Indigenous Governance Conference
2026 Speakers
Arian Soheili, Cantatus Systems Group, Inc.
Managing Director
Arian Soheili, CPA, has over 30 years of experience in digital transformation and financial systems design. He began his career as a Financial Administrator with the Nisga’a Tribal Council, living and working in Nisga’a Territory. That early experience shaped his understanding of Indigenous governance, funding structures, community accountability, and the practical realities of operating within Nation-based systems.
He later joined Deloitte, where he worked with Indigenous governments including Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation and Lake Babine Nation, supporting financial system modernization and governance strengthening initiatives.
In 1999, Arian founded Cantatus Systems Group. Through his practice, he continues to support Indigenous governments and organizations, including nations such as Saulteau First Nation, helping strengthen internal controls, improve reporting visibility, and design reliable digital environments that support governance and long-term sustainability.
Through his proprietary DIME framework: Digital Impact for Mission Excellence, Arian works alongside Indigenous leadership and finance professionals to turn complex data into clear, actionable insight. His approach focuses on practical digital transformation that reduces administrative burden, strengthens accountability, and supports effective service delivery for the communities Nations are responsible to serve
Chris Csoka, HUB International
Employee Benefits Account Executive
Chris brings over 15 years of experience both in account management and support people. With his expertise in employee benefits, life, and retirement solutions, he is focused on providing quality employee experiences and enhanced wellness. Utilizing strategies and client feedback, he creates culturally relevant and inclusive benefits for his Indigenous partners. Providing customized wellness solutions, outside of the traditional benefits offering, allows us to truly enhance health and wellbeing. Chris is actively involved in the community, serving as the President of a non-profit society and board member of our local community services agency.
Glen Stratton, Ascent Employment Law
Associate Lawyer
Glen Stratton is an employment and human rights lawyer at Ascent Employment Law. He is Anishnaabe, from the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation in Ontario.
Glen advises clients on workplace law issues including wrongful dismissal, disciplining and/or dismissing employees, properly conducting investigations, restrictive covenants, privacy complaints, shareholder oppression actions, drafting employment contracts, and advising on human rights issues. He represents both employers and employees in his practice.
Glen understands the human component of workplace law-related issues. He has specific experience related to wrongful dismissals involving senior management, leadership, and executive claims, as well as related shareholder and owner disputes.
Gordon Penner, HUB International
Account Executive Employee Benefits
Gordon Penner brings over 10 years of experience in employee benefits, specializing in strategies that help organizations attract and retain top talent. He is known for developing innovative, inclusive approaches that go beyond traditional benefits design, with a strong focus on incorporating Indigenous benefits and culturally informed practices. By thinking outside the box, Gordon helps organizations build supportive, engaging workplaces and create winning cultures where employees can thrive
Jennifer Hufnagel, Hufnagel Consulting
Principal
Jennifer Hufnagel is Principal of Hufnagel Consulting and an AI Educator and AI Readiness Consultant with 25 years of experience in corporate training, instructional design, facilitation, business analysis, and system and process improvement. Over the past three years, she has focused her work on applied AI, becoming a leading AI facilitator in Canada with a strong Learning and Development foundation. Based on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Jennifer has delivered AI training to more than 4,000 participants, both in person and online, across Canada and internationally. Her mission is to upskill as many people in AI literacy through practical, human-centred education.
She holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurship from the University of Victoria, multiple training and instructional design certifications, and is a Certified AI Futurelab Mastermind Trainer. She is the 2025 recipient of the Nanaimo Chamber Women in Business Award and a two-time nominee for Women of Influence Nanaimo in STEM. Through Hufnagel Consulting, Jennifer works directly with organizations on AI readiness and adoption using a people-first approach, helping teams build internal capability and their AI Fluency.
John Butterworth, HUB International
Cyber Insurance Specialist
John Butterworth is a Commercial Insurance Broker and Cyber Insurance Specialist with HUB International, working with First Nations communities across Western Canada. His work centers on helping Indigenous governments navigate the evolving risks that come with managing sensitive information and complex financial operations. He has developed a strong focus on cyber risk and the unique exposures faced by First Nations. John is known for bringing clarity to what can often be a complicated cyber insurance process, helping communities strengthen their risk position and access cyber coverage in a way that is practical and understandable. He approaches his work with a long-term perspective, prioritizing trust, preparation, and resilience so that leadership teams are supported before, during, and after critical events.
John Drake, RBC
Sr Director, Corporate Client Group, M&A Advisory Services
John Drake is a Senior Director in RBC’s Mid-Market Mergers & Acquisitions practice. He is responsible for leading day-to-day transaction execution commitments for clients whose businesses are primarily headquartered in British Columbia. He joined RBC’s growing Mid-Market M&A advisory business in 2021.
Prior to joining RBC, John worked for a global Mid-Market accounting firm where he was focused on providing M&A support to private company clients across various industries. Prior to this, he worked for a Big Four accounting firm in their transaction advisory practice with a focus on operational improvement and post-closing merger integration in both Toronto and Vancouver.
John obtained his Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) certification in 2016 and his Chartered Business Valuator (CBV) designation in 2022. While qualifying for his CBV, John achieved the George Ovens Award as the gold medalist on the 2021 Membership Qualification Examination.
Dr. Mason Ducharme, Centre for First Nations Governance
Executive Director
Dr. Mason (Qátsya7) Ducharme is a scholar-practitioner from the Lil̓wat Nation and a nationally recognized leader in Indigenous governance, public administration, and leadership systems. He is the Executive Director of the Centre for First Nations Governance (CFNG) and the National Community Research Director for the Rebuilding First Nations Governance (RFNG) Project, a multi-year SSHRC-funded initiative supporting First Nations in exercising their inherent right to self-government.
Dr. Ducharme recently completed his PhD in Public Administration at the University of Victoria, where his research focused on the turnover and retention of Indigenous executives and band managers in Indigenous organizations. His work bridges academic research and applied governance practice, with a particular focus on moving beyond the Indian Act, strengthening leadership stability, and building governance systems grounded in inherent rights.
He works closely with First Nations across British Columbia and Canada on governance reform, leadership development, and organizational systems, and regularly presents to Chiefs, councils, senior administrators, and finance professionals. Dr. Ducharme also serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in public administration.
Na Sha, RBC
VP, Commercial Financial Services, BC Indigenous Markets
With over 25 years of experience in banking, Na Sha leads RBC’s Indigenous Markets team in British Columbia. The team specializes in delivering customized financial solutions for First Nations governments, their economic development corporations, and nonprofit organizations. Their strategic leadership focuses on collaboration, cultural respect, and community engagement to drive meaningful impact. Beyond banking, Na actively contributes to community initiatives, leveraging partnerships like the RBC Foundation to amplify Indigenous voices and empower social and economic development.
Na holds an MBA in Finance and professional designations including Credit Risk Certification (CRC) and Financial Management Advisor (FMA).
Pamela Oliva, Humanity Financial
CEO
As CEO for Humanity Financial Management Inc, Pamela is proud and humbled to lead a passionate and committed team whose work is exclusively with non-profits, charities, First Nations and Indigenous organizations across Canada. Before joining the firm in 2023, Pamela had worked internationally, in a cross cultural context, as CFO for nearly 20 years. She has also dedicated her time to serving on numerous non-profit Boards in both Canada and Australia. Pamela is mother to three children and lives in Moh’kinstsis, the Blackfoot name for the area commonly known as Calgary.
Patrick Giesbrecht, Giesbrecht & Company
Key Principal & Owner
Principal of Giesbrecht & Co, Patrick has spent the last 10 years working with Property Development companies and landowners moving their projects through the municipal approval process.
Over the past years, Patrick has built a diverse team of professionals to compliment his vision. The team includes Advocates to Federal, Provincial, Municipal and Indigenous Governments as well as two Urban Planners who manage applications and sub-consultants on each file.
Patrick is a governor of the BC Chamber of Commerce. And a Past-Director of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
For fun he snowboards, collects vinyl recordings, hikes and golfs.
Sebastian Chern, Ascent Employment Law
Associate Partner
Sebastian is an employment lawyer based in Vancouver, British Columbia. He advises and represents both employers and employees in a broad range of workplace matters, including wrongful dismissal, unpaid wages, discrimination, workers’ compensation, and restrictive covenants. Known for his strategic and practical approach, Sebastian helps clients navigate the delicate balance of competing workplace interests with clarity and confidence.
Sebastian serves as Vice President External of the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers (BC), where he supports advocacy initiatives and mentorship within the legal community. Outside of his practice, he is a former rugby player and coach who now enjoys golfing, weightlifting, and supporting the South African Springboks.