Cape Breton's own leading seafood operations in Australia

Meet ConnectNS network member, Naomi Matthews, born Nova Scotian living in Melbourne, Australia.

For the past decade, Matthews has led entrepreneurial teams in international grocery retail, foodservice and food manufacturing in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

Born in Sydney, Cape Breton and raised in Lunenburg, Matthews received her Bachelor of Business from Acadia University, and MBA from Saint Mary’s University. Having worked for industry leaders such as Clearwater, Sobeys, Northern Foods Plc, Woolworths Australia and Coles Supermarkets Australia, her experience lies in fresh and convenience food categories that are in need of revitalisation and future thinking.

Matthews is currently the Business Category Manager for Seafood and Meal Solutions for Coles Supermarkets Australia. We recently caught up with Matthews to gather her thoughts on Nova Scotia.

First thing that comes to mind when you hear "Nova Scotia"?

Summertime by the seaside.

What do you love most about doing what you do professionally?

Food transcends all the differences that divide humanity. We all need to eat, we all share food with our friends and family - it brings loved ones together. It is a privilege to work in an industry that builds family memories and has such responsibility for supporting the health of a nation.

What’s the best lesson you have ever learned?

Colin MacDonald, co - founder and Chairman of Clearwater Fine Foods in Bedford, NS, and one of my first bosses said, “Make mistakes, it means you’re doing something. Just don’t make the same mistake twice.”

For anyone who knows Colin, this quote has been cleansed to remove the profanity. The lesson has stuck and I’ve been making mistakes - small and big - ever since. But never the same one twice!

What are the greatest asset(s) Nova Scotia can offer your industry?

Nova Scotia has a superb geographic location, it’s close to America and Europe, the work ethic is strong and the cost of living in reasonable. It is a land of entrepreneurial people and the business networks are close; everyone knows each other and is willing to help. 

What do you miss most about Nova Scotia?

Seeing my parents and eating freshly cooked Sobeys lobster with my closest friend.

Naomi Matthews is a member of the ConnectNS network of proud Nova Scotians, alumni and expats from over 40 countries. Learn how you too can get involved.