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Our Board

Glooscap Ventures is the economic development corporation of Glooscap First Nation. Our Board of Directors provides governance and strategic oversight across all companies in the Glooscap Ventures group, setting strategic direction, approving major investments, monitoring financial performance, and maintaining strong governance practices.

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Glooscap Ventures is wholly owned by Glooscap First Nation. Chief and Council appoint the Board and approve the corporation's mandate. The Board then governs independently of day-to-day political direction, working to a written investment policy and defined delegated authority thresholds, with responsible risk management as a standing obligation. That separation is what allows the corporation to make decisions on a commercial timeline and a generational horizon.

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Glooscap Ventures exists to create sustainable economic opportunity for the community. Through disciplined governance and responsible investment, the Board works to ensure the corporation continues to grow and generate benefits for current and future generations of Glooscap First Nation members.

Meet the Directors

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Chair of the Board

Chief Sidney Peters

Sidney Peters has served as Chief of Glooscap First Nation since 2012 and is Co-Chair of the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaw Chiefs. Before taking office he held senior management positions with the Confederacy of Mi'kmaq Nations and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, building a background in public administration, housing and community infrastructure.  As Chair of the Board he brings 25+ years of experience in Indigenous governance and a direct understanding of the community priorities the corporation exists to serve.

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Vice Chair of the Board & Independent Director

Ian Sutherland

Ian Sutherland is a partner at JWT Group, a data privacy and compliance practice serving clients across Canada and the United States. He previously spent fifteen years as Canadian Country Manager for Cambridge University Press and served two terms as Mayor of the District of Squamish, British Columbia, where the community moved from a forestry-dependent economy to one of the fastest growing in Canada. He holds a BA from the University of New Brunswick.

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Treasurer & Independent Director

David Barkhouse, CPA, CGA

David Barkhouse, CPA, is a seasoned financial executive and business advisor with more than 25 years of experience supporting strategic decision-making, financial performance, and organizational growth. He has held senior finance positions with global technology and consulting organizations, including CGI Canada, IBM Canada Ltd., and Unisys Canada Ltd., as well as serving as a Financial Analyst for Glooscap First Nation. David brings expertise in governance, financial oversight, business planning, and economic development. As a member of the Board, he is passionate about fostering sustainable economic opportunities that benefit current and future generations

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Elder & Independent Director

Crystal Hill

Crystal Hill is a proud member of Glooscap First Nation with more than 20 years of community-based and nonprofit experience. Since January 2018, she has served as Nova Scotia Legal Aid's Indigenous Social Worker, supporting Indigenous clients in family matters and connecting them with cultural resources across the province. Her understanding of colonialism's intergenerational impacts is also personal: her grandmother attended the Shubenacadie Residential School but rarely spoke about it.

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Council Representative & Director

Councillor Amanda Francis, CIL

Amanda Francis is a member of Glooscap First Nation's Chief and Council and holds the economic development portfolio. She joined the First Nation's administration in 2014 as Native Employment Officer and Housing and Infrastructure Manager, and served as Director of Administration from 2018 until her election to Council. She brings a decade of experience in employment, housing and community administration to the Board.

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Director

Councillor Gail Tupper, CIL

Gail Tupper is a member of Glooscap First Nation's Chief and Council, holding the environment, fisheries and rights portfolios. She joined Glooscap First Nation in 2013 and served for several years as its Environment and Fisheries Officer before her election to Council. She is a Certified Indigenous Leader through AFOA Canada. She brings resource stewardship and regulatory experience to the Board.

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Independent Director

Ryan Stack, PhD, CPA, CA

Ryan Stack is an Associate Professor of Accounting at the F.C. Manning School of Business, Acadia University, whose research includes Indigenous business and economic sovereignty. He began his career in public practice accounting, including mergers and acquisitions work, and has served on boards in municipal government, non-profits and social enterprises, most recently two terms as Treasurer of SmartICE. He holds a PhD and an MSc from Queen's University, and an MBA and Bachelor of Commerce (Co-operative) (Honours) from Memorial University.

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Independent Director

Sarah Thomas, MPP, PMP

Sarah Thomas is a Senior Manager with the Horizon Group. She began her career as a US Navy officer and spent over a decade in shipbuilding, including as Deputy Technical Director of the US Littoral Combat Ship program and originating project manager for Irving Shipbuilding's River Class Destroyer program. She moved into renewable energy in 2017, latterly as Senior Development Manager at DP Energy. She holds a BSc in Aerospace Engineering and a Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University.

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Independent Director

Jason Guidry, BREP, CITP|FIBP

Jason Guidry is CEO of the Pictou County Partnership and a bilingual economic development executive with more than 20 years of experience in investment attraction, workforce development, and business growth. He has worked with First Nations, businesses, governments, and post-secondary institutions across Atlantic Canada. Jason previously served as Director of Trade and International Partnerships at Halifax Partnership, is a past President of Business Retention and Expansion International, and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Saint Mary's University.

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Governance at Glooscap Ventures

Glooscap Ventures operates under a governance framework designed to ensure strong oversight, responsible investment decisions, and alignment with the long-term interests of Glooscap First Nation.

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The governance structure consists of the following components:

Shareholder
Glooscap First Nation (represented by Chief and Council) is the sole shareholder of Glooscap Ventures and appoints a representative to Board and appoints the corporation's auditor.

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Board of Directors
The Board provides overall strategic direction and oversight of the organization. The Board approves major investments, monitors performance, and ensures that the organization operates in accordance with its mandate to generate long-term prosperity for the community.

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Board Committees

To support its work, the Board has established the following committees:​

  • Finance, Audit & Risk Committee (FAR) | Investment Committee​

  • Governance Committee (GOV)
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Management

The management team, led by the Chief Executive Officer, is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Glooscap Ventures and the implementation of the strategic direction approved by the Board.

Finance Audit & Risk Committee | Investment Committee

About the Committee

Responsible for oversight of financial reporting, investment review, audit matters, and enterprise risk management. The committee reviews major investment opportunities and makes recommendations to the Board.

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Members:

Charlotte Warrington - Chair

Mike Casey, CPA, CA, CBV - Vice Chair (Independent) 

Angus Bonnyman, CPA, CA, ICD.D  (Independent) 

David Barkhouse,  CPA, CGA 

Ryan Stack,  PhD, CPA, CA 

Chief Sidney Peters

Governance Committee

About the Committee

Responsible for board governance practices including board composition, director recruitment, governance policies, and ongoing governance improvements. The committee also supports board evaluations and governance planning.

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Members:

Ian Sutherland 

Chief Sidney Peters

Sarah Thomas, MPP, PMP

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