About Pathfinder
Our unmatched experience has earned a solid reputation and an extensive roster of associations under our management – some of which have been with us since our founding in the mid-sixties.
Pathfinder Group is Atlantic Canada’s longest running association management firm. Pathfinder was established in 1966 as A.B. Thompson Associates Limited, and has since built an enviable reputation and a growing clientele of associations and organizations in many sectors. We still work with some of our original clients, which speaks volumes to our effectiveness and to the value we provide to our associations under management.
We’ve learned much in so many years , and we always keep an eye on the horizon – a strategy which has enabled us to keep pace with the evolving needs of today’s associations.
Our Team
Managing your association with professionalism and efficiency is our goal.
We have the team you need, with the experience your association deserves.
John Sutherland
President
John has nearly forty years of experience in business, university administration, fundraising, and association management. A graduate of Dalhousie University, John has been with the Pathfinder Group for thirty three years. He currently acts as Executive Director for a number of industry and professional associations, including serving in this role for the Nova Scotia Association of Automobile Dealers for the past twenty nine years, advising the Association on leadership, management and regulatory matters, strategic direction, budgeting, and government relations.
Greg MacDonald
Associate Executive Director
Greg joined the Pathfinder team in 2021 and is looking forward to bringing his experience in finance and business development to association management. During thirteen years in commercial banking, he provided financial leadership to hundreds of companies and organizations. Working with a wide range of industries, Greg understands the complexity and detail required for the management and administration of an association.
Sandra Williams
Associate Executive Director
Sandra is responsible for the day-to-day management of clients’ affairs, providing operational expertise and management support, conference and event planning, and administration. Sandra is a results-oriented team player with over twenty years of experience in organizational management, ensuring the coordinated execution by our staff in the fulfillment of our clients’ mandates.
Katharine Privett
Client Services Manager
Katharine has over 7 years management experience as well as experience in non-profit. Katharine comes to us with a background in event planning and over 10 years in customer service. Her organizational skills and attention to detail will help support our clients with their day-to-day administrative needs.
Jeff Barton
Senior Accountant
Jeff is our lead accountant at Pathfinder Group, and proudly serves our most senior clients. He fully understands the financial and operational issues and the reporting obligations faced by industry associations, including those with external partner reporting requirements. Jeff also leads our audit preparation team, and has comprehensive knowledge of the audit process for industry associations with multiple reporting constituencies.
Daniel Matheson
IT & Cloud Services Manager
Daniel provides deployment, administration, and support for cloud services used by Pathfinder Group and our clients. He also provides IT solutions and support. In the modern ecosystem, cloud services have become the norm for associations - Daniel provides the expertise that our clients need to stay current in an ever changing digital world.
Lisa Misener
Associate Executive Director
As our Associate Executive Director, Lisa has over 20 years of experience in leadership, business operations and customer service excellence. With a background in Contact Center operations, automotive and financial services industries, Lisa’s strong customer focus, attention to detail and organizational skills provide our clients with top level support of their day to day administrative, conference and event planning and operational objectives.
Jennifer Sturney-Townsend
Client Services Associate
Jennifer joined the Pathfinder team in 2022. A graduate of the Centre of Geographic Sciences. Jennifer has over 20 years customer service experience as well as over 10 years Tourism and Hospitality experience. She is responsible for assisting with the ongoing support for our clients. Her attention to detail, organizational skills and customer focus allows her to service our clients with care and professionalism.
Ryan Shaojun Liu
Accounting Technician
Ryan joined the Pathfinder team in 2021. A graduate of Dalhousie University, Ryan is detail-oriented and highly organized. He ensures our clients’ financial transactions are properly recorded and reported, and ensures clients are compliant with Canadian accounting standards and the Canadian Tax Act.
Dr. Wanda Lee MacPhee
Associate
Dr. Wanda Lee MacPhee has over 25 years of experience in both regulatory and professional health associations. Her extensive leadership experience as an executive member and board chair in provincial and federal landscapes brings practical knowledge of governance, strategic planning, and management of professional organizations. She has been a practicing chiropractor since 1994 in Nova Scotia.
Jay Pasemko
Associate Executive Director
Jay has over 20 years of business experience in financial management, team leadership, business planning and administration. A Chartered Financial Analyst as well as a graduate of both Concordia University and the Ivey School of Business, Jay has extensive experience managing programs. He has assumed leadership roles in industries as diverse as financial services, agriculture and aviation and is an accomplished negotiator.
“My experience with the services Pathfinder Group provides, and the capabilities of their team enables me to recommend them to any association seeking effective management solution.”
— Michael Velemirovich, Pres. NSADA
Proud Members
