Land Acknowledgement
WIN Halifax-Atlantic would like to acknowledge that the land on which we live, work, build and play is Mi’kma’ki, the traditional and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq people, encompassing what is now Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and parts of New Brunswick and Newfoundland. We also recognize and acknowledge the diverse Indigenous peoples who have lived on and cared for this land including the Wabanaki Confederacy, the Maliseet and the Passamaquoddy. For thousands of years, the Indigenous people have lived in harmony on this land and passed down their knowledge and traditions. It is our responsibility to protect and preserve this land and its resources for future generations.
Steering Committee
Rachelle Garand
Air Terminal Project Coordinator
Halifax International Airport Authority, Planning & Infrastructure
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Rachelle is a founding member of the WIN Halifax-Atlantic Steering Committee. In her role as Air Terminal Project Coordinator with Airport Planning & Development at the Halifax International Airport Authority, she plays a key role in advancing construction initiatives at Halifax Stanfield—one of the most vital transportation hubs in Atlantic Canada. Prior to joining the Airport Authority, Rachelle worked with an architectural and engineering firm, contributing to large-scale healthcare redevelopment projects.
She holds a Business Administration diploma with a concentration in Management, as well as credentials as an Architectural Engineering Technician and Building Official – Level 1. She is also a certified Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Professional.
Marie Frey
Director Policy and Contract Management, Health System Infrastructure
Province of Nova Scotia
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Marie is a founding member of the WIN Halifax-Atlantic Steering Committee. As the Director Policy and Contract Management, within the Health System Infrastructure team, she notably manages the Healthcare P3 contracts during their operating period. A role that leverages her 5-year experience with Build Nova Scotia supporting the Procurement and Construction of both the Bayers Lake Community Outpatient Centre and the HI Redevelopment Project, the first P3 healthcare projects in Nova Scotia. She has built her professional experience in London, UK, across a wide variety of industries before moving to Canada and starting her P3 journey with the Province of Nova Scotia. A fully qualified Chartered Management Accountant for over 12 years, Marie also holds a Master in Business from Neoma Business School in France and a Master of Science in International Business Management from Kent University in the UK.
Rae Burke
Practice Director — National Furniture & Equipment, Operational Readiness Division
Colliers Project Leaders
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Rae Burke, Practice Director with Colliers Project Leaders’ National Furniture & Equipment, Operational/Move Readiness Division, is a seasoned Procurement Consultant and Educator with more than 26 years of experience in the healthcare sector. She has extensive expertise in procurement, strategic sourcing, contracting, and logistics, with a strong track record of navigating complex organizational environments.
A values-driven leader, Rae is grounded in integrity and committed to achieving meaningful, outcomes-based results. She prioritizes collaboration and the development of interdisciplinary, team-based solutions that balance both strategic vision and tactical execution. Her work is supported by deep experience in project management, category management, procurement enablement, and the design of efficient, effective, and fiscally and legally responsible processes.
Beyond her professional work, Rae is an active and dedicated community leader. She is a founding member of the Steering Committee for the Halifax–Atlantic Chapter of the Women’s Infrastructure Network, serves on the Board of Directors for the Cumberland YMCA, sits on the Audit Committee for the Town of Amherst, and is the Volunteer Coordinator for the annual Amherst Community Christmas Dinner.
Suzanne Rhodenizer
Director Clinical Planning
Nova Scotia Health
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Suzanne is a founding member of the WIN Halifax-Atlantic Steering Committee. She is a Director, Clinical Planning for large scale healthcare redevelopment for Nova Scotia Health. Her focus is on bridging gaps between clinical functionality and the built environment including functional programming, output specifications, design and commissioning. A Registered Nurse by profession, she holds a Masters of Health Studies and a Certification in Infection Control & Epidemiology.
Meriem Merbai (she/her) PMP, RHFAC.
Design Team Lead
Healthcare Infrastructure
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Meriem is a design team lead with Build Nova Scotia’s Healthcare Infrastructure Division, where she leads design coordination on complex healthcare projects, including the QEII Halifax Infirmary Expansion. She is a Project Management Professional (PMP) and holds the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC), with a strong focus on accessibility, sustainability, and innovation in the built environment.
Passionate about mentorship and inclusive design, Meriem strives to create spaces and opportunities that empower others and strengthen communities.
Daryl Huaraya Begazo
Acting Project Lead — Seniors and Long Term Care
New Infrastructure Division
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Daryl is an Industrial Engineering Technologist specializing in construction and public infrastructure, with a focus on long-term care (LTC) projects. She brings expertise in logistics, project coordination, vendor management, and contract administration, with a proven ability to streamline operations and enable data-driven decisions. She holds a diploma in Industrial Engineering Technology and has over five years’ experience as Logistics Operations Manager with Glegos, a catering and event hall company based in Peru. Outside her work in public infrastructure, she runs a wedding planning business, blending organizational skill with creative flair.
Sandrine Rusaro
Senior Consultant
Infrastructure and Real Estate
LinkedIn
Sandrine is a Senior Consultant with Deloitte’s Infrastructure and Real Estate team in Halifax, where she advises public sector clients across the lifecycle of major infrastructure projects, with a particular focus on public-private partnership and DBFM delivery models. Close to home, she supports the Halifax Infirmary Expansion through its construction period.
Her broader portfolio includes some of the country’s significant healthcare projects, including The Ottawa Hospital, SickKids’ Project Horizon, and the North Island Hospitals, along with engagements across transportation, energy, and public accommodation that span procurement, financial advisory, performance review, and implementation. Her work bridges analytical and commercial perspectives, helping clients navigate the complexity of large infrastructure projects.
Sandrine holds a Bachelor of Science in Financial Mathematics from the University of Prince Edward Island. As one of the network’s newer members, she is passionate about championing women in infrastructure and grateful for the community and mentorship WIN offers to those building their careers in the sector.
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