Red Green Show, or as endearing as Jack, the father of a middle-aged woman wrestling with her singlehood in Spinster, Bill has learned a lot.
Bill has written a book “Acting Up: Lessons from the Theatre of Life” where he shares his diverse and multifaceted experiences as a performer and conveys both lessons learned and mistakes made, and issues a challenge to those wishing to live more authentically and with purpose.
Bill believes that empathy and compassion must take centre stage in all our human interactions and seeks to deepen his audience’s understanding of the interrelated nature of our reality. Combining the latest developments in interpersonal neuroscience with his gleanings from a lifelong study of ancient philosophical writings and spiritual practice, Bill shares insights old and new into how our minds work individually and collectively. Bill is fascinating to listen to as well as incredibly funny. Picture the late and great comedian Robin Williams and esteemed professor of Literature Joseph Campbell and you will begin to get the idea.
Bill is also an active volunteer in his community. He is an honorary Trustee of the IWK Health Centre and has been a host of the annual IWK Telethon, a much-loved community institution in the Maritime provinces, for more than 30 years. Bill also regularly serves as host & emcee for many local events in support of charitable causes and the arts such as Unicef, YMCA, Neptune Theatre, Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia, Symphony Nova Scotia, Hospice Halifax, and Habitat for Humanity among so many others.
Amy Dunham
Chief Communications Officer, Global Communications, Habitat for Humanity International
Amy Dunham leads a global team of nearly 90 tasked with stewarding Habitat for Humanity’s brand across multiple channels and coordinating Habitat’s story among local Habitat organizations in all 50 states in the U.S. and in more than 70 other countries. Amy also serves as a member of the organization’s senior management group, which advises the CEO and sets strategy and policy for the ministry.
Before joining Habitat for Humanity International, Amy was senior vice president, marketing and communications, at Strada Education Foundation, a nonprofit social impact organization working to increase equity through clearer and more purposeful pathways between education and employment. In that role, she directed integrated strategic communications efforts to advance Strada’s brand identity, broaden awareness of its programs and priorities, and advance its position with key constituents.
She also spent eight years at the NCAA as managing director of strategic communications, responsible for how the association articulated and presented its core values, shaped and managed its brand, communicated with members and employees, interacted with charities, and mapped these efforts back to the association’s strategic communications plan.
Her background also includes serving as deputy assistant secretary of public affairs at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for four years. In that role, she managed all aspects of communications for the department and its 22 component agencies; she also established and managed the national “If You See Something, Say Something” public awareness campaign. Earlier in her career, Amy served in media relations roles for the Transportation Security Administration and US Airways. Amy is a graduate of Wake Forest University and currently serves as a member of the Wake Forest College Board of Visitors.
Debbie Eisan, CPO2, CD2 (retired)
Chief Petty Officer Second Class (Ret’d) Debbie Eisan is an Ojibway Anishinabe kwe from Batchewana First Nation, and was born in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario. During her 36-year military career, Debbie served numerous tours of duty, highlighted by her involvement in the close out operation of the United Nations Base in Rwanda, Africa, and her posting to the HMCS Iroquois, which saw her spend seven months in the Arabian Sea supporting the War against Terrorism. In 2004, Eisan was the recipient of the National Aboriginal Women in Leadership Foundation Award of Distinction, and in 2012, she was presented the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, and in 2022 the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee medal for her work in advocating and bringing Cultural awareness for Aboriginal people serving in the Canadian Armed Forces. She is also the recipient of the Kings Coronation medal in 2025.
Now working as the community Events Planner at the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre in Halifax, she organizes and plans a myriad of events that are of benefit to individuals and groups within the larger Halifax community. It is an extensive and growing list, be it veterans, the homeless, seniors, youth, mothers, fathers and students. Her reach also extends to those who are incarcerated, bringing them culture and spirituality as well as traditional foods.
Deb is a member of the Assembly of First Nations Veterans committee and is an Elder with the Halifax Fire Department and RCMP. She is also a member of the Board of Governors with Commissionaires of Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia International Tattoo board of directors. She has been named as an Honorary Naval Captain with Maritime Forces Command, and is affiliated with Her Majesty's Canadian Ship Margaret Brooke. She is also a member of the Advisory Committee for care and Compassion to the Minister of Veterans Affairs. As a devoted wife, mother and grandmother of five, and a former board member of Indspire, Deb believes that Indigenous youth must be given the chance of success through Education and maintaining connection to their grass roots.
Entertainment:
Sarah Hope is a passionate local musician with 12 years of various band performance experience across the city. Born and raised in Cape Breton, she carries the rich tradition of Celtic fiddle music in her veins. When she's not on stage, she loves capturing moments through photography, enjoying sports, and soaking up the sun.
McCorkell Highland Dancers are a performance troupe composed of competitive Highland dancers from McCorkell Academy of Highland Dance, based in Halifax, NS. The performance troupe and dance school is directed by Elizabeth McCorkell, an adjudicator on the RSOBHD Worldwide Panel of Judges and Fellow of the Scottish Dance Teachers' Alliance, teaching competitive, performance focused and recreational students ranging in age from ages 3 to adult.
Newbird is a jazz ensemble featuring the captivating vocals of Jolyne Dupuis Cormier and the imaginative guitar work of Eli Lubell. Together the duo delivers a fresh, modern interpretation of straight-ahead vocal jazz. As a special treat the group will be joined by one of Halifax’s all-star upright bass players for this special event – A Coastal Affair.
The group's sound and repertoire draws inspiration from the recordings of Samara Joy, Billie Holiday, Diana Krall, and Chet Baker, combining tasteful arrangements with timeless jazz elegance and deeply studied playing.
Joe Murphy is a Maritimer. Born in New Brunswick and schooled in Ottawa, he became bilingual at a young age. He then came to Nova Scotia to study Marine Engineering and served a long career as an officer in the Canadian Coast Guard.
As a cadet at the Canadian Coast Guard College in Cape Breton, Joe first heard Gaelic being spoken and sung. Over the course of many years, he studied the language here as well as in Scotland and Ireland. That led to an unexpected second career teaching Gaelic including twenty-five years at Saint Mary’s University, here in Halifax. Nova Scotia is now the only province in Canada where Gaelic language and cultural studies are on the public-school curriculum and Joe Murphy is proud to say that he helped to make that so.
Joe has sung since childhood and keeps up his practice through the Dartmouth Choral Society and performing at traditional music concerts throughout the province.
Among his hobbies he lists reading, exploring nearby places with strange-sounding names and painting. He specializes in portraiture and has even taught workshops in that specialty in English AND Gaelic!
Joe is honoured and delighted to sing our national anthem, in Nova Scotia Gaelic, for Habitat’s National Conference and asks that you join him in the language of your choice.
Of all the entertainment acts this country has to offer, The Jimmy Flynn Show has remained one of the most memorable performances available for more than 35 years. With a high-energy blend of side-splitting comedy and popular music, Jimmy Flynn remains Canada’s “Ambassador of Good Cheer.” Dressed in his trademark red checkered shirt, yellow sou’wester and rubber boots, Jimmy takes the stage, glances over the audience and erupts into volcanic comedy that melts the audience. The bottom line: this guy is hilarious!
Over the past 40 years, Jimmy Flynn has become a musical comedy powerhouse. His list of credits is astounding. He has performed with The Dixie Chicks at Massey Hall in Toronto, he has also performed with “The Man in Black”, Johnny Cash; Tommy James and the Shondells; Charlie Pride; The Everley Brothers, and with Cheech and Chong‘s Last Tour. Jimmy Flynn became a popular radio and television personality during the early 1990s. To date, he has produced and broadcast over 400 radio shows, a 13-week television series, four feature length comedy videos that have gone double and triple platinum, seven gold CDs, a Christmas recording for children and a four-time bestselling joke book. He also owns his own travel and entertainment tour company, The Great Canadian Comedy Tour Company. Jimmy has raised millions of dollars for Canadian charities and community groups. He is Canada’s foremost musical comedy act!
Drummers From Home is a unique collective of individuals who have come together out of their love of African and world beat rhythms. Over the years the group has developed a unique chemistry and work hard to incorporate the various backgrounds and personalities of the players.
Khalifa Jallo-Hamilton is the youngest member of the group. Born and raised in Nova Scotia he began playing the djembe at the age of 5 with his father.
Khalifa has a dynamic, percussive style and pushes the others to play over and under his rhythm patterns.
Robert Leek came to Drummers from Home in 2017. Originally from New Brunswick, Robert brings strong Carib and African rhythms to the group. His spacing and accents give creativity to the play list.
Ayo Aladejebi has been drumming since he was a youngster in Nigeria. His drumming has strong Nigerian flavors with Yoruba roots. Ayo helps to anchor many of the compositions with polyrhythms beats.
The newest member of the group is Sobaz Benjamin. Sobaz was born in Grenada but now calls Halifax home after living in the UK for some time. Sobaz is a quick study and has added depth as the 5th drummer with strong tenor and tempo lines.
Wayn Hamilton is the last founding member of Drummers From Home. Wayn played drums and percussions in Halifax for several music projects. He brings the foundation and direction to the ensemble.
If you’re hungry for great musical entertainment, then Big Fish is definitely the catch of the day. This lively band, noted for their strong four-part harmonies and expansive set list of all your favorites, has been performing their unique show for over 20 years throughout the Maritimes and Ontario. Audiences of all ages have been fascinated by the creativity, powerful voices and showmanship of Sarah Letcher, Peter Janes, Andy Gallant, and Dale Letcher.
Their sound has been enhanced by the addition of Glen MacIsaac and Brad Davidge on lead guitar and vocals. They bring together songs from the 50’s to the present and cover everything from musicals to maritime music. Voted best reception band for the past 3 years by The Coast, this group loves to have fun, and it shows!
So, get ready to make memories and dance the night away with Big Fish during this year’s Awards Celebration Gala and Dinner! Click here to meet the members of Big Fish.
Matthew Phelps has been piping for 35 years and performing at events for nearly 30. Phelps is classified as an Open/Professional Bagpiper by the Atlantic Canada Pipe Band Association and the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association. Phelps has played at weddings, funerals, birthday parties, corporate events, anniversaries, ship launchings, political campaign marches, in concert hall and stage performances, at the Basel Tattoo in Switzerland, and at many international pipe band competitions throughout North America, the UK, and Northern Ireland. Past performances also include playing with the Boston Pops at Symphony Hall, and at a berry picking Festival in Kuujjuarapik, Nunavik.
Phelps has played with the Gaelic College Pipe Band of St. Ann’s, the Halifax Police Pipe Band, the City of Whitehorse Pipe Band in Australia, served as Pipe Sergeant of the Worcester Kilties and Stuart Highlanders of Massachusetts, and is currently a member of the Cape Breton Island Pipe Band.