Presenters
Connect with peers and respected industry leaders who are presenting at the 2024 Industry Conference.
Andrijana (Jani) Djokic
Jani Djokic has been the CEO for Na-Cho Nyäk Dun Development Corporation (NNDDC) since 2020. Business isn't where Jani thought she would end up, however, being able to apply her unique background in International Indigenous Law, Political Science, and Community and Land Use Planning, she has found her passion in working for and with Indigenous communities in the realm of economic development.
She has had the opportunity to study and work with Saami lawyers who are leaders in drafting UNDRIP and ILO 169, to work in Guatemala with Mayan cacao producers reclaiming traditional economies, and is now honoured to be working alongside the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun on projects and investments within and outside their Traditional Territory.
She continues to apply her unique skill set to help bridge business, law and policy, and grassroots initiatives to create self-sustaining business opportunities in mining and exploration, environmental remediation and restoration, energy, tourism, community infrastructure, and aviation, as well as being heavily involved in larger-scale initiatives such as the creation of Yukon government's First Nations Procurement Policy.
Ashley Cummings
Ashley Cummings (she/her) is Inuk from Pangnirtung, Nunavut and has called Whitehorse home for nearly a decade. Ashley has spent time working in various non-profit and grassroots roles, and is a speaker on Northern Indigenous issues such as climate justice, mental wellbeing, and ethical tourism. Her passion for supporting community-led initiatives drives her forward as she works for MakeWay Charitable Society as a Northern Program Specialist. She is currently a member of the Indigenous Innovation Council with Grand Challenges Canada and as a board member for Young Citizens of the World. When Ashley isn't working, she enjoys going on long walks, painting, and being creative with the people she loves.
Bonnie Macdonald
Canadian Mental Health Association, Yukon
Bonnie has dedicated her adult life to supporting communities. She draws on experience derived from a 30-year career/commitment in the Human Services field and 28 years as a Yoga/Mindfulness Teacher. Her work with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Yukon Division arises from the belief that relationship tending, and self-awareness are essential to well-being at home and at work.
Dena Zavier
Dena has been a Human Resource Professional for over 30 years, working both on the management side and as an advocate/problem solver on the union side. Employing a broad range of skills gained from training in leadership, communications, training, psychology, and outdoor adventure, she has supported several Yukon First Nations as both an employee and as the principal consultant for Summit Vision Communication.
She believes that acknowledging the unique nature of individuals within their unique organizations is key to creating an environment where employees are able to grow and be their best for themselves and their employers.
Mary Ellen Read
Mary Ellen is an architect registered to practice with the AIBC, the NWTAA, and the AIA in Alaska. With over 24 years of practical experience in building design and project management, she has worked on a wide variety of projects including institutional, commercial, and residential work in major cities across the Pacific Northwest. She is also currently pursuing a design-based doctoral degree at the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape at the University of Calgary.
Since 2010, I have had the pleasure of operating a small business in a dynamic Northern community, in a unique and challenging part of the world. I built this company because I believe in making great design accessible to everyone. I believe in beautiful, functional, livable spaces that make our communities better.
Northern Front Studio represents a desire to contribute to the North; providing accessible, sustainable, inspiring spaces. In the past 14 years, I have curated a team of creative and skilled individuals, all at the forefront of their respective professions, to help realize this goal.
Having completed over 40 projects in the North, we deeply understand the positive influence that design can have.
Jordan Peterson
Affinity North
From Aklavik, NT, Jordan Peterson is a Gwich'in advocate known for his influential work in Indigenous rights within Canada. As the youngest elected Deputy Grand Chief and Chief Negotiator for the Gwich'in Tribal Council from 2016 to 2020, he was pivotal in promoting self-determination and advancing Gwich'in interests. His leadership extended to negotiating crucial Land Claims amendments and towards a Gwich'in Self-Government Agreement, significantly reshaping the relationship with the crown.
Elevating Indigenous issues on a global platform, Jordan also co-chaired the Gwich'in Council International at the Arctic Council, championing Arctic Indigenous voices from 2016 to 2020. His founding of Affinity North, an Indigenous-owned consultancy, and his stewardship in modernizing the Gwich'in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement, which garnered the 2019-2020 NWT Premier's Award for Excellence, underscore his commitment. Jordan's academic pursuits, including an Executive MBA in Indigenous Business Leadership, complement his extensive fieldwork, marking him a steadfast advocate for the worlds Indigenous Peoples.
Mia Archambault
Manager of Access and Privacy, Government of Yukon
Mia Archambault is currently the Manager, Access and Privacy with the Corporate Information Management branch, in Highways and Public Works. The branch strives to protect privacy and provide access to information. In the past eight years of her 12 year career with the Yukon government, Mia has provided, and continues to provide, valuable experience and expertise which helps ensure privacy and access are top of mind.
Mladenka Dokic
Tangible Habit Coaching
Mladenka comes with twenty years of experience in construction, project management and engineering. She worked in various roles in remote, mining, and urban settings throughout her career, including equipment operator, labourer, project manager and professional engineer.
She learned that it did not matter where she was working, or if she was working with the private or government sector, the success of a project depended on the ability of stakeholders to work collaboratively. If the health and wellness of the workers suffered, so too did the success of the project. Her business, Tangible Habit Coaching, strives to help people reduce stress and enjoy both their personal and professional life.
Richard Mclean
Employment/Training Manager, Ketza Construction
Rick Mclean served as Chief of the Tahltan Band Council from 2008 to 2020. In that time, he worked hard to focus on community and nation planning as many large infrastructure projects were being proposed in the Tahltan territory. Rick's leadership and work as Chief helped the Tahltan Nation transition into a new era of community growth, employment, and wealth management.
Rick has worked in the construction business as a welder since the early 90s and has had a passion for helping develop tradespeople throughout his career, mentoring many young welders over the years. Since moving to Whitehorse in 2020, Rick has been working with Ketza Construction as their employment/training manager and is focused on building tradespeople from the grassroots of the Yukon.
Rob Horne
Conflict Management Practitioner, Respectful Workplace Office
Rob Horne is a Conflict Management Practitioner with the Respectful Workplace Office. He provides training, coaching, and mediation services for Yukon government employees. Born in Prince Edward Island, he moved to the Yukon in 1998.
Rob's career in the Yukon has taken him from guiding river expeditions in the north, to supporting YG employees as they navigate conflict in the workplace. Part of his job is to coach employees toward having difficult conversations and help them gain insight into their patterns of conflict. He is passionate about his work and an energetic speaker.
Scott Tyrner
Director of Corporate Information Management, Government of Yukon
Scott Tyrner is the Director of Corporate Information Management with the Information and Communications Technology Division in Highways and Public Works. The branch is responsible for providing corporate leadership, advice and support in the management, storage and protection of the government's information assets and facilitating public access to government records while protecting the privacy of individuals.
As a professional civil servant with more than 20 years of Yukon government experience, Scott has been involved in access to information and privacy management for over a decade. In his role, Scott is responsible for ensuring government information can be effectively managed. This includes ensuring the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (ATIPP) commitments to open, accountable and transparent government can be implemented.
There is a strong team of professional public servants that work to help achieve this government goal which Scott is grateful to have working in the branch. Privacy – the protection of personal information in its authorized collection, use and disclosure – is a fundamental pillar of the branch's responsibilities.
Sharon Bertomo
Senior Access and Privacy Analyst, Government of Yukon
Sharon Bertomo is a Senior Access and Privacy Analyst with the Corporate Information Management Branch, in Highways and Public Works. Prior to taking this role at the Yukon Government, she managed multiple roles dealing with access and privacy for more than 10 years both in Alberta and abroad such as the Privacy Officer, Privacy and Records Coordinator, Registrar – Information Privacy and Access Specialist, Technical and Legal Consultant.
She also spearheaded the first-ever privacy training in cooperation with the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) for one of the funded organizations of the Alberta government in relation to the conduct of Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) and in handling privacy complaints and breaches.
Stephanie Hawkins
Director of Evaluation, Government of Yukon
Stephanie Hawkins is a Director of Evaluation at the Government of Yukon. She holds Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Queen's University, a Graduate Diploma in Science Communication from Laurentian University, and a Master of Business Administration from Yale University.
Her areas of study and interest include strategy, the mapping and analysis of natural and organizational systems, and data visualization. Before joining the Yukon government, Stephanie served in a variety of technical, program delivery, and performance management roles with the Government of Canada and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.