Regional Manager, Client Diversity, BDC

For over 30 years, BDC has supported Indigenous business owners and is dedicated to helping them thrive on their business journey. We offer Indigenous Entrepreneur Loan with financing up to $350,000; co-created the $150M Indigenous Growth Fund with the National Aboriginal Capital Corporation Association and collaborate with partners to support the Indigenous business community through networking, mentoring, events, and by providing other free resources. We are committed to listening, learning and taking action towards Reconciliation – we recognizes there is more to be done.

Appears on Episode(s): 1

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Cheif Supply Officer, Ontario Power Generation

Karen Fritz is the Chief Supply Officer at Ontario Power Generation, leading a team responsible for procurement across the company, including plant operations, projects, and corporate services. She is a director on the PowerON board, an OPG subsidiary, and a member of the Finance and Audit Committee at the Ontario Institute of Supply Chain Canada. Karen is passionate about mentorship and leadership development, and is focused oniincreasing Indigenous procurement and diversity in OPG’s supply chain and creating a future of clean energy.

Appears on Episode(s): 2

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Foudning Partner & Director, DGW Law

John Gailus is a member of the Haida Nation, Cumshewa Clan and founding partner at DGW Law. He is passionate about law reform for Indigenous peoples and focuses on consultation, economic development, Aboriginal and Treaty rights litigation and Indian Act issues.

Appears on Episode(s): 3

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President & CEO, Driving Force

Ayman Ammoura is President and CEO of The Driving Force Group of Companies – a leader in transportation solutions in Canada and the United States since 1978. Ammoura brings more than 20 years of experience in the automotive industry.

Appears on Episode(s): 4

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CEO, Aboriginal Capacity Builders Ltd

Geoff has been working globally as a facilitator, business advisor and strategic planner for over 30 years He is the consummate networker, always looking to connect people and ideas, and his enthusiasm for creating equitable business partnerships between Indigenous and private sector business groups rubs off on everyone who meets him. Geoff partnered with the Ecora Group in 2016 to create Aboriginal Capacity Builders Inc. a company dedicated to increasing both human and business capacity in Aboriginal communities.

Appears on Episode(s): 5

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Founder & LEO, Mastercard

Teara is a proud Métis entrepreneur and the first Indigenous woman in Canada to start her own airline, Iskwew (iss-kway-yo) Air. She chose the Cree word for woman, Iskwew as act of reclamation…a reclamation of womanhood in a very male-dominated industry, reclamation of matriarchal leadership and reclamation of language. She’s well know for her message that ‘creating conditions for Indigenous entrepreneurs to thrive is the single most natural, fast and effective pathway to economic reconciliation in our country’ and soon she’ll be known for being featured in DC comics as a Wonder Women of History!

Appears on Episode(s): 6

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VP Alberta North & NWT, Scotiabank

Tanja Perry is Vice President for Northern Alberta & NWT District, with over 30 years experience in Financial services and Business development with Scotiabank. She currently resides in Fort McMurray, Alberta and loves living in remote Northern communities for their unique outdoor experiences, professional challenges and life long relationships created!

Appears on Episode(s): 7

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CEO, Vancity

Christine Bergeron is the CEO of Vancity, Canada’s largest credit union and its subsidiary investment bank, VCIB. Christine brings an impact lens to Bears’ Lair knowing that businesses can have a real and lasting positive effect on communities and the environment.

Appears on Episode(s): 8

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Foudner & CEO, Indignomics Institute

Carol Anne is an internationally recognized speaker, author and business leader from the Hesquiaht Nation on Vancouver Island. As the Founder and CEO of the Indigenomics Institute, Carol Anne is driving the narrative of a 100 billion dollar Indigenous economic target.

Appears on Episode(s): 9

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Vice Chair, NACCA

Lucy Pelletier is a Cowessess First Nation member. She has extensive experience and knowledge in First Nation governance, strategic planning and human resources. In her career spanning over 35 years, Lucy has held various management and executive positions at First Nation organizations, government and non-government organizations. She has contributed significantly to the growth of these organizations including Cowessess First Nation. Lucy Pelletier is the current Chair of the Board at Saskatchewan Indian Equity Foundation, Vice Chair of the National Aboriginal Capital Corporation Association (NACCA), Corporate Director of First Nations Bank of Canada and former Vice Chair of Innovation Place Saskatchewan.

Appears on Episode(s): 9

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President, Securiguard

Robin is a passionate entrepreneur who believes that leading from the front and leading by example are the building blocks of a great corporate culture. Robin receives his greatest fulfillment from helping others achieve their potential. Whether it is his work family, his three sons or fellow entrepreneurs, Robin strives to give back and lend a helping hand as he appreciates that his own business success is the result of people helping him along the way.

Appears on Episode(s): 9

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Director, Ohkwari

Landon Miller is a Mohawk from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory Turtle Clan. Landon’s business expertise ranges from managing a national lacrosse team to opening Canada’s first Tim Horton’s on First Nations land and now co-founder of Ohkwa:ri (Oh-gwal-lee) Health Group, whose mission is to improve healthcare services for Indigenous communities across Canada.

Appears on Episode(s): 9

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Senior Program Manager, Partnerships & Diversiryr & Belongings, Shopify

Crystal Hunt is a Senior Program Manager on the Diversity and Belonging team at Shopify who brings a wealth of experience as an entrepreneur, and has served Indigenous communities across Ontario, Canada for more than a decade. Crystal is committed to reducing the barriers to entry into entrepreneurship for current and aspiring Indigenous entrepreneurs, and believes in the power of commerce and entrepreneurship to achieve independence.

Appears on Episode(s): 9

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