Rebecca Alty
Chair, Northwest Territories
Rebecca Alty is serving her second term as Mayor of Yellowknife. Prior to being elected as Mayor, she served as a Yellowknife City Councillor for two terms, from 2012 – 2018, and worked in communications and community relations for the Diavik Diamond Mine, NGO’s, and the Government of the Northwest Territories. Outside of work, she enjoys walking, gardening and traveling.
Kirby Brown
Chair, British Columbia
Kirby is also a founding director of Canadian charity Playground Builders International, which has built 247 playgrounds to date in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Palestinian Territories, bringing safe play in major conflict zones to over one million children daily.
Kirby became a senior manager at the world-famous Whistler Blackcomb resort in 1999. In 2007 he became the President and COO of Panorama Mountain Village in Invermere, BC, and negotiated the sale of the resort to local owners in 2010.
Kirby worked at a variety of social and tourism ventures before moving to Squamish in 2015 to proudly join the new Sea to Sky Gondola as General Manager. His community commitments include serving as Chair of Tourism Squamish, a board member of the Squamish Sustainability Corporation and the Granting Committee of Community Futures. Recently he became a founding member of the Squamish First Nations’ ambitious project, Hiy̓ám̓ ta Housing Society, with the aim to develop new affordable housing sufficient to “bring home” all off-reserve nation members and to improve the current supply of on-reserve housing.
Since being a member and study group co-chair for the 2008 Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference, Kirby has remained involved in the regional organizing committees for the 2012, 2015 and 2017 Conferences.
Marie Buchan
Chair, Manitoba
Marie is the Secretary Treasurer for United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 832, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. UFCW Local 832 represents over 16,000 members of the private sector in over 130 different workplaces across the Province. As Secretary Treasurer, she is responsible for all financial aspects of UFCW Local 832. Marie began her career with UFCW Local 832 in 2002. Marie came on staff as a relief representative – becoming a permanent, full-time union representative in March, 2003. In the same month, in addition to her appointment as a Local 832 full-time union rep, Marie was elected to the Executive Board of the UFCW Canadian Council. Marie has also been the Manitoba representative for the UFCW Canada Youth Committee and the UFCW Canada Women’s Advisory Board. She was the Local’s Director of Servicing for 4 years before moving into the Negotiation’s department in 2012. After 4 years as a full time Negotiator and Executive Assistant to the President, Marie moved into the role of Director of Operations. As Director of Operations, she oversaw all staff and overall operations of the locals 3 offices & 2 training centres in the Province. In June of 2021, Marie was elected by acclimation to the role of Secretary Treasurer. Marie also represents UFCW Local 832 as a member of the Manitoba Federation of Labour Executive Council.
Marie currently sits as a trustee for a variety of Health and Welfare Benefit Plans and served a term as a board member for the Central Regional Health Authority. In May of 2020, Marie was appointed to the Board of Directors for Manitoba Blue Cross.
In 2015, Marie was selected as one of the Manitoba delegates to the Governor Generals Canadian Leadership Conference and was named Co-chair for the Alberta Study Tour. When the conference ran again in 2017, Marie was appointed as the regional co-chair of the Manitoba Study tour, playing a critical role in showcasing Manitoba to the study tour participants.
Dan Campbell
Co-Chair, Prince Edward Island
Dan Campbell was appointed as Clerk of the Executive Council and Secretary to Cabinet for the Government of Prince Edward Island in May 2021. In this capacity, Dan provides overall leadership to the public service in implementing key policies in the government’s mandate with a focus on people, communities, wellness and environment.
Prior to his appointment as Clerk, Dan served as Deputy Minister of Finance (2019-2021) and Secretary to Treasury Board (2014-2019). Before joining the Provincial Government, Dan worked within the Enterprise Development group of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. There, he focused on the delivery of the Agency’s various funding programs including the Atlantic Innovation Fund and the Business Development Program. He previously worked with the Provincial Government on an interchange agreement, first serving as a senior policy advisor on fiscal and economic relations within Executive Council Office before assuming the role of Director, Strategic Initiatives within the Department of Innovation and Advanced Learning. Dan also worked with Export Development Canada in Ottawa in a variety of roles over an eleven-year period, most recently specializing in aerospace financing.
Dan obtained his Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 2001. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Dalhousie University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Prince Edward Island.
Catherine Dallaire
Chair, New Brunswick
Catherine Dallaire has held a number of strategic leadership positions with the City of Moncton. As General Manager, she has overall responsibility for parks and recreation, athletic facilities, events and major venues, social inclusion programs, a museum complex, heritage buildings and cultural services.
Catherine earned her undergraduate degree, a Bachelor of Public Relations, from Mount Saint Vincent University (Halifax) and her Maîtrise en Administration publique from Université de Moncton (Moncton).
She is a proud alumna of the 2004 Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference and was honoured to serve as Regional co-chair of the 2008 Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference).
She is actively engaged in her community and her profession, including the Organizing Committee of the Congrès mondial acadien 2019, the Institute of Public Administration of Canada, the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators, International City Managers’ Association, Moncton Rotary Club (Past President and Paul Harris Fellow), and the Greater Moncton YMCA.
Pat Dorsey
Chair, Prince Edward Island
Pat Dorsey was appointed Vice-President of ACOA Prince Edward Island and Tourism in January 2007.
Before joining ACOA, Mr. Dorsey worked in leadership roles with the Government of Prince Edward Island, including seven years as Senior Policy Advisor to the Premier. He has extensive policy development and program delivery experience, specifically in the areas of community development and economic renewal, intergovernmental affairs and corporate communications.
Mr. Dorsey, a native Islander, holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Prince Edward Island and a Master of Public Administration from Dalhousie University. He is an alumnus of the PEI Public Service Commission’s Management Program and the 2008 Governor General’s Leadership Conference. Mr. Dorsey completed the Institute of Corporate Directors-Rotman Directors Education Program at the University of Toronto, receiving his ICD.D designation in 2017.
The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency works to create opportunities for economic growth in Atlantic Canada by helping businesses become more competitive, innovative and productive, by working with diverse communities to develop and diversify local economies, and by championing the strengths of Atlantic Canada. Together, with Atlantic Canadians, we are building a stronger economy.
Michael Hale
Chair, Yukon
Michael is currently the Deputy Minister of Health for the Yukon Government tasked with leading the department through a transformation into an independent health authority, while helping to lead the territory’s health care system out of a pandemic focus and towards a modern transformation of health delivery in Canada’s North.
Previously, Michael was the President and Chief Operating Officer of Northern Vision Development, a Yukon-based hotel operator and real estate development company. With six hotels, Yukon’s largest commercial real estate portfolio and multiple capital projects, NVD is one of Yukon’s (and the North’s) largest private sector entities.
He moved to the Yukon more than 20 years ago and has built a life in Canada’s north. His career has spanned a wide gamut, from journalism to government to politics to private sector. Previous to his current role, he held numerous roles from Chief of Staff to Yukon’s Premier to Vice President of Operations for a Crown corporation to Assistant Deputy Minister/Chief Negotiator for Aboriginal Relations to Chief Administrative Officer for Yukon’s only post-secondary institution.
In 2008, Michael attended the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference and in 2012, as a GGCLC alumni, he co-chaired the planning and development of the Yukon tour.
He has two sons, Maddox and Jonah, and a partner, Lacia, who remind him daily that work is only one part of life.
Joanne Hansen
Chair, Alberta
Joanne Hansen was raised in Sudbury, Ontario and is proud of her Canadian French cultural heritage. She attended Laurentian University studying Sports Administration. She left Sudbury to pursue her career in corporate marketing and public relations that spans from Energy, Sports, Performing Arts and Government Relations sectors. She has owned her own Event Management company which among other things, presented Calgary to the World, in conjunction with multiple volunteers of the Calgary Stampede during the 28th G8 Summit held in 2002. The media was shown “The Calgary Way” with a mini show of Calgary Stampede Rodeo, mini chuckwagon races, parade and an evening of Nashville North entertainment.
Joanne is passionate about volunteering in general. She has been donating her time to the Calgary Stampede for over 38 years and currently is with the Downtown Attractions committee. She was on the Calgary Heritage political board and has also worked with the Canadian Cancer Society and Diabetes Alberta. During her career she volunteered throughout North America as an Olympic Official as well as Media Relations Coordinator (Luge – 1988 Calgary, Figure Skating, Ice Hockey – 2002 Salt Lake City, Downhill and Slalom Skiing – 2010 Vancouver).
An Alumni of the 1995 Governor General’s Conference (Co-Chair, Québec East Region), Joanne has a passion for continuing to share her experience of the time by mentoring others for a better tomorrow. She enjoys being involved in interviewing tour candidates and creating subsequent Alberta-based Governor General tours as well as the Alberta Tour for the Caribbean-Canadian Emerging Leaders Dialogue in 2012.
She is married to Tim and has twin daughters, Christie Anne and Stephanie, who both live and work in Corporate Calgary. They are Joanne’s biggest joy in life … and proudest achievements!
Michael Jolliffe
Chair, Ontario
Michael Jolliffe is responsible for Client Development and Strategy, North America at GHD. He has 27 years of experience in the engineering services sector holding senior executive roles at three international engineering firms responsible for strategy, client development, corporate development, business development, government relations and communications. Prior to his private sector career, Michael worked for Ontario’s Leader of the Official Opposition and two provincial cabinet ministers at Queen’s Park.
Michael has worked in numerous market sectors including: water, transportation, energy, mining, environmental services as well as research and development. He is actively involved in the creation and cultivation of joint ventures and partnerships in the delivery of P3 and alternate delivery projects. This range of activity has provided experience on initiatives and projects in Canada, the United States, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and South America.
Michael has held numerous leadership roles in professional and industry associations including: Co-Chair of the Coalition for Canadian Astronomy; Member of the Board of Directors of the Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation; the Governing Council of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce; and the Board of ITER Canada; Vice-Chairman and Member of the Board of The Canada Tree; and Chair of the Working Group on Access to US Markets for the Association of Consulting Engineers of Canada (ACEC). Michael is currently a volunteer member of the Ontario organizing committee for the 2023 Duke of Edinburgh’s Commonwealth Study Conference and was also a participant in the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference.
Michael holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the Richard Ivey School of Business (Ivey Scholar) and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science (Honours Diploma) from Western University.
Eric Labelle
Chair, Quebec
A graduate of HEC Montreal in both Business Administration and Project Management, and holder of a BSc in Computer Network Management, Eric started his career as IT Support Manager at Aéroports de Montréal. He went on to join Bell Canada as Director of Outsourced Call Centers, and carried out several consultation mandates nationally and internationally in this capacity.
In 2006, he moved to France and joined the Webhelp group as International Development Director. As such, his main responsibilities included the implementation and subsequent integration of new subsidiaries worldwide.
Back in Quebec since 2013, Eric started his own consulting company, working with clients such as Nespresso USA, Colorado Group and La Presse Télé on their business strategy, before joining the City of Brossard in 2014, as the Innovation Director. He now holds the position of Director of Economic Development Services for the City of Montreal.
Eric passions are mainly focused on finding new ways to help citizens get more involved within their communities, attract foreign businesses and investments, and improve the attractiveness and competitiveness of Quebec internationally.
Eric co-chaired the 2017 British Columbia tour of the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference.
Ed J. McHugh
Chair, Nova Scotia
Ed McHugh is an award-winning business faculty member at the Nova Scotia Community College and a part time faculty member at Mount St. Vincent, Saint Mary’s and Dalhousie Universities. Prior to switching to education, he spent his career working in corporate marketing and public relations.
Ed has a deep history of community involvement. A past president of the St FX Alumni Association, he was inducted into the university’s Hall of Honour for life-long contributions to society. He has served in many roles in the world of basketball. (He just completed his 47th year as a referee and claims, “There has not been one bad call!” .
His favourite community passion is Special Olympics and has actively been involved for 20 years.
A native of Grand Falls-Windsor, NL, Ed was educated at Western University (Ivey MBA), St. FX University (BA Political Science) and St. Michael’s High School.
He is married to Shelly (Culligan) of Belledune, NB. They have two children – Kate
(Edinburgh, UK) and Colin (Halifax, NS). All four are graduates of St FX University.
Roxanne Morin
Co-Chair, Quebec
Roxanne Morin works for the City of Longueuil as department head – Citizen’s engagement, Communications and Public Affairs. With nearly 10 years’ experience in municipal administration, she is involved in projects relating to the development of citizen-centered services and the optimization of processes. Roxanne always thrives to create a cohesive and positive experience for the citizens. Curious, upbeat and a customer service expert, she plays a leading role in the advancement of many practices and in the interactions between the City, its teams and its citizens.
Michelle Snow
Chair, Newfoundland and Labrador
Michelle has over 20 years’ experience in public administration with a focus on public engagement. For a decade she served as the Director of Public Engagement for the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador designing and leading hundreds of engagements on matters of key public policy and served as the Assistant Deputy Minister responsible for Workforce Development, Labour and Immigration from 2019 through 2020. Michelle is currently the Executive Director of the University Governance Secretariat and Secretary of Senate at Memorial University of Newfoundland where she is providing professional guidance on matters of governance to both the Senate and the Board of Regents.
Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts, Certificates in Public Administration and Newfoundland Studies from Memorial University and a Masters Certificate in Project Management from York University. She is an alumna of the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference (GGCLC) of 2015.
Wanda Wuttunee
Professor in Native Studies, University of Manitoba
Dr. Wanda Wuttunee is Professor in Native Studies at the University of Manitoba. She is Cree, from Red Pheasant Cree Nation in Saskatchewan. Dr. Wuttunee focuses her teaching and research on future Indigenous business leaders and their efforts to benefit home communities. She also is interested in mainstream business/community partnerships that work to enhance vibrant, sustainable and healthy Indigenous communities in Canada, with CSC 2003 participation enriching her international perspectives.
The term “community capitalism” reflects Dr. Wuttunee’s emphasis on the need for economic development to be in sync with Indigenous entrepreneurs and their communities. Her work brings to the forefront the many different ways in which Indigenous peoples are contributing to the economy. She has published two books on the topic, written numerous journal articles (both academic and popular); and has made frequent conference and invited presentations. She is co-editing a book on Indigenous economic tenacity and overseeing a reprint celebrating the 50th anniversary of Ruffled Feathers, written by her father William I. C. Wuttunee.
Dr. Wuttunee’s community service work has included a range of board and committee memberships such as: Canadian Northern Corridor Scientific Advisory committee, Assembly of First Nations- Making Poverty History for First Nations committee; Manitoba Hydro; the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce Policy committee; Women’s Enterprise Centre, the Board of Directors for First Peoples Economic Growth Fund; Institute for Research on Public Policy and First Nations Statistical Institute.
Dr. Wuttunee is the first Indigenous woman in Canada to jointly hold a law degree (1983) and an MBA (1988). She and her sister Lauren were the first second generation Indigenous lawyers admitted to the bar in Canada.