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

What happens when a founder discovers that scaling a business isn’t about growing bigger but growing braver?

In this Faces of Atlantic conversation, I sat down with Sheena Russell, Founder and CEO of Made with Local, a purpose-driven food company rooted in Atlantic Canada and built on community, sustainability, and really good snacks.

We explored what it looks like to lead with values, navigate self-doubt, take bold leaps, and stay grounded in the mission that started it all.

In this episode:

→ How a sustainability-loving kid from PEI became the unexpected entrepreneur behind one of Canada’s fastest-growing snack brands
→ The moment Sheena realized the business could be bigger than her own self-doubt and why that changed everything
→ What it really took to bring manufacturing in-house and why the scariest leaps often lead to the strongest foundations
→ How Sheena builds a values-driven culture rooted in transparency, trust, and a “no dumb questions” approach to leadership
→ The power of community from farmers and suppliers to Atlantic Canadian grocery shelves that now champion the brand
→ Her honest take on stress, partnership, and why having the right people in your corner makes all the difference
→ The legacy she hopes to leave: generosity, sustainability, and a purposeful path for future founders

Links and Resources:

Follow Sheena Russell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheena-russell-mwl/

Follow Made with Local: https://www.madewithlocal.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 episode reminded you that leadership doesn’t require perfection, just purpose, share it with someone carving their own path toward impact.

Subscribe, leave a review, and take a moment today to celebrate the people quietly doing the work that lifts our communities up. Leadership is human, and these stories matter.

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

• (00:00:00) - Faces of Atlantic
• (00:00:43) - The Secret to Building a Planet
• (00:01:30) - Meet the CEO of Dartmouth Farmer's Market
• (00:02:50) - In the Elevator With Make a Difference
• (00:05:38) - Have You Changed The Way You Lead Your Company?
• (00:06:54) - Faces of Atlantic Hall of Fame Induction
• (00:08:47) - Have You Learned To Run Your Organization?
• (00:10:50) - How to Cope During a Storm
• (00:12:20) - What Makes a Bakery Success?
• (00:13:55) - How to Get Out of the Success Happiness Paradox
• (00:15:38) - Sobeys Canada's growth plans
• (00:17:42) - Mentorship in the Atlantic Canada
• (00:19:17) - What advice would you give to somebody who might be stepping into leadership
• (00:21:24) - Faces of Atlantic: The Legacy of John Howard

What happens when a leader decides to build a business around love, trust, and boundaries?

In this Faces of Atlantic interview, I sat down with Matt Thomson, Co-Founder and CEO of Placemaking 4G, a social enterprise rehumanizing recruitment and helping organizations build cultures where people belong.

We talked about redefining leadership through humanity, the lessons that come from failure, and why the best leaders know when to protect their energy.

In this episode:

→ How Matt’s leap from medical sales to social impact reshaped his definition of success

→ The power of purpose and values work, and why stepping away from “doing” to focus on “being” changed everything

→ A raw reflection on burnout, recovery, and the wisdom behind his favorite leadership mantra: “Wide open hearts need big f**ing fences.”

→ A challenge for every leader: Are you leading from fear or from love?

Links and Resources:

Follow Matt Thomson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattthomson-author-speaker-founder/

Follow Placemaking P4G: www.p4g.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 made you rethink what it means to lead with heart, share it with someone who needs a reminder that strength and softness can coexist.

Subscribe, leave a review, and take a moment today to check your own fences, because protecting your energy is part of leading well.

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