Inclusion Committee

Marvin Okello

Member Services Manager | Diversity & Inclusion Officer HFX Wanderers 

I am a refugee from Kenya with my mother, father and 3 sisters. From a young age I had to face situations that most would not imagine to ever have to experience as an adult let alone a child/youth. My goal has always been to help others overcome the same challenges and barriers that I had to go through.

Soccer has provided me with a number of opportunities including representing the provicial team for 4 years and ending with being a part of the 2005 NS Canada Games soccer team. Through coaching I have been able to give back and share some of my skills and experiences but I wanted to do even more with the Wanderers platform.

The Wanderers has introduced me to a large community and with that, has provided an opportunity to have an even bigger impact in the community. As the Chair of the Wanderers Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility committee, I ensure we work Together For Change!

Brady Paul

Indigenous Community and Cultural Liaison Coordinator | Nova Scotia Community College

Brady Paul is a community member of Sitansisk, St Mary’s First Nation. St Mary’s First Nation is one of eight Wolastoqiyik communities that make up the Wolastoqey Nation. Brady’s focus is to aid in the decolonization of education, government, and society by advocating the implantation and protection of Indigenous rights and heritage. Brady is the full time Indigenous Student Advisor and part-time Masters student at Saint Mary’s University and is the Strategic Advisor For Placemaking 4G. Brady joined the committee to help further Reconciliation through sport and also help with making sport more accessible to indigenous communities.

Ebony Langford

Hello, my name is Ebony Langford, and I am a proud resident of East Preston, Nova Scotia, which is one of the largest indigenous Black African Nova Scotian communities in Canada. I manage the accounting department for a marine agency that specializes in cargo vessels, cargo handling and cruise operations.

I believe it is important to promote the growth of soccer in our communities, especially in marginalized communities and underrepresented groups. I further believe, it is vital to push for inclusiveness, diversity and accessibility and strive to have those factors woven into the very fabric of who we are as committee members, board members, volunteers, players, and community leaders. The overall goal should be, to have this changed organizational behaviour and culture so ingrained in who we are, that the need for committees and policies governing these issues are no longer needed. Collectively great strides have been made; however, there remains a lot of work to do.

I joined the Equity Diversity and Accessibility Committee for the Halifax Wanderers because I admire what the Wanderers are striving to achieve, which is bringing the community together through sport. Personally, this amazing opportunity affords me the privilege to learn from a diverse group of people, grow from exposure to a wide range of opinions and contribute to building stronger communities.

Greg Gillis

Senior Human Rights Office | Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission

Greg Gillis is the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission Registrar. Greg is responsible for process improvements, policy implementation, organizational reporting, and data management. He aims to enhance the overall client experience by ensuring accessible, clear, efficient service delivery to the public.

Greg holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Victoria and a Criminology degree from Saint Mary’s University. He grew up playing soccer, including being a member of the 2001 New Brunswick Canada Games team and playing for the University of New Brunswick. He is a season ticket holder for the Wanderers and enjoys attending games and events with the hopes of sharing his passion for the sport with his wife and two children.

Through the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Greg hopes to add value through his work experience in human rights and aligning this with his enthusiasm for soccer. He brings an understanding of how accessibility, diversity, and inclusion connects communities together.

Missy Searl

Who does not love being part of a team that is going to bring change to their community? When the HFX Wanderers FC decided that creating a safe experience for fans and players was a primary concern, there was no way I could say no to being part of the IDEA Committee Together for Change.

As a Black woman who has experienced racism, I was nervous about attending a sporting event that has been known to have racial incidents all over the world. The HFX Wanderers FC has created a space for everyone in the community to attend. No matter who you are they have created a fully accessible and safe experience.

I am the Provincial Coordinator for “Nurturing Strong African Nova Scotian Families”, an Africentric parenting program and an entrepreneur with my own consulting business. I also sit as a Loan Review Committee Member with Rise; Vice Chair of the Delmore Buddy Daye Learning Institute, Board Director with Bridgeway Academy, and a community representative on the South Eastern Community Health Board.

It is important for me to be a part of organizations that are doing great things in the community. I am honoured to be a part of the IDEA Committee. Keep an eye on us, we are doing great things.

Nicole Durrand

I joined this committee to make a difference and have people like myself feel more included in sports and community activities. I am a wheelchair user and face many challenges in my daily life around access to the built environment as well as barriers due to peoples perceptions around the abilities of people with disabilities. Being a part of this committee allows me to advocate for people with similar disabilities to mine to ensure they are welcome, safe and included in the Wanderers organization and when they come as a fan to have an enjoyable experience. As a sledge hockey player I have seen how sport can improve peoples lives and wanted to help be that voice on this committee and continue to improve others ideas around disabilities and what changes can be made to ensure people are included in watching the Wanderers play the game that they love. I am also a teacher which has helped me to see other perspectives of various other minorities and abilities and bring that unique perspective to the Wanderers.

Junior Moaku

I have decided to join the IDEA Committee because I am a community-oriented individual. The committee focuses on increasing awareness on many social justice issues that are near to my heart and I wanted to be a part of that. Being a black male, a recognized mental health advocate, and a high-level athlete I knew my lived experiences and expertise could be a good addition to the team.

Dennis Adams

Dennis holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Dalhousie University and a certificate in on-profit management. He has over 30 years experience working with youth in Nova Scotia, including 14 years with the Halifax Regional School Board and 17 years with Love.
He is the recipient of a YMCA Peace Medallion Award, as well as the Ronald Stratford Memorial Award Winner for outstanding contributions in social work in the province of Nova Scotia. Dennis became the Executive Director of Love Nova Scotia in August 2020, taking over from longtime leader Sarah Maclaren.
Dennis joined the Wanderers Diversity & Inclusion committee so that he can use his experience to continue making a difference in the community.

“I truly care about young people and the world. This committee can make a difference in educating the greater public”