Wings of Indigenous Empowerment: Youth Leading Change presented by Air Canada
The 'Wings of Indigenous Empowerment: Youth Leading Change' panel, presented by Air Canada, our official airline, highlights the leadership and vision of three Indigenous youth committed to creating positive change in their communities.
Speakers
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Valérie DurandHead of Investor Relations and Corporate Sustainability for Air CanadaValérie Durand
Head of Investor Relations and Corporate Sustainability for Air Canada
Valérie Durand is Head of Investor Relations and Corporate Sustainability for Air Canada. In this role, she is official spokesperson for Investor Relations, leads Air Canada’s philanthropy, environmental and social impact strategies, including through the Air Canada Foundation (a registered, not-for-profit charity which focuses on the well-being of children and youth). She also leads the Linguistic Action Plan implementation and the Linguistic Solutions team. She is responsible for the communication, integration and promotion of Air Canada's sustainability efforts, and all aspects of Corporate and ESG reporting. Prior to this role, Valérie was Senior Counsel, Commercial & Legal Services Director. She was active in the general management of the Air Canada Legal Department and was responsible for supporting and championing the effective and efficient delivery of best-in-class legal services to Air Canada and subsidiary client groups, on matters of strategic importance to Air Canada. Before joining Air Canada in 2007, Valérie held other legal counsel positions in the energy and construction industry, and worked as a flight attendant with Air Canada. Valérie holds a Civil Law degree from the Université de Montréal and has been a member of the Quebec Bar since 2003. She holds a Global Competent Boards Designation (GCB.D), is an active philanthropic board member, and the proud mother of two girls, aged 10 and 5.
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Samantha BradleyProvincial and Territorial Engagement Manager at the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC)Samantha Bradley
Provincial and Territorial Engagement Manager at the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC)
Samantha Bradley is a member of the Haida Nation and brings nearly a decade of experience in the Indigenous tourism industry to her role as the Provincial and Territorial Engagement Manager. The vibrant assembly of Indigenous peoples and their territories are what make Canada unique. Samantha’s work is to strengthen the relationships that exist between the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada and all the organizations from coast to coast to coast that are working to share that message with the world. Samantha builds on the relationships she has made across the country in global travel media, travel trade, provincial Indigenous tourism organizations as well as federal and provincial government partners through her previous roles. Samantha is now based in Vancouver, and is honoured to live on the lands and waters of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Tsleil-Waututh, and Musqueam peoples.
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Alejandra Metallic-JanvierMentorship & IODI Coordinator at Indigenous Clean Energy (ICE)Alejandra Metallic-Janvier
Mentorship & IODI Coordinator at Indigenous Clean Energy (ICE)
Alejandra is a Mi’gmaq and Dene Suline woman from Listuguj Mi’gmaq First Nation along the Gaspe Coast, and Cold Lake First Nation in Treaty 6 Alberta. Having completed her undergraduate degree in Neuroscience and Mental Health from Carleton University, she is passionate about Indigenous representation in STEM+, community-based participatory frameworks to build relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples and supporting cultural continuity to enrich healthy and vibrant lands and communities. In an evolving clean energy economy, she believes sustainable and equitable partnerships must honor Indigenous ways of knowing and facilitate knowledge translation and mobilization. In her spare time, she loves sharing meals with friends and family, exercising, and colour-coordinating her outfits.
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Brandon MeawasigeVP, Communications and Marketing at INDSPIREBrandon Meawasige
VP, Communications and Marketing at INDSPIRE