Introducing Dawn Madahbee Leach as a Des Nedhe Board Member

Des Nedhe is proud to announce the addition of Dawn Madahbee Leach to the Des Nedhe Board of Directors.

Ms. Madahbee Leach, an Anishinabe-Kwe and member of the Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation, is currently the General Manager of the Waubetek Business Corporation, a leading Indigenous financial institution, providing financial services to Indigenous entrepreneurs across Northeast Ontario in Canada. She is also the founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Indigenous Business International, which assists Indigenous people and companies internationally with various economic sector strategies and project reviews.

Ms. Madahbee Leach is the Chair of the National Indigenous Economic Development Board and has been part of this federally appointed board since 2000, providing advice and guidance to the federal government on issues related to Indigenous economic policies and programming. In collaboration with more than 20 national Indigenous organizations, she also chaired the development of the first ever National indigenous Economic Strategy for Canada, published in June 2022.

Ms. Madahbee Leach currently serves on the boards of Peace Hills Trust since 2012, NioBay Metals Inc. since 2017 and the Board of TC Energy, to which she was appointed in November 2024. She has also served on her First Nation’s elected Council and as Chair of the Northern Ontario Policy Institute. She previously served on the boards of the Local Health Integration Network for Northeast Ontario from 2012-2017, the Northern Ontario Development Corporation from 1992 to 1996, the Ontario Development Corporation from 1994 to 1996, and Innovations Ontario from 1994 to 1997. She also serves on Indigenous Advisory Committees for companies in the manufacturing, mining and energy sectors. Ms. Madahbee Leach has an extensive network across Canada and has spoken and promoted Indigenous businesses internationally in Australia, Chile, New Zealand, Sweden, Germany, the United States and the United Kingdom.

Ms. Madahbee Leach is the recipient of a 2023 Business Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Council of Indigenous Business as well as the 2020 Indspire Award for Business and Commerce, one of the highest honours amongst Indigenous Peoples in Canada. She was also recognized as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women in 2018. Ms. Madahbee Leach graduated from the University of Waterloo’s Economic Developers Program and has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and Law from Laurentian University, with a part of her studies for this degree at York University.

Des Nedhe Group established a Board of Directors and a Business Charter to ensure effective governance and strategic oversight. The Board comprises professionals with expertise in sectors like construction, retail, renewable energy, and law, providing diverse insights to guide the company’s direction. The Business Charter outlines the relationship between English River First Nation (ERFN) and its businesses, detailing director appointments, board composition, approval processes, and reporting requirements to ERFN leaders and members. This governance framework enhances transparency, accountability, and business success, aligning with best practices.