Our Leadership Team
Committed to Leadership in Education
At East Coast Leadership Academy, we hold an unwavering commitment to creating a world-class educational environment where every student’s individual journey towards success takes center stage. Our remarkable team of educators, advisors, and administrators works tirelessly to ensure that each student’s unique needs, talents, and aspirations are not only recognized but prioritized in their educational experience. We firmly believe in the transformative power of education, where young minds are nurtured, knowledge flourishes, and future leaders and innovators are empowered.
Kara Angus
Founder & President
Kara Angus is the founder of ECLA and president of Go-Go Group Inc., a multi-divisional company focused on quality childcare, gymnastics, and early childhood entertainment. Since launching Go-Go in 2006, the business has grown to include multiple locations throughout New Brunswick, reaching thousands of children who participate daily in a variety of Go-Go programs and special events. Kara is also a part-time instructor within the Faculty of Management at UNB, where she delivers real-life business experience through courses in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. Recipient of NB Association of CBDC’s Woman Entrepreneur of the Year (2016), RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Momentum Award Finalist (2017). She is also the recipient of the 2024 Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award in the Large Business category. Kara’s dedication to early childhood development and community involvement is evident in her numerous distinguished awards, which complement her Masters of Business Administration Degree and her Early Childhood Education diploma. Kara has recognized the benefit of bringing students together with community leaders and organizations to expand children’s learning environment, which was the inspiration for ECLA. With a focus on developing character and citizenship, and tapping into each child’s individual potential, Kara wants to offer parents an innovative option that goes beyond conventional learning and educates the whole child.
Chris Treadwell
ACADEMIC DIRECTOR
We are honoured to have Chris Treadwell as the Academic Director at ECLA. With over 40 years of experience, Chris has been a cornerstone of education in New Brunswick since 1985. He has served as a principal for 31 years across schools of all levels, worked as the Assistant Deputy Minister for the New Brunswick Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, and as an adjunct university professor. Chris has represented New Brunswick nationally, receiving Canada’s prestigious Outstanding Principal Award (2009). As well, his school in Hartland, NB, was listed in the Canadian Education Association’s National Report as one of the 20 Exemplary High Schools in Canada (1994). Chris is renowned for his commitment to community engagement and experiential learning, having been involved in numerous international projects focused on enhancing the quality of education in other countries, thus actively contributing to policy and curriculum development throughout the world. He has been an International Consultant in China, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados (for the Inter-American Development Bank), and in St. Lucia (UNB). At ECLA, his diverse experiences and innovative approach to personalized education come together to provide students with a unique educational journey, guided by a leader deeply passionate about meaningful and relevant learning experiences.
Academic Advisory Board
Dr. Michael Fox
Dr. Michael Fox is a Research Professor in Community-Engaged Learning at Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick and a founding Research Associate in the Research Partnership for Education and Community Engagement (R-PEACE) at Mount Allison. Michael has been a teacher, researcher and administrator for over 40 years, serving as Dean of Students at Bishop’s University, Vice President (Student Affairs) at the University of Winnipeg and Vice President (Academic & Research) at Mount Allison. Michael was a long-time middle and high school teacher and principal, with much of his current research and teaching finding him working with educators and students in schools across New Brunswick. He is currently working with the Institute for Transformational Education, a teaching and research partnership with the three largest First Nation communities in the region. Michael’s dedication and expertise for school and community partnerships creates the perfect alliance with ECLA.
Marie Cashion
Marie began her educational career teaching in several inner-city schools in Boston during a period of considerable turmoil. After moving to New Brunswick, she obtained a master’s degree in educational psychology and counselling, and was hired by the UNB Faculty of Education. Marie ultimately became the Director of the Faculty Learning Centre, which assesses students who face challenges in school. Marie discovered that many students who do not fit in the traditional school setting prove to be high-ability. As a result of this experience, she devoted much of her subsequent career to meeting the needs of this important group of students. This includes establishing a summer program for teachers, after-school and weekend activities, establishing a parent advocacy and support group, and serving as an advocate for this group. Marie’s invaluable wealth of experience with high-ability students provides ECLA with a unique and valuable insight.
Krista Fraser
Krista is an Occupational Therapist (OT) and the owner/operator of Little Ones Therapy Services. With over 20 years of experience, Krista specializes in providing occupational therapy services to children of all abilities. Since beginning her career as an OT, Krista has always worked with children, and for many years was an active member of an interdisciplinary rehabilitation team who provided services to children with complex neurological impairments, including brain and spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, and neuromuscular disorders. She has worked with many other OTs in the province to educate, brainstorm and program plan to ensure exceptional care was being provided to the children in NB. Little Ones Therapy services was opened in May 2021, and has grown to be an interdisciplinary team of therapists providing private services to children in Fredericton and throughout the province. Krista graduated from Queen’s University with a BScOT., holds a BSc (Bio Psych) and MEd (Exceptional Learners) from the University of New Brunswick as well. Krista is an essential part of ECLA’s dedication to personalized learning, and leading each child to reach their fullest potential.
Dr. John Morrison
Dr. John Morrison brings a unique blend of expertise across private education and business. Currently, John serves as the Associate Dean of the Online Bachelor of Business Administration Program at Yorkville University, Canada’s largest private university. Previously he has taught at Trinity Western University and the University of New Brunswick in the areas of Marketing, Leadership, and International Business. Prior to his transition to academics, John spent several years in marketing and sales leadership across a variety of manufacturing industries. He has completed a BBA, MBA, and PhD focused on Organizational Psychology at the University of New Brunswick. John’s knowledge of private education together with a strong business background will be a driving force behind ECLA’s success.
Simeon Brodsky
It’s a true privilege to have Simeon Brodsky as a member of the ECLA Advisory Board. Simeon’s educational initiatives over the past 30 years have ranged from large-scale government reforms designed to shift K-12 education, to school-based initiatives designed to activate and empower students. While working at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (CTY) in the US, he began in academic programs and culminated in the role of Senior Advisor for Strategy and Innovation. Simeon also spent 10 years as the Director of International Initiatives, building collaborations in 25+ countries ranging from Canada to Kazakhstan to Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. Simeon’s frequent speaking engagements at international conferences on innovation and high ability students include a UNESCO Symposium focusing on high impact STEM education programs and the global scaling challenge. ECLA aligns with Simeon’s educational belief of the importance of igniting curiosity, nurturing talent, and creating the next generation of leaders and problem solvers who are both successful and deeply entwined with the community.
Corporate Advisory Board
Daryl Branscombe
Daryl began his career as an educator, and went on to dedicate the majority of his professional life to commercial real estate development as the President of Greenarm Commercial Realty. His commitment to the community, however, goes beyond the world of real estate – he is also the CEO and founder of the New Brunswick advocacy group, Community of Creative Citizens. His active participation in various provincial and municipal community projects, including co-founding the Knowledge Park in Fredericton and spearheading the construction of Hospice House, reflects his unwavering dedication to localized enrichment. A published author, Daryl has written four books (the fourth being published this year), and has established two scholarships at the University of New Brunswick in loving memory of his cherished sons. Recognized for his outstanding accomplishments, he was honoured with a Doctor of Letters degree from the University of New Brunswick in 2017. At ECLA, Daryl contributes an invaluable entrepreneurial perspective, and a deep understanding of New Brunswick’s educational heritage.
Jocelyn Scherer
Jocelyn Scherer is a Senior Vice President of NFP Canada, specializing in the area of risk management and insurance. Jocelyn has always valued experiential education – from being a member of an early graduating cohort from Renaissance College at the University of New Brunswick to being a member of the inaugural Corporate Residency MBA program at Dalhousie University. Jocelyn began her career in Sustainability consulting, and helped clients work through their carbon footprint and early corporate social responsibility reports, while also tracking coastline erosion and wind turbine development in Nova Scotia. After her MBA, she relocated to Calgary, Alberta with an international insurance brokerage, and has since spent time consulting on risk management and negotiating large risk transfer structures into the global insurance market. Jocelyn’s experience includes fast paced, bespoke learning and career opportunities, which will support ECLA in experiential education options, together with her wealth of knowledge in business, sustainability and corporate responsibility.
Alessandro Corazza
With a career spanning twenty years, Alessandro has accumulated a wealth of professional expertise that encompasses e-learning, marketing, and technology. His journey has taken him from the Université de Moncton to the role of Marketing Manager at one of Atlantic Canada’s largest law firms. Subsequently, he honed his skills at a prominent advertising agency in New Brunswick before venturing into entrepreneurship, establishing his consultancy in 2016. An unwavering advocate for education and knowledge dissemination, Alessandro contributes to a CBDC startup business program by conducting monthly workshops for aspiring entrepreneurs. In addition to his professional commitments, he dedicates his time and expertise to the Moncton SPCA Foundation and the Friends of the Magnetic Hill Zoo, serving on their boards. Alessandro’s insights and acumen extend to ECLA, where he provides invaluable guidance on matters related to branding and technology infrastructure.
Jamie Angus
Jamie Angus is Co-Founder of Touchstone Legal Inc., a boutique law firm based in downtown Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, offering a variety of legal services in the areas of corporate and commercial, trusts, estate planning and administration, elder law, and tax. Jamie also provides advice to not-for-profit organizations on structuring and governance. Jamie’s key offerings include practical guidance on the establishment of businesses, corporate reorganizations, purchase and sale transactions, business financing, tax and trust planning, business succession planning, governance, and all manners of commercial transactions. Jamie is a member of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society, the Canadian Bar Association, and the Canadian Tax Foundation. She volunteers as a member of the Board of Directors of each of Ronald McDonald House Charities Atlantic and St. George’s YouthNet Society. Jamie has once again been included in the 2023 Edition of The Best Lawyers in Canada© in the areas of Mergers & Acquisitions Law, Corporate Law, and Tax Law.