J. Harper Kent Charitable Foundation

Investing in our youth.
This year, the J Harper Kent Charitable Foundation awarded over 40 scholarships to graduates in the Bathurst area. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded over two million dollars in scholarships.

Photo from left to right: Olivia Russell (St. Francis Xavier University), Sebastien Frenette (NBCC - Moncton), Dayna Hairston (Atlantic Business College), Douglas Kennedy (University of New Brunswick), Kristina White (Dalhousie University) - 2007 recipients of the J Harper Kent Scholarship

Catherine McLaughlin
Board of Governors - President

Cathy McLaughlin has been a director of the foundation since her return to Bathurst in 1979 after completing an honors degree in Business Administration from the University of Western Ontario. She is currently President of Catherine & Company, a gift shop and ladies wear boutique which she founded in 1991. She is also President of W.J. Kent & Co. Ltd.

Cathy is actively involved in her community, having assumed leadership roles on the Downtown Bathurst Revitalization Corporation, First United Church Office Board, Bathurst Waterfront Development Committee and Gloucester Chapter IODE. She resides in Bathurst, New Brunswick with her husband and four daughters.

Bruce Conrod
Board of Governors - Vice President

Bruce Conrod is Branch Manager for Scotia Private Client Group. Bruce is responsible for managing the delivery of products and services offered by Scotiatrust throughout Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador. He has been with Scotiabank Group for over twenty-four years. Bruce is active in his community as a member of the Halifax Estate Planning Council and the Metropolitan Halifax Chamber of Commerce. He is an officer and director of several private foundations. Bruce and his wife reside in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

Jack Nielsen
Board of Governors - Secretary

Jack Nielsen has been involved with the Foundation for over 25 years, and currently serves as Secretary. Jack is a Vice-President and Senior Investment Advisor for TD Waterhouse,Private Investment Advice in Saint John,N.B. He has been involved in the Financial Services Industry since 1964. He also has been involved with numerous local charities and organizations over the past 30 years.

Jack and his wife Bette live in Saint John and their daughter Angela and Granddaughters, Madeline and Olivia live nearby.

Brenda Dunphy
Board of Governors - Director

Brenda Dunphy is a Trust Officer for Scotia Private Client Group. She is responsible for ongoing communication with the beneficiaries and co-trustees of Estate and Trusts administered by Scotiatrust. She has been with Scotiabank Group since 1989. Brenda is an Accredited Trust Officer and is a director and office of several private foundations. Brenda and her family reside in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

Jack MacKay
Board of Governors - Director

Jack MacKay taught for 28 years in Bathurst. He spent 14 years as the principal of Bathurst High School, and the last 5 prior to his retirement as Director of Education and Superintendent of School District 15.

Always active in the community, Jack’s involvement has increased since retirement to include: Treasurer for Bathurst Hospital Centre Health Care Auxiliary Inc.; BHS Alumni Chair; Advisory Board Member for the College of Extended Learning - UNB (Bathurst); NB Department of Education - Educational Review & Accountability Unit; Nursing Association of New Brunswick; New Brunswick Society of Retired Teachers; Terry Fox Elementary School Parent Support Committee; and First United Church.

Jack enjoys traveling and most importantly, spending time with his grandchildren.

Allison C. MacMillan
Board of Governors - Director

Allison C. MacMillan was born in Black Point, New Brunswick. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1943 to 1945. Allison graduated from Dalhousie University in 1949. He was employed with Consolidated Bathurst for 37 years, retiring in 1988. Allison resides in Montreal, Quebec and summers at Youghall Beach, Bathurst.

Heather Conde
Heather is a 2001 graduate of Bathurst High School. While at BHS, she was a member of the varsity volleyball and soccer teams and was involved with Student Representative Council as Executive Assistant and Assistant Treasurer. After graduation, she attended the University of New Brunswick earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts and a Master’s Degree in Economics. In 2007, Heather earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and is currently a teaching at Bathurst High School. Heather presently coaches the BHS Girls Junior Varsity Volleyball Team.

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