Andrew Heintzman | President/Co-Founder of Investeco

Andrew Heintzman is the president and a co-founder of InvestEco Capital, one of the first sustainability-focused venture capital firm in Canada. He has a background in private equity and venture capital investing in environmental companies, with a particular focus on the food and agricultural sector. Andrew sits on a number of corporate boards, including Vital Farms, Maple Hill Creamery, 100km Foods and Mama Earth Organics. Andrew is a director of the Tides Canada Foundation (where he is also board chair) and CanadaHelps.org. He is the author of The New Entrepreneurs: Building a Green Economy for the Future, and co-editor of two books, Fueling the Future: How the Battle Over Energy is Changing Everything and Feeding the Future: From Fat to Famine, all published by The House of Anansi Press. Andrew has a BA and an MA from McGill University. 

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Denise Williams | CEO, First Nations Technology Council

At the intersection of Indigenous sovereignty, technological advancement and a rapidly expanding technology and innovation economy, in demand of new ideas and new skills, Denise has the privilege of working with Indigenous peoples, governments, academics, technology futurists and social change makers to map the ecosystem that will result in fair and equitable access to the tools and education required for success in the digital age. Denise leads a theory of change that will not only ensure Indigenous peoples are competitive in BC’s technology and innovation sector, but leading in unprecedented ways and growing local digital economies.

With a passion for contributing and volunteering in initiatives andorganizations that in uence real change and the advancement of truth andreconciliation, Denise proudly serves as the President of the Urban Native Youth Association, member of the Premier’s Technology Council, advisor on innovation to the Governor General of Canada, Vancouver Economic Commission, Minerva Foundation board of directors and on the Simon Fraser University Board of Governors as Alumni-in-Order, where she earned her masters degree in business administration in 2015.

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Leena Evic | President/Founder, Pirurvik Centre

Leena Evic is the founder and vision keeper for Pirurvik Centre and its Executive Director. She works in all areas of Pirurvik’s operations; however, she is most actively involved in shaping and developing the Centre’s programs and productions.

​Born and raised on the land, Leena has pursued life interests emphasizing education, culture, language and wellbeing. She has led a varied career in education as a teacher, college instructor, principal and curriculum developer. Leena has also served as the Director of Social, Cultural and Educational Development for Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated as well as the Director of Policy for the Nunavut Department of Justice. She holds a Bachelor’s in Education from McGill University where she also did her Master’s work on educational leadership and culture-based education.

​Leena has served on various boards at the national, territorial andcommunity levels, including the Municipal Advisory Committee, the Baffin Business Development Centre, the Nunavut Implementation Training Committee, the National Aboriginal Headstart Committee, the Law Commission of Canada, Inuit Circumpolar Language Commission, NWT Language Task Force, Nunavut Planning Commission, and Advisory Board Regarding Children’s Rights for Nuuk Greenland. She is a current member of the National Aboriginal Consultative Committee for Parks Canada.

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Mathieya Alatini | Chief Strategist, SDG Strategies Inc.

Mathieya Alatini (Ma-thee-yah) is an experienced leader with a tireless work ethic and a strong voice. She’s known for vision, trailblazing and a no- nonsense approach to overcoming obstacles to get things done.
Mathieya is from Burwash Landing and has extensive family throughout the Yukon. She was raised traditionally, having lived in both small towns and large cities, giving her the unique understanding necessary to bridge both worlds.

In her previous role as Chief of the Kluane First Nation (2010-2016), Mathieya gained extensive experience standing up for her region and her people. She has also worked with the Federal and Territorial Governments. Mathieya holds a Degree in Commerce from UVic, and like many Yukoners has worked in several different industries throughout her career, ranging from tourism, construction and mining.
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The connection and pride she feels calling beautiful Kluane country home is her motivator to work to help create opportunities for growth for all Yukoners and yet maintain our pristine environment for our children and future generations.

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Stephen Ellis | Program Lead - Northern Canada, MakeWay

Stephen Ellis is the Program Lead, Northern Canada, at MakeWay. Based in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Stephen works with Northern communities and partners to empower northerners, build capacity, and advance solutions to integrated social, cultural, environmental, and economic challenges in the North.

After completing a Masters in Environmental Studies at the University of Waterloo, Stephen and his wife Tracey commenced life together and started a family in Lutsel K’e, a Dene community on the East Arm of Great Slave Lake. During this time he worked primarily with indigenous communities, but also with governments and industry, to tackle tough land and resource challenges.

Stephen is a member of the Environmental Monitoring Advisory Board for the Diavik Diamond Mine and a Director for the Dechinta Institute for Research and Learning. He previously chaired the Akaitcho Screening Board and was a long-standing Director of the Denesoline Corporation and a member of the NWT Protected Areas Strategy Steering Committee. He enjoys being outside in all seasons and spending time with his three boys.

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Tania Larsson | Owner, Tania Larsson Jewellery

Tania Larsson is an entrepreneur and an alumnus of our 2018-2019 Land Crafted Cohort. She designs Gwich'in Fine Jewellery created with land-based materials. She is innovative, driven, and dedicated to her art. Through social media, she promotes her culture, work and her passion for reclaiming Indigenous knowledge. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, with a focus in jewelry and digital arts at the Institute of the American Indian Arts in May 2017. She was the apprentice to renown jeweler Keri Ataumbi during two years. Tania is one of the founding members of Dene Nahjo, an Indigenous innovation collective in Denendeh (Northwest Territories) working to advance social and environmental justice for northern peoples and promote Indigenous leadership. Born and raised in France, she is a Gwich’in and Swedish woman. Her late mother Shirley Firth was born on the trapline in Aklavik, Northwest Territories and went on to become a four-time Olympian who represented Canada in cross-country skiing. At the age of fifteen, Tania moved to Canada with her family to reconnect with her culture and the Gwich’in land. She has consistently sought opportunities to deepen her understanding of history and culture and to apply this learning to her artistic work.