About Us
AFOA ATLANTIC
AFOA Atlantic was founded in 2006 and is registered as a non-profit organization. It is governed by a board elected by the members of AFOA Atlantic.
The Executive Director manages the daily organizational operations. Activities include organizing and hosting conferences, holding training workshops and communications.
AFOA Atlantic is financed through membership fees, funding support from Indigenous Services Canada and by Corporate Sponsorships.
Board of Directors
Annie E. Johnson, CIHRP, CAPA
Chair
Director of Administration Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources
Annie E. Johnson is the Director of Administration at the Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR), a Mi’kmaq natural resources organization that serves all of the Mi’kmaq communities of Unama’ki (Cape Breton). Annie is a band member of Eskasoni First Nation and resides there with her partner Robert and her pets. She is the proud daughter of a residential school survivor and a Mi’kmaq language immersion teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Community Studies degree and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Cape Breton University. Annie has her Certified Aboriginal Public Administrator (CAPA) designation and her Certified Indigenous Human Resources Professional designation from AFOA Canada. She also had the opportunity to graduate from Harvard Business School’s Leading People and Investing to Build Sustainable Communities program through their partnership with AFOA.
Annie began working at UINR in 2005 as a summer student in their finance office and has since been a finance clerk, Finance Officer and finally Director of Administration. Annie has been a board member of AFOA Atlantic for many years now and aspires towards promoting financial wellness in our Indigenous communities.
Jennifer is a band member and resident of Membertou. She has a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University College of Cape Breton (currently Cape Breton University). In 2017, Jennifer earned her Certified Aboriginal Professional Administrator (CAPA) designation from AFOA Canada and completed the Leading People and Investing to Build Sustainable Communities program at Harvard Business School. Jennifer received her First Nations Housing Professional (FNHP) designation from the First Nations Housing Professionals Association in September of 2023.
Jennifer began working for the First Nations Market Housing Fund in January 2023 as a Senior Program Officer. Jennifer assists First Nations communities across the country implement, sustain or improve market-based or loan-based housing in their communites by coordinating capacity development activities related to homeownership. Prior to working for the Fund, Jennifer worked with Membertou for 20 years; she began in the Finance Department, but the majority of her time with Membertou was as its Policy Coordinator. She oversaw all policy development and maintenance for Membertou and chaired the Policy Review Committee and Housing Advisory Committee.
Jennifer is a member of:
- AFOA Atlantic Board of Directors
- Micmacs of Gesgapegiag Finance and Audit Committee
- Membertou Governance Committee
- Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association Board of Directors
- Native Woman’s Association of Canada Board of Directors
Terra Marshall, CIHRP
Director
Terra Marshall is a member of Potlotek First Nation and currently serves as the Human Resources Director for the community. She spent several years working in finance with Potlotek First Nation before transitioning into her current role in Human Resources.
She studied Human Resources and Labour Relations through Athabasca University and obtained her Certified Indigenous Human Resources Professional (CIHRP) designation through AFOA Canada in 2025.
Terra approaches her work with a focus on fairness, consistency, and respect. She aims to strengthen practices and systems, while creating a workplace that is accountable and supportive.
She is committed to continuous learning and is open to growth and new ways to improve processes and strengthen the organization.
She values supporting others and takes pride in contributing to the strength, stability, and continued success of the Nation. She is committed to building positive relationships and creating an environment where everyone can succeed.
Terra is also a proud mother and values family, work-life balance, and time spent with her son.
Cynthia Howland, CAPA
Secretary
A seasoned leader with a wealth of organizational expertise, she currently serves as the Executive Assistant to Chief Hugh Akagi. As a CAPA graduate, she brings a high level of strategic administrative proficiency and a commitment to professional excellence to her role.
Her leadership extends across various sectors, including her current service as the Secretary for AFOA, where she plays a vital role in organizational governance. Her background as a former owner-operator of a small business further highlights her entrepreneurial drive and her ability to manage complex operations with precision.
Beyond her professional achievements, she is a proud Passamaquoddy grandmother who remains dedicated to her family and community.
Mary Collier, CAFM
Director
Finance Administrator Ulnooweg Development Group Inc
Mary is currently employed at Ulnooweg Development Group as Financial Comptroller. Before that was employed by home community of Potlotek First Nation as their Chief Financial Officer. She is the sole proprietor of Mary Collier Accounting which assists clients in keeping bookkeeping records and training them to understand their company’s financial outlook.
Mary graduated from Cape Breton University in 1999 with BBA. She received her CAFM designation from AFOA Canada in 2006. She is currently working on her CPA designation.
Mary is a mother of 4, grandmother of 14 and is the eldest of 14 children.
Connie Moon-Martin, BBA, BACS, CAFM, CAPA
Director
Senior Accountant Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government
Connie Moon Martin is a proud member of the Listuguj Mi’gmaq First Nation and currently serves as Senior Accountant for the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government (LMG). Since starting her career with LMG in 1993, she has played a key role in modernizing financial practices and strengthening the community’s finance team.
She holds degrees in Community Studies and Business Administration from Cape Breton University, along with the Certified Aboriginal Finance Manager (CAFM) and Certified Aboriginal Professional Administrator (CAPA) designations from AFOA Canada. In 2018, she completed leadership training at Harvard Business School focused on building sustainable communities.
Connie remains committed to advancing financial excellence and community well-being, contributing her expertise to the following boards:
- AFOA Atlantic Board of Directors
- LMG Finance and Audit Committee
- Listuguj Mi’gmaq Development Centre
- Campbellton Library Board
Kent D. Ferguson, B. Comm, FCPA, FCGA, CFE, CAFM
Treasurer
Kent is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) formerly from and currently residing in Prince Edward Island.
Kent graduated from Dalhousie University in 1978, received his accounting designation in 1984, Certified Fraud Examiner designation (CFE) in 1997, awarded his Fellowship accounting designation (FCPA, FCGA) in 2001 and obtained the Certified Aboriginal Financial Manager certification (CAFM) in 2002.
Over the past 4 decades plus, Kent has spent time in a variety of accounting/auditor related working environments including as Controller/CFO for groups of companies in Nova Scotia, Quebec and PEI, Manager for an accounting firm in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories (NWT) and in Frobisher Bay/Iqaluit, in Nunavut before journeying to Christchurch, New Zealand first as an Audit Manager and then as an Insolvency/Receivership Manager for an international accounting organization. On his return from New Zealand in 1991, Kent spent a short time as Partner in an accounting firm in Hay River, NWT before returning to Yellowknife, NWT as Partner in another accounting firm. Kent retired from that firm in 2008 and returned to PEI and since then has provided some professional services to that firm as requested, particularly in the area of Quality Control Reviews.
During these years, Kent has worked extensively with indigenous groups particularly throughout the NWT, Nunavut and Yukon and to a lesser extent in New Zealand with Māori connected organizations. In Northern Canada the groups included Band Councils, Development Corps, Regional Health and Education Councils, Hamlet/Community Councils, Local Education Authorities, Local Housing Associations/Authorities, Airlines, other indigenous/govt non-profits and private run entities.
Kent has been on numerous local, provincial/territorial and national accounting boards and committees, as well as some other volunteer boards as time allowed.
Kent resides in Burton, PEI with another accountant/auditor, his spouse Laurie Ouellette, FCPA, FCGA, TEP.
Jennifer Baggs, CAFM
Director
- A proud Inuit from Labrador and a member of the NunatuKavut Community Council.
- A Capacity Development Manager with the First Nations Financial Management Board.
- Hold a CAFM designation from AFOA Canada and is currently working towards my CPA (Certified Professional Accountant) designation.
- Sits on the AFOA Atlantic Board and the SPCA of Happy Valley – Goose Bay board.
- Sits on the sponsoring committee for the 764 Happy Valley – Goose Bay Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron.
Tina Milner
Director
Susan is currently the Executive Director of AFOA Atlantic. Prior to moving into the role of Executive Director Susan was a founding member of the AFOA Atlantic Chapter, joining the other founding members of the organization on the Board of Directors in 2000. The Chapter was legally recognized in 2006.
Susan served as Treasurer of AFOA Atlantic from 2010 until 2023.
Susan has had an extensive career working with the First Nations in Atlantic Canada. She graduated with her B. Comm from Dalhousie University in 1980 from there she interned with Doane Raymond before moving on to the position of Financial Controller with Sipekne’katik Bank Council. In 1988 she became the Band Financial Advisor for the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq.
In 2000 Susan accepted the position of CEO of Pictou Landing First Nation, she then moved to beautiful Prince Edward Island in 2007 as the Executive Director of the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI.
Susan “semi-retired” in 2010 and went to work as the Director of Special Projects for Abegweit First Nation.
In 2023 she was hired by AFOA Atlantic as the first employee of the Chapter as the Executive Director.
For Susan it has been an honour to work with so many exceptional people working in the Atlantic First Nations. She looks forward to her new role and is focusing on offering FN employees in Atlantic Canada training opportunities to enhance their skills and to benefit their communities.
Susan resides in Summerside, PE with her husband Tom – both are passionate about golf, cruising, and family.