Christena Curry has joined the Municipality of Cumberland as its Director of Recreation.
She succeeds Allie McCormick, who has become the Municipality’s Deputy Chief Administrative Officer.
A Pictou Landing First Nation band member, Curry was born and raised in Pictou County and now lives in Salmon River with her husband, son, two dogs and two cats.
“I have worked in municipal recreation previously with HRM and I am excited to get back to it,” Curry said. “I am eager to continue the great work of my colleagues and expand on existing programming and infrastructure. I am looking forward to getting to know everyone better in the coming weeks and months.
She began her new role on Sept. 1.
Christena Curry has joined the Municipality of Cumberland as its new Director of Recreation.
Before coming to the Municipality of Cumberland, Curry was the manager of Parks, Recreation & Youth for Millbrook First Nation, overseeing 13 full-time staff and their recreation programming, community facilities, youth engagement, and community events.
She was with Millbrook since 2020, when she was originally hired as their physical activity coordinator and built the department through the years.
She holds a diploma in recreation leadership and both a bachelor's degree and master’s degree in sport and recreation studies. Her research background is in municipal partnership development between recreation and sport delivery systems.
Additionally, she has served on the Recreation Nova Scotia board of directors for three terms and currently sits on the Community of Practice Board of Nova Scotia Women and Girls in Sport and Recreation. She also holds a seat with Soccer Canada’s Indigenous Working Group, focused on increasing soccer in L’nu communities.
Curry was inducted into the Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Sport Hall of Fame in 2023 as a coach and a builder and in 2025 she received the Young Alumni Achievement Award from the University of New Brunswick for her work in recreation and sport.
“We are very pleased to welcome Christena to the Municipality of Cumberland,” said Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Peter McCracken. “She brings an impressive combination of municipal and First Nations recreation experience, strong leadership skills and a demonstrated commitment to building inclusive, active, and connected communities.
“Her experience with leading teams in recreation programming, facility management, and creating community partnerships will be a tremendous asset to the Municipality. We look forward to Christena adding to the excellent work already underway and helping us continue to strengthen recreation services for residents throughout Cumberland.”