Board of Directors

Sharon Stevenson

Sharon Stevenson is currently the Trust Manager with the Peguis Surrender Claim Trust, a career she embarked on in 2016. Where she is involved in the implementa- tion and administration of a community Trust, currently valued at $140 Million. With over $3.5 million awarded each year, Peguis membership keeps her & staff busy supporting community members. Her trust work affords her the opportunity to assist community members and the First Nation in their pursuit of “Building Our Future” and “Preserving Our Future” fulfilling the visions of the Trusts. She is also an elect- ed Financial Trustee of the Peguis Treaty Land Entitlement Trust. The Trusts are so much more than just money, they are the history, identity, education and future of Peguis.

After graduating from Peguis Central School, Sharon attended the University of Manitoba where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree. She subsequently attend- ed the Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario and completed her Business degree. Sharon has always been a strong supporter of AFOA Canada and has achieved her CAFM, CAPA & CIHRP designations. Sharon has also been awarded the Xerox Excellence in Leadership Award for her leadership in financial management. She has also completed the Harvard Executive Program “Leading People and Investing to Build Sustainable Indigenous Communities” with AFOA Canada. During Covid, Sharon has completed the Project Management Program with Red River Polytechnic and completed the Institute of Corporate Directors train- ing. She is humbled with the education path she has pursued, as there is always something new to learn and people to meet.

Sharon also provides Board support for AFOA Canada and the Peguis Foundation Inc. She gives credit to her family: spouse Howard French, son Kiinnan, daughter Aniike and granddaughter Binidee for giving her the support and drive to make a difference in the community. Sharon resides in Peguis where she is overly active and involved in community programs and events. She is the go-to person in Peguis.

Jacob Kuypers

Jacob joined the NATOA Team in 2025 bringing a wealth of experience obtained from his tenure as Chief Operations Officer at The Emerald Flower Farm (TEFF). With a robust background in financial management and legal administration, Jacob is an esteemed and valued member of our organization.

Suzanne Trottier

Suzanne Trottier is the President of First Nations Bank of Canada’s wholly owned trust company, FNB Trust. She leads a dedicated team that provides trust structuring and administration services to Indigenous trusts across Canada. Suzanne is a proud Métis who grew up in Manitoba with maternal roots to the Lake Manitoba First Nation and Ebb and Flow First Nation. Previously, Suzanne was the Director of Capacity Development and Intervention with the First Nations Financial Management Board and a Vice-President with Ernst & Young Corporate Finance Inc.

Active in her community, she is the Chair of the InBC Investment Corp. board of directors and sits on the board of directors of the Business Development Bank of Canada as Vice-Chair and Chair of the Audit, Investment & Risk Committee. She also sits on the Lawrence National Centre for Policy and Management Council at the University of Western Ontario’s Ivey Business School. Suzanne is a Chartered Financial Analyst and an ICD.D with the Institute of Corporate Directors. She holds a Master of Business Administration in finance from the University of Western Ontario and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Manitoba.

Terry Brown

Terry Brown – B. Comm (Hons), joined the NATOA Team in 2025. He is a proud member of Peguis First Nation, is the Cofounder & CEO of Okimaw Community and HR Solutions, a member of the EDIP Sovereign Wealth Solutions Group of Companies. His focus is on providing Indigenous communities with the tools to foster economic reconciliation and grow their sovereign wealth. With extensive experience working with First Nation, Métis, Inuit, and Native American communities, Terry is a respected Indigenous businessperson. His expertise lies in capacity building and facilitating connections between mainstream and Indigenous businesses. Terry’s dynamic understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing companies operating in traditional Indigenous territories and Indigenous communities entering mainstream markets drives his passion for business development.

Kain Big Canoe

Kain is a proud member of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation. As Senior Manager of T.E. Wealth’s Indigenous Services Practice, Kain brings over five years of experience in the accounting and consulting industries and a strong understanding of accounting standards and financial statement analysis. He specializes in working with community leadership and Trustees across Canada on the planning, development, and implementation of efficient and cost-effective -Trust and wealth-management solutions.

Kain holds a Bachelor of Accounting and a Master of Accountancy from Brock University and holds the CPA designation. Before joining T.E. Wealth, Kain served as a consultant at a multi-national professional services firm. There, he created and refined strategic solutions that supported small to medium-sized private companies and family-owned businesses in achieving their goals.

Mark Dokis

Mark Dokis is a member of the Dokis First Nation in Northeastern Ontario and has been with the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA) as Senior Advisor responsible for Special Projects and Procurement, since 2017. He graduated with honours from Laurentian University with a Bachelor of Arts in geography. He went on to earn certificates in economic development and, business management, board and trust administration. Mark has over 35 years of experience in the Indigenous economic, business, procurement and financial services fields. In April 2018, Mark was elected as a Trustee to the Okikendawt Hydro and Dokis First Nation Community Trust to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Trust for the members of the Dokis First Nation. In his free time, Mark enjoys staying at his cottage on Lake Nipissing, hunting, fishing, and curling.

Wayne Kaboni

Wayne is dedicated to social and economic development through incubating new aboriginal businesses and offering ISO 9000 management system services and electronic business solutions. Wayne has over 25 years experience in aspects Quality Management, Project Management, and Technical Management, in both the private and public sector. Click here to see a profile we posted about Wayne on the ETSI-BC LinkedIn page.

Janine Pitawanakwat

Janine is a registered member of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory in Ontario, she started her Board of Directors appointment for NATOA in 2023. She currently participates as a Trustee for The Wikwemikong Trust since 2016 and is currently undergoing her 3rd term.

Janine holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from Nipissing University and successfully completed Phase 1 & 2 Trustee Training through NATOA and Lethbridge College. Her current role as Systems Administrator/Senior Finance Officer for Wikwemikong Health Centre. Prior to her current position she worked as a Loans Officer with Wikwemikong Development Commission and a Financial Representative with TD Bank.

She believes in building fundamental financial literacy to all, as it is important knowledge for all ages. Her values are the seven grandfather teaching (Gwekwaadiziwin, Debwewin, Aakodewewin, Nibwaakawin, Dibaadendiziwin, Minsaadedemowin and Zaagidiwin) as this can be applied to all life’s journeys. Her personal interests are spending time with family and friends, hiking and going on new adventures small or big because life is an adventure.

Maxine Netro-Fehr

Maxine Netro-Fehr is a Vuntut Gwitchin citizen of Old Crow, Yukon, born and raised in Whitehorse, Yukon. She is a dedicated mother of two daughters, both of whom are avid figure skaters. Maxine has demonstrated long-term commitment to her community and her people by having served as a trustee on the Vuntut Gwitchin Investment Trust for twenty years. Maxine Netro-Fehr currently serves on the board of the National Aboriginal Trust Officers Association (NATOA). Additionally, she is a board member of the Arctic Edge Skating Club, supporting her daughters’ figure skating pursuits. She works as a Property Manager at Vuntut Development Corporation, contributing her expertise to community development and property management. Maxine Netro-Fehr has a wealth of experience in finance, spanning over 30 years. She began her career at Scotiabank as a customer service representative, then progressed to become a loan officer at Bank of Montreal. She also worked as a loan officer at Dänä Näye Ventures before securing her current position at Vuntut Development Corporation. To stay current in her field, she has attended courses at Yukon University to enhance her finance knowledge.

Raquel Fraser

Racquel Fraser, a proud member of Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation, brings 14 years of experience in Indigenous legal interests and Indigenous law, trusts, financial administration, and Indigenous governance. She cares deeply about advancing the well-being and prosperity of Indigenous people and brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience. As Market Lead of Indigenous Wealth Solutions at Scotiatrust, Racquel leads a team supporting Indigenous Nations in the stewardship of Nation wealth, compensation or settlement funds from historical injustices, and long-term Nation-building strategies. She leads a team focused on providing culturally grounded fiduciary services, trust structuring, and investment oversight to Indigenous communities across Canada. A lawyer by trade, Racquel is recognized for building meaningful relationships with Indigenous governments, entities and individuals, as well as advising valuable guidance that addresses their diverse legal needs. With fifteen years of experience, Racquel is known for her strategic foresight, integrity, and ability to navigate the intersection of colonial legal systems, Indigenous law and governance.