Family Leadership

President | Lawyer, High-Crest Enterprises

Shannon Stephenson is the President of High-Crest Enterprises, where he provides strategic leadership across a network of long-term care communities, shaping the organization’s direction with clarity, compassion, and purpose. As both a lawyer and seasoned executive, Shannon brings a unique combination of legal insight, ethical leadership, and operational experience to a rapidly evolving sector.

With a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English from St. Francis Xavier University and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of New Brunswick, Shannon has been a practicing member of the Nova Scotia Barristers Society since 1994. He has also completed a certification in Leadership (Dalhousie University). His legal expertise informs his approach to governance, policy, and sound decision-making, while his values-based leadership sets the tone for High-Crest’s culture of excellence, integrity, and person-centered care.

Over a career spanning more than 30 years, Shannon has guided the organization through major sector changes, expansion, and accreditation, while staying closely connected to frontline priorities. He champions innovation, resident-centered care, and cross-generational leadership, and is especially proud of the collaborative approach that defines High-Crest’s executive team.

In addition to his work at High-Crest, Shannon is Board Chair of the Antigonish Area Homemakers Services and serves on the boards of the StFX Art Gallery and the Festival Antigonish Foundation.

Outside of work, Shannon is a passionate skier, a lifelong Buffalo Bills fan, and a devoted grandfather to five grandchildren, a role he considers his greatest joy and daily inspiration.

Executive Director, High-Crest Solutions

Marcus Stephenson is the Executive Director of High-Crest Solutions, where he leads client relations and provides strategic support across High-Crest’s network of long-term care facilities. With over 15 years of healthcare management experience, Marcus combines his expertise in business administration and health services to help long-term care communities achieve financial stability, operational excellence, and high-quality, resident-centered care.

Marcus plays an integral role in executive decision-making, shaping organizational strategy, advancing innovative initiatives, and fostering meaningful engagement with residents, families, and stakeholders. He is deeply committed to ensuring that operational sustainability is balanced with compassionate, personalized care for every resident.

A graduate of St. Francis Xavier University with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and Dalhousie University with a Diploma in Health Services Administration (DHSA), Marcus draws on both his education and practical experience to champion creative, resident-focused solutions. He has also completed a certification in Leadership (Dalhousie University).

He also oversees committee and governance processes for Valley View Villa and remains actively involved with several long-term care boards. In addition, Marcus volunteers on the Executive Committee of the St. Martha’s Hospital Foundation, where he serves as Chair of Human Resources and Nominations, supporting the development of strong leadership and governance practices within the organization.

Outside of work, Marcus enjoys skiing, spending time outdoors, and cherishing time with his family and two children.

Director of Corporate Strategy & Policy | Lawyer, High-Crest Enterprises

Kora Stephenson-Barrett is the Director of Corporate Strategy and Policy at High-Crest Enterprises, where she leads the development and implementation of strategic initiatives across the organization. In this role, she works closely with senior leadership to operationalize and align policy, legislation, standardize operations, and drive system-wide planning, all with a strong focus on resident-centered care and cross-team collaboration.

Kora is a dual-qualified lawyer (Canada & Australia) with a diverse background in health law, elder law, and healthcare leadership. She holds a Bachelor of Laws from La Trobe University (recipient of the Outstanding Student Scholarship), a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Australian National University, a Master of Public Health with a specialization in Global Health and Women’s Health from the University of Toronto, and a Bachelor of Arts with an advanced joint major in Psychology and International Development Studies (with merit) from St. Francis Xavier University.

She has also completed certifications in Elder Law (Osgoode Hall Law School), Policy Development and Implementation (Saint Mary’s University), and Leadership (Dalhousie University).

Her career spans frontline and strategic roles in family violence law, mental health, elder advocacy, and international justice, including work with a United Nations court and several global community organizations. Early in her career, she supported women and children in South Africa and Australia who had experienced domestic and sexual abuse, providing court-based advocacy, and community legal support. These experiences shaped a leadership style rooted in listening, collaboration, and the elevation of resident voices. Today, her work in long-term care is grounded in the belief that every individual, regardless of age, deserves personalized, respectful, and empowering care.

Kora has remained an active member of the Nova Scotia Barristers Society (2021). Kora currently leads multiple strategic planning committees across High-Crest Enterprises. Kora is also a member of the NS LTC Quality Network. She was a 2024 nominee for the Nova Scotia LTC Awards of Excellence in the category of “Leading the Way.”

Outside of work, Kora is often planning her next travel itinerary and wrangling her three young kids through an airport. She enjoys keeping her dopamine levels high by exploring new places and embracing the adventure.