2009 marks the introduction of a monthly column in every issue of the ECC Newsletter and online, that will shine the spotlight on outstanding Atlantic Canadians. These motivated individuals, who excel in their fields, embody the East Coast Connected belief that “brain circulation” at “home and away” builds prosperity.

In this issue, we spoke with Alyson Queen about her role in promoting Halifax’s professional and cultural scenes.

Originally from Saint John, NB, Queen completed an undergraduate degree at Mount Allison University before studying in France and Spain. A senior communications and public affairs official with Bell Aliant in Halifax, Queen is highly involved in her community and is a strong advocate for the arts. An inaugural director of Halifax’s art festival, Nocturne, she also serves as the 2008-2009 chair of FUSION Halifax – an organization created to connect, engage and inspire the “20 to 40” demographic in the Halifax Regional Municipality.

How did you first get involved with FUSION?

My roots with FUSION run deep. I was initially involved with the original organization in Saint John. After I moved to Halifax, Peter Moorhouse (the previous chair) engaged me to help create the Halifax chapter, which launched in October 2007.

As current chair of FUSION's board of directors, where do you hope to take the organization in the next few years?

My vision? To give people something to aspire to – for a long time.

I want FUSION Halifax to always have an earned place in this city. We’re not a flash in the pan and we’re also not in place to just “identify” Halifax’s issues. Governments will look to us to supplement committees and ask the opinion of our members on topics important to the future; young people will look to us to learn about the issues that affect them; everyone will look to us in helping young people want to live, work, play – and stay – in Halifax.

All of that said, we are still a very young organization. Our reputation, our credibility – and, most importantly, our relevancy – can only be sustained with engaged members who can articulate the value of being a part of FUSION and trust us to support their interests.Part of that comes down to leadership capacity in the future - an issue for us and a serious issue for our region and country. Many people want to hitch their wagon to a shining star, but it’s a much smaller percentage that are willing to dedicate the hours, roll up their sleeves and “get ‘er done”.

Nocturne Halifax 2008 was a great success. Why is Halifax a good location for this type of event?

Nocturne is by far one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever been involved in. The artistic talent that resides here in our own backyard is incredible. Showcasing that talent and making art more accessible to generations of people – to me, that is legacy.

Why Halifax? I’ll borrow someone else’s quote for this one. “Halifax is the best kept secret to Halifax when it comes to art.” My job? To help blow the doors off the secret. And I can’t wait to do it again in 2009.

Is the success of this event indicative of a movement or interest in the arts across the region?

We can create anything we put our minds to in Atlantic Canada – arts or otherwise. It’s that simple. Occasionally, our shaky confidence in ourselves holds us back. But I also think that’s changing as we recognize that the fittest survive and that we hold the precious responsibility for living our brand and protecting what we have. And I think my position on that continuum is quite clear – shameless bragging it is, especially when it comes to the arts!

How did the city, corporate and individuals make this possible? What does this success mean for future micro-P3 events?

Nocturne should be a case study for community engagement and collaboration. Everyone was focused on ensuring the purity of the art and making it accessible in every possible way. Was there tremendous effort in getting the event off the ground, securing funding and adhering to a sponsorship model that was balanced and true to the cause? Absolutely. Nothing worth doing is easy – and we have now created what I know will be a lasting, annual event in Halifax that has turned eyes to this city in an entirely new way.

In early January, the Chronicle Herald published your "wish-list" of social and professional developments for Halifax in 2009. How do these ideas facilitate a culture for young professionals in Atlantic Canada?

Everyone needs something to aspire to. It’s one thing for the FUSION board to sit down and talk about our priorities for the upcoming year. It’s even more important to articulate what we’re doing to our members and to the public (and to our leaders), making it clear that we’re strong and relevant. By doing that, we create a culture where, regardless of your interests, you can get involved or make a difference.

We made a number of frank points in that article – from the return of Nocturne, to our support as an organization for HRMbyDesign, to our own commitment to sustainability. Our wish-list was positive and hopeful – and I know people paid attention. [Editorial note: HRMbyDesign is a regional study that seeks, through changes in development review processes, to promote compelling urban design and excellence in the use of public spaces.]

Do you think professionals can circulate among regions of Canada successfully?

Let’s be frank. I am a proud New Brunswicker, but I see myself as an Atlantic Canadian living in the Atlantic region. Perhaps that has emerged after years of working for a company that has tried to eliminate provincial boundaries in the work we do for our customers.

The notion of provincial competition – whether for branding or demographics – needs to change. There is power to be had in this region as a whole without feeling fear of losing individual identity. As for fluidity and out-migration, the point is that people should leave, see the world, experience new things and then they should bring it home. Young people need to truly believe that Atlantic Canada is a place they can come home to, do business and live the life they want.

Any big projects on the horizon for 2009?

HRMbyDesign. We need to get that plan approved. It might not be perfect, but it’s a plan to work from for the first time in thirty years, one that sets a clear vision for the future of our city. It’s time for Halifax to just get on with it so the rest of us can keep moving forward, too.

There are so many others, but I need to keep some things a surprise.