Executive team

David Benoit is the President and Chief Executive Officer for Build Nova Scotia.

David previously worked for the Department of Health Wellness as the Senior Executive Director of Strategic Investment and Infrastructure Planning for the healthcare facilities across the province. While in the Department, he co-led the provincial COVID 19 Vaccine and Immunization program. Prior to his joining the province, he served 30 years with the Canadian Armed Forces as an engineering officer in the Royal Canadian Navy retiring as a Captain (N). He served on the east and west coasts and in Ottawa, with his last appointment in Command of the Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Scott in Halifax.

A graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada in Electrical Engineering, David also holds a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Defence Studies, with a focus on the Arctic. He has a Graduate Diploma in Management, is a graduate from both the Joint Command and Staff Programme from the Canadian Forces College and the National Security and Strategic Planning Course at the Royal College of Defence Studies in the United Kingdom. He is a Professional Engineer in the provinces of Ontario and Nova Scotia and has completed courses with the Institute of Directors in the United Kingdom.

David is a busy volunteer in our community, enjoys golf and plays the bagpipes!

As an urban planner, Kristin’s professional career has spanned both the private and public fields of practice. She seeks to design comprehensive, collaborative processes with community, stakeholders, and partners that leverage infrastructure opportunities to transform our province’s lands and properties. The aim is to drive our economy forward and improve the quality of life for all Nova Scotians.

In her present role as Vice President, Strategy, People & Culture, Kristin leads the Corporation’s Transformation Program and strategic planning efforts, including the development of the organization’s inaugural Strategic Plan. She sits on the Alderney Landing Board of Directors and previously held seats on the Board of Directors for the Licensed Professional Planners Association of Nova Scotia, and the Downtown Halifax Business Commission.

Kristin holds a Master of Planning (M.Plan) from Dalhousie University, is a member of the Canadian Institute of Planners and is a Licensed Professional Planner.

Jonathan Veale is responsible for infrastructure and development projects that will drive our economy forward and improve the quality of life for Nova Scotians. The portfolio includes telecommunications and internet expansion, environmental management, and marine and waterfront developments.

Prior to joining Build Nova Scotia, Jonathan held various executive roles in Nova Scotia’s health system, such as leading the provincial Care Coordination Centre (C3), overseeing Nova Scotia’s health sector pandemic response, and spearheading major IT and operational transformation projects. Before entering the public sector, he founded a Calgary-based strategic consulting firm that served the energy, infrastructure, and health sectors.

Ken Swain has worked in consulting, auditing, project management and leadership in the federal and provincial government and the private sector for over 40 years. Following executive and leadership roles with Consulting and Audit Canada, and Public Works and Government Services Canada, Ken took on the role of Executive Director, as project lead for the Boat Harbour Remediation Project.

Ken has served in executive and leadership roles on many major remediation projects including the Argentia NAVFAC NL facility remediation, the Cape Breton Coal Mines remediation and other major Crown projects. Ken has served as special advisor to federal deputy ministers on contaminated sites management and has received Head of Public Service and Deputy Ministers’ awards for work in contaminated sites, for partnerships, for leadership and for diversity. In 2012, the Governor General presented Ken with a Diamond Jubilee Award for his work with First Nations.

Bonnie Dobson, a seasoned Human Resources Leader with over three decades of experience working in the public sector, is known for her approach to human resources management.  She specializes in labour relations, compensation, talent recruitment and development and Human Resources business intelligence. She is a respected figure in the HR community. Bonnie’s leadership style combines empathy and decisiveness, earning her a reputation for delivering tangible results while prioritizing the well-being and growth of the workforce. 

Beverley Ware is an award-winning print and broadcast journalist and experienced strategic corporate communicator. Her passion for news and storytelling and innate curiosity drove her to explore the transformative power of effective communications beyond the newsroom. With a desire to contribute strategically to organizations and impact a broader audience, Beverley has worked for Crown corporations and public utilities in Nova Scotia and believes strongly in fostering change through community volunteer work.