Our Team | Veith House

Meet The Team

Monica (she/her) - Administration/Finance

Monica Marsh is the longest serving member of the Veith House team and has been working as our bookkeeper and resident numbers specialist since 2006. Before Monica joined the team, her mother held the same job, making Monica part of the Veith House family even before she started working here. In addition to her admin/finance duties Monica helps community members with taxes and government forms, has worked and volunteered with other sister organizations, has been a leader in our C@P Site (@NS), and is always visible at our community events including the NECC Annual BBQ in June and the North End Tree Lighting event in December.

Brenna (she/her) - Reception

Brenna joined Veith House earlier in the summer of 2025 as a Facilitator in the Supervised Parenting & Exchange Program and now works as the Receptionist as well. Brenna has recently graduated from Mount Saint Vincent University with her Masters in Child and Youth Studies. Basing her thesis around Menstrual Poverty in Cape Breton, she has developed a strong interest and passion for helping others in the community. Moving from Cape Breton to Halifax in 2021, Brenna has worked with other non-profit organizations and is dedicated to helping her community, and is incredibly excited to do that at Veith House. Brenna loves to meet with new people and to chat so please feel free to stop by the front desk the next time you visit Veith House!

Lenard (he/him) - Custodian

Lenard joined our team in May 2025 as our Custodian. Originally from Manila in the Philippines, where he studied Computer Science at Adamson University. Since immigrating to Canada, Lenard brings with him 7 years experience in custodial and sanitization services within the education sector including Conseil Scolaire Acadian Provincial, various departments of the Dartmouth NSCC campus, and the Halifax Regional School Board. Lenard is looking forward to connecting with the community and helping to make Veith House more welcoming for everyone.

Saida (she/her) - Newcomer Program Coordinator

Saida Gazie joined our team in 2018 creating and supporting programs for individuals and families new to Nova Scotia. She has been working with the newcomer and immigrant community in Halifax since 2009, and is an advocate and voice for community members. She offers support in applying for family assistance, finding inexpensive and safe rental units, job searching and connecting newcomers with free educational programs for both adults and youth. Through programs, events and initiatives, she has been successful in introducing a number of families to the Halifax community. Saida received the Invisible Champion Award in Halifax in 2020, and was honoured on Most Inspiring Immigrants in Atlantic Canada in 2022. She has received an HRM Volunteer Award, as well. Saida has a Masters of Mechanical Engineering and Asset Management from the UK, a Bachelor Degree of Industrial Engineering from Libya University, and Project Management Certificate and Leadership Certificate from Halifax.

Phylister (she/her) - Newcomer Outreach Worker

Phylister joined our team in 2025 helping newcomers to Canada get settled in a myriad of ways; from employment and housing resources to fun extracurriculars like crochet classes. Born in Mombasa, Kenya where she attended the Aga Khan Academy, and having lived in Tanzania Dar Es Salaam for 4 years, Phylister joined Dalhousie University as a Marine biology student, before discovering her passion in Philosophy, and graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Gender and Women’s Studies. While a student at Dalhousie University, Phylister worked at the Student Union Building for 4 years, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge in offering newcomer support, particularly with students.

Ally (she/her) - Youth Program Coordinator

Ally (she/her) is a settler born and raised in Kjipuktuk. She holds a Master of Education in Sustainability, Creativity, and Innovation, and speaks English, French, and Spanish. She has 10 years of experience in the non-for-profit sector, engaging youth in organizations such as Bicycle Nova Scotia, the YMCA, Halifax Regional Centre for Education and Katimavik. Most recently she was living in Guatemala with Breaking the Silence, Maritimes Guatemala Solidarity Network, supporting Indigenous youth in decolonial, land-based, cultural preservation efforts.

Ally lives in, and loves the North End, and is honored to hold space as a conduit for the youth in the community to see themselves as changemakers.

Serah (she/her) - Social Work

Abosede “Serah” Inaolaji is a Community Social Worker at Veith House and is currently pursuing registration with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers. Serah brings with her a passion for supporting individuals within the local community through compassionate, trauma-informed, and client-centered care.

Her experience in case management, housing support, resource navigation, advocacy, and providing one-on-one support adds valuable service to the team at Veith House. Serah has actively supported vulnerable individuals experiencing housing instability, mental health concerns, substance use challenges, and other complex barriers through her work in shelter and community support settings.

Serah is passionate about helping individuals access community resources, build stability, and work toward positive and sustainable outcomes within their lives and community.

Lily (they/them) - Urban Farm Coordinator

Lily joined the Veith House team as a Summer farm hand in 2022 before taking over the urban farm project in 2024. They have always been drawn to farming and gardening as a means of realizing our shared responsibility in cultivating sustainable food systems. When they’re not in the garden or coop, they enjoy hiking, camping, bird watching, and generally reconnecting with Mi'kma'ki. They are grateful to be supporting the development of interdependent relationships between land and community through their work; and always learning.