BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Trent Blind

Chairman

Trent is currently senior advisor and executive management consultant to a number of companies and First Nations. He was recently appointed faculty leader for the Banff Centre’s Best Practices in Indigenous Business and Economic Development Program. He is the founding president of George Gordon First Nation Holdings Inc., and former chief financial officer for Siksika Resource Developments Ltd. Trent has several years of experience in Aboriginal banking and has been a director with a number of local, regional, and national Aboriginal organizations. He is a member of George Gordon First Nation, located in Treaty 4.

Deanne Lightning

Deanne Lightning is an Ermineskin Cree Nation citizen who has lived on reserve for most of her life and worked on reserve for over 40 years. She has spent the last 11 years in the non-profit sector and has extensive experience working with for- profit businesses as well. Being the child of an entrepreneur and a former leader raised on reserve has allowed her to appreciate the barriers that our Nation and its members have to overcome, as well as the many struggles that businesses face to become and remain prosperous. Deanne has 6 years of experience in the banking industry and also has allowed her to experience the processes of an off reserve based organization giving her a well-rounded background of business ventures both on and off reserve.

Deanne has been a customer and client of the NGCI businesses since its inception in 2013, but the opportunity to meet with the staff and various board members in the last couple of years has inspired her to endeavor to be a part of NGCI on a more consistent level. She believes that sound business ventures will not only move the Nation forward financially as a whole, but will also create more opportunities for the individual members, having a ripple effect by fostering independence and self-sufficiency. It has become her ultimate mission to assist in helping our Nation move forward for future generations.

Raymond Wanuch

Ray was born in Edmonton, Alberta, raised on the Paddle Prairie Métis Settlement and is of First Nations descent from the Ermineskin Cree Nation. He has obtained a Bachelor of Management degree from the University of Lethbridge in 1989; and also possesses the Technician and the Professional Level Certification from Cando.
Ray is married to Nola Wanuch from the Enoch Cree Nation, and have three children: Wendell, Natasha and Sydney, and five wonderful grandchildren.   In his past time he loves to play golf and currently learning guitar.
Prior to working with Cando, he was the CEO of Settlement Investment Corporation and currently serves on Settlement Investment Corporation’s board. He then moved on to facilitate and manage the Métis Settlements Economic Viability Strategy, which received international recognition for sustainable development.  Ray managed and taught a self-employment program for the Métis Nation of Alberta. Formed a consulting company with his wife to produce business and community strategic plans. Volunteer work includes being appointed to the Alberta Water Council by the Métis Settlements General Council; as well as serving as the former Cando Co-President and director representing Alberta. Ray also served on the Kainai health board and currently serves on the Changing Horses Board of Directors. Changing Horses is made up of a core group of medical professionals and friends from the Kainai First Nation who wish to address addictions stemming from drug, alcohol, and the current Opioid crisis.

Derek Bruno

Derek Bruno can best be described as an innovator and social entrepreneur.  His passion for Community Economic Development (CED) stems from his years growing up on the Samson Cree Nation.  This experience has lead him to develop a number of successful businesses and innovative programs designed to help solve some of the most challenging issues facing Indigenous Communities.  This passion has also led him to pursue an MBA in CED from Cape Breton University, serve two terms as a councillor for his nation, achieve his goal of becoming a published author and sought-after motivational speaker.   Currently Derek’s passion has been in the area of Renewable Energy and Permaculture having established two innovative companies, SevGen Renewables Ltd and WIN EcoSciences Inc.