CREATIVE FIRE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Consultant
- Economic Reconciliation Advisor
As a data analyst and economic Reconciliation advisor, Aiden knows how to review corporate policies and use large complex datasets to quantify potential impacts and deliver critical insights for clients. It's what helps him to make the kind of tailored recommendations that businesses value, being able to analyze data from a diverse corporate landscape - from tech start-ups to banking, telecommunications to corporate finance.
Contributing to the Indigenous economy and championing Reconciliation is important to Aiden. His work is informed by responding to his settler responsibilities while also reclaiming his Anishinaabe ancestry. In doing so, he is proud to be able to work with Indigenous communities to help build prosperity and recommend meaningful solutions to corporations.
Aiden is passionate about sustainability and environmental stewardship, stemming from a love of nature and growing up exploring the Bruce Trail in southern Ontario. He holds a degree in Astrophysics from the University of Waterloo.
For over 20 years, Alanna has worked to establish a direct and relevant connection between consumers and brands. Known for her energy and her passion, Alanna has been on both the agency and client side of the business. After completing her MBA, Alanna's marketing career began on the client side at Roots Canada and later Ralph Lauren. Agency experience at international network agencies Publicis and FCB and a small niche design shop has given Alanna insight into the operations of agency business, design and photography production. Alanna brings a strong business acumen, superior client servicing skills and project management capabilities to her new role. She has great depth of experience in planning and executing multi-channel creative campaigns under tight timelines and budgets.
Job Titles:
- Manager, Stakeholder and Rightsholder Engagement
At the core of any successful community engagement strategy is a clear purpose, brought to life through an inclusive and adaptive process. At Creative Fire, Anna leads community engagement with stakeholders and Rightsholders, applying her extensive experience with organizations in the private and public sector.
Anna's career started at a non-profit international development and social justice organization where she engaged members across Canada to develop leadership skills and magnify their social impact. It was there that she discovered her passion for process design and facilitation. She moved to the public sector, where she took on increasingly senior roles at the Government of Alberta and the City of Saskatoon, consulting on non-profit strategy and leading public engagement on topics including waste diversion, climate change and Indigenous procurement.
Anna believes there is no shortage of challenges, both socially and environmentally, to get involved in and learn more about, and strives to connect the bigger picture to individual actions. She is a Board Director at the SES Solar Cooperative in Saskatoon and is Board Secretary for the Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre. Anna has also spent the last several years supporting refugee families from Syria to settle in Canada.
Inspired by the power of connection and relationships, Brandon leads with a human-centric approach, prioritizing meaningful consultation and inclusion as a reflection of his intersectional identity as Queer, Jewish, French-Canadian, and Indigenous.
Prior to joining Creative Fire, Brandon was the National Co-Lead of the Indigenous Peoples ERG at Accenture Canada, focused on fostering understanding, physical and psychological safety for Indigenous Peoples, providing educational opportunities on Indigenous history and cultures, and building Indigenous economies.
Brandon blends his personal story, his experience in technology consulting, and his Bachelor's degree in Applied Economics from Queen's University to provide multi-faceted solutions for clients in myriad industries, including mining, electric utilities, government, healthcare, and agrochemicals.
Originally from Cobourg, Ontario, Brandon now resides in Treaty 7 territory in the City of Calgary. His passion for sustainability comes from his upbringing and the beauty of the Rocky Mountains, where you will often find him climbing, hiking, camping, or skiing on weekends.
Job Titles:
- Advisor
- Director, Community Engagement
Brett Bradshaw has worked as an advisor to numerous resource companies and community organizations including Cameco, Rio Tinto Exploration Canada, Denison Mines, Yáthi Néné Land and Resource Office and John Howard Society Saskatchewan. With experience in business and workforce development, community investment, and community engagement, Brett brings an intentional approach to holistic and fluid communication strategies; story-mapping; public relations; writing and relationship building. Brett is chair of the Saskatoon Public Library board.
Job Titles:
- Indigenous Engagement Consultant
An experienced facilitator, trainer and educator in bridging western science and Traditional Knowledge, Carol is dedicated to improving relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people of Canada. She is an inspiring Indigenous advocate dedicated to helping reduce impacts on land, water and air through inclusion of Indigenous worldviews and bridging two worlds to create ethical space for meaningful dialogue. Carol has trained over 500 Indigenous Environmental Monitors who today work nationally on a variety of industry and community-based projects. Her expertise includes environmental science, traditional and cultural use studies, GIS mapping, Indigenous-led consultation, facilitation of Indigenous Rights and land-use planning.
Carol holds an Environmental Professional Designation from ECOCanada and was the 2022 recipient of the ECOCanada Impacts Awards. Past awards include Global Women of Vision Award in Business, and Esquao Award from the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women, and an Alumni of the Governor General Study Conferences.
Corinna Bork is a forward-thinking communicator with over two decades of experience delivering inclusive brand and communications strategies for the resource, transportation, environmental, professional services and technology sector. An advocate for purpose-led organizations, Corinna is an ally to Indigenous peoples and believes in the power of communication to advance Reconciliation. Her inclusive, collaborative leadership style makes her adept at working with all levels of the organization and a trusted communications advisor to the C-Suite and business leaders. Corinna holds an M.A. in Professional Communications and a B.A. in International Marketing.
Job Titles:
- Director, Creative Services
If you live in Canada, you are familiar with Elisa's work. She has conceived and developed the brands for many of the nation's biggest corporations, including Scotiabank, RBC, Sun Life Financial and Nutrien. Over the past 20 years, Elisa has become one of the foremost names in Canadian corporate branding and reporting, receiving accolades from the Advertising and Design Club of Canada, Applied Arts Magazine Design Annual, Potlatch Annual Report Show and RGD Design at Work Awards. At Creative Fire, Elisa leads our Creative Services team, providing creative and strategic direction, and ensuring our work meets rigorous standards that exceed client expectations. She brings a rare mix of talent to her work that includes not only impressive design skill, but also the ability to develop and manage complex projects that involve multiple brand touchpoints and channels. Her knowledge and insight has made her a trusted advisor to clients, colleagues and leadership.
Job Titles:
- Director - ESG, Sustainability and Reconciliation
Haleigh believes in the importance of allyship to advance reconciliation by strengthening relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. As a Director of ESG, Sustainability and Reconciliation Action Plans, Haleigh works with Indigenous and non-Indigenous clients to develop sustainability strategies, assess ESG materiality and formalize commitments to reconciliation through action plans. In her work, Haleigh finds every opportunity to amplify Indigenous voices throughout the engagement process. Prior to joining Creative Fire, Haleigh was a senior consultant in Deloitte's Sustainability and Climate Change practice. There she advised private and public sector clients - including some of Canada's largest retailers and energy and resources companies - on creating inclusive strategies to champion Indigenous voices, as well as incorporating Indigenous knowledge and priorities to create mutually beneficial economic partnerships for both companies and communities. Haleigh holds a Masters of Global Affairs from the University of Toronto and studied Human Rights and Humanitarian Law at the Geneva Academy.
Justin brings his technical environmental expertise to Creative Fire's Sustainability and ESG strategy work. Justin holds a Dual MSc between the Ivey Business School and Norwegian School of Economics in Economics and Business Administration, specializing in Energy, Natural Resources, and the Environment. He also holds a BESc in Civil and Environmental Engineering, with a focus on water treatment and has practical experience as a water engineering researcher in mainland China. His professional experience includes working as an Environmental Consultant in Thailand, where he developed strategies for solid waste management solutions and proposed a range of ESG strategy recommendations, and a Renewable Energy Solutions Consultant in Canada. Justin formerly served as a Military Officer in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Karan is a student of Anthropology and Energy Sciences at the University of Calgary. He is completing an internship with Creative Fire's Nuclear Sector.
"The team at Creative Fire offers real-life context to every textbook situation I have encountered. This experience is a great way to kick off my career and fuel my work at the university."
Karan is an outstanding academic achiever. He contributed to the paper "Historical Analysis of Mythic Discourse on Nuclear Science and Technology". He then presented the research findings at the Canadian Nuclear Society Conference.
He developed a passion for the power of nuanced engagement and the implementation of new energy technologies through both academic and lived experiences. Enthralling courses like Science in Society mixed with experiences like traveling abroad led Karan to become a leader in navigating our collective energy future.
Engagement, especially when introducing clean technology, is not one-size-fits-all. Karan brings a diversity of thought to support tailored plans that meet our clients' localized needs. His person-first approach builds bridges for information to travel, empowering communities' voices.
As a Project Manager working on complex engagements, Kira Nelson (Métis) understands the value of client relationships. It's about more than just getting the job done; she thrives on being able to understand her clients - what drives them, and how she can help with solutions-based advice.
Kira has spent most of her career in the service environment, managing relationships with clients, customers and members. And as an entrepreneur with her own creative services business for over a decade, she is always on the look out for new trends and technologies to enhance business strategies.
Kira has a strong background in project management, particularly in the areas of marketing and communications for sports and outdoor activity organizations. These experiences have led Kira to be well versed in using data and analytics to measure results, always looking for ways to improve performance and ultimately, to deliver the best possible service and care to her clients.
Kira spends as much time as she can with her family outdoors. When she and her husband realized there was a need for accessible and affordable cross-country skiing in her area of Saskatchewan, especially for youth, they created their own non-profit ski club that has over 300 members.
Prior to joining Des Nedhe in 2019 and accepting the role of Chief Executive Officer of Creative Fire, Leanne was the National Leader of the Deloitte Indigenous practice, serving over 275 Indigenous communities across Canada. Her experience in business leadership and ability to build relationships between corporate partners and Indigenous business are integral to growth for our clients and our company. She has served as a director for the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business and is a member of the Board of Governors for Wilfrid Laurier University and is a WXN Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada Award Winner.
"Creative Fire embodies the spirit of partnership between Indigenous communities, industry and government. This is where our vision to grow nationally comes from: to open doors for Indigenous people and companies, not only to engage with our company and our clients, but to grow more Indigenous talent in the communications, engagement and research fields."
Lisa has developed creative plans and spearheaded marketing initiatives for high-profile clients across Ontario and the rest of Canada, providing quality design solutions that centre on strategic business objectives. Her positive energy and 20-year track record of exceptional work have made her a trusted advisor to top brands and government agencies alike, including Walmart Canada, Hudson's Bay Company, BMW Canada and BMO Harris, as well as Destination Ontario, Foodland Ontario, The Office of the Independent Police Review Director and Ontario Heritage Trust.
Job Titles:
- Michelle Naidu Public Engagement Consultant a Recognized Thought Leader and Adept Communicator, Michelle Brings With
- Public Engagement Consultant
A recognized thought leader and adept communicator, Michelle brings with her over a decade of rich and varied leadership experience across multiple disciplines.
During her tenure at the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation, Michelle demonstrated exceptional skill in addressing the multifaceted needs of stakeholders, cultivating trust through immersive and interactive learning experiences. Through her leadership, she spearheaded numerous province-wide initiatives centered on Indigenous Ways of Knowing, collaborating closely with Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, local communities, and educators. This collaboration not only enriched educational practices but also significantly improved learning outcomes for youth across Saskatchewan.
Michelle Naidu Public Engagement Consultant A recognized thought leader and adept communicator, Michelle brings with…
For a CPA, Miranda feels at home in a creative space. It's where she spent most of her career, working as a financial executive in small- to mid-sized marketing and advertising agencies like The Hive in downtown Toronto. It's her depth of experience, including leading accounting functions in other industries such as consumer packaging, IT and environmental consulting, that has formed her sound judgment, as well as her keen ability to provide important insights into financial performance and growth.
At Creative Fire, Miranda oversees all aspects of the financial management, cash flow and financial reporting, as well as financial planning implementation, budgeting, forecasting and all other aspects of Creative Fire's financial activities.
Job Titles:
- Project and Production Coordinator
Penny has brought her eye for detail and technical know-how to Creative Fire projects for over 20 years. Always keen to bring visual themes to life, she supports the design team to define design goals and produce print and digital files that deliver the message on the mark and on time. She ensures that quality control processes are followed to ensure accuracy in all projects. Working with the project lead, she collaborates closely with the design team and clients to keep projects on schedule and within budget.
Job Titles:
- Project Manager
- Project & Engagement Manager
Sheena is a passionate project manager and facilitator, who believes in the importance of collaboration and partnership in achieving project success. This is rooted in her past international experience leading both governmental and non-profit programs in Europe, South America and Africa.
Prior to joining Creative Fire, Sheena oversaw the Indigenous energy projects portfolio at the Independent Electricity System Operator, working with over 170 First Nations and Métis communities, organizations and businesses to support active participation in the sector. An advocate and ally in all areas of diversity, equity and inclusion, Sheena is committed to promoting continuous learning, equitable approaches in business, and creating safe spaces for every person to be seen, heard and valued. She holds a M.Sc. in Development Administration and Planning from University College London and a B.A. in International Development Studies from McGill University.
Job Titles:
- Indigenous Engagement Consultant
A proud Mi'gmaq from Listuguj, Quebec, Terri Lynn is a dynamic First Nation executive celebrated for her exceptional skill in facilitating discussions among diverse stakeholders. With a passion for bridging gaps between Indigenous communities, government bodies, and industry players, Terri Lynn has emerged as a pivotal figure driving consensus and collaboration.
In leadership roles, Terri Lynn's adept facilitation played a key role in securing recognition, including the Rising Star award from the Techno Centre Eolienne Quebec in 2016. Serving as Project Director for the 150 MW Mesgi'g Ugju's'n Wind Farm, she not only contributed to its success but also earned the Excellence in Human Resource Management award.
Terri Lynn's facilitation expertise extends to influential panels hosted by organizations like the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB), Globe Forum 2022, and the Pembina Institute. Her insights, shared in publications such as the Globe, Vanity Community Investment Bank, and CCAB, emphasize the importance of Indigenous partnerships rooted in unique values and knowledge.
Recognized as part of #WOMENLEADINGCLEANTECH, Terri Lynn's facilitation skills are evident in her mentorship of over 120 Catalysts with Indigenous Clean Energy, highlighting her commitment to driving discussions, ensuring diverse voices are heard, and building consensus in the renewable energy landscape. Pursuing an MBA in Community Economic Development at Cape Breton University, Terri Lynn continues shaping the narrative of collaboration and sustainability through her adept facilitation of crucial discussions.