What happens when a leader finally gives themselves permission to show up as their whole, honest, human self?

In this Faces of Atlantic episode, Terri-Ann sits down with Colum Connolly, Founder of Bloom Funding, an organization helping companies access funding, measure what matters, and create meaningful social impact across Atlantic Canada.

Together, they unpack identity, leadership, and the emotional weight of building something that truly reflects who you are — not just what you do.

In this episode:

→ How Colum’s path from medical genetics to entrepreneurship reshaped his understanding of leadership, hard work, and purpose

→ Bloom Funding’s journey to returning $26M to clients — and how their work is strengthening communities through nonprofit fundraising, impact measurement, and initiatives like youth housing and urban heat resilience

→ The shift that changed everything: embracing authenticity, queerness, and the courage to show up fully in professional spaces

→ What Colum had to unlearn about leadership — including the instinct to overanalyze and assume negative intent

→ Why he believes Atlantic Canada is uniquely positioned to lead the world in empathetic AI

Links and Resources:

Follow Colum Connolly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colum-connolly-phd-bloom-funding/

Follow Bloom Funding: www.bloomfunding.ca

Follow Terri-Ann Richards: https://terriannrichards.com/

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TerriAnnRichards

Follow Faces of Atlantic on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/faces-of-atlantic

If this episode encouraged you to embrace more of who you are — at work, at home, or in leadership — share it with someone who needs that same reminder.

Subscribe, leave a review, and give yourself a moment today to consider:
What part of you have you been leaving at the door — and what would change if you brought it with you?

Let’s keep showing up with honesty, courage, and humanity, one conversation at a time.

• (00:00:00) - Faces of Atlantic
• (00:00:44) - The Search for Who Is Your Real Self
• (00:02:24) - What does Bloom Funding do for Canadians?
• (00:04:24) - St. John's First Aid
• (00:04:53) - Ontario Wealth Management's focus on nonprofits
• (00:05:20) - Local Business Leader
• (00:07:57) - The quest for leadership in the world
• (00:12:43) - In the Elevator With Leaders
• (00:13:57) - How to manage stress in the workplace?
• (00:18:21) - Bring Your Whole Self to Work
• (00:22:03) - Atlantic Canada's growth potential
• (00:24:38) - A Legacy of One Person

What happens when a leader chooses to honor humanity, protect their health, and lead through crisis with compassion and clarity?

In this Faces of Atlantic interview, I sat down with Jennifer Russell, Executive Director of the Institute of Population Health at the University of New Brunswick, former Chief Medical Officer of Health, and a lifelong learner who blends science, art, service, and community into every chapter of her leadership journey.

We talked about holding onto your humanity in the hardest moments, leading under pressure, and why self-care is not selfish, even when the world is watching.

In this episode:

→ The early influences that shaped Jennifer’s leadership, from Northern New Brunswick to medicine to the military

→ The servant leader who changed everything and showed her what real inclusion and humility look like in practice

→ What it felt like to stand in front of the province during the height of COVID, when every word was permanent, and the stakes were impossibly high

→ The toll leadership took on her health, and why she now refuses to lead at the expense of her well-being

→ A reminder every leader needs: it is never too late to redefine yourself and choose a healthier, more aligned way of showing up

Links and Resources:

Follow Jennifer Russell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colette-martin-689039207/

Follow University of New Brunswick: http://www.unb.ca/

Follow Terri-Ann Richards: https://terriannrichards.com/

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TerriAnnRichards

Follow Faces of Atlantic on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/faces-of-atlantic

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7JMbDzSUrjMh0wfwXCAR0h

If this episode gave you permission to slow down, set a boundary, or rethink how you show up as a leader, share it with someone who needs that same reminder.

Subscribe, leave a review, and take a moment today to do one thing that supports your own well-being. Leaders who take care of themselves lead better.

Let’s keep building this new season of leadership, one grounded conversation at a time.

• (00:00:00) - Faces of Atlantic
• (00:00:44) - Jennifer Ehle on Leadership
• (00:03:01) - What is your day to day at UNB?
• (00:04:43) - Leaders in the military: Catalyst moments
• (00:09:54) - Leaders of New Brunswick's Big Moments
• (00:17:17) - What Keeps You Together During the Pandemic?
• (00:21:36) - In the Elevator With Terry Ann
• (00:29:15) - Gen X on College and the Future
• (00:30:19) - Faces of Atlantic: Terianne Richards

What happens when a story that was once whispered in secret becomes the voice that saves lives?

In this powerful Faces of Atlantic episode, I sat down with Colette Martin, advocate, survivor, mother, and voice for those who have been silenced by domestic violence. Nearly 28 years ago, Colette survived an attempted murder. Today, she stands as a courageous advocate for change, pushing for policy reform, education, and awareness so that others may never walk the path she had to walk alone.

We talked about the moment healing turned into advocacy, why silence protects the abuser, and how sharing our stories can protect lives. We talked about faith, courage, purpose, and what happens when one woman decides that enough is enough.

In this episode:

→ The night Colette’s life changed forever, and how she found strength on the other side of survival

→ Why silence is not an option, and how storytelling becomes a lifeline for those who feel unseen, unheard, and alone

→ The passing of Bill 17, giving survivors the right to ask about a partner’s history of intimate partner violence, and what it could mean for future prevention

→ What needs to change in government, policing, education, and community if we truly want to save lives

→ The emotional cost of advocacy, how she manages naysayers, and the fuel that keeps her pushing forward

→ Why survivors must have a seat at the table and be recognized as the real experts in shaping policy and support

→ A beautiful moment with her late mother that became the spark for her mission and purpose

→ The documentary, her upcoming book, and why this movement is becoming global

Links and Resources:

Follow Colette Martin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colette-martin-689039207/

Follow Colette Martin Empowerment: https://www.empowermentcolette.com/

Follow Terri-Ann Richards: https://terriannrichards.com/

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TerriAnnRichards

Follow Faces of Atlantic on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/faces-of-atlantic

If this conversation moved you, share it with someone who needs to remember that silence does not heal, and hope often begins with one brave voice.

Subscribe, leave a review, and take a moment today to check in on someone quietly fighting a battle you cannot see. Stories like Colette’s are not meant to be whispered. They are meant to light the way.

Let’s keep showing up with courage, one real conversation at a time.

• (00:00:00) - Faces of Atlantic
• (00:00:57) - You're an advocate for domestic violence
• (00:04:50) - Several changes in the culture of domestic violence in New Brunswick
• (00:06:36) - What Keeps You Going?
• (00:13:58) - Naysayers Give Me Fuel
• (00:21:47) - Tamara Jones on Terri's Work
• (00:24:32) - Faces of Atlantic