Board of Directors

Steve Williams sits as chairman of the Aboriginal Labour Force Development Circle that provides employment opportunities and training to First Nations in urban centers including the City of Toronto and seven First Nations communities. His leadership of the past 20 years in focusing the organization on job creation and employment has helped hundreds of First Nations people in urban and reserve settings. He also sits as an advisor to the Haudenosaunee land rights negotiating team currently in talks with both the federal and provincial governments over Six Nation land rights along the Grand River in southern Ontario.

Dan Smith is a member of the Campbell River Indian Band of the Laich-Kwil-Tach First Nation. He has an extensive history of working with First Nations, Aboriginal organizations and the federal government. His involvement has included serving as Vice President of the Native Council of Canada, President of the United Native Nations, member of the BC Human Rights Commission, as well as numerous other boards and committees. He has worked in senior positions with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Heritage Canada, and Canada Employment and Immigration. Currently, Mr. Smith is the Chief Negotiator for the Hamatla Treaty Society on Vancouver Island.

Victor Buffalo was the chief of the Samson Cree Nation. He's a recognized leader in the field of business capital and aboriginal financial institutional development, and was instrumental in founding Peace Hills Trust Co. - Canada's first and largest aboriginally-owned national financial institution. It's been running for more than 26 years. Buffalo has led the development of sustainable ventures for the Samson Cree Nation, including Peace Hills Trust, Peace Hills General Insurance, Samson Lake Mall and other commercial enterprises. He holds a diploma in chemical technology from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. In 2005 Buffalo was awarded the Alberta Centennial Medal and in 2006 he was inducted into the Aboriginal Business Hall of Fame by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business.

Brenda Larose is the Founder and Managing Principal for a national executive search and human resources consulting firm. Headquartered in Winnipeg with an office in Ottawa, the firm has established itself as the premier firm of its size in Canada, placing senior executives and board members on a fee-for-service retainer basis. The firm is recognized nationally for placing Aboriginal professionals in search management executive positions. She is a graduate of the University of Winnipeg in human resources management.

Michele Baptiste is a Bear Clan member of the Algonquin First Nation of Pikwa ka - nagan, ontario; her traditional name is Red sunset Woman. she has invested over 20 years devoting herself to community development at grassroots and national levels through her career and volunteer efforts. In 14 years as National manager, Aboriginal Relations at scotiabank she led efforts to expand the bank’s business and community involvement with Aboriginal people/communities and to increase Aboriginal employment at the bank. michele has an educational and business background in marketing and public relations. she was appointed to the First Nations Financial management Board by INAC minister Chuck straul in February of 2009, was President of the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto Board for three years – Director for six years – and serves on the Community Council for Aboriginal legal services of Toronto, Advisory Committees for the National Women in leadership Foundation and the Canadian Aboriginal music Awards since their inception in 1999.

Patrick Madahbee has spent more than 30 years in First Nations politics, and more than 13 years as a chief. He served as spokesman and tribal chair for the Robinson-Huron Treaty Region and the United Chiefs and Councils of Manitoulin. He honed his understanding of economics and business while working on economic development for his band and in his other career as manager of Aboriginal Financial Services with TD Trust. He was elected Grand Chief of the Union of Ontario Indians in June 09.

Vera Styres is the owner of a small business on the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. An honor roll graduate of the Social Service Worker Program at Mohawk College at Hamilton Ontario; she holds a Certificate of Indian Social Work, a Bachelor of Indian Social Work and Bachelor of Indian Studies from the University of Regina, Saskatchewan; Retired Social worker, Social education counselor, registrar, educator and volunteer on numerous community boards and committees.