Board

Stephen Buffalo is a member of the Samson Cree Nation, located in Maskwacis, approximately 100 kilometers south of Edmonton. Mr. Buffalo has a management degree from the University of Lethbridge, and he worked for Peace Hills Trust for 15 years. Since 2014, Mr. Buffalo has been President and CEO of the Indian Resource Council of Canada, which supports First Nations by working with government and industry.

Gary Bosgoed, P.Eng. is the President & CEO of Bosgoed Project Consultants, a project management, management consulting and consulting engineering company headquartered in Edmonton. The company currently manages projects and provides business advisory services across Alberta and Saskatchewan. He is a member of the Peepeekisis First Nation and has worked on over 100 First Nations projects. His experience also includes project delivery of large resource development, pipeline, energy, power and infrastructure projects for global service providers.

Mr. Bosgoed’s credentials include working as Senior Vice President and General Manager of WorleyParsons Canada in Edmonton leading a team of over 2,600. He has served as Chair of the Alberta Capital Region United Way Campaign, Director of the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) and the National Aboriginal Economic Development Board. He also lectures on indigenous community engagement at conferences, the ICD and University courses. Gary sits on the board of MEG Energy and Capital Power.

Chief Jim Boucher is Cree and Dene and was born in Fort McKay, Alberta, a community of about 850 Dene, Cree and Métis on the bank of the Athabasca River. The middle child of seven, he is a direct descendant of Headman Adam Boucher who signed Treaty 8 on August 4, 1899.

He is the President and Chairman of the Saa Dene Group of Companies, and is also well recognized as the former long-standing elected Chief of the Fort McKay First Nation and Chairman of the Fort McKay Group of Companies, one of the most successful First Nations and Companies in Canada.

Jim has been and continues to be one of the most influential and successful Indigenous leaders internationally. Jim believes practice and preservation of one's traditional way of life can occur simultaneously alongside continuous and long-term sustainable energy development. Jim has effectively built relationships with the oil and gas industry and all levels of government. This has built Fort McKay's social and economic strength, facilitated proper consultation, and advanced the rights of his community and its people.

Chief Boucher has received more than a dozen notable awards and accolades throughout his career. Most recently, Chief Boucher was inducted into the Alberta Order of Excellence (2020), Energy Person of the Year by the Canadian Energy Council of Canada (2018), and was named one of “The Power 50” – The 50 Most Influential Canadian Business Leaders (2017) and received the Commendation from the Governor General for Outstanding Service (2016). Jim also received the Aboriginal Business Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (2009), and Indspire (formerly National Aboriginal Achievement) Award - Business and Commerce (2008).

Ruby Littlechild is Plains Cree and from Maskwacis, Alberta.

Ruby is of Treaty 6 descent and comes from the Wandering Spirit bloodline, one of Big Bear’s revered spiritual warriors. Big Bear was a signatory to Treaty No. 6, agreed to in 1876 in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

She has completed a Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Studies, a Master’s in Education, and an MBA – Masters in Business Administration.

Ruby has previously worked for the Government of Alberta, APEGA – Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta, and helped launch and create the Alberta Indigenous Construction Career Centre at NorQuest College. She is currently the National Director of Indigenous Relations for Atkins Réalis.

Ruby’s leadership forges mutually successful relationships with Indigenous communities and Industry thereby utilizing best practices to successful Indigenous engagement and relationship building. She emphasizes inclusive and innovative collaboration, authentic stakeholder engagement, and the understanding of historical and cultural awareness as key factors in successful Indigenous Community Building and Economic Development. Ruby advocates to encourage Indigenous inclusion in all industries that impact the economy.

She believes shifts in social consciousness, higher education, and ethical practice are vital to sustainable development in our Indigenous communities in order to alleviate the prevalent poverty.

Ruby is a mother to Wynonna and Phaedra and “kokum” to three adorable little girls.

Vitaliy is a Registered Portfolio Manager at Cornerstone Fiduciary Wealth Management with over 20 years of progressive investment industry experience. Previously he worked at ING Bank Ukraine (Vice President, Equity Markets), Canadian Wheat Board (Treasury Officer), and Assante Asset Management.

Besides the Board of Directors of AIOC, Vitaliy is serving as a Chairman of the Supervisory Board at the National Depository of Ukraine (Kyiv, Ukraine), President of Alberta Ukraine Chamber of Commerce, Board member for Advisory Council on Alberta Ukraine Relations with the Government of Alberta, Board Member of Ukrainian Canadian Congress, and Board member for Ukrainian Research and Development Centre.

Vitaliy is a Chartered Financial Analyst and holds a Master’s in Finance from Odessa State Economic University, as well as a Master’s in Economics from the University of Manitoba.

Maureen Moneta is a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta and has earned her Bachelor of Commerce degree (BCom) from the University of Alberta and Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD.D) designations. Maureen has spent the last decade in executive leadership roles creating an impact as a dynamic and caring leader responsible for corporate services functions including accounting, investments and operations. Maureen currently serves on the Board of Directors of CPA Alberta, Alberta Gaming Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC) and the Mainroad Group and is also on the Executive of the Institute of Corporate Directors’ Edmonton Chapter. In 2020, Maureen’s accomplishments were acknowledged with both a CPA Alberta Early Achievement Award and Edify Magazine’s Top 40 under 40 Award (YEG).

Born Red River Metis, Ward later moved to Calgary and is a proud member of the Alberta Metis Nation. Ward is recognized for his 30+ years of bottom-line oriented business experience in Senior roles within multiple industries. Many of these roles consisted of restructuring divisions, real estate, construction, HR development, marketing, financing, and business development. Most recently Ward served two terms (8 yrs.) as a City of Calgary Councillor. Ward brought his business approach within government in his role as Chair of the Business Advisory Committee and Vice Chair of Finance. Ward served on multiple boards such as Calgary Economic Development, Calgary Police Commission, Silvera for Seniors, Stampede Board & Alberta Municipalities. During this period, he has strongly advocated for Indigenous education and recognition throughout the years. Calgary Council was the first municipality to introduce and pass the “White Goose Flying” report. Ward was honoured to receive the Queen Elizbeth II Diamond and Platinum Jubilee Medals, Police Chief challenge Coin and Metis business award. Ward is the principle of WSSC and currently the Chief Operating Officer of the Prostate Cancer Centre. Additionally, Ward serves as Vice Chair (Board of Directors) of Apeetogosan.

Hank Shade is a Blood Tribe member who has worked in the field of Indigenous economic development and business development for over 20 years. Hank has served on numerous National and Provincial advisory committees and working groups in both economic development and employment. Mr Shade has experience in program evaluation, program development and program implementation. Hank's experience at Indigenous Affairs Canada has given him an understanding of the diverse economic opportunities and success factors for Alberta First Nations Economic Development. Currently Hank sits on the Board of Trustees for both Blood Tribe Agricultural Projects and Kainai Forage, together Canada's largest exporter of timothy hay.

Rod Graham is the recently retired President of Velocity Truck Centres in Canada and has extensive experience as senior corporate executive in various sectors including financial/investment, transportation, alternative energy, construction, manufacturing, and resource services. Mr. Graham is a Chartered Financial Analyst with an MBA from the Ivey School of Business at Western University and a graduate of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) program.

Based in Calgary, he has served on more than two dozen public, private, and not-for-profit boards in western Canada, including the Board of Governors of the Business Council of British Columbia, Federal Port of Prince Rupert, Calgary Municipal Land Corporation and the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation.

Donavon Young has been the Deputy Minister of Alberta Indigenous Relations since April 2014. He brings over 35 years of extensive experience working with Indigenous peoples. Previously he worked as an Assistant Deputy Minister (Aboriginal Relations) for both the Government of Alberta and the Government of Saskatchewan. Donavon has also worked for the Royal Commission of Aboriginal Peoples in Ottawa and Gabriel Dumont Institute of Native Studies and Applied Research in Saskatchewan.