Our Team & Board members
Daneesha provo
Co-Founder
Daneesha Provo is a former Canadian National Team athlete, NCAA Division I basketball player at the University of Utah, and a 5-year professional athlete who competed internationally across Europe, Asia, and Australia. At Utah, she studied Health Science and Sociology, building a strong academic foundation alongside her athletic career. Originally from North Preston, Nova Scotia, Daneesha has built her journey on excellence, discipline, and a deep commitment to community. As an elite athlete, she competed at the highest levels of the sport, gaining invaluable experience that continues to shape her leadership and approach to mentorship today.
Her journey is one of resilience and determination. At just 14 years old, Daneesha left home to pursue her basketball dreams, earning an academic scholarship to Kent Preparatory School in Connecticut, where she became the all-time leading scorer with over 1,782 career points. She went on to represent Team Canada from 2013 to 2018 and was selected to the Olympic trials roster before a devastating Achilles injury prevented her from competing. Throughout her career, she faced significant setbacks, including an ACL tear in 2019 and another Achilles injury in 2021. Yet continuously transformed adversity into purpose, using each challenge as fuel for growth and impact.
Beyond her athletic career, Daneesha is deeply passionate about using basketball as a platform to create opportunity, build confidence, and empower the next generation of young women. As the Founder and CEO of the Daneesha Provo Canadian Basketball Academy (DPCBA), she has created a space where sport becomes a vehicle for leadership, education, and personal development. Through coaching, mentorship, and community engagement, she is dedicated to creating pathways for girls to grow, lead, and succeed both on and off the court.
Aliyah Fraser
Co-Founder
Aliyah Fraser is a former U SPORTS athlete, AUS Champion, and multi-year Academic All-Canadian with a strong foundation in leadership, research, and youth development. She holds a Bachelor of Health Science from St. Francis Xavier University and a Master of Applied Health Services Research from Saint Mary’s University. Originally from New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Aliyah left home at just 15 years old to attend prep school in Ontario in pursuit of her academic and athletic goals, an experience that shaped her discipline, independence, and commitment to excellence early on.
Aliyah is passionate about coaching and mentorship within the basketball community. She has coached with Halifax Thunder, currently serves as an Assistant Coach with Basketball Nova Scotia’s U15 program, and has led as Head Coach at École Mer et Monde. She is also the founder of Up & Atom Sports & Science Camp, an initiative that empowers youth through a dynamic blend of athletics, education, and hands-on STEM learning. Through this work, Aliyah creates engaging and inclusive environments where young people can build confidence, develop new skills, and explore future pathways in both sport and academics.
In addition to her work in sport, Aliyah brings meaningful non-profit experience through her role with the Canadian Cancer Society, where she executes the delivery and growth of Camp Goodtimes programming for children and families affected by Cancer across Atlantic Canada. She is the recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal, a national honour awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to their communities and demonstrated outstanding leadership, service, and impact across Canada, as well as the Sylvia Sweeney Award, a U SPORTS distinction recognizing the top student-athlete in the country for community service.
Driven by a passion for empowering young women and girls, Aliyah continues to create opportunities, build community, and inspire the next generation to lead and thrive, on and off the court.
Chika Chiekwe
Legal Representative
Chika Chiekwe is a Partner at Cox & Palmer and was called to the Nova Scotia Bar in 2018. She holds an accounting degree from Acadia University and earned her law degree from the Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University. Deeply committed to community impact, Chika has dedicated significant time to volunteer leadership, including chairing the Nova Scotia Canadian Bar Association Securities Law Subsection and serving for seven years on the board of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers – Nova Scotia Chapter (CABL-NS). She currently serves on several boards, including the Halifax International Airport Authority, YWCA Halifax, Hope Blooms, and the Nova Scotia Career Development Association.
Chika brings a broad range of expertise in corporate and commercial law, with a focus on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and securities, commercial real estate, and advising both businesses and non-profit organizations. She also supports clients in wills and estates, helping individuals and families navigate estate planning and administration. Her diverse practice enables her to provide thoughtful, strategic guidance to help clients achieve their goals at every stage.
Rachel Zellers
Board Leadership & Governance
Dr. Rachel Zellars, M.A., J.D., Ph.D., is a lawyer, Senior Research Fellow, and Associate Professor at Saint Mary's University in the Department of Social Justice & Community Studies. In addition to her legal background, Dr. Zellars also holds a master's degree in Africana Studies from Cornell University and a doctorate in education from McGill University. She also held a two-year postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of History at the University of Vermont. In 2013.
Originally a farm girl from upstate New York, Dr. Zellars has lived and worked in numerous US cities, as well as in Nigeria, the South Pacific, and Montreal. She now lives and works in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with her three teenage children.
Sarah Lynn Knockwood
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Representative
Sara-Lynne Knockwood is a Canadian taekwondo athlete and proud member of Nova Scotia’s Indian Brook First Nation. Raised in Enfield, Nova Scotia, she was introduced to taekwondo at a young age and quickly rose to compete at national and international levels. A decorated athlete, she earned multiple medals at the North American Indigenous Games, including two gold medals in 2002 and additional podium finishes in 2006. She has also competed internationally and was inducted into the Mi’kmaq Sports Hall of Fame in 2016 in recognition of her achievements and contributions to sport.
Professionally, Sara-Lynne is a leader in sport management, Indigenous community relations, and event delivery. She most recently served as Director of Sport and Venue for the 2023 North American Indigenous Games in Halifax/Kjipuktuk, where she oversaw large-scale sport operations and venue planning. Her experience also includes roles as Manager of Sport Delivery for the 2020 Games and Aboriginal Sport Project Coordinator with Mi’kmaw Kina'matnewey, as well as early work as a youth mentor supporting Mi’kmaw girls in care. She holds a Master of Business Administration in Sport and Recreation Management from the University of New Brunswick and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from St. Francis Xavier University. Sara-Lynne is passionate about advancing Indigenous sport, empowering youth, and creating inclusive opportunities through leadership, mentorship, and community engagement.
Rodney Smalls
Youth Advocacy & Engagement
Rodney, Smalls is a seventh-generation African Nova Scotian (ANS) from Halifax, is a father, mentor, and social justice champion. He founded One North End Community Economic Development Society to close Nova Scotia’s racial health and wealth gaps through collective impact strategies. Rodney’s dedication to his community is unwavering as he works to ensure its success.
Rodney earned a Bachelor of Management from Dalhousie, shaping his approach to supporting marginalized communities, especially ANS. His forward-thinking actions continue to drive positive change.
Rodney’s impact is widely recognized. He has been honoured twice in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly and has received the Live More Distinction Award, the Bubby Mooers Award for environmental work, and the Amazing Grace Award for his resilience. Rodney exemplifies the change he seeks in his community.
Stephanie Folahan
Accounting & Financial Management
Stephanie Folahan is an award-winning accountant, entrepreneur, and business educator known for transforming how small business owners understand and manage their finances. As the founder of Premier Accounting & Tax Inc. and Boutique Bookkeeping & Co. Inc., she built a thriving firm from the ground up through strategic positioning, thought leadership, and authenticity—without relying on traditional marketing. Through her high-impact bookkeeping and tax training programs, including sought-after QuickBooks Online courses, Stephanie has helped thousands of entrepreneurs take control of their finances, scale their businesses, and build long-term wealth.
With over 4,000 hours of business instruction and more than 100 financial literacy programs delivered, Stephanie is recognized for her direct, results-driven approach that makes accounting practical, accessible, and engaging. A two-time Canadian Choice Award winner for Accountant, she continues to set a new standard in the industry. Beyond her professional work, Stephanie is a passionate writer and storyteller, sharing honest reflections on entrepreneurship, resilience, and growth through her blog and upcoming series. She is deeply committed to empowering business owners with the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions and succeed on their own terms.