N2N WOMEN’S GATHERING
SPEAKER BIOS
April 23 & 24 , 2026 | Prince George, BC
2026 Speaker Bios
Master of Ceremonies & Event Founder
Lisa Mueller
Lisa Mueller from the Tsilhqot'in Nation is the founder and creator of the Nation2Nation Forum in Terrace, BC. She is a First Nation consultant, community builder and workshop facilitator recognized as a young, upcoming voice and connector in the First Nation Community in BC.
Lisa is passionate about building long-term relationships with First Nation leaders, government officials and industry to share their perspectives on economic development. She is known for her ability to bring these leaders together to engage in meaningful and respectful dialogue. Her focus is always on connecting people and being the bridge between First Nations, and private industry and government. She works hard to bring the right stakeholders to the conversation.
WORKSHOP FACILITATORS
WORKSHOP 1 Facilitator | Topic: The Power of Her
Michele Santos
Senior Wealth Advisor at Wellington-Altus Private Wealth
Michele is a highly experienced Senior Wealth Advisor witha recognized Personal Financial Planner designation. With over 30 years of industry expertise, Michele has built a reputation for providing strategic financial guidance to clients from diverse backgrounds.
Throughout her career, Michele has demonstrated a deep understanding of investment strategies, risk management, and comprehensive financial planning. She believes in taking a holistic approach to wealth management, considering each client’s unique goals, aspirations, and risk tolerance to develop tailored solutions and get her clients financially organized.
WORKSHOP 2 Facilitator | Topic: Honouring the Shift: Women’s Wisdom in Life’s Transitions
Charrine Lace
Charrine is a Northwest Coast Indigenous Entrepreneur, arts and crafts professional facilitator, Traditional wild crafter, carver, and illustrator. She is a member of the Laksilyu clan of the Witset First Nation on Witsuwit'en territory.
Charrine has over 25 plus years of experience in the Indigenous arts and culture sector. Charrine is a graduate of the Ksan Indian Carving School of Northwest Coast Indian Art(1992). Charrine is also a graduate of the Desktop Publishing program at the Cowansville Vocational Education Training Centre in Cowansville, QC (2000) and she has also finished the NWACE Program in Prince Rupert, BC.(2017)
After 20 years as part-time craft vendors, Todd and Charrine Lace newly opened the doors to their stuido store business Wet’suwet’en Native Arts on the Witset First Nation reserve. Wet’suwet’en Native Arts is more than a store—it’s a showcase of authentic craftsmanship, cultural pride, and community spirit.
In addition to their products, they also offer customizable workshops to support your business and enhance your team’s knowledge. Whether it’s learning about cultural protocols or exploring hands-on crafts, they are excited to bring these experiences directly to your team!
WORKSHOP 3 Facilitator | Topic: Indigenous Beading
Crystal Behn
In Her Footsteps Authentic Dene Designs
Crystal Behn is of Dene and Carrier ancestry. She was born and raised in Treaty 8 traditional territory and resides in Prince George British Columbia. Crystal felt it of upmost importance that she learned from her Grandma Mary Behn the art of beading, moccasin making and traditional harvesting of meat and fur. She specializes in traditional and modern beadwork which is both customizable and unique using many natural materials that she harvests with her children. Beading has been Crystal’s passion for over 16 years which has earned her many first place wins and awards.
In 2017 Crystal became an artist for the company Manitoba Mukluks. The same day her products launched they were selling out. Crystal aims to bring authentic beautiful art to everything she handmakes. Crystals small home-based business In Her Footsteps Authentic Dene Designs is Indigenous owned and was built one bead at a time. In 2021 Crystal received the BC Achievement award for First Nations art. She is currently the Indigenous programmer at Two Rivers Gallery and an instructor at the College of New Caledonia teaching First Nations Fine Art and Design as well as teaching workshops as a traditional knowledge holder for School Disrict 57.
THURSDAY SPEAKER LINE UP!
Welcome Opening Remarks
Lheidl T’enneh First Nation
City of Prince George
IRSSS
DAY 1 ~ KEYNOTE | Topic: TBC
Tabatha Bull
About Tabatha Bull, President & CEO, Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB)
Tabatha Bull is Anishinaabe and a proud member of Nipissing First Nation. She is the President and CEO of the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB), where she leads national efforts to advance Indigenous economic prosperity and economic reconciliation in Canada.
With a background in electrical engineering, Tabatha is a strong advocate for Indigenous inclusion in Canada’s economy and energy sector. She is frequently called upon to advise governments and business leaders and has represented Indigenous business interests domestically and internationally.
Tabatha serves on several corporate and non-profit boards and has been recognized nationally for her leadership, including being named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women and receiving the King Charles III Coronation Medal.
PANEL 1 | Topic: Women in Leadership
Karen Ogen
Chief Executive Officer First Nations Natural Gas Alliance
Karen Ogen is the CEO of the First Nations Natural Gas Alliance, a society of First Nations in support of responsible LNG development in Canada – with a priority on the environment, and on First Nations consultation and engagement.
Karen brings extensive experience to her role, having served as elected chief of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation for six years, 2010-2016. She was also a council member for the Nation 1987-1990 and again 2019-2022.
She is familiar with the needs of Indigenous communities throughout B.C. and seeks to increase economic opportunities for First Nations through providing information and education regarding responsible resource development.
While Karen recognizes that not all projects will be appropriate for all nations, she hopes to help inspire more First Nations to consider and engage in discussions with industry and government around the possibility of resource opportunities.
Karen’s academic background is in social work. She achieved her Master’s degree from the University of Northern British Columbia in 2007, and graduated from the Indigenous Governance Certificate Program from the University of Victoria in 2010. August 2022, she successfully completed her the Masters in Business Administration program from Simon Fraser University in the Indigenous Business Leadership program. She is the first in her family and community to attain two Master’s degrees.
Karen was named one of the “35 Most Influential Women in BC: The power to disrupt” in March 2016, by BC Business Magazine. And she was elected in two consecutive years, 2021 and 2022, as one of the Business in Vancouver BC 500: The most influential business leaders in British Columbia, in the Resources: Oil and Gas sector.
Chief Valerie Askoty
Prophet River First Nation
Chief Valerie Askoty serves as the respected leader of the Prophet River First Nation, a vibrant Indigenous community located in northeastern British Columbia, Canada. With a deep commitment to the cultural preservation, economic development, and social well-being of her people, Chief Askoty advocates for the rights and interests of the Prophet River Nation at regional and national levels.
Under her leadership, the community has focused on fostering sustainable resource management, strengthening governance, and enhancing educational opportunities for future generations. Chief Askoty is known for her collaborative approach, working closely with government entities, industry partners, and neighboring Indigenous communities to build partnerships that support long-term prosperity and cultural resilience.
Her dedication to upholding Indigenous traditions while embracing innovation marks her tenure as a pivotal period in the ongoing growth and empowerment of the Prophet River First Nation.
Á'a:líya Warbus
MLA for Chilliwack-Cultus Lake
Á'a:líya Warbus is the MLA for Chilliwack-Cultus Lake and the Official Opposition House Leader. She was first elected in 2024.
Á'a:líya has a background in film, storytelling and communications on behalf of Indigenous peoples. She served as the Director of Cultural Communications at Stó:lō Xwexwilmexw Government, and as a Professor at Capilano University - Indigenous Digital Film Department. She is a multifaceted artist, and a community engagement advocate.
She is a young mother of three school-aged children and a proud member of the Stó:lō Nation. Á'a:líyais the daughter of former Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia Steven Lewis Point, OC OBC (Xwĕ lī qwĕl tĕl), who also served as Tribal Chair of the Stó:lō Nation and Grand Chief of Stó:lō Tribal Council.
GUEST SPEAKER | Topic: Indigenous Matriarchs Rising: The Increase of Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs
Sarah Jacknife
Sarah Jacknife is a nationally recognized Métis and Cree policy expert, educator, and advocate for Indigenous inclusion. A proud member of the Elizabeth Métis Settlement, Sarah is the Founder and Managing Director of Jacknife Consulting Ltd., an Indigenous woman-owned firm specializing in Indigenous policy, research, curriculum development, and organizational learning. She has worked nationally in higher education and telecommunications, and internationally in New Zealand (Aotearoa), where she worked in local government.
Sarah holds a Master of Public Policy and is a sessional instructor at the University of Calgary's School of Public Policy, where she teaches Indigenous policy. She is also an active member of the Canadian Indigenous Leadership Circle. Her writing has appeared in Policy Options, The Hill Times, The Globe and Mail, CBC, and the Calgary Herald. She currently resides as a guest in Calgary (Mohkinstsis) on Treaty 7 territory with her partner and fur buddy.
FRIDAY SPEAKER LINE UP!
KEYNOTE | Topic: Lessons at the Edge of your Comfort Zone
Shauna Harper
CEO of WeBC
Shauna Harper is the CEO of WeBC, a federally funded not-for-profit organization that provides thousands of women entrepreneurs across BC with business loans, advisory, training, and peer support to help their businesses grow and thrive each year.
Shauna is an impact-driven leader, community champion, speaker, mentor, and connector in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. She is a nationally-recognized advocate for women entrepreneurs, and gender equity.
Prior to coming to WeBC, Shauna was an entrepreneur for 22 years (with 13 of those year in Prince George). This lived experience as an entrepreneur helps her understand the clients WeBC has the privilege of serving from their head office in Kelowna, BC.
PANEL 2 | Topic: Intentional Allyship and Mentorship In the Workplace
Jillian Seronik
Communications Manager, Indigenous Resource Network
John Desjarlais
Executive Director, Indigenous Resource Network
John is Nehinaw (Cree)-Metis from Kaministikominahikoskak (Cumberland House), Saskatchewan. John has a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan and started his career in 2001 in the mining industry and worked in a variety of roles including E&S, maintenance and reliability engineering management until moving onto executive leadership in economic development and construction. John now serves as the Executive Director of the Indigenous Resource Network as well as Past President of APEGS. John also has extensive regulatory, volunteer, governance, and civil society experience serving on a variety of boards, committees, and other initiatives culminating into several awards over his career recognizing his civil service and servant leadership.
GUEST SPEAKER | Topic: Aging, Caring and Dying
Donna Flood
Executive Director, Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society
Donna Flood, a distinguished healthcare leader with over 40 years of experience, has made a global impact. She worked with Mother Teresa’s hospice in Calcutta and addressed unique healthcare challenges as Director of Care in Nunavut. As Executive Director of the Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society, Donna fosters innovation, collaboration, and financial sustainability. She has expanded Hospice Palliative Care from in house residential care to hospice care in the home. Community programs extend past Prince George and support people across the province.
Honored with the Queen’s Diamond and Platinum Jubilee medals, Donna served as President of BCHPCA and a Director of CHPCA. Her published papers on caregiving and end-of-life preparedness showcase her expertise.
Donna’s four-decade journey reflects enduring passion and profound impact, inspiring healthcare excellence and compassion.
GUEST SPEAKER | Topic: Indigenous Women’s Wisdom: Moving Through Change and the Voice Within
Charrine Lace
Charrine is a Northwest Coast Indigenous Entrepreneur, arts and crafts professional facilitator, Traditional wild crafter, carver, and illustrator. She is a member of the Laksilyu clan of the Witset First Nation on Witsuwit'en territory.
Charrine has over 25 plus years of experience in the Indigenous arts and culture sector. Charrine is a graduate of the Ksan Indian Carving School of Northwest Coast Indian Art(1992). Charrine is also a graduate of the Desktop Publishing program at the Cowansville Vocational Education Training Centre in Cowansville, QC (2000) and she has also finished the NWACE Program in Prince Rupert, BC.(2017)
After 20 years as part-time craft vendors, Todd and Charrine Lace newly opened the doors to their stuido store business Wet’suwet’en Native Arts on the Witset First Nation reserve. Wet’suwet’en Native Arts is more than a store—it’s a showcase of authentic craftsmanship, cultural pride, and community spirit.
In addition to their products, they also offer customizable workshops to support your business and enhance your team’s knowledge. Whether it’s learning about cultural protocols or exploring hands-on crafts, they are excited to bring these experiences directly to your team!
PANEL 3 | Topic: Health, Transition and Self-care
Kym Gouchie
Award Winning Musician, Visual Artist & Cultural Consultant
Kym Gouchie is a JUNO nominated and Western Canadian Music Award winning artist who uses music and storytelling to bring people together. An elder-in-training of the Lheidli T’enneh Nation, her work is rooted in reclamation, reconciliation, and the sharing of ancestral teachings. Through song and story, she creates space for listening, reflection, and connection. A mother of four, grandmother of ten, and auntie to many, Kym is guided by family and community in all that she does. Her multidisciplinary work reflects a deep connection to land, family, and story, grounding her artistic voice in lived experience.
Her songs and stories reflect both personal and shared journeys, inspiring audiences to engage with themes of cultural resilience, and understanding across Turtle Island. Kym’s performances move beyond entertainment, becoming moments of learning and connection. Alongside her creative work, she serves as a cultural liaison and sits on numerous boards, where she advocates for Indigenous representation and respectful relationship-building. Through her art and community leadership, Kym continues to share stories that honour the past while opening space for meaningful dialogue and connection in the present.
Janine Sampson
M.A., M.Ed. Counseling & Owner of Ember of Hope
Janine Sampson is a Dakelh and Wet’suwet’en woman raised in Stellaquo, B.C. by her family and extended community. Janine comes from families that practice their culture through the traditional governance system (Bahlats). She has spent many seasons fishing and berry-picking within their traditional territory.
Janine holds both a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Master of Arts (M.A.) in First Nations Studies. Her Master’s thesis, Experiences of Running: One Dakelh Woman’s Message of Transformation and Resilience, explores Janine’s personal journey through grief, loss, and trauma using running to cope and begin the healing process.
Throughout her career, Janine’s professional experience spans event planning, reconciliation seminars, proposal writing, oral history research with First Nations Elders and Traditional Land Users, community engagement to assist First Nations in community-based decision-making and community-developed policy, and fostering collaboration between First Nations, industry, and government.
In 2022, Janine completed a Master of Education in Counseling (M.Ed) from the University of Northern British Columbia. Her work is rooted in a deep understanding of the need for healing and understanding at all levels. Janine is a worthy woman who sees forgiveness everywhere, sharing her love and joy to empower others to freely express themselves.
Amanda Letendre
Community Relations Representative, EnviroBore Drilling Ltd
Tara William
Manager of Settlement Claims at IRSSS
Tara is a member of Wet’suwet’en First Nation, raised in Witset (formerly Moricetown). She is of Gitxsan-Wet’suwet’en decent from the Lax Gibuu - House of Spookw, raised in the Wet’suwet’en Traditional Governance system with the Gitim’den Clan.
She currently resides on the traditional territory of the Wet’suwet’en in Burns Lake, BC, enjoying the life of solo parenting 3 young adult children. Tara is an active member in her community as a Volunteer for many events, or catering along side her sister for community dinners.
Through many life experiences as a parent, work experiences ranging from capacity and community development projects, employment & training, as well as a support worker with families in crisis, & program development, this is where her passion for helping others continued to evolve. Seeing the bigger picture and part of the root issues within our communities encouraged her to continue go back into frontline work with IRSSS working with individuals experiencing complex & intergenerational trauma. After years of serving in the frontlines with her colleagues, Tara was promoted to the Manager of Settlement Claims Support - developing a program and team supporting children, youth, and families impacted by the recent First Nations Child Family Services & Jordans Principle Settlements distributed across Canada. Tara manages a team of 7 staff that work across the province of BC delivering emotional & cultutral support to Indigenous Communities, as well as the urban Indigenous populations in partnership with the stakeholders involved (Deloitte & BC Claims Helpers)
What intrigued Tara to step into the role of working with IRSSS is to always acknowledge her family of survivors, especially her late Grandmother (Nagwa’on – Sophie Ogen) who attended LeJac by Fraser Lake, and her mom Nalii – Ruby who had attended Prince George College. And her Father, Jerry, who was at the Indian Hospital at Miller Bay. Their strength & resilience drive her to be the change they wish to see breaking those intergenerational ties to the negative experiences they endured, as they are at the heart of the work she is privleged to do with survivors from Residential Schools, 60s Scoops, Indian Hospitals, as well as the Intergenerational impacts its left on the children of the survivors.
PANEL 4 | Topic: Mentorship, Start-ups and Careers
Heba Farhat
Senior Liaison Officer for CRA
Heba Farhat works with the Canada Revenue Agency as a Senior Liaison Officer and has a background in business and accounting. She’s all about helping small business owners make sense of the tax system. Whether it’s understanding your tax obligations or avoiding common mistakes, Heba is here to make taxes feel less intimidating and a lot more manageable.
Cindy Warren
General Manager Inn on the Harbour
My name is Cindy Warren and I am the General Manager of the Inn on the Harbour in Prince Rupert BC.
I arrived in Prince Rupert in 1981 on the 1st day of Grade 12 and was determined to leave as soon as I graduated and go back to the Yukon. Well, as you can see, that didn’t go quite as planned.
I have learned how to roll with the punches. I started my working life at 15 years old as a housekeeper in Whitehorse YT and have always worked in customer service, mainly in the restaurant or hotel business. I have owned 3 restaurants and, although I loved being an owner, I quickly learned that I am a much better employee than a business owner.
Nineteen years ago, at the tender age of 43, I decided to leave my position as Kitchen Manager/Head Chef and go back to school. I completed the office admin course at the community college and applied for the Night Auditor position at the Inn on the Harbour. I had worked in that position for 10 years when the owners offered me the General Manager’s position. On April 22nd I started my 8th year in that role. I can honestly say it is the best job I have ever had.
I took the opportunity to ask some very dear friends to help me write this Bio as I have never done one before. Here are their thoughts –
Cindy is welcoming, kind, and makes everyone feel comfortable. She has a huge heart and always says that her door is open.
Cindy has a social conscience and likes to volunteer. She is versatile and generous.
She is a problem solver but is not afraid to ask for advice.
Cindy is a gifted team leader who empowers her team members to take responsibility and encourages them to step out of their comfort zones and work together as part of a valued team.
Jocelyn Eisert
Business Development Manager, Futurepreneur
Jocelyn Eisert has aligned herself with providing education preparedness, employment readiness, entrepreneurial coaching and event management services since February 2008 for corporate and community gatherings. She is the youngest of 17 children, orphaned at 17 – never a quitter and has the heart of a true entrepreneur. Recently joining the Futurpreneur team, she brings a wealth of knowledge in the entrepreneurial industry and delivers information with ease and confidence.
Based in Fort St. John, BC, Jocelyn has worked with presenters and speakers such as Theo Fleury, Adam Bach and Trevor Lindon to name a few and has made impacts in dozens of communities to hundreds of individuals. For Jocelyn it is not who SHE meets, it is who SHE brings to the event and IMPACTS THAT ARE MADE IN COMMUNITIES that have positive results.
Mrs. Eisert graduated from high school with honors in 1991 and completed her nursing assistant at Red River Community College. Realizing quickly that the medical field was not for her, she graduated from Herzing Career College in 1995 with a certificate in Business Administration. Since then, Jocelyn has completed Project Management Level 1 and 2, the Adult Educator Diploma and numerous workshops and seminars across the Country over the past three decades.
Dedicated to the work she does, Jocelyn has designed a variety of programs and workshops to support learning and opportunities for growth and professional development. She has come to love facilitation and seeing each individual full of energy with their light bulbs bright, truly makes Jocelyn’s heart sing. When she grows up – she wants to be a comedian – making people smile and healing our nation through laughter is only one dream away!
Catherine Pennington
National Leader Indigenous Client Services KPMG
Catherine is the Senior Director and National Lead of Indigenous Advisory Services for KPMG’s Infrastructure, Capital Projects, and Sustainability practice, and is KPMG’s Truth and Reconciliation Champion. She brings a wealth of experience from the North American energy sector, where she spent nearly two decades in various roles within public and corporate affairs, focusing on collaborating with Indigenous Nations and communities.
Prior joining KPMG in 2024, Catherine spent 15 years with Enbridge Inc. leading Indigenous and Community Engagement in various jurisdictions across Canada. With major project experience, Catherine was involved from project design to execution and operations. Prior to joining Enbridge, Catherine worked in the upstream side of the energy business. During her time in the energy sector, Catherine held several portfolios and worked with many partners across the industry. From consultation and engagement to supply chain inclusion and equity opportunities, Catherine’s national experience has allowed her to work with many communities and organizations from coast to coast to coast.
As a proud citizen of the Métis Nation, born and raised in Duck Lake Saskatchewan on Treaty Six and the Metis Homeland, Catherine is dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities, economic development, healthcare services, and overall prosperity for Indigenous communities. Catherine serves as a director for Raven Indigenous Outcomes Fund, Diabetes Canada and the TELUS Interior and Northern BC Community Board and was the first co-chair for the national Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund, an Indigenous lead philanthropic organization.
Her academic background includes a BA in Human and Social Development, a Masters in Clinical and Health Psychology, Indigenous Governance studies, and a current clinical license with the Canadian College of Professional Counsellors and Psychotherapists.
Before transitioning to the energy sector, Catherine worked as a social worker and counselor in rural, remote, and northern communities in British Columbia and Alberta. In addition to her role at KPMG, Catherine is a registered professional counsellor and practicing psychotherapist in private practice. With a specialty in complex trauma and relationships, she is dedicated to improving the health of individuals, families, and couples.
Outside of work, Catherine spends her free time pursuing outdoor activities with her family in Northern BC.
