Mr. Ariganello is currently the President and CEO of the Chartered Professionals of Human Resources (CPHR) of BC, and the Yukon, and CPHR Canada. Prior to this, he held roles as President and Chief Executive Officer of CGA (Certified General Accountant’s) Canada. Mr. Ariganello was a key leader in the merger of the 3 accounting bodies into CPA. Prior to CGA Canada, Mr. Ariganello was also the President of Avon Canada, the world’s largest direct seller.

An Order of Canada recipient, and holding the ICD director designation, Mr. Ariganello serves as Chair of the Board of Re:Sound, a Canadian music licensing company, that obtains fair compensation for artists and record labels. He is also a board director of Spinal Cord Injury B.C., and is also an audit, and governance committee member. Mr. Ariganello also sits on the World Federation of People Management Association as President, and has served as Chair of the Audit Council for Local Government supporting the Auditor General for Local Government for the province of B.C. In addition, Mr. Ariganello completed his term on the board of the BC Real Estate Association as a director and member of the audit committee.

While at Avon, Mr. Ariganello was chair of the Direct Sellers Association of Canada and a member of the board of the Canadian Cosmetic Toiletries and Fragrance Association, and Nonprescription Drug Manufacturers Association of Canada. Additionally, he served on Canada’s National Council of Financial Executives. He also sat on the advisory panel to the Comptroller General of Canada.

Mr. Ariganello has significant experience in people management having led large organizations, like Avon (+ 1000 personnel), with full operations responsibility, pursuing re-structuring plans, mergers, and ensuring the human capital aspect of all these exercises was always front and center, a priority.

Mr. Ariganello also consults on good governance practices, particularly with not-for-profit boards, and on a wide array of operational issues.
Mr. Ariganello is a graduate of McGill University and holds the following designations: Fellow CPA (Canada), Fellow CGA, Fellow CCA (UK), CPA (Delaware), FCPHR, SHRM (SCP) and ICD.D.

François Bastien’s story begins in Wendake. As a Huron-Wendat, he has worked in both French and English with various Indigenous organizations such as the First Nations Educational Council (FNEC) in Wendake, Kiuna College in the Abénaki community of Odanak and briefly with Maskwacis Cultural College within the Four Nations of Maskwacis. While working with these communities, he observed various incongruities between Indigenous ways of organizing and contemporary colonial models. Throughout his PhD at HEC Montréal, his limited term appointment (LTA) at the John Molson School of Business, his work as an assistant professor at the University of Alberta (Augustana Campus) and now as an assistant professor at the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business, he has noticed a shared struggle to decolonize and Indigenize. His research work focuses on Indigenous knowledges, Indigenous management, Indigenous organizing and indigenization. He currently sits on the editorial review board for the Academy of Management Learning & Education.

Bob Chartier lives and works in Calgary, Alberta, retiring from forty-five years of public service in 2014. He is a Canadian pioneer in learning organizations, citizen and employee engagement and what he calls “Sideways Leadership,” a front-line alternative to classic “vertical leadership.”  

His “practice-based” leadership is an entrepreneurial, voluntary self-directed “practice” set on the desk corner, suggesting the real job of leaders is to create more leaders and leadership lives in both file rooms and boardrooms. His executive leadership instruction at Royal Roads University was well received and his practice was recognized with the Head of The Public Service Award in 2000.  

Recent citizen engagement projects include creating a vibrant music district in Calgary (music mile.ca), putting elders on stage (Elder Song) and teaching diverse citizens ukulele on the streets.

He speaks, teaches, writes and facilitates from a practical tools-based approach. His book, Handcrafted Leadership, has over two dozen tools to challenge us beyond checkmarks. He likes to inject the work with humor, tools and storytelling.

Kris is a Red River Métis citizen who serves as Senior Specialist - Project Coordinator for the CBC/Radio-Canada National Indigenous Strategy. Kris is a longtime radio broadcaster, communicator, manager and mentor who has worked with media and non-profit organizations from Vancouver to Montreal and many points in between. Prior to joining CBC, she served as Manager of Communications and Community Relations with End Homelessness Winnipeg, an Indigenous non-profit organization working across sectors toward a vision for a community where everyone has a home. She is currently completing a Masters of Business Administration through the University of Alberta.

Jennifer Cooper-Stephenson is the Senior Manager of Employee Relations at BC Hydro. She is responsible for negotiating BC Hydro’s two collective agreements with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 258 and MoveUP, Local 378 and leading a team of labour relations professionals who provide advice and support to BC Hydro’s operations and Human Resources teams. In addition to her legal background, Jennifer has over 20 years of experience in labour relations having spent most of her career in public sector labour relations in B.C.

Jennifer’s strengths lie in building relationships with business leaders and union representatives. She excels at understanding complex issues and takes a broader strategic view to identify solutions that align with long-term business objectives. Notably, she is a strong advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in her work, emphasizing the importance of a cohesive employee relations team that provides timely and consistent labour relations advice.

As a people leader, she combines openness and honesty in her communication, collaborating effectively to solve problems and achieve agreements that benefit all stakeholders.

Beyond her professional role, Jennifer is dynamically involved in her community. She has served as the Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors for the Society of Richmond Children’s Centre and as a Co-Chair of the Parents Advisory Council at Lord Selkirk Elementary. Currently, she is a member of the Executive Committee of the Conference Board of Canada’s Council of Labour Relations Executives. Outside of work, Jennifer is a dedicated parent, actively involved in her children’s education as they attend French immersion high school.

Dr. Glanfield is a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. In her role as Vice-Provost (Indigenous

Programming and Research), Dr. Glanfield led the development, consultation, and approval of

the Indigenous Strategic Plan in support of the objectives articulated in For the Public Good,

build and nurture positive relationships with Indigenous communities, support the work of

Faculties and Departments to Indigenize curricula across programs, and foster a supportive

environment for Indigenous faculty, students, and staff.

Dr. Glanfield comes to the Vice-Provost position from her previous role as Professor and Chair

of the Department of Secondary Education in the Faculty of Education, where her primary areas

of scholarship include mathematics teacher education, Aboriginal curriculum perspectives, and

relational research methodologies. She is an Affiliated Faculty member with the Centre for

Research for Teacher Education and Development.

Victoria LaBillois a distinguished Mi’gmaq entrepreneur from Listuguj, Quebec, recently earned the prestigious 2024 Indspire Award in the Business and Commerce category. She is the proud owner of Wejipeg Excavation Inc. and shares ownership of Wejuseg Construction Inc.

With a rich background in public service, Victoria has dedicated her efforts to both the First Nation and federal sectors, contributing at the Band, regional, and national levels. Currently serving as the Vice-Chair of the National Indigenous Economic Development Board (NIEDB), Victoria plays a pivotal role in shaping economic policy.

Victoria is a highly educated professional, holding a BA in political science and an MBA from the University of New Brunswick. Additionally, she possesses a contractor’s license from Régie du bâtiment du Québec.

From 2020 to 2022, Victoria actively participated in developing the National Indigenous Economic Strategy as a representative of the NIEDB. She also co-chaired a national Steering Committee alongside the Canadian Construction Association.

Beyond her professional achievements, Victoria is deeply committed to mentoring and serving as a role model. Actively involved in leadership and capacity development programs, she imparts valuable financial literacy skills to Indigenous youth, contributing to their overall empowerment and success.

Dana Martin is Vice President, Indigenous Financial Services at Scotiabank. In Dana’s role, Dana provides oversight on banking and wealth solutions to Indigenous nations and businesses with the intent of positively impacting future generations. Dana joined Scotiabank over 19 years ago, gaining experience throughout Western Canada while taking on progressively senior leadership roles within Retail Banking. Previously, Dana held the role of District Vice President of Burnaby & North Shore District in the BC & Yukon Region, where she managed a team of over 200 people. Dana maintains a strong community focus. Apart from her many professional accomplishments, Dana is currently the Vice Chair of the Burnaby Board of Trade.

Morgan McDonald is Director of Corporate Sustainability with Ledcor, one of Canada’s most diversified construction companies. He is also Chair of Ledcor’s Global Innovation Committee. In previous roles, Morgan led programs related to high performance buildings and deep energy retrofits. He has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Queen’s University and a background in renewable energy, carbon finance, and sustainability education.

Morgan is an active community member and currently serves on the Board of Directors for QUEST Canada, which focuses on the energy transition at the community scale, and as Board Chair for Affine Climate Solutions, which focuses on climate resilience and climate finance for the built environment. He lives in Vancouver, B.C.

Cory McDougall (he/him) is a Métis person originally from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. After completing a degree in Finance at the University of Saskatchewan, Cory began his career at an Indigenous Financial Institution in 1996 as a Business Development Officer.  This led to further opportunities as a franchise restaurant owner and a business planner.  

In 2008, Cory shifted his focus to Métis education, employment and training as the Director of Finance for Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI). During his time at GDI, Cory was part of a team that significantly grew the organization through partnerships with several federal and provincial departments including Employment and Social Development Canada, Service Canada, and Indigenous Services Canada. These programs and services impacted more than 3,000 Indigenous students per year making the transition to the workforce through basic education, vocational skill trades, university, entrepreneurship and apprenticeship.

Cory currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer for the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA), a network of more than 50 Indigenous financial institutions across Canada.  His volunteer board work has included lengthy terms with the Anskohk Aboriginal Writers’ Circle and the Saskatoon Friendship Inn.

Morgan is an active community member and currently serves on the Board of Directors for QUEST Canada, which focuses on the energy transition at the community scale, and as Board Chair for Affine Climate Solutions, which focuses on climate resilience and climate finance for the built environment. He lives in Vancouver, B.C.

Michael is a PhD student at the University of Glasgow, the Indigenous Advisor at the Ted Rogers School of Management and Assistant Professor in the Entrepreneurship & Strategy Department at Toronto Metropolitan University. As a researcher and educator, Michael strives to help people make better decisions. His research combines principles from psychology and economics to gain insight into the present state of Indigenous engagement in research careers and deepen our understanding of non-financial factors influencing the decisions of Inuit, Métis and First Nations students to pursue post-secondary education.

In his current role as Indigenous Advisor, Michael is tasked with helping make post-secondary education accessible and desirable for Indigenous students and is actively involved in overseeing and supporting reconciliation priorities across campus. Michael is also deeply committed to making education accessible to underserved and often neglected segments of the population. For over a decade, he has been working to afford student inmates access to courses by breaking down barriers to education and finding creative solutions to institutional concerns.

Award-Winning Entrepreneur, Author, and Indigenous Speaker 

An award-winning entrepreneur and author, Kendal Netmaker is a master storyteller who uses his natural gift to help people shift their mindset and find the success they seek. He speaks professionally to thousands of people worldwide on resilience, leadership, and the power of telling your story, weaving his real-life experiences into motivating lessons that empower and build more resilient leaders and organizations. 

From Sweetgrass First Nation, Netmaker and his siblings were raised by their single mother. Life wasn’t easy growing up on the reserve surrounded by poverty and few opportunities, but one moment changed his life forever. In grade five, he and his best friend shared a love of sports, but his family couldn’t afford extracurricular activities. So, his friend’s family stepped in. They paid the fees and drove him to his games and practices. It wasn’t until he was older that Netmaker understood exactly what this family did for him, and how different his life would have been without them. It’s this that has motivated him throughout his life and drives him still to this day. 

Today, Netmaker is a leading entrepreneur whose passion to succeed is contagious. He is the founder of Neechie Gear, a lifestyle apparel brand that gives back a percentage of their profits to help underprivileged youth take part in sports. Netmaker has won over 25 business awards, including being named one of Canada’s “Top 40 Under 40” and being runner-up at the YBI Global Entrepreneur of the Year. He is also the author of Driven to Succeed: From Poverty to Podium.

Candice Pete-Cardoso is a nêhiyaw-iskwêw (Cree woman) from wâskicôsihk (Little Pine First Nation) within nikotwâsik-tipahamâtowin (Treaty 6) Territory. She is a proud mother of 2 and grandmother of 5. Her life's trajectory reflects the transformative power of education, community engagement, and a profound connection to her nêhiyaw heritage.

Candice's academic pursuits laid a solid foundation for her impactful career. She is an alumnus of USask and holds a Master of Public Administration, Bachelor of Commerce, and a Certificate in Indigenous Business Administration. She has over 25 years of experience working with federal, provincial, and Indigenous governments. 

Candice's early career unfolded with Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada. Here, she gained experience in the areas of human resources, economic development, and fiscal management. Her work related to the management of funding agreements between the federal government and Indigenous governments deepened her understanding of the challenges faced by Indigenous communities.

Her expertise in these areas led her to the University of Saskatchewan where she worked as the Director of the Indigenous Peoples Resource Management/Coordinator of Aboriginal Programs for over 10 years. During her time at the University, over two hundred students successfully graduated with a certificate specializing in Indigenous lands and resource management. Candice ensured that the program met the needs of Indigenous communities by incorporating Indigenous content and worldviews into curriculum.

Driven by her belief that life should be a continuous learning journey, Candice explored new horizons. She accepted the role of Executive Director, Northern Engagement Branch, Ministry of Government Relations within the Government of Saskatchewan. This experience broadened her perspective and reinforced her passion for making a meaningful difference. Her passion for working with and for Indigenous communities brought her back to the University of Saskatchewan.

Candice returned to USask, where she supported the Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement in operationalizing the office's mandate. Her strategic acumen, and strong belief in ensuring that Indigenous peoples and communities are included in meaningful and respectful ways, contributed to the engagement approach for the development of the Indigenous Strategy at USask, as well as the development of the newly launched kihci-okâwîmâw askiy Knowledge Centre where she now serves as Director. 

Anne-Marie Pham, MPA (She, her)

Anne-Marie Pham has worked with diverse communities and workplaces for over 25 years. She has a deep understanding of issues and opportunities related to diversity and inclusion, and specializes in mobilizing, educating and sharing the latest research and promising practices on equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Anne-Marie brings a unique set of skills and perspectives having worked as a diversity and inclusion lead for Spectra Energy and the City of Calgary, and as a trainer and facilitator for Human Resources and Skills Development Canada. She has provided dynamic presentations, training and consulting services to clients from a wide range of industries in the business, public and non-profit sectors.

Anne-Marie has a master’s degree in public administration (MPA), a BA in Sociology and a senior HR Professional certification with the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM). She is also a certified administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory (Tool).

Anne-Marie is a wife and mother of two, as well as an avid community leader, supporting civic participation, mentoring and leadership development especially among immigrants, racialized minorities, women and youth. In 2013, she received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee award for her community service. Anne-Marie is a member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF), a Crown Corporation dedicated to working towards the elimination of racism and all forms of racial discrimination. She was a member of the City of Calgary's Anti-Racism Action Committee from October 2020 to October 2023.

Shaun Soonias is a member of Red Pheasant Cree Nation, a signatory of Treaty 6 located south of Battleford, Saskatchewan. As Director of Indigenous Relations at Farm Credit Canada (FCC), his focus is on activities that will enable economic development for Indigenous communities, including increasing participation in and access to capital for primary production through the agri-food and agribusiness value chains. Shaun also builds intersections for growth, understanding, learning, employment, partnership, research and knowledge dissemination between government, industry, non-profits, academia and Indigenous stakeholders through FCC’s national network of partners and industry stakeholders.

Shaun joined FCC in 2019, eager to be part of the agriculture industry and work with Indigenous individuals, communities and economic development corporations as they build and revitalize their agriculture projects. He has over 30 years of experience in social and economic development work and held senior positions with the Saskatchewan Indigenous Economic Development Network, Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, Saskatchewan Advocate for Children and Youth, the University of Saskatchewan and the Department of Justice.

Sandra Sutter is the Aboriginal Partnerships Manager for PTW Energy Services and serves on several Indigenous economic development and employment and training focused boards and committees across Canada including the National Indigenous Economic Development Board, the Canadian Forces Liaison Council, and Careers – Take On the Future.

Sandra enjoys a concurrent career as an independent self-managed award-winning recording artist and filmmaker with a focus on Truth and Reconciliation and more than 40 Industry nominations in the last five years.

Raised in a loving non-Indigenous family, Sandra affirmed and embraced her ancestral and cultural roots later in life when she reconnected with her birth family. Her heritage influences her every step through life and she has grown into an active and passionate advocate for Indigenous culture and rights. Her life journey in both the non-Indigenous and Indigenous worlds has given her a unique perspective and opportunity to bring people together on the path towards reconciliation. Making her home in Calgary, Alberta, Canada Sandra travels across Turtle Island for performances, speaking engagements and educational opportunities to further her work in business and the arts.

In 2019, Sandra was honoured as one of the WXN Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada for making a distinct and describable difference to the advancement of women in the Canadian workplace as a role model and change agent, impacting other women locally, regionally, nationally and internationally and through community service.

Alyssa Wapanatahk is a nehiyaw-iskwew(cree woman) from Bigstone Cree First Nation, in Treaty 8 Territory. Born in Fort McMurray and raised in Conklin Alberta, Canada. The actress/film-maker/public speaker/activist prides herself in using the natural law and practices of cree-based understanding. As a mother, daughter, and aunty ; Alyssa’s biggest goal in life is to nurture and cultivate wellness in those around her, to enrich the mind, body and spirit. A few of Alyssa’s recent projects are Disney’s Peter Pan & Wendy (2023) where Alyssa played the iconic role of “Tiger Lily”. Bones Of Crows (2023) where Alyssa played “Perserverance”. And she can be seen on CW’s Riverdale where she played “Lizzo”. When Alyssa is not seen working on set, you will find her serving the community in any way she can.