About

Sxwpilemaát Siyám, also known as Chief Leanne Joe, of the Squamish Nation, is one of sixteen Hereditary Chiefs of the Squamish Nation and the first female Chief of her Lackett Joe Family. She shares her traditional name with her late father, Sxwpilem Siyám, Chief Philip Joe. Sxwpilemaát Siyám is also a descendent of the Kwakwaka’wakw speaking people and carries the traditional name of Q-Gee-Sea Loud and the Thomas family of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. Sxwpilemaát Siyám was born and raised on the beautiful shores of North Vancouver while having close relations to her roots on the east coast shores of Vancouver Island. Her family lives in her husband’s ancestral territory of the Sylix and Nlaka’pam speaking people, aka Merritt, BC. Sxwpilemaát Siyám holds space in many organizations, focusing her work on Economic Reconciliation, rematrician and education. She currently serves as a Trustee for the Squamish Nation Trust, Board member of the New Relationship Trust and the Women in Leadership Foundation and advisory to other committees. Her educational background includes a B.A. in Business, CED Certificate, and other related training and experience.

Her greatest role is being a mom. Her son is paying witness to the legacy work she embodies every day.

Wayne is a proud Ojibway from Wikwemikong, Ontario, a father of three, and grandfather of two. His life journey has been one of prioritizing social and economic enterprises. As a seasoned entrepreneur, his experience spans various sectors including technology, banking, clothing, beverage, and sports industries. His legacy of community enrichment has significantly and positively impacted Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities globally, including incubating new Aboriginal businesses, creating opportunities for youth, leadership development through sports, and being a strong advocate of embracing First Nation language as a tool for cultural memory and learning. For Wayne, his passion for progressive community and industry development is values-based. It combines the collaborative spirit of moving forward with developing strong partnerships with local governments, non-profit business support organizations, and industry associations. His openness to share his experiences and learnings has led him to include being a published author and a seasoned internal speaker to his list of accomplishments. He has recently completed his MBA at Thompson Rivers University/Nicola Valley Institute of Technology in British Columbia. The achievements of Wayne’s career journey to date are vast, long-lasting, and legacy-enriching. It is these accomplishments and his strategic vision that have led to him being sought after for senior leadership roles in organizations. Wayne is currently on the Board of Directors at ETSI-BC, the former Chair and Advisory Council member for the Centre of Training Excellence in Mining, and the former President of the Board of Directors at Conayt Native Friendship Centre. He has also been President of the Longlac Chamber of Commerce; an instructor, coach, and mentor for several youth hockey programs, and extensively active in the hockey and lacrosse associations in Ontario and British Columbia. He has founded several companies and is currently developing a social-impact company

Jessica Keeshig-Martin (she/her), Biidaabinokwe, is Anishnaabe, Wolf Clan and a member of the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation. Jessica is a Councillor for the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in sociology and Indigenous studies, Jessica began a deepened engagement with Indigenous communities through her work for the Chiefs of Ontario in the Justice Department. She went on to work for her home Nation as Nuclear File Coordinator and Education, Language and Culture Coordinator as well as for the Independent First Nations as Education Coordinator.

Upon realizing the significant personal impact of her educational journey and experience with Indigenous issues, Jessica decided to go on to do graduate work in education. She is now a PhD student at York University; her doctoral research will explore Anishnaabe philosophies as part of the movement to revitalize earth caretaking systems.

Jessica has served two terms on the Chippewas of Nawash Board of Education as Trustee and Chairperson.

Shannon has over 20 years of experience in responsible investment, cooperative development and sustainability with experience working in Canada, South Africa and Latin America. Shannon has helped build SHARE’s investor network to include foundations, Indigenous trusts, universities, pension funds and faith-based investors with over $90 billion in assets under management.

Shannon advises asset owner boards in their implementation of responsible investment policies and practices and oversees strategic projects for SHARE. She on the board of the First Peoples’ Cultural Foundation and the proxy voting service provider GIR.

She has a Master of Arts degree in International Affairs from the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Simon Fraser University.

Joseph is Anishinaabe (Ojibway) from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, and has over 15 years of experience working with Indigenous communities and organizations across Canada and internationally, including the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), the British Columbia Ministry of Energy and Mines, the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC), the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB), and the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCNI). Joseph has also advised municipal, provincial, federal, and foreign governments on stakeholder relations, and economic development strategies.

Joseph has a Bachelor of Social Science in Political Science and Aboriginal Studies from the University of Toronto, and a Master of Art in Political Science from Western University (M.A., Political Science).

Molly joined the Reconciliation and Responsible Investment Initiative as a Program Officer in July 2023.

Prior to joining RRII, Molly held several positions within social enterprises, non-profits, and political advocacy organizations. Her experience includes interning for Amnesty International Canada and managing the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP)’s Indigenous Innovation and social innovation project, Wìdjìwàgan: Tools for Social Innovation.

Molly holds a Master’s in Development Practice (MDP) – Indigenous Development from the University of Winnipeg, a Graduate Diploma in Social Organization Development from Saint-Paul University, and a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Political Science and Women’s and Gender Studies from Carleton University.