Jeff MacKinnon

Founder - CEO

Jeff MacKinnon is a Cape Breton mariner, commercial fisherman, shipwreck explorer, and founder of the Nova Gold Foundation. With a lifetime spent on the waters of Atlantic Canada, he has developed extensive experience in offshore operations, commercial fishing, vessel management, diving, marine surveying, and shipwreck exploration. As a third-generation salvor and shipwreck researcher, Jeff has dedicated much of his career to locating, documenting, and recovering historic shipwrecks off the coast of Nova Scotia, contributing to the preservation of Canada's rich maritime heritage.

Jeff's maritime expertise and passion for ocean exploration led to his role as Captain and featured cast member of the History Channel and Discovery Canada series The Death Coast, which chronicles expeditions to some of the most dangerous and historically significant shipwreck sites in the North Atlantic. Through these expeditions, he has worked alongside marine archaeologists, military veterans, and professional divers in the discovery and investigation of previously unknown wreck sites and historically important artifacts.

Through the Nova Gold Foundation, Jeff is committed to using the ocean as a platform for purpose, exploration, and recovery by creating opportunities that combine maritime heritage, marine operations, and expeditionary work. His vision is to establish Cape Breton as an internationally recognized centre for maritime exploration, heritage preservation, and ocean-based programs that inspire service, resilience, and stewardship of Canada's maritime legacy.

Gunnery Sergeant Daniel Griego

USMC (Ret.) Founder & Chief Operating Officer

Daniel Griego is a retired United States Marine Corps Reconnaissance Marine, combat diver, and highly decorated combat veteran with more than twenty years of military service. Throughout his Marine Corps career, he served with elite reconnaissance units, leading Marines in some of the world's most demanding operational environments.

His extensive experience includes amphibious reconnaissance, combat diving, HAHO and HALO parachuting, deep reconnaissance operations, hostage rescue, and small-unit leadership—skills forged through decades of dedicated service to his country.

Following his retirement from the Marine Corps, Dan continued his commitment to serving others by supporting veterans and first responders through maritime expeditions and purpose-driven missions. He is also a featured cast member of the television series The Death Coast, where he worked alongside Captain Jeff MacKinnon and a team of veterans exploring historic shipwrecks off the coast of Nova Scotia.

Dan is a co-founder of the Nova Gold Foundation, alongside Jeff MacKinnon, Eddie Wright, and Cody Miranda. As Chief Operating Officer, he brings exceptional leadership, operational expertise, and an unwavering commitment to veteran recovery and resilience. His dedication helps guide the Foundation's mission of providing purpose, camaraderie, and meaningful opportunities for veterans, first responders, and those who have served their communities.

Anna Manley

Board Member & Legal Advisor

Anna Manley serves as a Board Member and Legal Advisor to the Nova Gold Foundation, providing strategic guidance on governance, regulatory compliance, organizational development, and long-term planning. Her legal expertise and commitment to public service help ensure that the Foundation operates with integrity, accountability, and a strong foundation for sustainable growth.

As Nova Gold advances its mission of supporting veterans, first responders, maritime heritage preservation, and specialized training initiatives, Anna plays a vital role in navigating the legal and regulatory requirements associated with charitable operations, partnerships, and program development. Her leadership and counsel have been instrumental in helping establish the organizational framework necessary to support the Foundation's long-term vision.

Through her dedication to community service and professional excellence, Anna brings invaluable knowledge and perspective to the Nova Gold team, strengthening the Foundation's ability to build lasting partnerships and deliver meaningful programs that benefit veterans, their families, and communities throughout Nova Scotia and beyond.

Peter Knollenberg

Board Member & Chief Administrative Officer

Peter Knollenberg is an accomplished businessman, explorer, and philanthropist whose career has spanned the energy, maritime, and nonprofit sectors. A lifelong advocate for exploration, education, and public service, Peter served as the United States Chairman of Operation Raleigh, the internationally recognized youth development and expedition organization founded under the patronage of His Royal Highness King Charles III. Through his leadership with Operation Raleigh, he helped provide young people with life-changing opportunities in adventure, leadership, environmental stewardship, and community service.

Peter is also a proud member of the prestigious Explorers Club, an organization dedicated to advancing scientific exploration and field research around the world. His lifelong passion for exploration, maritime history, and cultural preservation has led him to support numerous initiatives that promote education, discovery, and community engagement.

As a Board Member of the Nova Gold Foundation, Peter brings a wealth of experience in organizational development, strategic partnerships, philanthropy, and long-term vision. His dedication to service, exploration, and preserving our shared heritage aligns closely with Nova Gold's mission of supporting veterans, first responders, and maritime heritage initiatives. His leadership and global perspective continue to make him an invaluable member of the Nova Gold Foundation team.

Jason Hatcher

Board Member & Chief Creative Officer

Jason Hatcher is a Toronto-based creative director, art director, and digital strategist with more than thirty years of experience shaping how brands communicate, connect, and grow. His creative journey began behind a camera in the early 1990s, where a passion for visual storytelling set the foundation for a career that would span photography, interactive media, and brand communications at the highest level.

Jason was among the first students to study New Media at Ryerson University, now Toronto Metropolitan University, completing the program in its inaugural year. That early immersion in digital communication led to roles at ChumCity and MuchMusic, where he worked at the intersection of broadcast and the emerging internet, developing new ways for audiences to engage with content at a time when the possibilities were just beginning to take shape.

For nearly twenty years, Jason brought that same instinct for connection to some of Canada's most respected creative agencies, including Zulu Alpha Kilo, Cossette, MacLaren McCann, Grip Limited, Citizen Relations, and FCB, working with brands such as Bell Canada, Coca-Cola, Honda Canada, Expedia, Labatt, Rust-Check, RE/MAX, and The National Ballet of Canada. Since stepping back from agency life, he has focused on helping Canadian companies build meaningful digital presences as an independent art director and creative director. As Chief Creative Officer of the Nova Gold Foundation, Jason brings that same commitment to purpose-driven storytelling to a mission he believes in deeply.