The Cape Breton Partnership is Unama’ki – Cape Breton’s private sector-led economic development organization that supports companies and entrepreneurs by promoting our island as a great place to live, work, and invest; growing a culture that values and celebrates creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship; and connecting entrepreneurs and companies to the resources they need to succeed.
To support the growth of Unama’ki – Cape Breton’s economy through the sustainable attraction and retention of investment, population, and innovation.
A stronger and more prosperous Unama’ki – Cape Breton that leads the surrounding region into the future.
…support the sustainable growth of our communities, population, and economy.
…be a respectful partner in economic reconciliation, working with local and regional Indigenous partners.
…work to enable the equitable and inclusive representation of all residents of this region.
…be an ambassador of optimistic and open-minded attitudes that seek real-world solutions to real-world problems.
…build on Unama’ki – Cape Breton’s innovative past and present to further grow a culture that values creative thought and entrepreneurship
The Cape Breton Partnership supports companies and entrepreneurs through our projects and initiatives by:
Supporting the growth of STRATEGIC SECTORS that are key to Unama’ki – Cape Breton’s economy.
Connecting BUSINESSES of every size to the supports and resources they need to succeed and thrive.
Developing current investments and investors in Unama’ki – Cape Breton and attracting new INVESTMENT to the region.
Growing the region’s COMMUNITIES by promoting Unama’ki – Cape Breton as the best place to live, work, and invest.
Being a regional LEADER in Economic Development and Organizational Management.
The 2025 – 2028 Strategic Plan reflects the unique direction of the Cape Breton Partnership as an entity separate from the many programs and partnerships it is proud and privileged to enable.
View ReportThe 2023-2024 Year in Review includes an update on a number of initiatives, programs, and services the Cape Breton Partnership has led and carried out over that calendar year.
View ReportThe Cape Breton Partnership was formed with the idea of uniting businesses and communities across Cape Breton to drive the economy forward. The Partnership is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of community leaders from the public and private sectors.
Brian Purchase
Board Chair
Schwartz Furniture
Dan MacDonald
Vice-Chair
DMDE Engineering Ltd.
Alisha Mombourquette
Treasurer
Grant Thornton
Tracey Boutilier
Executive Committee Member
Vibe Creative Group
Alyssia Jeddore
Executive Committee Member
Eskasoni Corporate
Sandra Kanchuk
Past Chair
Nova Scotia Power
Adam Bateman
BDC
Ron Blinkhorn
Casino Nova Scotia - Sydney
Paul Breski
Nova Scotia Power
Geoff Clarke
Port Hawkesbury Paper LP
Pearlene Cormier
East Coast Credit Union
Howie Doiron
Lindsay Construction
Darrell Gallant
Marine Atlantic
Storm Gould
We'koqma'q Corporate
Brad Jacobs
Colbourne Auto Group
Kelsea MacNeil
Membertou Corporate
Nicole Morrison
Mabel Systems
Mary Jane Morrison
Cape Breton University
Jen Ryan
Quincy Street Market
Vivek Saxena
Strait Area Campus, Nova Scotia Community College
James Wooder
JBW Consulting Inc.
Shaowei Xu
SW East International Trading & Consulting
President & Chief Executive Officer
902-562-0122
tyler@capebretonpartnership.com
Chief Operating Officer
902-562-0122
blayr@capebretonpartnership.com
Strategic Relations Advisor
902-562-7182
colleen@capebretonpartnership.com
Director of Communications
902-562-0122
jeremy@capebretonpartnership.com
Communications Coordinator
902-562-0122
carly@capebretonpartnership.com
Welcome Network Coordinator
902-562-0122
welcomenetwork@capebretonpartnership.com
Economic Development Officer, Cape Breton Regional Municipality
902-562-0122
tcole@capebretonpartnership.com
Digital Marketing Specialist
902-562-0122
kate@capebretonpartnership.com
Creative Economy Development Officer
9025620122
bill@capebretonpartnership.com
Communications & Investor Relations Specialist
902-562-0122
michaela@capebretonpartnership.com
Economic Development Officer, Victoria County
902-562-0122
parker@capebretonpartnership.com
Administrative Assistant
902-562-0122
ashish@capebretonpartnership.com
Cape Breton Connector Program Coordinator
902-562-0122
connector@capebretonpartnership.com
Human Resources Advisor
902-562-0122
jessica@capebretonpartnership.com
Labour Market & Immigration Advisor
902-562-0122
kelly@capebretonpartnership.com
Economic Development Officer, Inverness County
902-631-5440
lynne@capebretonpartnership.com
Green Energy Engagement Coordinator
902-562-0122
jennifer@capebretonpartnership.com
Immigration Engagement Coordinator
902-562-0122
dani@capebretonpartnership.com
CBLIP Program Coordinator
902-562-0122
tara@capebretonpartnership.com
Cape Breton Local Immigration Partnership Program Manager
902-258-7331
kailea@capebretonpartnership.com
Economic Development Officer, Richmond County and Town of Port Hawkesbury
902-562-0122
rachelle@capebretonpartnership.com
Finance and Payroll Coordinator
902-562-0122
garrett@capebretonpartnership.com
Economic Development Officer, Cape Breton Regional Municipality
902-562-0122
lan@capebretonpartnership.com
The Cape Breton Partnership provides economic development support to all five Municipalities on the Island, and four First Nation communities, under the Regional Enterprise Network (REN) model in partnership with the Province of Nova Scotia. The Cape Breton Regional Enterprise Network (CBREN) includes the First Nation Communities of Eskasoni, Membertou, Wagmatcook, and We’koqma’q; the Municipalities of the Counties of Inverness, Richmond, and Victoria; and the Town of Port Hawkesbury. The CBRM Regional Enterprise Network (CBRM REN) is represented by the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. Both RENs are a part of a larger network of Regional Enterprise Networks across Nova Scotia.
For more information on the CBREN and CBRM REN, click the below buttons which contain information on core activities, governance and oversight, current board members, and key delivery areas.
Through the Regional Enterprise Networks, Cape Breton Partnership staff are based across the region in Baddeck, Port Hood, Arichat, Port Hawkesbury, and Sydney.
For more information on local Unama’ki – Cape Breton communities, visit WelcomeToCapeBreton.ca and our developed community profiles.
The current Board of the CBREN includes:
Jen Ryan, Quincy Street Market (Co-Chair)
Adam Bateman, Business Development Bank of Canada (Co-Chair)
Alyssia Jeddore, Eskasoni Corporate Division
Kelsea MacNeil, Membertou Corporate
Vivek Saxena, NSCC Strait Area Campus
Geoff Clarke, Port Hawkesbury Paper
Pearlene Cormier, East Coast Credit Union
The current Board of the CBRM REN includes:
Tracey Boutilier, Vibe Creative Group (Chair)
Brad Jacobs, Colbourne Auto Group
Shaowei Xu, SW East International Trading & Consulting
Howie Doiron, Lindsay Construction
Darrell Gallant, Marine Atlantic
Ron Blinkhorn, Casino Nova Scotia – Sydney
Nicole Morrison, Two Men and a Truck