ILDI Team
Rosa Walker
President & Chief Executive Officer
Rosa is the visionary behind the Indigenous Leadership Development Institute, Inc. which has been in operation for over 25 years. She started and has led the World Indigenous Business Forum for the past 16 years. Rosa is one of the founding members of the World Indigenous Business Network for the past 14 years and has been the Chair of the Canadian Chapter as well as the head of the Secretariate for all the Chapters.
Rosa was the Executive Director and part of the team for the start-up of Taking Charge! Inc., a program to transition single parents into the workforce. She was employed at the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs as Managing Director, Workplace Diversity. Rosa worked with the Bank of Montreal in the capacity of Manager, Workplace Equality for Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Rosa served on many Boards, including the National Aboriginal Economic Development Board, Accreditation Canada, Faculty of Business and Economic Alumni Committee and Global College Advisory Council, both University of Winnipeg. Rosa is the past Chair of First People’s Economic Growth Fund.
Rosa is the recipient of the YM-YWCA Women of Distinction Award and was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women. She is the recipient of a Canadian Inspire Award and most recently, Spotify’s Top 100 Fascinating Manitobans. Rosa received a distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Winnipeg in 2024.
Mackenzie Oatway
Manager, Executive Training and Special Projects
Mackenzie Oatway is a member of Peguis First Nation. She received a certificate for completing a 5 week intensive Get into Administration course before her employment with Indigenous Leadership Development Institute, Inc. (ILDI). At the beginning of her employment with ILDI she assisted with the enrolment process for the Introductory Carpentry Program and soon after coordinated and acted as the retention and support worker for the Skills Link Program. Currently, Mackenzie is the Manager, coordinating and managing the Executive Training courses ILDI offers. Mackenzie is also an active volunteer with Empowering Indigenous Youth in Governance and Leadership.
Sandra Paillal Venegas
Senior Project Consultant, Latin America
Sandra Paillal Venegas; Chilean, strong Mapuche woman, serving her indigenous people, professional Accountant-Auditor, Businesswoman/Entrepreneur, Indigenous Consultant for Latin America; Advisor to Chilean government entities such as Sercotec Inakeyu. University Professor in Business Management/Commerce at various universities in Chile; Sandra leads projects in business, social reform and revitalizing cultural identities for different indigenous peoples; connecting to the global, local and international markets.
Over 15 years working and supporting indigenous economy in Latin American countries, her passion is to help Indigenous Entrepreneurs and giving back to the community; achieving collective objectives, which have impacted families and communities in agriculture initiatives in Chile, cocoa in Ecuador, fish farming in the Amazon of Peru and communication projects in Colombia.
Sandra has held positions as President of the Chamber of Commerce in Santiago, Chile; Business Manager, and was the Lead Negotiator & Administrator for the 2017 World Indigenous Business Forum, held in Santiago, Chile.
Winnipeg Economic Development & Tourism Team
Frances Wellink
Director of Business Development
As the Director of Business Development at Winnipeg Economic Development & Tourism, Frances Wellink leads visitor attraction through business, sports and special events, as well as school groups, cross-country travellers, and pre- and post-Churchill visitors. She also oversees the Indigenous tourism portfolio, highlighting Winnipeg as a hub for Indigenous events and gatherings.
Frances brings extensive experience in tourism, hospitality and events, including senior leadership roles at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, where she drove revenue growth, championed diverse voices and built lasting partnerships. Known for her collaborative, relationship-driven approach, Frances is committed to inclusive economic growth, advancing Indigenous events & tourism and elevating Winnipeg as a vibrant destination for national and global markets.