The Nuxalk Development Corporation (NDC) has a newly appointed Board of Directors, including three members of the Nuxalk Nation and two experienced corporate leaders from outside the Nuxalk Nation. The appointments will take effect on April 1st 2015.
The NDC is a wholly owned entity of the Nuxalk Nation, located in Bella Coola, BC. Starting in late 2014, the company issued a call for expressions of interest from people who had an interest in serving as Directors to lead the future of NDC and all its other companies (fisheries, port, sawmill etc.). The NDC has a mandate to carry out economic development activities on behalf of the Nuxalk Nation in a manner that is consistent with social, environmental and cultural goals of the Nation.
Several expressions of interest were received and eight candidates were interviewed. At their February meeting, the NDC’s Trustees appointed five individuals as NDC Directors. In alphabetical order, the new Directors are: Garnet Andrews – Garnet’s business background includes several years of experience with annual investment strategy planning, project planning and strategy execution.
He currently fulfills the role of Director, Investment Management at Telus. He has served on both corporate boards and trust boards and their related subcommittees. Garnet founded the Telus Eagles; a resource group created for the purpose of the engaging Aboriginal communities and improving employment opportunities for Aboriginal employees at Telus. Garnet is a Nuxalk citizen and lives in Surrey, B.C.
Jim Bennett – Jim’s business background includes 20 years with KPMG in Vancouver where he was a Partner and had exposure to a variety of resource based industries. Jim’s role at KPMG involved advising boards of public and private companies with a focus on guiding audit committees with respect to their financial and governance oversight role. Jim was raised in Courtenay, B.C. and has fond memories of visiting Bella Coola with his father on their boat. Jim currently lives in New Westminster.
Sharon Dawson – Sharon is an experienced Board Member having served as a Director on the Board of Nuxalk Forestry Limited. Sharon previously worked for the Nuxalk Nation in the Band Office and currently works with the Williams Lake and District Credit Union as a Member Services Representative. Sharon is a Nuxalk citizen and lives in the Nuxalk Community.
Nancy More – Nancy brings strong strategic planning experience to the NDC having worked on global plans that included up to 17 operating units in eight countries, in the consumer goods sector. Nancy’s experience includes working with indigenous peoples in Africa, developing leadership and business skills. Nancy has worked with several boards and steering committees including serving as the Board Chair for Vantage Point, an organization that develops leadership, governance, strategy formulation and other skills in the not-for-profit sector. Nancy resides in Vancouver.
Spencer Siwallace – A past elected Chief Councilor and elected Councilor for the Nuxalk Nation, Spencer has served on numerous boards and committees including the NDC, Nuxalk Acwsalcmalslayc Academy of Learning Society (Acwsalcta School), the Great Bear Initiative Society, and the Nuxalk Forestry Committee. Raised as a commercial fisherman as well as being a Registered Professional Forester, Spencer brings industry knowledge to the NDC board. Spencer is a Nuxalk citizen and lives in the Nuxalk Community.
The three Trustees of the NDC who are responsible for appointing the Directors were appointed in 2014 by the Band Council to oversee the governance of this important economic development vehicle on behalf of the community. The Trustees are: Violet Clellamin, Evangeline Hanuse and Sam Moody.
The Trustees sought candidates who offered a mix of the following attributes: Business experience in accounting, finance, human resources, and/or marketing; a strong ability to understand financial and non-financial performance reports; knowledge of, and experience in one or more of the following sectors: Forestry, Value Added WoodProcessing, Tourism, Fisheries, Marine Development and others; previous board experience and training in business, finance or government relations; an understanding of Nuxalk culture and/or experience in working with First Nations; the willingness to devote time required to carry out Director duties and responsibilities; the ability to be impartial, trustworthy and respectful of confidentiality that the role requires;a positive attitude that promotes teamwork; and values similar to those of the Nuxalk Nation and its culture.
Between April 22 and 24, 2015, the three Trustees and the five Directors will assemble in Bella Coola for a formal orientation to their new roles, and their first face-to-face Board meeting. A community celebration is planned for the evening of April 22; further information will be shared as it becomes available.
If you have any questions, please contact the CEO of the NDC, Randy Hart, at (250-799-0033 Ext 4). You can also contact one of the Trustees: Violet Clellamin (250 799 5509), Evangeline Hanuse (250 329 6801) or Sam Moody (250 267 1384).