Meet our Board of Directors
Cheryl Baraniuk
Director
Cheryl Baraniuk, a CET-certified Anishinaabe professional, bridges Indigenous and corporate worlds through insightful planning and advocacy. Her widely embraced approaches promote inclusivity, and she champions Indigenous perspectives in both technical and organizational decision-making.
Mike Bettens
Director
Mike Bettens, a proud Red River Métis citizen, is the founder and CEO of Unite Interactive, a leading Canadian digital marketing agency. With over 30 years of experience in Indigenous and mainstream business, he is a founding member of the Indigenous Chamber of Commerce and has contributed significantly to community and economic development initiatives.
Michelle Cameron
Director
Michelle Cameron, a proud member of Peguis First Nation, is the founder of Dreamcatcher Promotions, Canada’s largest Indigenous-owned promotional company. In addition, she is also the founder of Indigenous Nations Apparel Company (INAC), Manitoba’s first Indigenous-owned retail store in CF Polo Park. A dedicated mentor and advocate, she supports women entrepreneurs through the Assembly of First Nations and Red River College.
Lea Clarke
Director
Lea Clarke, a Métis professional with over 30 years in consulting, leads Indigenous relations at Stantec. She integrates community voices into projects, advancing reconciliation and economic opportunities. Her work emphasizes equity, sustainability, and collaborative planning across the Prairies.
Christopher Henry
Director
Chris Henry, a Red River Métis, has over 25 years of experience in construction, contributing to major projects within Manitoba. He holds board roles with industry associations and is President of Indigenous Canadian Medical Dispensaries (IcMD), advocating for equitable, culturally sensitive healthcare. His leadership promotes Indigenous health sovereignty and policy reform nationwide.
Brian Kelly
Director
With over 35 years of experience in governance, Brian Kelly has served on boards including the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and ICC, where he chairs policy committees. He champions Indigenous business growth, notably drafting policies cited internationally in The Economist. His rural Manitoba roots and advocacy drive meaningful societal change through collaborative action.
Andrew Lawson
Director
Andrew Lawson has served as a firefighter for over 23 years and is a proud Métis advocate for Indigenous businesses. As an entrepreneur, his firms provide consulting and utility services throughout the province. Discovering his ancestry later in life, he champions procurement initiatives for Indigenous businesses.
German Leal
Director
German Leal brings 17 years of infrastructure expertise as a professional engineer. He supports sustainable development and Indigenous business growth as an ICC board member, fostering cross-cultural collaboration in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Ontario.
Kyle Mason
Director
Kyle Mason, a consultant and nonprofit leader, founded Winnipeg’s North End Family Centre, raising millions for community assistance. Honoured with awards like the Diamond Jubilee Medal, he has served on multiple boards throughout his career. Driven by his roots as a son of Residential School Survivors, he is committed to promoting reconciliation.
Nicole Montminy
Director
Nicole Montminy, a Red River Métis and RBC consultant, blends cultural pride with professional expertise. A lifelong learner, she values Manitoba’s diversity and is working towards reclaiming her French fluency. Her work emphasizes unity through shared heritage and celebrating Indigenous identity.
Adam Nepon
Director
Adam Nepon was the first person to graduate in Indigenous Business at the Asper School of Business. His career combines over 15 years of HR expertise with a focus on corporate inclusivity. He is committed to reconciliation through organizational development, in alignment with Call to Action 92. An Emerging Leader Award winner, he creates strategies to address Indigenous healthcare gaps and mentors youth through the Young Associates, helping to elevate Indigenous talent.
Ilona Niemcyzk
Director
Ilona Niemczyk, a strategic leader with over 25 years in economic development, directs corporate partnerships at Economic Development Winnipeg. She advances economic reconciliation by forging Indigenous business alliances and serves on boards like United Way Winnipeg. Her collaborative approach prioritizes trust and inclusive growth.
Grace Redhead
Director
Grace Redhead, from Shamattawa First Nation, directs Indigenous Community Relations at the University of Winnipeg. As a communications expert, she builds academic-community partnerships, prioritizing youth leadership and reconciliation. Through her work, she is dedicated to supporting Indigenous entrepreneurship and economic reconciliation.
Perry Schoffner
Director
Perry Schoffner, a Red River Métis leader, excels in regulatory compliance and financial literacy. Formerly a manufacturing executive, he now navigates construction industry challenges. His dedication to lifelong learning aligns with the ICC’s mission to empower Indigenous businesses.