Leadership Team

Kate Sheppard is the Chief Executive Officer and Registrar. Kate joined the CNNB team in 2017. A registered nurse for over 20 years, UNB BN ‘99 and MN ’12. In 2022 Kate obtained a certificate in Nursing Education and Program Approval from the International Center for Regulatory Scholarship through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Previously, Kate worked in various roles including staff nurse in pediatrics, nurse educator, nurse manager and acting administrative director. Kate also served on the panel of judges setting the passing standard and as a reviewer for the NCLEX-RN.

Kate is passionate about the profession of nursing and using data and research to provide nurses with the best possible regulatory and practice advice to support safe, competent, and ethical nursing in New Brunswick. Kate enjoys outdoor activities and can often be found at a rink watching her two boys play hockey.

Janet Fogarty is the Director of Registration and Deputy Registrar. Janet received her nursing degree from University of New Brunswick and a master’s degree in organizational management from Crandall University. Joining CNNB in December 2023, Janet brings experience from a background working as a staff nurse in surgical, intensive care, and emergency department settings, as well as nurse educator, community nurse, telehealth nurse, and manager in both New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Janet also worked as a subject matter expert with an organization providing assessments for our internationally educated nurses coming to Canada.

After spending many years enjoying her 4 sons’ activities in school drama productions, music recitals, hockey rinks, baseball fields, and basketball, it was time to get back into her own activities of coaching running clinics and teaching spin classes. She’s also been known to challenge herself with cardio-kickboxing and horseback riding lessons. Janet also enjoys helping in the community with fundraisers and charitable events. Janet’s downtime is often spent at home with her husband and three dogs.

Sylvette Guitard is the Director of Nursing Practice and Education. Sylvette joined the CNNB team in 2017. A registered nurse with 20 years of experience, Sylvette graduated from the Université de Moncton Baccalauréat en science infirmière in 2005 and the Maîtrise en science infirmière in 2013. Sylvette is passionate about continuing education and has obtained several certificates related to leadership and management from the Achieve Center for Leadership. Having different roles in clinical nursing, Sylvette also adds 11 years of experience as a Nurse Educator at the Université de Moncton, campus d’Edmundston.

Sylvette is very active in the community. She is a volunteer at the Madawaska Shelter in Edmundston and for the Badminton Libre Edmundston Club. Sylvette and her husband are passionate about wine and volunteer/work in different wine events in New Brunswick and Québec. In her spare time, Sylvette likes to exercise, cook and spend time with family and friends.

Colin Leahy, serves as the Director of Governance, Policy and  Risk  at CNNB since 2023. He brings a wealth of expertise and a dynamic educational background to his role. Graduating with distinction from St. Thomas University with a Bachelor of Arts in History, Political Science, and Economics in 2017, Colin continued his academic journey by earning a Juris Doctorate from the University of Ottawa’s Programme de Common Law en Francais in 2020, graduating Cum Laude.

Colin’s commitment to professional regulation emerged post-education, recognizing it as a fitting avenue to apply his legal acumen, especially in administrative law. His love for research and writing, key elements in his academic success, continue to be honed in his current capacity at CNNB. Having overseen CNNB’s registration services team, Colin possesses an in-depth understanding of all facets of CNNB’s operations, bringing a unique and comprehensive perspective to the Leadership Team.

Aside from his academic pursuits in Ontario and international work experience, Colin has proudly called Fredericton home since 2005, contributing his skills and dedication to the healthcare regulatory landscape in New Brunswick.

Tara McIntye is the Director of Complaints and General Counsel. In this role, she oversees and manages CNNB’s Complaints Department, including the Complaints, Discipline, and Fitness to Practice processes, and provides general legal and strategic advice on various matters relating to CNNB’s mandate and operations.

Tara joined the CNNB team in 2024 as Legal Counsel and gained extensive experience and expertise in professional regulation by supporting complex complaints, discipline, and fitness to practice matters through all stages of the regulatory process. Her work is guided by a commitment to procedural fairness, transparency, and effective professional regulation in the interest of public protection.

Prior to joining CNNB, Tara practiced law with a full-service regional law firm. During her time in private practice, she advised and represented clients in a variety of legal practice areas, including litigation, employment, corporate commercial, and administrative law.

Tara holds a Bachelor of Arts from St. Thomas University, with a double major in Human Rights and Criminology, and a Juris Doctor from the Université de Moncton. She is also a member of the Law Society of New Brunswick and the Canadian Bar Association.