Team

Chana Martineau is the CEO of the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation, a provincial Crown Corporation with a mandate to serve as a catalyst for Indigenous prosperity and independence through investment and involvement in Alberta’s natural resources, agriculture, transportation, and telecommunications sectors. Prior to joining AIOC, Chana had an extensive and diverse background in the financial services sector with 30 years of experience across all aspects of banking and investing. Her experience includes strategy and consulting in the key sectors under the AIOC mandate. Chana has been recognized for her efforts fostering Inclusion and Diversity for women in leadership and Indigenous peoples. She has a track record of building high performance teams both inside and outside of the boardroom. Her governance experience encompasses several board positions, including time as the Enterprise Risk Finance & Audit Committee chair of a National Sport Organization and is a current candidate for the ICD.D. Chana is a proud member of Frog Lake First Nation on Treaty 6 Territory. She is a graduate from the University of Alberta with a degree in Economics, is a member of the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO), and has her ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.

Steven Kroeker has over 28 years of financial experience in Alberta. He is currently Chief Investment Officer of the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation where he has responsibility for investment and engagement. Prior to joining AIOC, he was with Keyera Corp. and its predecessors for 14 years. Keyera Corp. is a publicly traded energy infrastructure company with assets largely located in Alberta. For almost half of his time at Keyera Corp., he was Vice President, Corporate Development, where he was responsible for evaluation and execution of acquisitions and divestments. He then became Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Keyera Corp. where in addition to being responsible for Corporate Development, he became responsible for Accounting, Tax, Treasury, Investor Relations, Information Technology and Supply Chain Management. Prior to Keyera Corp., Steven spent nine years as an investment banker in Calgary with Scotia Capital. At Scotia Capital, he worked on various mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures, as well as on various equity financings. Prior to Scotia Capital, Steven worked at Gulf Canada Resources Limited for over four years, including in Corporate Development where he worked on various strategic and economic evaluations of acquisitions and divestitures.

Steven has a Master of Business Administration from the Richard Ivey School of Business of The University of Western Ontario, and a Bachelor of Commerce with Distinction from The University of Calgary. He enjoys spending time with his wife and four children and enjoys various water sports and going on volunteer trips abroad. Steven’s volunteer commitments currently include serving on the Board of Directors and Audit Committee of World Vision Canada and serving on the Calgary Advisory Board for The Salvation Army.

Scott brings experience, expertise and leadership capabilities around structuring, financing, and negotiating Indigenous partnerships in Alberta, including several deals directly involving AIOC. Scott’s previous experience positioned him as a principal architect of AIOC's first investment, Cascade Power.

Scott has directly supported a large number of Indigenous Communities across Western Canada in the equity ownership of major assets including renewable and non-renewable power generation, energy storage, hydrogen and critical minerals, oil and gas infrastructure, carbon capture utilization and storage and agriculture, in addition to key land acquisitions directly for Alberta Indigenous Communities. Scott’s previous experience spans Alberta economic sectors including energy, oilfield services, real estate, manufacturing, and international trade.

Scott holds a CPA designation and is accredited as a Chartered Business Valuator and Chartered Financial Modeller. He is a graduate of the Institute of Corporate Directors education program.

Hamid Shahzad is a chartered accountant, ACA (ICAEW), CMA, CIA, CISA, CFE and EMBA. He moved to the United Arab Emirates, and worked in Audit and Finance for the Retail, Construction, Aviation and Education Sectors for approximately eight years. Hamid immigrated to Canada in 2012, initially to Toronto and held his first job in the Yukon. He has lived in different provinces of Canada and likes exploring the country. Hamid's beautiful family of five includes his wife and three daughters. Hamid loves to travel and explore the culture and cuisine of different world countries. He's visited the USA, France, UK, UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. His most recent trip was to Morocco, and the next destination on his bucket list is Turkey. Hamid's hobbies are travelling and reading. He holds over 20 years of experience and has led finance departments at different organizations for 14 years. Hamid has had other opportunities to serve Indigenous organizations in Canada. He joins AIOC after his most recent assignment with a Saskatchewan Metis organization as a CFO.

Rhonda Cooper-Burgess, brings over 15 years of experience in People & Culture, with a strong focus on Human Resources strategies. Rhonda has successfully navigated complex people challenges in roles such as Employee and Labour Relations Consultant, HR Business Partner, Manager, Academic Initiatives and Manager, People and Culture, supporting organizations including the University of Calgary, Mount Royal University, and the Glenbow Museum.
Her expertise encompasses recruitment, performance management, workforce planning, policy development, employee relations, collective bargaining, and advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility initiatives.
As a proud member of the Métis Nation of Alberta, Rhonda’s commitment to reconciliation profoundly shapes her HR approach. She is dedicated to cultivating a supportive and respectful workplace culture for all staff, with the aim of creating an exceptional environment that empowers and values every individual.

Nelson has a decade of experience in capital markets, financial advisory, corporate finance, structured finance, project finance and investment banking covering multiple sectors including Oil & Gas, Power, Energy, Social Infrastructure, and Real Estate in Sub-Saharan Africa and North America. His area of expertise includes transaction structuring & management, investment appraisals, valuation, capital raising, financial modelling, due diligence, commercial negotiations, and business planning & risk assessment.

During his career, most recently, he was at the City of Calgary as a Senior Investment Strategist, where he was responsible for evaluating investment opportunities, carrying out due diligence, developing optimal capital raising strategies and conducting risk assessment for the development of social infrastructure projects. Prior to the City of Calgary, Nelson worked as a Senior Associate with Deal Advisory KPMG and as a Manager, with Argentil Capital Partners, an investment banking firm focused on Social Infrastructure and Natural Resources, where he worked on various transactions, including mergers & acquisitions, equity & debt capital raise, capital restructuring, divestitures, market entry & expansion culminating to a deal size of US$10 billion.

Nelson is a CFA Charter holder and a Chartered Accountant. He also holds Bachelor of Science degree in Finance.

Calvin Steendam is an Analyst, Investments at the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation. He graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor's Degree from the Alberta School of Business where he majored in Finance. He also brings a variety of experience which includes managing a corporate real estate portfolio at Stantec and contributing to capital raising efforts at a start-up. Calvin has directly worked with Indigenous Communities through his most recent work at Indigenous Services Canada. While working there he supported the negotiation and implementation of claims, and supported exploratory discussions around Band creation and Band division. Outside of work, Calvin loves to travel and recently got into long distance running. He just completed his first half-marathon and hopes to combine these interests by completing a marathon in another country.

Whitney brings over 13 years of energy industry experience. Prior to joining AIOC, she worked in the midstream sector where her role focused on community and Indigenous engagement, and more recently explored sustainability and specifically how it relates to Indigenous relations. Prior to that, her career focused on community engagement, with further experience in community investment, communications, and business development.

Whitney holds a Master of Arts in History from the University of Victoria where her studies focused on Indigenous history in Canada. While studying, she spent time in south central BC living in the Stó:lō community where she drove a community-based research project. This transformational learning experience ignited her passion for reconciliation and further set the foundation to her approach to engagement.

In her spare time, Whitney volunteers on Young Women in Energy’s Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Committee and is a Learning Partner for the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) Indigenous Awareness Learning program, where she supports other engagement professionals in exploring our shared history and complexities relating to engagement with Indigenous communities.

With over 13 years of experience at the intersection of industry, government, and communities, Shafak Sajid is dedicated to building meaningful relationships and driving impactful change. A recipient of the Young Women in Energy Award, Shafak excels in strategic planning, and relationship building. She is known for her innovative approach to integrating diverse perspectives, fostering collaboration, and delivering actionable results in complex environments.

Shafak started her career in Karachi, Pakistan, focusing on health, education, and micro finance projects in communities throughout the country. Shafak moved to Calgary in 2011 to pursue her Master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Calgary. Her career has included policy research where she authored several policy reports and has been featured in print, broadcast, and radio outlets across Western Canada.

Shafak then focused her career leading community engagement and stakeholder relations at CAPP and Pathways Alliance. Beyond her professional career, Shafak is also an avid traveler, a tennis enthusiast, and an active volunteer in Calgary's arts community.

Mario is a proud member of the Bigstone Cree Nation of Treaty No. 8 Territory. He is a NAIT graduate with a Bachelors of Business Administration with a major in management. Mario has several years of experience with Indigenous relations and over twenty years in the energy industry, more specifically in civil earthworks.

Mario has worked for non-profits, industry, and local governments with roles such as Business Industry Liaison, Project/field coordinator, Field Supervisor and Foreman. Within those roles he developed an extensive network and built key relationships with First Nation communities, different levels of government, Indigenous organizations, and numerous companies in various sectors.

Mario’s personal mission is to foster meaningful relationships built on trust and respect, bridging the gap between Indigenous and corporate communities, and work towards the advancement of reconciliation by Indigenous inclusion in the Alberta workforce. He is a proud father of two beautiful children and is passionate about learning and reconnecting with his culture.

Thalia brings over 15 years of experience working in the Alberta energy sector serving in both technical and non-technical capacities as a Geophysicist, Community Liaison, Consultation & Regulatory Advisor and Indigenous & Community Relations Manager. She has supported the development and execution of oil and gas upstream planning for technical and non-technical risk, by serving on integrated teams for both large and mid-sized energy companies. She also has created and implemented an Indigenous Relations strategy, rooted in meaningful partnership with Indigenous Nations, for an energy industry service company.
Thalia is passionate about transferring the knowledge that she has gained throughout her career to the youth through mentorship with programs such as Calgary Youth Justice Society’s In-The-Lead, along with the many Indigenous summer students from the various organizations she has been with.
Thalia was raised in Treaty 8 Territory in what are now known as Grimshaw, Peace River and High Level and is a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. She spends time with her beautifully blended family being a swim parent, hiking in the mountains, camping, and participating in outdoor sports, as a guest in Treaty 7 Territory, moh’kinsstis (Calgary), where she calls home.

Allison has over 15 years experience working with senior executives and boards.
Before joining AIOC, she held roles at ENMAX, SNC Lavalin ATP and TransAlta Utilities.

Allison enjoys hiking and travel.

Suzanne MacRae is the Executive Operations Specialist at AIOC. Her professional background includes over 15 years of experience working with senior leaders in a variety of industries including hospitality, healthcare, and energy services. She has a passion for building strong teams and supporting the enrichment of our communities.

Jessica is of Cree Métis and mixed settler ancestry with family ties to the Paddle Prairie Métis Settlement. She is also a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. Jessica is the granddaughter of Bertha Clark Jones (nee Houle), who was an Indigenous Women's rights activist and the first president of Native Women's Association of Canada. It is due to the wisdom and leadership of her grandmother that Jessica is on her current path.

Jessica comes to the AIOC with over 12 years of experience in the non-profit sector with a focus on strategic communications and community development. She believes strongly in the impact of storytelling, and the importance of centering the voices of Indigenous communities.

Jessica holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Victoria, and a Public Relations and Communications Management Certificate and Journalism Certificate from Mount Royal University. She also has a strong passion for the arts community, She developed and implemented an Artist in Residence Program for her community association where she serves on the board of directors. In her downtime, Jessica also likes to travel, write and practice beadwork.

Emmett brings a background in corporate and artistic events and communications to his role at AIOC. He began his career in theatre production, which fostered his passion for crafting experiences that amplify the voice, vision, and message of an organization. He has since managed conventions, trade shows, fundraisers, and community appreciation events across various sectors, including energy and technology.

Emmett is dedicated to community building, harm reduction, and amplifying the voices of marginalized peoples. He has served on the ATCO Council for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and has been a featured member of the Pride at ATCO initiative. Emmett is committed to principles of inclusion, pride, accessibility, and radical kindness in all his work.

When not at work, Emmett can most commonly be found at the movies, catching a live show, or spending time with his many pets.

Elescia has over 11 years of experience in office management and corporate governance and is a people person through and through. She is empathetic, intuitive, and well-organized. She is proud to join the AIOC and be a part of economic reconciliation for Indigenous groups within the province of Alberta.
When not making sure the office is running like a well-oiled machine, she can be found with her nose buried in a book, watching movies, taking a long walk with her dog, or spending time with her husband and two children.

Shahab Yaqoob is a versatile professional with a background in finance, project management, and policy creation. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (1994), an MBA (2005), PMP certification (2012), and an MPA (2021). With over 25 years of robust working expertise in finance, risk, marketing, project management and policy development, Shahab brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to AIOC.

In 2019, Shahab relocated from Kingdom of Bahrain to Canada, where he completed his master’s in public administration at the Johnson Shoyama School of Public Policy, University of Saskatchewan, specializing in Public Sector Financial Management. During his time in Canada, he has contributed his skills and insights to Non-Profit, Indigenous Organizations, as well as the Government of Saskatchewan in different capacities.

Shahab's professional journey includes significant roles with government and crown corporations in South Asia and the Middle East, reflecting his diverse experience. As a lifelong learner, he actively contributes to the Project Management Institute (PMI-USA) on various topics, showcasing his commitment to professional development and knowledge sharing.

Outside of his professional pursuits, Shahab, along with his wife, Dr. Humaira, takes joy in parenting their beautiful daughter. The family shares a passion for travel, exploring new places, and immersing themselves in diverse cultures.

Lindsay is the mother to two boys and a member of the Metis Nation of Alberta. She has over 15 years of business and accounting experience including owning and operating two businesses. Currently, she is completing her bachelor’s of management (with several electives in Indigenous Business), part-time, to complement her work experience -- with the goal of completing her degree in 2024.

In 2022, she was recognized at the annual Rupertsland Institute Evening of Excellence for her continued success in her studies and community activism. She has been a long-time advocate for Indigenous rights and sits as a back up member for CAUAC (Calgary Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee) with plans of being a dedicated member in 2024.

One of Lindsay’s passions is community work. She has several years of volunteer work to help inspire others to reach their full potential while providing the tools and wisdom to overcome trauma and personal blocks. She also spends her free time educating others on Indigenous culture including most recently, partnering with the Calgary Board of Education school district to promote Indigenous knowledge within our public schools.