About Us
Excellence NB is a non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating economic and cultural transformation within New Brunswick.
Excellence NB was established in 2018 with a vision of a New Brunswick where our rich heritage and innovation come together to create a vibrant economy. By supporting locally-made products, services and experiences, we help build stronger communities. Our various programs impact multiple sectors, such as food and beverage, artisanal goods, and creative industries, and help enhance micro to medium-sized businesses.
Our Values
Excellence
Culture
Entrepreneurship
Collaboration
Integrity
Excellence
Culture
Entrepreneurship
Collaboration
Integrity
Meet the Team
Madison Dru Beairsto
Senior Marketing Specialist
Madison is Excellence NB’s Marketing Specialist. Born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario, she moved to Fredericton for university and loved it so much she chose to stay. Her degree is in Business Administration, with a major in marketing and minor in economics from the University of New Brunswick. Since moving there, she has lived in Fredericton, Sussex, and even Saint John, all while exploring the rest of the province as much as she can.
In her time at Excellence NB, Madison has put her education to good use to advertise the organization's programs and projects, encouraging other New Brunswickers to shop locally and enjoy all of the amazing experiences, restaurants, and scenery New Brunswick has to offer. She has always loved supporting small businesses; now she gets to promote them as part of her job!
Renée Charron
Executive Director
Renée began her career with the Federal Public Service in 2013. She first fulfilled strategic advisory roles alongside various Assistant Deputy Ministers before working in trade development for creative industries.
In 2017, Renée began volunteering for Shelter Movers in Ottawa. During this time, she had the opportunity to connect directly with the organization's clients and volunteers, which gave her a greater understanding of the pressing demand for this service. Renée left public service in 2020 to commit full-time to the organization, where she began the expansion project to serve survivors in the Greater Moncton Area. In March 2022, Renée moved to Moncton to oversee this expansion. Shelter Movers Greater Moncton launched the following January and, with the help of its volunteers and local partners, has been offering a much-needed service to survivors of abuse.
With an existing passion for the creative industries and a newfound love for New Brunswick, in August 2023, Renée was selected to be the Executive Director of Excellence NB, a non-profit association whose mission is to promote economic growth and cultural transformation within New Brunswick.
Renée received a bachelor’s in French Literature and Social Work from the University of Ottawa.
Rowan Hickie
Program Coordinator
Rowan is thrilled to be our latest addition to the Excellence NB team as Program Coordinator. Originally from Calgary, located on the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region, she moved to New Brunswick two years ago. Now, she proudly call Saint John home, situated on the traditional territory of the Wolastoqiyik/Maliseet.
With a background in performing arts and law, Rowan is excited to bring a unique perspective to the organization's endeavours. Over the course of her education and career, she has had the privilege of working on various projects, including the development of legal education resources with the Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre, coordinating research projects at the University of New Brunswick, and working with community groups on environmental advocacy efforts during her Masters in Ireland. She is looking forward to utilizing her skills and experiences to showcase the remarkable talent and innovation of businesses here in New Brunswick.
When not at work, Rowan can be found nestled in a Saint John café with a good book or exploring the breathtaking Fundy coast.
Brigitte Dionne
Senior Graphic Designer
Brigitte is a graduate of the Holland College Visual Communications program, with 24 years of progressive experience in graphic design, interpretive exhibit design & planning, graphic production management, social media marketing and e-commerce website management.
Her creative talent and attention to detail make Brigitte a vital asset to the Excellence NB team, where she holds the position of Senior Graphic Designer.
With a keen sense of design, from both and artistic and technical standpoint, an excellent understanding of the use of color, fonts and layouts, all help Brigitte excel in concept development and inspiring meaningful graphic design works.
In her spare time, Brigitte likes to paint. Her creative talent, combined with her attention to detail not only allows her to excel in her graphic field, but also allows her to flourish creatively and create wonderful, meaningful, timeless works of art. She likes to combine bold, vibrant colours with linear patterns and shapes, largely capturing inspiration from the ocean, where she spends time taking in the fresh air, sounds of the waves and feel of the sand.
Mariana Fonsati
Web Design / Graphic Assistant
Mariana is a Web Designer at Excellence NB. Moncton has been her home for almost three years since she moved to Canada from Brazil, her home country. Back in Brazil, she pursued a career in civil engineering, but after moving, she decided to pursue her passion for design and enrolled in the graphic design program at NBCC. She's passionate about using her creative and tech skills to help people and businesses grow and thrive in this beautiful and diverse province that she is proudly a part of.
Brandon Marryatt
Social Media Specialist
Brandon Marryatt is a results-driven brand building and social media specialist with a passion for driving business growth through creative marketing strategies. With a Marketing degree and 6 years of experience, Brandon has established himself as a skilled marketer and team player. His perseverance and dedication to excellence have earned him a reputation as a go-to expert in his field. As a social media specialist, Brandon helps businesses build and maintain a strong online presence, leveraging his expertise to drive engagement and conversions. He is driven by a commitment to excellence, grit, and a passion for collaborative success.
Mariana Fonsati
Web Design / Graphic Assistant
Mariana is a Web Designer at Excellence NB. Moncton has been her home for almost three years since she moved to Canada from Brazil, her home country. Back in Brazil, she pursued a career in civil engineering, but after moving, she decided to pursue her passion for design and enrolled in the graphic design program at NBCC. She's passionate about using her creative and tech skills to help people and businesses grow and thrive in this beautiful and diverse province that she is proudly a part of.
Our Board
Jon Manship
Chair and Founder
Jon Manship, Chairman of Technology Venture Corporation and founder of Spielo Gaming International, is an innovative leader from New Brunswick who is passionate about advancing his community’s economic and cultural prosperity. His latest endeavour, Excellence NB, is a testament to his commitment to supporting local businesses and promoting the province's unique qualities. With a strategic focus on economic and cultural development, Jon's work with Excellence NB aligns with his dedication to enhancing community well-being, supporting local entrepreneurship, and showcasing New Brunswick's unique cultural identity.
Jon supports many other innovative projects in New Brunswick, with particular attention to the arts and culture, well-being, education, technological advancement, and more.
Susan Hicks
Treasurer
Ms. Hicks is the President and CEO of Technology Venture Corporation (TVC), a private venture capital and investment holding company headquartered in Moncton, New Brunswick.
The TVC venture capital fund was started in 2005 and primarily focused on technology companies in Atlantic Canada.
Before joining TVC, Ms. Hicks was CFO and Chief Compliance Officer of Spielo Gaming International. She is a board member of other private companies in Atlantic Canada.
Mike Storey
Member
In addition to his consulting roles with TVC, Mike's most recent endeavours include Vice President of Operations at Moncton Magic, a championship-winning basketball organization based in Moncton, New Brunswick. With over 20 years of leadership experience, Mike previously owned and operated Western Viking Supply Inc., specializing in distributing commercial/industrial insulation and PPE products. His extensive background in different business fields also encompasses critical roles in the gaming industry, including positions at GTECH Corporation and Spielo Gaming International.
Mike is known for his proven track record in managing casino gaming operations and his foundation in game design, making him a results-driven professional with a diverse skill set contributing to organizational success.
FAQs
Excellence NB is a non-profit association dedicated to promoting economic growth and cultural transformation within New Brunswick. We aim to showcase and celebrate our province's remarkable talent, innovation, and products. Through various initiatives, partnerships, and programs, we strive to support and uplift small businesses, artisans, artists, restaurants, farms, and other entities contributing to the cultural and economic vitality of New Brunswick. Whether through events, campaigns, or community engagement efforts, Excellence NB is committed to fostering a vibrant and thriving ecosystem that benefits residents and visitors alike.
We offer a range of services for both consumers and businesses. For consumers, we recommend following us on social media and signing up for our bi-monthly newsletter to stay informed about what's happening throughout New Brunswick. Dive into our programs, such as NBMade and Navigate, to discover and support local businesses.
For businesses, we offer several programs tailored to help them thrive in the local market. These include:
NBMade: A unique platform for businesses across the province to showcase their talents and products. While purchases cannot be made directly from our website, it serves as a valuable resource for discovering new products and product makers.
Artists’ Page: This sub-feature of NBMade showcases the work of artists in New Brunswick. It provides artists with a platform to present their bios, backgrounds, interests, accolades, specialties, and contact information for commission work.
Retail Toolkit: Our retail toolkits are designed to help businesses showcase their products in brick-and-mortar stores, markets, and craft fairs. These displays will make your products stand out.
Branding: Our free branding program allows businesses to use our trademarked logo for their product packaging, helping them stand out on the shelves and showcase their New Brunswick pride.
Navigate: With both a winter and summer edition, this program offers curated lists of over 100 things to eat, see, and experience in New Brunswick, segmented by region. Whether for a day trip, weekend getaway, or romantic escape, Navigate has something for everyone.
Membership with Excellence NB is free. Our programs, such as NBMade and Navigate, are provided to businesses at no cost. However, some of our marketing campaigns, such as the Holiday Gift Guide and the Retail Toolkit, may involve nominal fees.
Excellence NB is an independent non-profit mainly funded by our philanthropic founder, Jon Manship. We occasionally receive revenue from sponsorships for our large marketing campaigns and sales of our retail toolkits and merchandise. Every dollar we make goes back into the organization to further support our members.
Please contact us directly to be considered for most of our campaigns. We believe in building relationships and getting to know the businesses we feature. Your story, passion, and commitment to excellence are important to us, and we look forward to connecting with you.
People’s Choice is a unique campaign in which residents of NB nominate their favourite businesses. Stay tuned for our nomination period announcement in the Spring to ensure you make the top 10 list for our People's Choice campaign.
Our administrative office is located at 401-735 Main St., Moncton, but our team operates remotely across the province.
Our primary business hours are from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday.
Follow us on social media, register for our newsletter, look for the Excellence NB "Made In NB" logo when shopping, visit craft fairs and farmers markets, and always check NBMade before turning to major online retailers.
Excellence NB does not sell our vendors’ products through our website. Instead, we provide links to their websites where you can make direct purchases.
Please refer to our Refund Policy HERE
Contact Us
Whether you have a question, an update from your community, feedback to share, or simply want to connect, we're here to listen and assist. Reach out to us, and let's see how we can better support New Brunswick's culture and economy.
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