Team Members
Executive Director
Nicholas Salter
Nicholas Salter has been the Executive Director of the Provincial Employment Roundtable (PERT) since 2021. He brings fifteen years of leadership experience to the role working with multiple levels of government, the private sector, higher education institutions, foundations, health and social services agencies, and community organizations. After establishing PERT’s policy capacity and developing strong partnerships with stakeholders, his priority has been to develop and scale innovative initiatives to close the employment and earnings gap for Quebec’s English speakers.
Prior to joining the Provincial Employment Roundtable, Nicholas directed communications and outreach for McGill University’s Max Bell School of Public Policy, where he played a key role in helping to build and launch the School. Nicholas previously headed the policy and communications work at Powered by Data — a nonprofit focused on open data and open government. Nicholas has also been involved in federal politics, where he led the team of a Member of Parliament and later became an advisor to regional teams and multiple parliamentarians.
Nicholas holds an MSW in International and Community Development, a BA in Psychology, and a Graduate Certificate in Public Relations Management. He is also a past fellow of the McGill Institute for Health and Social Policy.
He is currently a member of the Conseil du patronat du Québec’s Comité éducation et adéquation formation-emploi and the Fédération des chambres du commerces du Québec’s Comité Éducation, formation et main-d’œuvre. He is also a member of the Quebec English-Speaking Communities Research Network (QUESCREN) Inter-Level Educational Table (ILET) and Literacy Quebec’s Community Empowerment through Literacy Initiative (CELI) Project Advisory Committee. He is a past board member of the Queen Elizabeth Health Complex — a not-for-profit community-led health organisation and past Vice-President of the Carrefour jeunesse emploi – Notre-Dame-de-Grâce.
Director, Policy and Research
Sta Kuzviwanza
Sta is a policy researcher and analyst with a background in economics and technology policy. Sta previously worked as the policy lead for Québec at Airbnb Canada and as a consultant providing policy analysis to organizations in the private and public sectors. She holds a Master of Public Policy from the Max Bell School of Public Policy and a Bachelor’s in Economics and African Studies from McGill University.
Director of Public Affairs
Chad Walcott
Chad Walcott is a community engagement expert with 10 years of experience in politics and social development. Throughout his career, he has developed and overseen several successful social impact campaigns focused on social and economic development. Prior to joining PERT’s team, Chad held a position at the City of Montreal, where he was responsible for managing citizen requests and advising local officials on policies related to economic and social development.
Director of Organizational Development
Morgan Gagnon
Morgan Gagnon is a skilled researcher and policy analyst with a background in Quebec higher education policy and theories of institutional responsibility. She recently completed her master’s degree in philosophy at Concordia University, where she held a SSHRC scholarship for her research on university sexual violence policies and accessibility to education. Prior to this, she completed a Bachelor of Arts at Bishop’s University, where she gained extensive experience building relationships with community and regional partners.
Executive Director
Nicholas Salter
Nicholas Salter has been the Executive Director of the Provincial Employment Roundtable (PERT) since 2021. He brings fifteen years of leadership experience to the role working with multiple levels of government, the private sector, higher education institutions, foundations, health and social services agencies, and community organizations. After establishing PERT’s policy capacity and developing strong partnerships with stakeholders, his priority has been to develop and scale innovative initiatives to close the employment and earnings gap for Quebec’s English speakers.
Prior to joining the Provincial Employment Roundtable, Nicholas directed communications and outreach for McGill University’s Max Bell School of Public Policy, where he played a key role in helping to build and launch the School. Nicholas previously headed the policy and communications work at Powered by Data — a nonprofit focused on open data and open government. Nicholas has also been involved in federal politics, where he led the team of a Member of Parliament and later became an advisor to regional teams and multiple parliamentarians.
Nicholas holds an MSW in International and Community Development, a BA in Psychology, and a Graduate Certificate in Public Relations Management. He is also a past fellow of the McGill Institute for Health and Social Policy.
He is currently a member of the Conseil du patronat du Québec’s Comité éducation et adéquation formation-emploi and the Fédération des chambres du commerces du Québec’s Comité Éducation, formation et main-d’œuvre. He is also a member of the Quebec English-Speaking Communities Research Network (QUESCREN) Inter-Level Educational Table (ILET) and Literacy Quebec’s Community Empowerment through Literacy Initiative (CELI) Project Advisory Committee. He is a past board member of the Queen Elizabeth Health Complex — a not-for-profit community-led health organisation and past Vice-President of the Carrefour jeunesse emploi – Notre-Dame-de-Grâce.
Director, Policy and Research
Sta Kuzviwanza
Sta is a policy researcher and analyst with a background in economics and technology policy. Sta previously worked as the policy lead for Québec at Airbnb Canada and as a consultant providing policy analysis to organizations in the private and public sectors. She holds a Master of Public Policy from the Max Bell School of Public Policy and a Bachelor’s in Economics and African Studies from McGill University.
Director of Public Affairs
Chad Walcott
Chad Walcott is a community engagement expert with 10 years of experience in politics and social development. Throughout his career, he has developed and overseen several successful social impact campaigns focused on social and economic development. Prior to joining PERT’s team, Chad held a position at the City of Montreal, where he was responsible for managing citizen requests and advising local officials on policies related to economic and social development.
Director of Organizational Development
Morgan Gagnon
Morgan Gagnon is a skilled researcher and policy analyst with a background in Quebec higher education policy and theories of institutional responsibility. She recently completed her master’s degree in philosophy at Concordia University, where she held a SSHRC scholarship for her research on university sexual violence policies and accessibility to education. Prior to this, she completed a Bachelor of Arts at Bishop’s University, where she gained extensive experience building relationships with community and regional partners.
Operations Manager
Katherine McIntosh
Katherine is a seasoned nonprofit professional with extensive experience in leadership and team management. She has previously served as the Executive Director of a community organization focused on providing emergency housing resources in the city of Montreal. Throughout her career, Katherine has built expertise in human resources, budgeting, networking, and administration, with a strong emphasis on creating inclusive, supportive work environments.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Women’s Studies from McGill University, and a Graduate Diploma in Youth Work from Concordia University.
Organizational Development Lead
Clea Corman
With 10 years of experience in development and a soon-to-be-completed master’s degree from McGill’s Max Bell School of Public Policy, Clea Corman brings cross-disciplinary leadership skills to the projects she is a part of. She has worked directly with hundreds of at-risk youth, improved drop-out rates, and increased access to bilingual health and employment services for English speakers in rural Quebec. With previous experience as an executive director and board member of nonprofits, she knows first-hand the importance of advocacy for community well-being. She brings expertise in organizational development, strategic planning, stakeholder management, participatory research, and capacity building. She is looking forward to leveraging these skills to further promote the needs of English-speaking Quebecers through her work at PERT.
Policy Researcher
Marlena Flick
Marlena is a researcher and policy professional with an interest in “making work work for everyone” and expertise in socio-economic inclusion, immigration, and labour markets. Before joining PERT, Marlena managed research, partnerships and data on the economic inclusion of immigrants, the future of work and skills, accessibility, and entrepreneurship for social-impact organizations and think-tanks including Canada’s leading foreign credential recognition evaluator, World Education Services (WES) and the Public Policy Forum (PPF). She enjoys leveraging experience in data analysis, intersectional and accessible project design, community development, and multisectoral stakeholder engagement to ensure people are at the centre of policy research and development.
Programs Coordinator
Michelle Dzbik
Michelle Dzbik has spent numerous years in service to different communities, focusing on building relationships founded on trust, respect, and inclusion. With experience living and volunteering abroad, she has a particular interest in cultivating understanding and forging connections between a diversity of people. Currently completing a Bachelor of Arts in Human Relations (Community Development) with a minor in Psychology at Concordia University, Michelle brings expertise in stakeholder engagement, communications, and community organizing. She looks forward to developing innovative and inspiring programs that advance PERT’s mission of improving employment outcomes for English-speaking Quebecers.
Operations Manager
Katherine McIntosh
Katherine is a seasoned nonprofit professional with extensive experience in leadership and team management. She has previously served as the Executive Director of a community organization focused on providing emergency housing resources in the city of Montreal. Throughout her career, Katherine has built expertise in human resources, budgeting, networking, and administration, with a strong emphasis on creating inclusive, supportive work environments.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Women’s Studies from McGill University, and a Graduate Diploma in Youth Work from Concordia University.
Organizational Development Lead
Clea Corman
With 10 years of experience in development and a soon-to-be-completed master’s degree from McGill’s Max Bell School of Public Policy, Clea Corman brings cross-disciplinary leadership skills to the projects she is a part of. She has worked directly with hundreds of at-risk youth, improved drop-out rates, and increased access to bilingual health and employment services for English speakers in rural Quebec. With previous experience as an executive director and board member of nonprofits, she knows first-hand the importance of advocacy for community well-being. She brings expertise in organizational development, strategic planning, stakeholder management, participatory research, and capacity building. She is looking forward to leveraging these skills to further promote the needs of English-speaking Quebecers through her work at PERT.
Policy Researcher
Marlena Flick
Marlena is a researcher and policy professional with an interest in “making work work for everyone” and expertise in socio-economic inclusion, immigration, and labour markets. Before joining PERT, Marlena managed research, partnerships and data on the economic inclusion of immigrants, the future of work and skills, accessibility, and entrepreneurship for social-impact organizations and think-tanks including Canada’s leading foreign credential recognition evaluator, World Education Services (WES) and the Public Policy Forum (PPF). She enjoys leveraging experience in data analysis, intersectional and accessible project design, community development, and multisectoral stakeholder engagement to ensure people are at the centre of policy research and development.
Programs Coordinator
Michelle Dzbik
Michelle Dzbik has spent numerous years in service to different communities, focusing on building relationships founded on trust, respect, and inclusion. With experience living and volunteering abroad, she has a particular interest in cultivating understanding and forging connections between a diversity of people. Currently completing a Bachelor of Arts in Human Relations (Community Development) with a minor in Psychology at Concordia University, Michelle brings expertise in stakeholder engagement, communications, and community organizing. She looks forward to developing innovative and inspiring programs that advance PERT’s mission of improving employment outcomes for English-speaking Quebecers.
Policy Researcher
Sarahi Nava Marquina
Sarahí is an economist from Mérida, Venezuela, who recently moved to Canada to complete a master’s degree from McGill’s Max Bell School of Public Policy. She first immigrated to Mexico in 2016 to work as an International Economy Analyst in a Mexican brokerage house, where she also worked in Corporate Finance. Later on, she shifted her career focus and became an ESG Project Manager, developing initiatives on education and gender equality. With more than 7 years of work experience, Sarahí brings to PERT her positive energy and advanced skills in leadership, data analysis and critical thinking to improve the collective understanding of the challenges that English-speaking Quebecers face in accessing and thriving in the labour market.
Communications & Engagement Coordinator
Veronica Luna
Originally from Colombia, Veronica brings a global perspective and a strong understanding of community dynamics to her work. With a Master’s in Project Management and over 10 years of experience in strategic planning, partnership development, and community-focused initiatives, she combines critical thinking, analytical rigor, and solid public policy insight. At PERT, she leverages her expertise in digital communications, creative storytelling, and stakeholder engagement to elevate the organization’s mission, strengthen inclusive networks, and support initiatives that improve employment outcomes for English-speaking Quebecers.
Communications Associate
Shaye Macleod
Shaye is currently completing a Bachelor of Arts in Communications at Concordia University. Originally from New Brunswick, she is passionate about language access, media literacy, and creative industries. Her background includes working with independent artists in Montreal, with a particular interest in building inclusive networks. At PERT, Shaye is excited to contribute to outreach and engagement efforts that empower English-speaking communities across Québec.
“I was drawn to PERT because of my connection to the challenges many English speakers face in Quebec. Although I studied French throughout school, after moving to Montreal and entering the job market, I discovered that my language skills did not meet the expectations of many employers. PERT’s work resonated with me not only because it highlights these barriers, but because it actively supports people in improving their language skills in a welcoming and inclusive environment.“
Policy Researcher
Sarahi Nava Marquina
Sarahí is an economist from Mérida, Venezuela, who recently moved to Canada to complete a master’s degree from McGill’s Max Bell School of Public Policy. She first immigrated to Mexico in 2016 to work as an International Economy Analyst in a Mexican brokerage house, where she also worked in Corporate Finance. Later on, she shifted her career focus and became an ESG Project Manager, developing initiatives on education and gender equality. With more than 7 years of work experience, Sarahí brings to PERT her positive energy and advanced skills in leadership, data analysis and critical thinking to improve the collective understanding of the challenges that English-speaking Quebecers face in accessing and thriving in the labour market.
Communications & Engagement Coordinator
Veronica Luna
Originally from Colombia, Veronica brings a global perspective and a strong understanding of community dynamics to her work. With a Master’s in Project Management and over 10 years of experience in strategic planning, partnership development, and community-focused initiatives, she combines critical thinking, analytical rigor, and solid public policy insight. At PERT, she leverages her expertise in digital communications, creative storytelling, and stakeholder engagement to elevate the organization’s mission, strengthen inclusive networks, and support initiatives that improve employment outcomes for English-speaking Quebecers.
Communications Associate
Shaye Macleod
Shaye is currently completing a Bachelor of Arts in Communications at Concordia University. Originally from New Brunswick, she is passionate about language access, media literacy, and creative industries. Her background includes working with independent artists in Montreal, with a particular interest in building inclusive networks. At PERT, Shaye is excited to contribute to outreach and engagement efforts that empower English-speaking communities across Québec.
“I was drawn to PERT because of my connection to the challenges many English speakers face in Quebec. Although I studied French throughout school, after moving to Montreal and entering the job market, I discovered that my language skills did not meet the expectations of many employers. PERT’s work resonated with me not only because it highlights these barriers, but because it actively supports people in improving their language skills in a welcoming and inclusive environment.“