Michelle Young Bio

Michelle Young Town of Pictou, Nova Scotia

Michelle Young has served as a dedicated member of the Board of Directors for Hike Canada en Marche, representing Nova Scotia since 2019.

Growing up and later settling in the Town of Pictou, Nova Scotia, Michelle currently holds the position of Manager of Recreation Services for the municipality. Over her fifteen years with the town, the last nine of which have been specifically in recreation, she has held several roles. Michelle’s academic background includes a degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management with a major in Tourism Development from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax. Following her university studies, she spent much of her twenties working and traveling extensively in the cruise industry. Subsequently, she worked for New Castle Hotels and Resorts for several years in their accounting department.

In her present role with municipal recreation, Michelle is responsible for trail development projects, collaborating with local trail organizations, and managing municipal trail infrastructure. Driven by a love for the outdoors and a desire to create opportunities for citizens and visitors to connect with nature in meaningful and active ways, she creatively shares her passion for hiking and enjoying Nova Scotia’s beautiful outdoor spaces.

Michelle has also been an active board member for Hike Nova Scotia since 2018. Hike NS plays a vital role in encouraging and promoting hiking, walking, and snowshoeing throughout Nova Scotia through leadership training, advocacy, policy development aimed at protecting wilderness areas, and the organization of hikes and events.

Outside of her professional and volunteer commitments, Michelle enjoys exploring trails, discovering new waterfalls, and biking with her family. With a lively household of six children and their dog, Waffles, there is never a quiet moment, and outdoor recreation has always been a cherished way to spend weekends and appreciate the natural beauty of Nova Scotia. Michelle’s work in municipal recreation allows her to integrate her passion for community development, love for the outdoors, and experience working with volunteers to enhance the well-being of her community. Her favorite time of year for hiking is the fall, when the colors are vibrant, the light is golden, and the temperature is perfect.