Voices of Trust: Businesses’ Role in Reconciliation

Following the discussion, we invite you to join us for a meet-and-greet with the panelists and light refreshments.

Building on its 25-year experience studying public trust in institutions through the Trust Barometer global survey, Edelman Canada has developed a new study that focuses on trust among Indigenous communities across the country.

Guided by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action 92 upon the corporate sector to, among other things, provide education on the history and realities of Indigenous peoples, Edelman has conducted a trust survey specifically with Indigenous respondents.

The event will kick off with a presentation of the study’s findings by Megan Spoore, National Lead of Corporate Affairs, and Sam Lessard, Vice President of Corporate Affairs, and will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by Sara Wolfe, Co-founder of Equity Cubed and Executive-in-Residence at Rotman School of Management. Panelists will delve into the role of businesses in advancing reconciliation and explore the trust dynamics between Indigenous communities and corporate institutions.

Panelists Include:

• Keith Henry, President and Chief Executive Officer, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
• Angela Mark, Director, Research, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business
• Mélanie Valcin, President and CEO, United for Literacy/Littératie Ensemble

Keith Henry is a Métis person born in Thompson, Manitoba and raised in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. He began his career in 1995 with teaching positions and has become well known for his strategic administrative and negotiation skills. Since 1998, he has led numerous provincial, federal and industry negotiations and has been personally responsible for the financial administration of several Indigenous non-profits. Mr. Henry has become an international Indigenous cultural tourism leader receiving Indigenous recognition as the former CEO for Aboriginal Tourism Association of British Columbia (AtBC).

In April 2014, the inaugural World Indigenous Tourism Alliance Award recognized the work of AtBC and Mr. Henry’s leadership. In October 2015, he took the full-time role of the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada’s President and CEO and has been leading the organization since. Mr. Henry was recognized as one of Canada’s 150 Ambassadors in 2017 to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws, honoris causa from the University of Guelph in 2020.

Sam Lessard is a Vice-President at Edelman Montreal, where he works on the Corporate & Public Affairs team, specializing in stakeholder engagement and Indigenous engagement. Since joining Edelman in 2014, Sam has worked on a wide range of cases involving social acceptability and public consultation in energy, transportation and financial services. Sam is also advisor to the Cree Nation Government, a role he’s been holding for five years.

Before joining Edelman, Sam worked in the regulated professions field, for Quebec’s association of professional regulators, where he was conducting representation in the members’ interests, including consultation and consensus-seeking in preparation for official positions. Sam has a master’s degree in International Affairs, focusing on geopolitical energy issues. He also worked in academia as a research assistant in the energy sector.

Angela Mark is a proud Anishinaabekwe registered with Garden River First Nation. With over 30 years of experience as an entrepreneur, she is committed to enhancing the prosperity and well-being of Indigenous entrepreneurs, families, and communities and is passionate about Indigenous Women's entrepreneurship. As Director, Research with CCIB, Angela thrives on the challenges and opportunities her role provides for fulfilling and meaningful work including engaging with various partners and stakeholders, managing a passionate research team, overseeing all live projects, and promoting organizational value.

Megan Spoore is the National Lead for Corporate Affairs and General Manager of Edelman Calgary. A communications executive with a proven talent for delivering strategic, integrated communications programs that drive business results, Megan has more than seventeen years of experience. ​​Focusing on corporate communications, employee engagement and issues management, Megan has led multifaceted projects for a range of clients, including Fortune 500, public sector, private sector, and not-for-profit organizations.

Megan joined the Edelman team in 2010 and moved to Calgary in 2013. Since arriving, she has played a pivotal role in growing the Calgary office and diversifying its client base. Megan has led the office since 2019. ​ Prior to joining Edelman, Megan worked at a leading Canadian public relations agency where she routinely provided strategic counsel to clients facing high-profile, rapidly evolving issues. ​

Mélanie Valcin holds a Master's degree in International and Community Development from the University of Toronto and recently completed the Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management program at Harvard Business School. She has over 25 years of experience in social innovation, youth mobilization, and community development. Before joining United for Literacy, a nationwide Canadian literacy organization, Mélanie worked for the Canadian Red Cross, coordinated international exchange programs for Monash University in Australia, and served in the United Nations Development Fund for Women in Mexico City.

Mélanie currently serves on the Board of Directors for Le Devoir, a prominent daily newspaper, as well as on the Boards of Imagine Canada and the National Alliance for Children and Youth. She volunteers with Groupe 3737, an incubator for entrepreneurs from minority groups. In 2022, Mélanie was recognized as a Black Changemaker by the CBC. She is also a member of Montreal's Groupe des Trente, which promotes diversity in governance. One thing Melanie knows for sure: Literacy. Changes. Everything.

Sara Wolfe is a citizen of Brunswick House First Nation in Treaty 9. She is the External Director for Wilson College for Leadership and Civic Studies at McMaster University, an Executive-in-Residence at the Rotman School of Management, and co-founder of Equity Cubed. Sara is an accomplished executive leader who works at the intersection of health, education, social finance and corporate governance. Her 27 years of clinical and research practice as a community-based nurse and midwife give her a deep understanding of Indigenous culture and communities. She holds an Executive MBA from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, the ICD.D designation, and is a Senior Fellow at Massey College.

This event is available to attend in-person or virtually via livestream.

Rotman Events is committed to accessibility for all people. If you have any access needs or if there are any ways we can support your full participation in this session, please email Mandi Gosling [[email protected]] no later than 2 weeks in advance of the event and we will be glad to work with you to make the appropriate arrangements.

• The event will be hosted in Desautels Hall at the Rotman School of Management (105 Saint George Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3E6).
  General Admission: Livestream
  
• Rotman Events will email registrants a link to the livestream. Your registration includes access to the livestream and video replay for 30 days.
  

Questions: [email protected], Mandi Gosling

Host or Publisher Rotman Events