Dr. Currie is the former Senior Academic and Research Officer for the University of British Columbia Okanagan, in addition to being the Founding Dean of Management. He has also served Thompson Rivers University as Dean, School of Business and Economics. As a consultant, Russell has worked with various First Nations (BC and Alberta), corporations, universities and colleges in the areas of on strategic planning; management education: feasibility analysis; and stakeholder analysis, strategy and engagement. He has served on the Boards of both private and public organizations; is a former member of the UBC Ch’nook Advisory Board and BC Ventures Society Board, and served as Chair for the SIG Tourism for the American Marketing Association. Russell’s research is published in leading business journals, including the Strategic Management Journal, Academy of Management, Learning and Education, Journal of Banking and Finance, Annals of Tourism Research, amongst others. He serves on several editorial boards and is an invited speaker and panelist. Russell resides in Kamloops, BC, with his family.

Lisa has been actively engaged in consulting project management with Indigenous, health, climate-affected, higher education, and professional organizations and communities for the past seven years. Her expertise includes community engagement, project management, strategic planning, Indigenous capacity building, and overload management. These projects have encompassed a wide range of activities, including sourcing and securing start-up and implementation funding (up to ~$3M) and annual operations funding (up to $2.3M) and conducting comprehensive reviews and evaluations. One of Lisa's strengths is crafting project and area budgets, including planned sales volumes and revenues, resource quantities, costs and expenses, assets, liabilities and cash flows. She excels at framing opportunities, using market research and data, and collaborating with multiple stakeholders at all levels to develop strategic plans and lead implementation. Prior to consulting, Lisa worked in the marketing and strategy areas at TELUS, where she forecasted and managed products up to ~$1B, managed market research relationships with firms such as IPSOS, commercialized new products, and led a team responsible for launching multi-product national quarterly cross-channel, multi-media campaigns.

Dr. Fehr’s lived nursing experiences shape her research and consulting practices. She started her career as a Street Nurse in Calgary before moving north and working as an Outpost Community Health Nurse in the Northwest Territories. Florriann has worked in several First Nations communities (Behchokǫ̀, K'asho Got'ine, Délįne Sachs Harbour, and Tuktoyaktuk) as the community nurse, giving her a vast range of nursing experience (maternity health, child health, women’s health, family health, and child sexual abuse). Florriann’s research, consulting and teaching interests developed from over 25 years as a general duty acute care nurse. As an educator, Florriann teaches primarily in the areas of child growth and development, maternity health, community nursing, nurse teaching and learning processes, and relational communications practice. She is a leading national anti-bullying consultant and educator, using Cognitive Rehearsal Training strategies for students in healthcare. As researcher and consultant Florriann is considered an expert in the field of cannabis as it relates to the practice of nursing. Her latest and on-going project started in 2019 is titled: Exploring Nurse Educator Understanding of Medical Cannabis and Educational Practice Needs in Nurse Curriculum. Florriann resides in Kamloops, BC, with her family.

John O’Fee is a member in good standing with the Law Society of BC since 1988. John left private legal practice in 2011 to become CEO of the Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc (Kamloops Indian Band). He is currently an Associate Teaching Professor of Business Law at Thompson Rivers University where he teaches Commercial, Employment and Real Estate Law. As a consultant John brings is skills in negotiation, corporate governance and contract review to bear on real estate development (both on and off reserve lands), corporate transactions and administrative law. In addition to his work, John serves as a director and panel chair for the BC Health Professions Review Board, a member on the Canada Judicial Appointments Committee of BC, an elected school trustee for School District #73 (Kamloops-Thompson), and as a director of the Kamloops Innovation Council. John has been recognized as a distinguished alumni of Thompson Rivers University in 1995, awarded a BC Community Achievement Award in 2011, was designated as King’s Counsel in December 2015, awarded the 2017/2018 Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence from TRU Gaglardi, chosen for 2020/2021 TRU Gaglardi Dean’s Award for Service Excellence and nominated for the 2023 TRU Faculty Excellence Award.

Desiree Louie, hailing from the Dakelh nation in Anahim Lake, BC, possesses a diverse array of experiences and achievements. With a solid academic background that includes a Master of Arts in Indigenous Governance and a Juris Doctor from the University of Victoria, Desiree seamlessly blends scholarly rigour with practical proficiency. Her professional journey spans various capacities, from serving as a Program Manager in Port Angeles, WA, to spearheading human resources initiatives for the Ulkatcho First Nation. Notably, she has showcased exceptional leadership in the non-profit sector, effectively directing the Cedars Rise Non-Profit Society and successfully securing substantial funding for Indigenous health and wellness programs. Beyond her professional commitments, Desiree is deeply engaged in community service, generously dedicating her time to organizations such as the UVic Indigenous Law Students Association and the UNBC Tse’ba Student Society. Her unwavering commitment has garnered her prestigious accolades, including the Keith Jobson Award and the Winona Wood Award for Women in Law. Through her diverse skill set, Desiree remains a stalwart advocate for Indigenous rights, a catalyst for cross-cultural understanding, and a catalyst for positive transformation within her community and beyond.

Jesse is the Director of the Nunavut Arctic College-Memorial University Partnership. Recent work involves the business mapping process to harmonize registrar processes between Nunavut Arctic College and Memorial University. Jesse sits on a number of cross-institutional committees that operate under the express goals of increasing applied research focused on indigenous traditional knowledge, facilitating institutional capacity development, and expanding the suite of post-secondary educational opportunities for Nunavummiut in their home territory. In addition to this work in post-secondary contexts, Jesse has previously worked in various operational and policy roles for Indigenous, municipal, and territorial governments across Canada. Jesse excels in policy creation and application from indigenous perspectives, database management, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, labour market analysis, program evaluation, and practices in organizational development. Jesse received his MBA from Dalhousie University, holds a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from Thompson Rivers University and a Bachelor of Arts, Major in English, from Simon Fraser University. Jesse is a member of the Cheslatta Carrier Nation, whose traditional territory is near Burns Lake, British Columbia.

Jacki is the current Vice-Chair and Board Member for the Canadian Mental Health Association, a Committee Member for Health Standards of Canada and on the Indigenous Leadership Committee for British Columbia Health Justice and the past President and Board Member for the First Nation Health Director Association. Jacki is an accomplished and disciplined professional with specialized experience in Indigenous affairs and health care in both the public and private sectors. Her in-depth understanding of First Nations, federal and provincial health care environments provide valuable perspective and insight into evaluating individual and population mental health needs and recommending holistic services and solutions to address them. As a former Health Director for the Lower Similkameen Indian Band and the Osoyoos Indian Band, Jacki is well versed in areas of critical relevance, including organizational governance, human resource position description drafting and management, and community engagement. Jacki is personally and professionally dedicated to enabling culturally safe health services, programs, and curricula for Indigenous people across British Columbia. She is currently involved in curriculum development and teaching with the FNDA College of Indigenous Health and the Faculty of Medicine Indigenous Health at the University of British Columbia. A member of the Syilx Nation, Jacki resides in Penticton, BC, with her family.

Alireza is a seasoned accounting professional with extensive experience in financial management and tax advisory roles. Currently, he works as a business advisor, conducting audits, preparing financial statements and ensuring compliance with tax regulations. Previously, Alireza was a Controller at a midsize company, managing payroll, accounts payable/receivable, and statutory reporting. His background includes accounting roles in the forestry and hospitality industries, where he honed his skills in bank reconciliations, vendor payments, and financial reporting. From 2010 to 2019, Alireza worked at Axoun Accounting Firm, where he oversaw the preparation of financial statements, led budget development, and ensured compliance with financial regulations. He also managed the accounting team and provided accurate financial reports to stakeholders. Alireza holds an MSc in from Amir Kabir University of Technology and a Business Skill Certificate in Accounting from Thompson Rivers University. He is proficient in QuickBooks, SAGE 50/300, SAGE X3 (ERP)/Intacct, SAP, and has earned certifications in business valuation and financial analysis. His strengths include problem-solving, time management, and attention to detail, making him a valuable asset in any financial team. Ali resides in Kamloops, BC, with his family.

Dina Aloi brings over 20 years of experience in developing and managing specialized, multi-stakeholder programs for diverse organizations, from humanitarian aid agencies to mining companies (e.g. Project Coordinator at Doctors Without Borders and VP of Corporate Social Responsibility at Goldcorp Inc.). She has held leadership roles in projects throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, parts of Africa, Europe, and Canada. As a project manager, Dina is skilled at leading teams to achieve all project goals while working within the project’s constraints and resources. She understands key jurisdictional commitments to human rights, including TRC and UNDRIP. And she is adept at steering separate skill sets toward a common purpose. Her global project management expertise integrates varied proficiencies, from systems thinking to cultural humility. A strategic thinker and collaborative problem solver, Dina has earned a B.A. from Cornell University and an M.A. from York University. Currently, Dina is based in BC, where she spends time with her family at Sun Peaks and Vancouver.

Maggie Fung is a seasoned IT executive with 28 years’ experience in the BC Higher Education sector. Maggie is passionate about technology’s strategic role in enabling the 21st century universities to deliver on their strategic goals and to support student success. She developed her deep knowledge and appreciation for higher education through her long tenure at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, growing the IT department from a tactical unit to a strategic partner. Maggie recently retired from her position as Associate VP Digital Strategies & Chief Information Officer at Thompson Rivers University, having developed the institutes’ digital strategy, laying the foundation for the university’s digital transformation. Maggie is a highly effective technology executive who consistently delivers on strategic and operational goals. She is a progressive leader with a growth mindset whose approach can best be described by the words “People, Partnerships, Possibilities”: empower and develop People, engage and collaborate through Partnerships, innovate and thrive by being open to Possibilities. Maggie has a BSc from the University of Alberta and an MBA from York University. She lives with her family and works out of Merritt, B.C..

Dr. Haverila has worked as a consultant and professor on three continents, learning to interact, respect and appreciate a divergent array of cultures. He has significant teaching experience in management and leadership training seminars both in traditional as well as in an eLearning environment. In his consulting engagements, he performed market analysis, feasibility studies, marketing strategy consulting, SWOT and competitive analysis, and target market awareness studies in the North America for technology companies. These efforts lead to the formation of strategic partnerships with technology companies to take advantage of market opportunities. As a result of these alliances, new product strategies were developed for the firms operating in information technology and communication industries. These efforts were later developed into unified branding and communications strategies. Through his university experience and educational background, Matti has developed a sound understanding of innovative educational tools, including mind-maps, learning portfolios, learning diaries, wikis, simulations, course management systems and e-learning platforms (Moodle, Blackboard, etc.). He is sought out for his knowledge in the assurance of learning practices, implementation of closing the loop activities, and direct and indirect assessment (e.g., student satisfaction surveys) in higher education. Matti resides in Kamloops, BC, with his family.

Dr. Robert Campbell has a background in Educational Technology and Instructional Systems Design. Robert was the Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia Okanagan. Robert has worked in the software sector as an instructional designer, software developer, and art director. He has consulted on several innovative educational research projects. Currently, he is an associate professor in UBC’s Okanagan School of Education, where he teaches courses in educational technology, media arts, and Instructional design. His main research areas focus on creative coding, robotics, and STEM and STEAM education. He is a proponent of innovative technology-enhanced learning environments that support collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking.

Dr. Laura Lamb is a professor in the Department of Economics at Thompson Rivers University. She has over 20 publications in refereed journals and book chapters mainly in the areas of community economic development, financial exclusion, Indigenous economics, non-profits and applied microeconomics. Laura currently serves as the Academic Program Coordinator for the Master’s programs in Environmental Economics and Management. She has presented her research at over 20 international conferences and supervised over 20 students in the School of Business and Economics’ graduate programs. Laura teaches such courses as sustainable community economic development, principles of microeconomics, intermediate macroeconomics, and local economic development. She is active in the community with roles such a Chair of the board of directors for Community Futures Thompson Country.

Gurupdesh has a background in financial management. He has helped organizations assess and mitigate their risk exposures, evaluate economic impact, value opportunities, reorganize their structure and processes to achieve superior performance, and enhance their innovation potential. He has nine years of administrative experience as Dean and Senior Associate Dean responsible for strategic planning, faculty administration, recruitment and development, accreditation and new program development and over ten years of professional and consulting experience with high profile organizations including Sunlife Insurance Company, Statistics Canada, IMF, World Bank, Arthur Andersen, Deloitte and FinancialCad. Gurupdesh’s research is published in leading business journals, including Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice; Journal of Banking & Finance; Journal of Derivatives; Journal of Economic Theory; International Review of Economics & Finance; Real Estate Economics; Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal; Strategic Management Journal; and Quantitative Finance. Dr. Pandher has received SSHRC (Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council) research grants, and his work has been covered by the Globe & Mail and Business New Daily.

Kelly brings over 20 years in human resource management, health, safety and environmental studies as well as program management and organizational change. Her career has provided her with opportunities to apply expertise in the areas of employee relations, risk management, and environmental insight across a broad spectrum of employment sectors. Possessing diverse leadership in both human resources and health, safety and environment, combined with formal education in behavioral sciences, Kelly provides an in-depth insight into company impacts and potential employer risks; as importantly, provides both the experience and knowledge needed to design and manage mitigation measures to concurrently improve management systems and individual implementation strategies while lowering the overall corporate risk potentials.

Peter's consulting and research interest includes the economics of climate change, environmental and ecological economics, environmental education, public policy and public finance. He has recently been researching and publishing on the COVID-19 pandemic, public health impacts, and policy formation. His work has informed local, national and international organizations and governments. Dr. Tsigaris has been recognized with numerous awards for his research, teaching, and service to the community and has been nominated twice with the prestigious 3M teaching award. Peter is actively involved with TRU's Sustainability Office, the joint Senate, and the Board Environmental Sustainability Committee. Dr. Tsigaris also led the development of two Masters' programs in Environmental Economics and Management and developed a minor in Environmental Economics and Sustainable Development across all faculties and schools at Thompson Rivers University. Peter is an active researcher who has published over 55 research papers in peer-reviewed journals.

Denis is a seasoned human resources executive with an accomplished career spanning over 30 years of professional experience in post-secondary education and the public sector, both in Canada and internationally. Denis has headed the HR function at many institutions, holding primary responsibility for the planning, development, and delivery of comprehensive human resource services to large, diverse, and dispersed employee populations. He brings a singular command of all the core requirements of people management at complex organizations—from policy to strategy, recruitment to retention, equity, diversity & inclusion (EDI) to collective bargaining. Recently, as Associate Vice-President, Human Resources at Thompson Rivers University in British Columbia, Denis directed the university’s human resources, health, safety, and emergency planning departments. He was also routinely engaged as HR counsel by TRU’s president and vice-presidents. Denis’s proficiency in higher education HR is second to none and encompasses not only his tenure at TRU but also long-term senior roles at Camosun College in British Columbia, the Higher Colleges of Technology in the United Arab Emirates, and the University of Regina in Saskatchewan. He has led or served on human resource committees focusing on Pensions and Benefits, Disability Management, Collective Bargaining, Job Evaluation, and Employment Equity, and chaired multiple search committees.

Todd is a seasoned finance, accounting, and banking professional with over 30 years of experience. He has demonstrated his expertise through various roles, including as a serial entrepreneur, owning and leading five companies. Additionally, Todd has served as a finance advisor for over 700 companies and not-for-profit organizations, catering to entities across the spectrum from startups to publicly traded firms. Todd has an HBComm, and his credentials as a Chartered Professional Accountant and Certified Management Accountant underscore his commitment to accuracy and robust financial reporting. Todd's passion lies in facilitating better organizational decisions through the implementation of sound systems and reporting mechanisms. He believes that superior decision-making processes contribute to the overall strength and success of organizations, enabling them to achieve their goals efficiently and effectively.

Saba is a solution-driven professional with an MBA from Thompson Rivers University. Her expertise lies in data analysis and visualization, business development, client relations, and project management. Demonstrating these skills in her role as Director of Operations and Business Development Manager at rbtj Financial Management Ltd., she led a team, optimized processes, and enhanced client retention and lead generation. Her project management experience includes successfully planning, executing, and closing projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within scope, and budget. She possesses strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills. Her career is marked by a commitment to improving decision-making accuracy and operational efficiency, supported by a robust educational and professional background that underscores her dedication to continuous learning. She currently resides in Greater Vancouver.