YUKONSTRUCT - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Vice President of the Board of Directors
- Returning Board Member
Returning board member, Antonio Zedda has over 25 years of experience planning, designing, and developing buildings across Canada's North. He is a partner in the Whitehorse, Yukon-based design and planning firm of Kobayashi + Zedda. He has been the principal in charge of numerous government and private sector-led multi-family residential, educational, cultural, and commercial building projects.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Candice is particularly interested in serving on the Yukonstruct Board as she sees opportunities for growth and evolution. As the organization continues to pivot and adapt to new challenges, she believes her background in project management and event planning, along with her experience in marketing and community engagement, can offer valuable perspectives.
Job Titles:
- Social Media and Community Coordinator
Cedrick moved to Canada from the Philippines, where he completed his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration majoring in Marketing Management. He moved to Whitehorse to study Liberal Arts at Yukon University. Passionate about community engagement, Cedrick volunteered for a group in the Philippines that focused on disaster relief and back-to-school projects! In addition to bringing his enthusiasm for community engagement to Yukonstruct, he looks forward to contributing his years of customer service experience to the Yukonstruct community.
Cindy is originally from Yellowknife, NT, and is currently a student at Yukon University. She is passionate about mental health advocacy, climate and social justice, learning and cooking new foods, and is looking forward to learning laser cutting.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Emily moved to Whitehorse in September 2022, after initially coming up in the summer of 2017 to conduct interviews for her master's thesis research on the Peel Watershed land use planning process. As a member of Yukonstruct, Emily sees the tremendous value the organization provides to the Whitehorse and broader Yukon community. As a management consultant, she has skills and experience in facilitation, project management, strategic planning, and organizational governance and is excited to bring those to the Yukonstruct board!
Job Titles:
- Director of Entrepreneurial Programming
Erin is passionate about helping entrepreneurs achieve their goals and navigate the complexities of the startup landscape. Helping businesses develop and execute their business plans, build their teams, find product market fit, and market their business. She's eager to dive into my role and begin collaborating with local entrepreneurs and ecosystem members to gain insights into the programs and resources that are needed to better support the entrepreneurial community throughout the Yukon. She can't wait to contribute to the growth and success of Yukon's vibrant entrepreneurial community, and she looks forward to helping entrepreneurs both aspiring and current achieve their goals.
Esa is the designer and maker of his own collectible character named Mawa. When he's not at his desk sewing his creations, you can find him at the ski hill coaching Yukons snowboard team!
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Hector's primary motivation is to give back to the community. Whether it's serving on the Yukonstruct Board or any other organization, Hector is inspired by the community-oriented mindset of Whitehorse, which he now calls home.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Jeff moved to the Yukon at the end of 2019 for his new job with Transport Canada as a Civil Aviation Safety Inspector. His role there is to ensure enterprises that perform aircraft maintenance are doing so in accordance to the Civil Aviation Regulations using a risk-based approach. He has extensive experience in risk analysis, safety management system, and aircraft maintenance. He enjoys working with his hands and making new things, tinkering with gadgets, and troubleshooting problems, which is why he always looks forward to volunteering at the Repair Café!
Job Titles:
- President of the Board of Directors
John has been involved with Yukonstruct in various roles since its inception. He has witnessed and helped bring the organization from start-up to maturity. John has already served on the Board twice, with two breaks, and is keen to serve members in a Board capacity again. John is particularly interested in financial sustainability, talent recruitment and retention, member and community relevance, as well as strategic partnership development. As a facilitator, John hopes to bring constructive and relationship-building elements to the Board.
Job Titles:
- Creative Communications Director
Kealy is the brains behind Yukonstuct's communications! If you find her in the wild, she's probably trail running, mountain biking, or playing soccer. She has a passion for creativity and a love for the outdoors.
Lael C. Lund, MBA CED, is Yukonstruct's dedicated Business Advisor with over 20 years of business expertise. An experienced entrepreneur, Lael understands the highs and lows of running a business and is passionate about providing impactful tools and strategies for success.
Her collaborative approach ensures that every voice is heard, from seasoned professionals to newcomers. With extensive experience supporting Yukon First Nations clients and a background in communications and community economic development, Lael empowers her clients to lead with confidence and make a real impact.
Job Titles:
- Community Outreach Manager
You may know Lisa as "the fur pom pom lady", the "goat milk soap lady", or remember her from the jazz lounges of Whitehorse. Lisa was a carpenter before moving to Haines Junction to raise 2 daughters with her husband Andy. She loved living in a community, and being part of the network of volunteers there. She started and ran her company Minus 40 Fur in Haines Junction, sewing fur directly from the trapline. In 2020, her family packed up the goats, chickens and trapping/sewing supplies and moved to Whitehorse. Lisa is excited to work at Yukonstruct, and to connect with entrepreneurs from the communities.
Maitri is a curious soul who likes to explore and experience different opportunities in life. She has dedicated bunch of her time in volunteering at NGO's back in India particularly in supporting under privileged kids and in realm of rural education. She likes to support and give back to the community whenever she gets the opportunity. A passionate baker and artist, she loves to express her creativity on canvas and by baking delicious treats. Apart from her passion she loves spending time with nature and doing outdoor activities such hiking and paddle boarding!
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
I've been a member of the Makerspace and Cospace for almost 8 years now. A lot of the community I have built here started with people I met at Yukonstruct. A lot of my business is based out of Yukonstruct. I reaped a lot of benefits from this place and I would like to give back to the organization and the community by volunteering to run the organization.
Job Titles:
- Secretary of the Board of Directors
Michelle hopes to make a meaningful impact by actively engaging with visionary individuals, collaborating on creative ideas, and shaping the future of the innovation ecosystem. She is excited about the opportunity to be part of a team that is creating the future of entrepreneurship in the Yukon. Michelle is thrilled to be on the board!
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
As a user of both the Cospace and Makespace, Norah sees the value of what Yukonstruct brings to the community. She's interested in seeing how this organization can adapt to the community's ongoing changes and needs.
Norah is interested in finding ways to contribute meaningfully to the Yukonstruct community. Despite (or because of) her background in the arts, she's particularly motivated to find opportunities where her skillset is useful, but which are not in the same circles where she works.
Job Titles:
- Accountant
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Partner
- Treasurer of the Board of Directors
Norman is an Accountant and Partner with Crowe Mackay LLP, a Western Canadian accounting firm. Norman's background is in First Nation Government fiscal relations and the taxation of family-owned businesses. Norman has also been involved in small northern businesses as a shareholder. Norman joined the Yukonstruct board with a keen interest in encouraging entrepreneurship.
Ratan joins the team as a recent graduate of Yukon University's Multimedia Communications program, where he served as President of the Student Union. He is passionate about animation and gaming; and is excited to put his design skills and knowledge of computer hardware to work in his new capacity at Yukonstruct. Ratan plans to become a full time game designer in the future. Outside of work, Ratan loves playing Badminton and Basketball, and enjoys outdoor activities like hiking and canoeing.
Rick spent ten years as a programmer, designer, and project manager at an indie game studio, working with a small team of artists and programmers on an engine built from scratch using nothing but C++, DirectX, and passion. His other passions include traditional woodworking, electronics, leather working, and chocolate making.
Shayna has always been drawn to problem solvers and people who love to match creativity with action. Growing up in Dawson Creek, BC, she was exposed to all kinds of makers, idea junkies, and innovators. With experience in managing non-profits, and as a business owner, Shayna values support for ventures and organizational evolution. Now part of the Yukonstruct Team, Shayna fosters collaboration, sustainable growth, and meaningful contributions to the Yukon community and innovation ecosystem.
Sofia was born in 2005 and raised in Whitehorse. She grew up speaking both French and English and graduated from CSSC Mercier in June of 2023. She has a love for theatre and hopes to one day be a well known actor for film and on stage performances. You may have seen her in different shows produced by Yukon Theatre For Young People. Her first lead role was "Hodel" in Fiddler On the Roof 2024 and played the role as one of the three "Fates" from the Tony award winning show, HadesTown. She will be moving to Vancouver, BC in the fall of 2025 to go to school for acting in hopes she can make her dream of becoming an actress come true. Sofia is thrilled to be working with an amazing team and is proud to be a member of the Yukonstruct community.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Steve has been involved in Yukonstruct since its inception, initially as part of his job as the Director of Technology and Telecommunications at Government of Yukon's Economic Development Department, and now as a business owner with the company he co-founded, Digital Engine Technology, which is head quartered in Cospace.
He's looking forward to serving on the board of Yukonstruct to generate some excitement in the space, and is particularly passionate about the Yukon being a great place to start businesses and wants to focus on initiatives that increase Yukonstruct's capacity and reputation in this area.
Not just our bookkeeper, Tanya also shares her in-depth knowledge of not-for-profit administration and management. Before becoming a self-employed bookkeeper, she was General Manager of Whitehorse's Nakai Theatre. She is a maker too; she's been designing and making jewellery for over 20 years.