Contact Us
Tanya Colburne, Executive Director, Business Development
An incredibly proud Maritimer, Tanya has made it her mission to use what she does best – marketing, communications and events – to help put our region on the map as a prime destination to live, work, study and play. With career highlights including the 2019 Memorial Cup, the 2015 Canada Country Music Awards, the 2008 Olympic Games, and more, Tanya’s work has become more than a job, it’s her passion. In April of 2022, Tanya took on the new role of Director with Events Acadia, overseeing the attraction, planning and execution of all major events hosted on campus, and leading all marketing and business development opportunities, in an effort to diversify Acadia’s revenue streams. She is very excited to be working with such an enthusiastic and energetic team to realize the University, as well as the Valley Region’s untapped potential. When not focusing on work, or trucking her kids around to tennis training and competition, Tanya likes to let loose with a mic, bellowing out her favorite tunes.
902-599-1155
Nick Sharpe, Director
Prior to joining Events Acadia, Nick had the pleasure of leading multiple organizations as an Executive Director, but his true passion has always been in major event strategy and development. As a Senior Director at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre, Nick provided oversight and leadership in the marketing, sponsorship, events, welcome desk and food & beverage functions and led in establishing the region’s strategic event-hosting efforts. He was fortunate to play leading roles in some of the largest events in Atlantic Canada, such as the Down Syndrome World Swimming Championships, Hockey Canada’s World Junior A Challenge, Nova Scotia Music Week, Grand Slam of Curling, and various concerts, sport tournaments, and private events. While not working to build community capacity through event-hosting, Nick spends the majority of his spare time with his growing family.
902-890-2201
Maddie Radvanyi, Senior Event Coordinator
Maddie has been with the department since December 2020 having started originally as a summer student assistant in May 2015 until she graduated in the spring of 2017. Maddie completed her degree in Kinesiology and worked as a Chiropractic Assistant until she decided to pursue an Advanced Diploma in HR at NSCC. After graduating from NSCC during the height of the first COVID lockdown, Maddie re-evaluated her goals and returned to her roots as she is truly passionate about Acadia and Wolfville – a passion demonstrated by her dedication to event execution. Maddie is also an accomplished competitive snowboarder having competed for Canada in the 2014 Junior Worlds, earning a silver medal in the 2015 Canada Winter Games, and competing in numerous Canadian and U.S. Nationals during her time as an athlete.
902-698-9531
Mackenzie Stacey, Event Coordinator/Reservations Assistant
Growing up in the Annapolis valley Mackenzie spent a considerable amount of time at Acadia, either as a minor hockey player at the Athletic Complex or as a member of his high school’s Stage Band at Festival Theatre. Mackenzie started attending Acadia in 2017 and it was at this time he started working for Athletics. After obtaining a degree in Philosophy in 2021, he had the opportunity to work interim as the Athletic Events Coordinator where he would eventually aid in Acadia’s hosting of the 2022 Hockey U Cup right here in Wolfville. After numerous roles with Athletics, Mackenzie started with the Events Acadia team in august 2023 as their newest Event Coordinator and Reservations support person. In his spare time Mackenzie enjoys staying active in the gym as well as spending time with his dogs.
902-698-3242
Trevor Barnaby, Technical & Events Coordinator
Passionate about creating unforgettable experiences through the power of sound and visuals, Trevor is an A/V Technician with a keen eye for detail and a deep love for the event world. Having been away from home for many years, he is excited to be back in the beautiful Annapolis Valley and bringing his knowledge and experience back to the community. Trevor has had the pleasure of working in various roles for an array of events such as the East Coast Music Awards, Halifax Jazz Festival, Contact East, and an extensive list of conferences and concerts of national and international touring artists and groups. Trevor will know just what you need to set the stage perfectly for your event with his commitment to ensuring that audiences and clients have an immersive and memorable audio/visual experience. Whether it’s a concert, festival, or corporate event, Trevor’s skills and passion elevate every occasion.
902-698-9229
Brenda Bigelow, Box Office Manager
Brenda joined Acadia University in April 2006. In November of the same year, she transitioned into the Box Office Coordinator position. Her duties include managing a full-service box office operation that delivers a consistent and convenient interface with the university community and external markets. The Box Office also provides support for facility memberships and recreational programming in the Acadia Athletics Complex. Brenda provides leadership and development to her staff with a professional history of Box Office services with events held on campus.
She takes great pleasure in spending her days working at this naturally beautiful campus. In her spare time, Brenda enjoys camping in our Nova Scotia scenic parks, hiking woodland trails, cycling the back roads and spending time with family and friends.
902-585-1628
Jordyn van Oostrum, Box Office Clerk
Jordyn arrived on campus in October 2018, filling the Box Office Clerk position. She is the familiar face the university and Wolfville community will recognize in the Box Office at their main location in the Acadia Athletics Complex. Jordyn provides support to the frontline student Box Office attendants and the Box Office Coordinator. You will also see her at many events on campus, like the Acadia Athletics Varsity games and the Performing Arts Series.
Jordyn loves traveling, with locations in Europe being her favourite. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends and seasonal activities such as hiking, swimming at the lake and curling in the winter.
902-542-5500
Kerrie Benedict, Reservations Assistant
Kerrie graduated at Acadia with her BA German major in the spring of 1996, after which she decided to spread her wings and took flight for Rostock, Germany. There she landed for 18 years, exploring places and embracing the culture. While there, she enjoyed travelling around and even had a 4-week journey to the land “down under”. While in Germany, Kerrie enjoyed many various roles which included tour guide, English kindergarten teacher, foreign language secretary and English Lecturer at the University of Rostock. She also had her own small but successful English language business called “Hello-English”. It was never her intention to stay away from Canada forever, so in Feb 2016, she returned to her roots with her #1 accomplishment in life , her daughter Sarah Langhammer. It has been a long journey with interesting experiences, but there is “no place like home”.
902-585-2665
