Nancy Hughes

Since graduating from Durham College’s Human Services Counsellor program in 1996, Nancy Hughes has worked hard to make a difference in the lives of individuals living in Ontario and the Northwest Territories (N.W.T). A single mother of four when she enrolled in the Human Services Counsellor program, Hughes has gone on to hold key positions with several high profile community organizations including her current role as manager of Supportive Living Services with the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority in the N.W.T. In this role she is overseeing the development and operation of the first territorial Supportive Living Services program, which includes three independent residential homes and a community participation building. She was also the first-ever manager of Community Health and Rehabilitation with the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority, was manager of Community Support and Volunteer Services for the Victoria Order of Nurses (VON) Canada – Durham and manager of Business Development for VON Canada – Durham and Peterborough where she co-ordinated successful volunteer and fundraising programs. Hughes was the president of the board of directors for the Community Development Council of Durham and the Ontario Healthy Community Coalition (OHCC) as well as chair of the OHCC’s Communications and Provincial Awards committees. She was the board secretary for Distress Centre Durham, on the board of directors for the Oshawa Chamber of Commerce and was involved with Durham Lives! before moving to the N.W.T. in March 2008. Currently, she is on the Hay River Library Committee and is the secretary of a local multicultural group. In 2005 she was honoured with a YWCA Woman of Distinction award and in 2008, was nominated for a FLARE Magazine National Volunteer award. She is currently completing her Professional Arts degree with a Human Services major through Athabasca University.