Meet our team

PBJ Design is a non-profit organization of Nova Scotia, overseen by a board of directors, and dedicated to small projects that make big changes. Our staff makes that happen in conjunction with our board of directors. We couldn’t do what we do without the people making it happen.

PBJ Design Staff

Gail Armour

Executive Director

Gail is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario with a BA in Political Science and continued her studies at Dalhousie University in the Master of Planning Program. Gail’s focused her Master’s degree on studying the impact of flooding on road networks. Gail has travelled extensively and believes this will give her an interesting perspective on how to improve communities. Gail is interested in the intersection between placemaking and the environment.

Peter Nightingale

Director of Operations

Peter Nightingale has a Bachelor of Community Design, with Honours in Urban Design and Planning from Dalhousie University’s School of Planning. Peter is currently working as a professional planner for a Nova Scotia municipality. Peter helped create the original #PlayMeHFX program in 2015, and Peter continues to support PBJ Design with the board of directors.

Duncan Armour

Project Designer

Duncan graduated from Saint Francis Xavier with a BA in Psychology and Fine Arts graduate. He has a keen interest in parametric architecture, passive heating techniques, and experimenting with non-traditional materials. Duncan is eager to find ways to combine both art & function to bring art to the public. Duncan is a natural problem solver and a creative thinker.

Brogan O’Brien

Project Development Coordinator

Brogan is a fourth year Business Administration student at Acadia University, majoring in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, currently on a Co-op placement with PBJ Design as Project Development Coordinator. Brogan is a creative thinking, aspiring change maker looking to connect communities through compassion, a sense of belonging, and entrepreneurial thinking. He enjoys anywhere that there’s more trees than buildings, and more grass than asphalt, and can typically be found in the summer months paddling through lakes in the Tobeatic and Kejimkujik areas. Brogan grew up in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, before moving to Wolfville to attend Acadia University.

Riki Hartinger

Project Development Coordinator

Riki is a student in the Bachelor of Community Design program at Dalhousie University. She is currently taking a Double Major in Urban Design & Planning in combination with Sustainability. Riki has a strong interest in social and environmental sustainability, where she aspires to seek future studies within the realm of Universal Design, Placemaking or Urban Green Infrastructure planning. Riki is an excellent team player and prefers to collaborate with others. She also is very passionate about helping Halifax transform into a better place to live, work & play.

Madelaine Gutelius

Project Development Coordinator

Madelaine is from Toronto. Madelaine graduated from Queen’s University with a BAH in Global Development Studies and is currently studying at Dalhousie University in the Master of Planning Program. Madelaine is interested in urban development and creating engaging spaces and communities. Madelaine enjoys traveling and observing how cities address social issues through thoughtful design.

PBJ Board & Associates

Maria DeNicola President Maria DeNicola is a counselling therapist with a holistic work approach centered on compassion and collaboration. Her interest in placemaking arose from her belief that the environment that someone is in plays a large role on their mental health. Alex Dunphy Vice President Alex Dunphy is a graduate of the Community Design program at Dalhousie University. Alex joined PBJ Design because of his strong belief in the notion that small changes can make big impacts for the better. Alex enjoys working with local businesses and community groups to bring out the best in a community. Caitlin Grady Treasurer Caitlin recently finished her degree in Sustainability and Biology at Dalhousie University and now works for CPAWS Nova Scotia. She is proud to support PBJ as a board member and bring a conservation perspective to this placemaking work. Zach Henderson Board Member Zach Henderson is a physiotherapist who has a keen interest in physical activity and accessibility. Zach’s interest in placemaking and urban planning comes from his enthusiasm for active transportation. Claire Tusz Board Member Claire Tusz is a recent graduate from Dalhousie University’s Bachelor of Community Design Program, where she completed her Honours project in Environmental Planning. She is interested in studying human scale design, mental health in both rural and urban communities, and the advantages of protecting and harnessing ecosystem services within urban environments. With a musical background, Claire is keen to explore the correlation between art and nature both within and outside of academia. Alyson Dobrota Associate Alyson Dobrota is a graduate of the Bachelor of Community Design Program at Dalhousie University, where she studied how to evaluate the impact of community projects. Alyson is passionate about using creative ways to foster deeper connections and engagement in a community.

Maria DeNicola

President

Maria DeNicola is a counselling therapist with a holistic work approach centered on compassion and collaboration. Her interest in placemaking arose from her belief that the environment that someone is in plays a large role on their mental health.

Alex Dunphy

Vice President

Alex Dunphy is a graduate of the Community Design program at Dalhousie University. Alex joined PBJ Design because of his strong belief in the notion that small changes can make big impacts for the better. Alex enjoys working with local businesses and community groups to bring out the best in a community.

Caitlin Grady

Treasurer

Caitlin recently finished her degree in Sustainability and Biology at Dalhousie University and now works for CPAWS Nova Scotia. She is proud to support PBJ as a board member and bring a conservation perspective to this placemaking work.

Zach Henderson

Board Member

Zach Henderson is a physiotherapist who has a keen interest in physical activity and accessibility. Zach’s interest in placemaking and urban planning comes from his enthusiasm for active transportation.

Claire Tusz

Board Member

Claire Tusz is a recent graduate from Dalhousie University’s Bachelor of Community Design Program, where she completed her Honours project in Environmental Planning. She is interested in studying human scale design, mental health in both rural and urban communities, and the advantages of protecting and harnessing ecosystem services within urban environments. With a musical background, Claire is keen to explore the correlation between art and nature both within and outside of academia.

Alyson Dobrota

Associate

Alyson Dobrota is a graduate of the Bachelor of Community Design Program at Dalhousie University, where she studied how to evaluate the impact of community projects. Alyson is passionate about using creative ways to foster deeper connections and engagement in a community.