Meet our Team
With a private sector led Board of Directors, NSBI is driven by a dedicated team of professionals who are committed to working towards a strong, thriving and globally competitive Nova Scotia.
Contact our team to explore how NSBI can help you find your export or investment solution for your business.
Executive Team
Laurel C. Broten
President & Chief Executive Officer
As President and CEO of Nova Scotia Business Inc., Laurel Broten is responsible for providing overall strategic direction for the crown corporation. Working with a private sector led Board of Directors, Laurel is focused on transformative strategies that implement evidence-based decision-making to lead the business development agency for the province.
As a former Bay street lawyer, Ontario Cabinet Minister, public policy expert and advocate, Laurel has a proven ability to build strategic alliances and partnerships between business, government and communities.
She earned both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree from McMaster University, followed by a juris doctorate from the University of Western Ontario. Upon graduation, Laurel was selected as a law clerk to Madam Justice Claire L'Heureux-Dubé at the Supreme Court of Canada.
When she’s not trying to grow the Nova Scotia economy, Laurel enjoys keeping up with her twin boys Zachary and Ryan, and spending time with her husband Paul and their entire family at the cottage.
Peter MacAskill
Chief Operating Officer
Peter is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI), responsible for Business Financing, Regional Business Development, and Export Development.
Joining NSBI in 2002 as Director, Compliance and Risk Management, Peter has since expanded his leadership responsibilities in the areas of finance, client service, operations, and corporate services. Peter became Vice President in 2012, leading to his current role as COO in 2015.
Prior to NSBI, Peter spent eight years with TD Waterhouse in Toronto, where he managed operations departments for the brokerage lines of TD Bank.
Peter is a graduate of St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. He is committed to continuous education, participating in leadership courses such as Rotman’s Executive Leadership Program, the Negotiation and Influencing Master Class at Dalhousie University, and the Bill Black leadership values course.
Peter is dedicated to sharing his expertise and knowledge with numerous community and charitable organizations, volunteering with Symphony Nova Scotia as a Board member, Chair of the Finance Committee and member of the Executive Committee. He also mentors with Fusion Halifax and Junior Achievement of Nova Scotia, inspiring and preparing youth to succeed in a global economy.
Peter resides in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with his wife, Nicole, and their four children: Noah, Liam, Erin and Emma.
Michael Branchflower
Vice President, Sales and Strategic Marketing
Michael Branchflower is Vice President, Sales and Strategic Marketing at Nova Scotia Business Inc. Michael oversees the strategic direction and investment initiatives of our Investment Attraction, Marketing and Research teams. Michael also provides insight into transformation and innovation — both areas of key focus at NSBI.
Michael has more than 25 years of international experience throughout Europe and North America, joining us from Colorado-based Execution Specialists Group (ESG), a management consulting firm where he was Vice President of Corporate Development. Throughout his career, he has built and maintained world-class relationships globally and leveraged these networks for mutually beneficial success.
Originally from the United Kingdom, Michael spent 12 years in Connecticut before relocating to Nova Scotia. He is a Board Member for Embrace Hope - Sandy Hook Equine Assisted Therapy, an organization working with children affected by post-traumatic stress disorder. Michael lives in Halifax with his wife, Carol, and two of their four children.
Business Lines
Regional Business Development
Todd Coombs, Director
Strategy, Research & Marketing
Beth Girard, Director
Communications & Public Affairs
Shawn Hirtle, Director
Corporate Services & Compliance
Glenda Lindsay, Director
Investment Attraction
John Ludovice, Director
Business Financing
Mike Queripel, Director
Corporate Projects & Partnerships
Angela Ralph, Director
Export Development
Kyle Schmeisser, Director
