I Work in Progress
TARGETT Design was founded in January 2010 with the goal of helping non-profits, locally-owned small businesses, and community organizations reach a wider audience. I create affordable, attractive, and user-friendly websites, developing not only a message but a relationship between content creators, providers and consumers. With a passion for new modes and models of communication, and a unique approach to web development as community development, I work at the intersection of new media and sustainability.
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I moved to Cape Breton from Toronto in 2001 to live with my grandfather in Whitney Pier. I attended Cape Breton University (then UCCB), majoring in philosophy and working as an editor at the Caper Times.
After university I worked in Main-a-Dieu, including two years as project coordinator of the Green Beacon project at the Coastal Discovery Centre. Its goal was to make the centre and surrounding communities sustainable – fiscally and environmentally – and a model for other communities wishing to ‘go green’ and reduce energy costs.
I’ve been a member of the Centre for International Studies at CBU since 2006, recently becoming an advisory board member. I’ve organized and participated in several events, including the annual Human Security Conference which brings guest speakers from all over the world to CBU.
In March of 2010 I co-founded Green Cape Breton, a space for concerned citizens to explore ways to promote environmental, economic, social and cultural sustainability in Cape Breton, with a special focus on food security, energy issues, and transportation. As chair I have coordinated meetings, organized events, delivered public lectures, done outreach in high school, and grown the membership.
My partner, Ardelle Reynolds, is a former CBC Radio reporter and currently the manager of the Cape Breton Farmer’s Market. We are raising our two kids in Cape Breton, close to family and friends, doing what we love, and doing our part to make this an even better place to grow up and grow old.
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I was among 21 young Cape Bretoners picked last summer for CBC Information Morning’s Cape Breton Leadership: The Next Generation. The series featured youth under the age of 45 with “a demonstrated capacity for vision, a habit of trail-blazing or breaking new ground; a demonstrated ability or strong potential to lead others; an ability to inspire and lead by example; a willingness to stand up and stand out; and a dedication to excellence.” Listen to the full interview here:
Cape Breton Leadership: The Next Generation
This past December I received a HYPE! Award for Excellence in Community Development from JCI Cape Breton, an award “designed to recognize youth, professionals, businesses, individuals and organizations that have excelled in contributing to the community through their meaningful volunteer efforts in local charities, events and community-based initiatives.” Watch the accompanying video here:
JCI Cape Breton – YouTube Channel
Most recently, I was invited to kick off the second season of the New Dawn speakers series, IDEAS: Powered By Passion, where I made the case that sustainable development is synonymous with youth retention and attraction. Watch the full video here: