Our Team
At SONA, we’re lucky enough to have a diverse and talented team of people who all bring their unique perspectives to work every day. What brings us all together is our collective belief in putting our customers first.
Speak to our team now
Kristin O’Leary
COO
I was born and raised in Sunny Saskatoon and spent much of my young adulthood travelling the world. After meeting my husband Ryan, in 2004,... More about KristinKristin O’Leary
COO
I was born and raised in Sunny Saskatoon and spent much of my young adulthood travelling the world. After meeting my husband Ryan, in 2004, I made the move to Halifax where we now reside with our family.Although I have been involved with SONA since its birth in 2016, it wasn’t until January of 2020 that I took on more of an active role with SONA as VP of Operations. I enjoy being busy, checking off ‘to do’ lists, and working in an environment where technology and solutions are always changing. We have a great team working in our head office in Halifax where we all work together to make sure our customers are well taken care of. Much of our success as a company is because of the hard work and dedication of our internal and external team members. I enjoy going for walks with our boxer pup named Clover and travelling with our family to far away locations. Find me on LinkedIn here
Graham MacDonald
Director of Partnerships
Hi! My name is Graham MacDonald, I’m from Halifax and I am the Director of Partnerships at SONA. One of the things I love about... More about GrahamGraham MacDonald
Director of Partnerships
Hi! My name is Graham MacDonald, I’m from Halifax and I am the Director of Partnerships at SONA. One of the things I love about working at SONA is that I am able to help businesses grow and save on their bottom line. Through leading edge technology and expertise on developing omni-channel business solutions, my goal is to help develop as many businesses as I can.I am a recent graduate from Saint Mary’s University with a Bachelor of Commerce. Go Huskies! I love working for a local company in the city where I grew up. My favourite thing to do is play golf, I try to play as much as I can.
I look forward to hopefully meeting with you and helping your business grow!
Michael Zerrudo
Senior Product Manager
Hi, I'm Michael! I am a self-described "techie at heart," and have been at the forefront of Canada's dynamic payments scene since 2006. After spending... More about MichaelMichael Zerrudo
Senior Product Manager
Hi, I'm Michael! I am a self-described "techie at heart," and have been at the forefront of Canada's dynamic payments scene since 2006.After spending seven years as an Integration Analyst for a large payment processor, supporting 3rd party developers with APIs, SDKs and message specs I transitioned to a Product role in 2014. Throughout my time in this role, I managed several standalone and semi-integrated payments hardware and software payment products.
In 2017 I was assigned the CLOVER line of products and was tasked to bring them to Canada. By 2022 I successfully launched the Clover Flex, Mini, Station DUO and Station SOLO hardware and software products including Clover apps and verticle-specific SaaS plans (CSR, TSR and Register Lite).
I believe in SONA’s vision and am so excited to be part of the team working on their next generation of products!
A little-known fact about Me: I used to work in show business in the late 1990s and early 2000s as a VJ for Channel [V] (similar to MTV in the U.S.) in the Philippines, hosting shows such as Club V, Billboard Top 40 and On Demand.
Brendan O’Leary
Director of Sales
Hi! I am Brendan O’Leary and I am SONA's Director of Sales. I have been with the company since 2018, supporting our customers and helping... More about BrendanBrendan O’Leary
Director of Sales
Hi! I am Brendan O’Leary and I am SONA's Director of Sales. I have been with the company since 2018, supporting our customers and helping businesses save money on their bottom line and provide tailored solutions for them.I have grown up here in Halifax playing hockey my whole life, although my NHL dreams didn’t quite come true. I think I have found a great place to be here with SONA! When I am not working I like to fill my time with being on the golf course. My favourite food is tacos, or is it pizza? I don't know, they are both great!
I look forward to hopefully getting the chance to help with your business needs.
Tyson Aalders
Business Development Manager
Hi, I’m Tyson - I was born and raised in the Halifax area and spent most of my younger years playing competitive sports. I enjoyed... More about TysonTyson Aalders
Business Development Manager
Hi, I’m Tyson - I was born and raised in the Halifax area and spent most of my younger years playing competitive sports. I enjoyed 5 successful years playing junior hockey across the Maritimes, building a strong work ethic, a sense of teamwork, and making lifelong relationships all while studying Business Management and Marketing. With over 10 years of sales experience, most recently in advertising and digital media, I’ve built a career around connecting with people and helping businesses grow. SONA provides a great opportunity to expand my relationships with business owners and share experiences where we can collaborate on ideas to truly help their business flourish. Community is important to me – I’ve spent many years’ giving back to youth sports and still enjoy volunteering in various roles today. I’m also a small business owner in the East Hants area where I reside with my fiancé, and am a proud father to our daughter, and our Frenchton “Griffey”, named after my favourite baseball player, Ken Griffey Jr. In my spare time, you’ll likely find me on the golf course or spending time with family and friends.Julien Poirier-McKiggan
Internal Account Executive
Hi! I'm Julien. I was born and raised in Halifax but spent the past five years in Wolfville attending Acadia University. During my time at... More about JulienJulien Poirier-McKiggan
Internal Account Executive
Hi! I'm Julien. I was born and raised in Halifax but spent the past five years in Wolfville attending Acadia University. During my time at Acadia, I played on the Acadia Axemen Football team, fished the local rivers, and volunteered with the Acadia S.M.I.L.E program. I graduated from Acadia with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. One thing I love about SONA is its commitment to going above and beyond in customer service. Working with a company like SONA is refreshing, as I am part of a company that truly values its customers and community. I look forward to helping you achieve your goals with our leading-edge technology and building a loyal and long-lasting relationship along the way.Nathan McKay
Internal Account Executive
Hi! I am Nathan McKay and I work as an Account Executive at SONA. I was born and raised in the Annapolis Valley and am... More about NathanNathan McKay
Internal Account Executive
Hi! I am Nathan McKay and I work as an Account Executive at SONA. I was born and raised in the Annapolis Valley and am a recent graduate from Saint Mary’s University with a Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Finance. I am thankful to work for a company that is located in Halifax, the city I now call home. My favourite thing to do is work-out or play basketball, I do what I can to stay healthy and fit.One of the things I love about working for SONA is that I am surrounded by professionals with the same vision. Through professionalism, leading-edge technology, and expertise in developing diverse channel solutions, my goal is to help develop and grow our customer's businesses so I can assist them in reaching their goals.
Julie Doué
Operations Coordinator
Hi! My name is Julie and I am SONA's Operations Coordinator. I have loved everything about SONA from the get-go and feel I am truly... More about JulieJulie Doué
Operations Coordinator
Hi! My name is Julie and I am SONA's Operations Coordinator. I have loved everything about SONA from the get-go and feel I am truly working for a company built on strong morals and a solid vision. Growing up in a military family, I moved around a lot as a child. I was born in Germany and raised in England but I’m happy to say that Canada is now where I call home. I’m a huge homebody and love spending time curled up with a good book and a glass of wine in hand. If I'm out and about in the city I'm usually heading to a symphony; I am a huge fan of classical music. The people I work with make every day a lot of fun and I really enjoy being a part of a growing company and building strong relationships with our merchants and partners.Adelaide Riswold
Applications Administrator
Hi, I'm Adelaide! Born and raised in the Annapolis Valley, I recently moved to Halifax with my partner and our two cats. My professional journey has spanned customer service and healthcare, with... More about AdelaideAdelaide Riswold
Applications Administrator
Hi, I'm Adelaide! Born and raised in the Annapolis Valley, I recently moved to Halifax with my partner and our two cats. My professional journey has spanned customer service and healthcare, with each stop teaching me the value of compassion, curiosity, and genuine connection. Supporting people has always been at the heart of what I do - whether it’s offering a helping hand, solving a problem, or simply making someone feel heard and valued.At SONA, I've found my groove - a place where honesty, accountability and openness aren't just buzzwords, but values we live by every day. As an Applications Administrator, I get to keep learning while helping both merchants and teammates navigate systems smoothly and confidently. I love being part of a team where collaboration and curiosity is not only encouraged but celebrated!
Away from the desk, you'll likely find me experimenting in the kitchen with a new recipe (I'm the one with flour in my hair), jamming out to music, or unwinding with video games.
Chelsea Houlahan
Applications Administrator
Hi! My name is Chelsea. I am originally from Ottawa but moved to Quispamsis, NB when I was 8. I fell head over heels for... More about ChelseaChelsea Houlahan
Applications Administrator
Hi! My name is Chelsea. I am originally from Ottawa but moved to Quispamsis, NB when I was 8. I fell head over heels for the East Coast community culture and despite taking a hiatus to finish complete my BSc in Animal Behaviour and Physiology in Ottawa and a 6 year stint travelling the world, I found myself back in the Maritimes.When I’m not at work, you’ll find me curled up in front of my gaming setup at home like a shrimp, being needlessly competitive with my partner in games that are meant to be cooperative or walking a hiking trail with my nose stuck in a book. Living my life more quietly has proven quite fulfilling once I started to get settled down, and the only thing I feel like I’m missing right now is a little animal companion of my own to scratch that animal care itch that I’ve never been able to shake.
While my educational background was in science, as students do, I ended up spending most of my professional development working in Hospitality. I fine-tuned those skills managing a bar-café-restaurant in Brisbane, Australia, over the last 5 years, and I really got to dive into all the bells and whistles that go into the day-to-day running of a fast-paced venue and all that goes into creating a great experience for a customer. I believe it’s these skills and my ongoing commitment to great customer service and support that brought me to SONA and allow me to be a passionate and contributing member of our team!
Emma Cail
Application Administrator
Hi, I’m Emma. Born and raised on the East Coast, I’ve always embraced curiosity and connection in every part of life. Whether I’m immersed in... More about EmmaEmma Cail
Application Administrator
Hi, I’m Emma. Born and raised on the East Coast, I’ve always embraced curiosity and connection in every part of life. Whether I’m immersed in a great book, exploring the outdoors with my partner and our Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, and spirited Tabby cat, or unwinding at the lake or around a campfire, I thrive in adventures big and small.My career has been a journey through Retail, Operations, and Risk Management, giving me a diverse toolkit and a deep appreciation for how businesses tick. After gaining rich experience across industries, I was ready for a fresh challenge—one that would stretch me into exciting new territory. That’s what led me to SONA and the dynamic world of payments.
I’m proud to represent one of SONA’s core values: respect for people and businesses. I’m thrilled to be part of a forward-thinking team and to continue growing alongside it.
Shobhan Matthew
Customer Experience Specialist
Hi! I’m Shobhan. I was born in Trinidad and raised in the sun, sand and sea of The Bahamas. I joined SONA’s Administrative Team after... More about ShobhanShobhan Matthew
Customer Experience Specialist
Hi! I’m Shobhan. I was born in Trinidad and raised in the sun, sand and sea of The Bahamas. I joined SONA’s Administrative Team after spending 11 years in Customer Service. A creative by nature, I ran a custom bakery for four years until 2019, when my family and I made the Maritimes our home.I enjoy spending time with my husband, our three boys and our Cavapoo, Aiko. Next to an obsession for everything chocolate, my absolute favorite things include cultivating unique food profiles in baking, exploring the outdoors, travelling and indulging in artistic projects.
What I loved most about SONA from the very beginning is that it feels like you’re a part of a family. SONA takes care of their merchants and employees in the exact same way. I am proud to be a part of a growing company whose vision and values strengthen each and every client relationship.
Curtis Bramfield
Customer Success Manager
Hi! My name is Curtis Bramfield, I am the Customer Success Manager at SONA. I was born and raised in Cole Harbour. When I'm not... More about CurtisCurtis Bramfield
Customer Success Manager
Hi! My name is Curtis Bramfield, I am the Customer Success Manager at SONA. I was born and raised in Cole Harbour. When I'm not in the office I love spending time with my family, whether it be going to parks or taking my little one to the zoo.What I admire most about SONA is that it's a company that's passionate about building and maintaining strong relationships with their customers and truly values their employees. You feel like you are part of a family that wants you to grow and succeed.
Allan MacLean
Customer Success Technicia
Hi, I'm Allan. I am originally from New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. I spent 11 years in British Columbia after completing graduate school and volunteering with... More about AllanAllan MacLean
Customer Success Technicia
Hi, I'm Allan. I am originally from New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. I spent 11 years in British Columbia after completing graduate school and volunteering with an environmental organization. I bring over a decade of experience in the restaurant POS industry and take pride in helping customers navigate innovative technologies with practical, personalized solutions.In my downtime, I enjoy live music, reading, hiking, and playing video games. I'm a loyal Ottawa Senators fan and have a soft spot for Pictou County pizza.
Hessel Altenburg
Customer Success Technician
Hi! My name is Hessel, I grew up in Stewiacke, NS, and have lived in Atlantic Canada my whole life. After graduating from UNB in... More about HesselHessel Altenburg
Customer Success Technician
Hi! My name is Hessel, I grew up in Stewiacke, NS, and have lived in Atlantic Canada my whole life. After graduating from UNB in Fredericton NB I entered the Point of Sale System industry, and working on restaurant POS systems eventually brought me back to my home province, Nova Scotia. Other positions I have held consisted of repairing and servicing draught beer systems, as well as coffee makers and other beverage dispensing machines, before circling back to POS in the spring of 2023.In my spare time I enjoy fixing old computers and building new ones. My position at SONA allows me to keep up with, and stay ahead of business technology. Computers should make our lives easier! Improving payment technology does exactly that, in many settings from stores and restaurants to concert venues. I’m also a huge geek for comic books and superhero movies and I own way more graphic novels than I probably should.
Careers
SONA is growing, and we’re always on the lookout for talented individuals who believe in our core values to join our team.
If you think that you might be a good fit, please send your resume and a cover letter to [email protected]