With an extensive background in investment banking and capital markets, Paul has been a principal in over $2.0 billion in transactions in energy, construction, financial services, and hospitality over his 30-year career. Career highlights include building and successfully selling 2 upstream oil and gas companies, founder partner of a mid-market mezzanine fund, co-founder of Canada’s first national equity-based shared ownership real-estate company, and most recently CEO of Backwoods Energy Services (100% owned by Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation). 

Under his leadership, Backwoods achieved a compounded annual growth rate of 111% transforming it into one of the largest, Indigenous-owned companies in Canada. In the same time frame, economic benefits to the Alexis Nation grew by 614 percent, employment of Alexis Nation members has increased by 235 percent and annual revenues approaching $200 million. 

In 2020 Paul was also one of the primary architects in structuring, negotiating, and financing the transaction that saw 6 First Nations acquire a significant ownership position in the $1.5 billion Cascade Power Project.

Paul believes in the restorative power of capitalism to maximize value to all stakeholders and rights holders to harness the power of good for strategic advantage. He speaks frequently on issues of responsible energy, Indigenous business, and purpose. He is regularly featured in national media like the Globe and Mail, the National Post, BNN Bloomberg, and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Ryan McQuilter has spent the past 18 years of his professional career working directly with Indigenous Communities.  Holding a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta, majoring in Finance and minor in Business Law, Ryan’s experience working with Indigenous Communities is broad and includes sectors such as: hospitality, gaming, retail, infrastructure, industrial development, tourism and construction.  

Within Alberta, Ryan is a leading authority on Indigenous Consultation requirements and regularly works with Industry and Indigenous communities to find paths forward for mutual benefit.   Ryan is also a subject matter expert of land tenure requirements within the Indian Act and has acted to structure and securitize over $250m of development on First Nation Reserves within Alberta.   Ryan has acted for multiple terms as co-Chair of the Alberta Region Lands Economic Development Committee and is a participant on governmental Indigenous Roundtable initiatives.    

Ryan previously served as the Chief Operating Officer of Backwoods Energy Services, a company owned by the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation.  Through his tenure at Backwoods, Ryan was fundamental to the growth of the business which saw revenue grow from $8m to $200m+ over the span of 5 years.   Proudly, in 2020 Ryan was one of the lead participants in the structuring of the 6 First Nation’s equity stake in the $1.5 billion Cascade Power Project. 
 

Chase   Morin     Chase   Morin   is   the   CEO   of   Enoch   Development   Holdings   Ltd.   and   River   Cree   Enterprises   Corporation,   which   are   the   parent   companies   for   all   Enoch   Cree   Nation   for-profit   corporate   entities.   In   addition   to   this, Chase   currently   serves   as   a   member   of   the   Enoch   Cree   Nation’s   Finance   and   Audit   Committee,   providing   the   Committee   with   regular   financial   information   on   all   the   Nation’s corporate   entities.     Prior   to   2018,   Chase   was   employed   as   the   Chief   of   Staff   to   Chief William   (Billy)   Morin   of   Enoch   Cree   Nation.   As the   Chief   of   Staff,   Chase’s   primary   role   was to   provide   high-level   advice   and recommendations   to   the   Chief,   Council,   and   Executive   Staff   on   a   wide   variety   of   issues,   decisions, departments/programs,   and   initiatives   for   Enoch Cree   Nation.     Chase   currently   serves as   the   Treasurer   for   the   Enoch   Cree   Hockey   Association   (the   Nation’s   non-profit   minor   hockey   association).  

Chief Billy Morin Nahtokitopi (Sacred Rider) was elected as the youngest Chief in Enoch Cree Nation’s modern history in 2015, and served three consecutive terms leading one of Alberta’s most progressive Indigenous Communities. Chief Billy’s tenure was defined by true Reconcili-Action inside and outside his home First Nation. Chief Billy helped to champion a resurgence in Nehiyaw Cree language, culture and identity in Enoch; symbolized by his nation reclaiming its traditional Cree name Maskekosihk (Land of Medicines).

Language and identity formed the foundation for all things in Billy’s time as Chief, including most fittingly, winning the request for proposal to build the first orthopedic surgical center on, and owned by a First Nation in Canada – a project rooted in the 'Land of Medicines' name. Furthermore, Chief Billy has championed new business partnerships in commercial development, infrastructure, gaming, carbon capture, gas and utilities for Enoch, and local First Nations – projects that required over $750 million in total investment from Enoch alone.

Finally, he has been a strong advocate for working together with all governments, sectors and Canadians, as this was the original spirit and intent of Treaty Six. Billy's time as Chief culminated with his appointment as Grand Chief of the 17 First Nations of the Confederacy of Treaty Six in 2020; a position responsible to be the voice for a population of nearly 80,000 First Nations people in the region.


 

As a purpose-driven entrepreneur and citizen of the Métis Nation, Annie Korver is dedicated to enriching relationships between Indigenous and corporate communities. Annie founded Rise Consulting (“Rise”) in 2013 when she was inspired to respond to the call to Reconciliation and advance Indigenous inclusion.  
 
Championing a values-based approach, Annie creates spaces where clients can realize their strategic visions for inclusion, establish reciprocal relationships and produce impactful outcomes. Annie is a community and industry leader focused on the principles that make those relationships work: respect, relevance, reciprocity, responsibility and relationships. Under her leadership, Rise has lived up to its name — growing into a national brand over the past decade and becoming certified as a B Corporation in 2023.  
 
Annie holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Calgary and proudly serves as a Director with the Canadian Council of Indigenous Business and Canadian Business for Social Responsibility. She was recognized in 2024 as a distinguished Thompson Rivers University alumni as an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® finalist.   
 
Annie lives within Ktunaxa ?amaki?is, the homelands of the Ktunaxa People, and the Kootenay Region of the Métis Nation of British Columbia in Fernie, with her husband and their two young children where they enjoy skiing, biking and hiking as often as possible.​