Jack Rowe is a distinguished community leader and business advocate with a lifelong commitment to the development of the Northwest Territories. A proud lifelong resident of Hay River, Jack’s professional journey is defined by a rare blend of civic duty, industry foundational work, and high-level governance.
Jack first established his academic foundation at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), graduating with Honours in Business Administration in 1975.

Since then, he has spent over four decades shaping the economic and political landscape of the North. His public service is highlighted by his tenure as the Mayor of the Town of Hay River (1994–2000) and his earlier contributions as a Town Council Member. Notably, Jack served as a key representative for the NWT Association of Municipalities during the historic division of assets with Nunavut.

Within the private sector and industry governance, Jack’s influence is extensive:
Industrial Leadership: A founding director of the NWT Construction Association, serving from 1979 to 2022.
Public Governance: Served as a Director on the Workers Safety & Compensation Commission (WSCC) Governance Council from 2009 to 2021.
Economic Advocacy: Former Co-Chair of the NWT Economic Development Committee and a past Director of the Hay River Chamber of Commerce.

In recognition of his impact on the northern economy, Jack was named “Business Person of the Year” by the NWT Chamber of Commerce in 1998. He is also deeply invested in the next generation of northern leaders, having served as a mentor for the Business Development Bank of Canada’s NWT Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

When not engaged in community or board business, Jack is an avid golfer and hockey enthusiast. He resides in Hay River with his wife, Velma, where he enjoys bridge and a good book.

Dana Tizya-Tramm is a Gwich’in leader from Old Crow, Yukon, and a former Chief of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, where he served four years as Chief and over six years in leadership. During his time in office, he led major initiatives in land protection, governance reform, and climate action, including defending the Peel Watershed land use plan through the Supreme Court of Canada and advocating internationally to protect the Porcupine Caribou herd. He also served as Co-Chair of the Gwich’in Council International and represented the Gwich’in Nation on the Arctic Council’s Sustainable Development Working Group.
Under his leadership, Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation passed one of the first Indigenous-led climate declarations in Canada, gaining international recognition and helping shape broader climate policy discussions. Dana was recognized as a TIME 100 Next rising leader, a Clean50 Emerging Leader, and Up Here Northerner of the Year.
Today, Dana is the Manager of community Partnerships with Northern Energy Innovation at Yukon University and serves as Chair of the First Nation School Board and continues his work in education, governance, and community development. His focus is on strengthening systems that support the next generation, bridging Indigenous and Western approaches, and advancing practical solutions that reflect the realities and strengths of northern and Indigenous communities.
Dana is widely recognized for his ability to connect complex issues across governance, culture, and economic development, and for bringing people together to build grounded, forward-looking approaches to shared challenges.

Founder of Tanya T Consulting and RBCs ICON Entrepreneur of 2025, Tanya is a leading Reconciliation Strategist working with major institutions, global companies, and national firms to embed Reconciliation into strategy, governance, policy, leadership, and relationship-building practices. Her work spans sectors and includes advising Co-operators, Starbucks, and training two of the Top Four firms, placing her expertise at the forefront of Reconciliation and technically making her within the Top 5 firms.

Sima Sahar Zerehi is CEO and co-founder of Arctic Opportunities Group, a strategic advisory firm focused on advancing nation-building infrastructure and economic development across the Arctic. She works at the intersection of Indigenous partnerships, government relations, and major project implementation, supporting proponents, Indigenous organizations, and investors to move northern priorities forward.

Sima previously served as Chief of Strategic Operations to the Premier of Nunavut, where she helped advance the territory’s Arctic Sovereignty and Security Strategy and key infrastructure priorities. Prior to that, she held a senior role at the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, contributing to major initiatives including the Tallurutiup Imanga agreement.

She brings deep experience in Inuit–Crown relations, Arctic policy, and building partnerships that unlock investment and deliver long-term economic opportunities in the North.