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 with experience in administration, program coordination, training, and Indigenous leadership development.
Mackenzie began her career with the Indigenous Leadership Development Institute, Inc. (ILDI), following the completion of a certificate in administration. At ILDI, she initially supported the enrolment process for the Introductory Carpentry Program before taking on the role of Retention and Support Worker for the Skills Link Program.
Mackenzie currently serves as Manager at ILDI, where she coordinates and manages the Executive Training courses offered by the organization. She is also continuing to build her professional skills through an Applied Project Management course at University of Winnipeg.
Beyond her professional role, Mackenzie is an active volunteer with Empowering Indigenous Youth in Governance and Leadership, contributing to initiatives that support and empower Indigenous youth.
Sheena Walker
Special Projects Administrator
Sheena is currently a Special Projects Administrator for ILDI and is working on and assisting with projects such as, the Indigenous Carpentry Program, Executive Training and Indigenous Awareness Training.
She is passionate about empowering individuals through skill development, mentorship, and employment opportunities. Sheena is also continuing her professional development through the Applied Project Management PACE Program at the University of Winnipeg.
Courtney Burka
Special Projects Administrator
Jared (Joe) Bone
Project Assistant
Sandra Ducharme
Executive Training Coordinator
Sandra Ducharme is a proud Red River Métis citizen, mother of four, and grandmother of eight, whose life and work are grounded in community, culture, and service. Raised across Manitoba, from the northern communities of The Pas and Leaf Rapids to the southern region of Sperling, Manitoba, Sandra developed a deep understanding of the diverse realities facing Indigenous communities.
Throughout her career, Sandra has dedicated herself to strengthening Indigenous governance, leadership, and culturally grounded care. She has contributed to organizations such as the Indigenous Leadership Development Institute, the First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Secretariat, and Me-Dian Credit Union. Her educational background includes studies at Red River College, Brandon University, University of Manitoba (distance learning), Herzing Career College, and Keewatin Community College (now University College of the North), along with executive training through Indigenous Leadership Development Institute programs.
A lifelong volunteer and advocate, she also co-managed and coached the Winnipeg Spirit youth basketball program, helping Indigenous youth advance to elite competition and national-level games. During the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2025 Wildfire Evacuations, she served as a Communications Liaison with the First Nations Health and Social Secretariat Turtle Team, ensuring culturally grounded supports for First Nation relatives. Guided by fairness, cultural reclamation, and meaningful dialogue, Sandra continues to build bridges that foster understanding, healing, and lasting change.
Jessica Hamilton
Administrative Assistant
Jessica is a member of Bloodvein River First Nation through marriage, and has family ties to Peguis First Nation.
Before joining ILDI, Jessica worked in customer service with several Indigenous-owned businesses. These experiences have helped shape her into someone who enjoys helping others and supporting those around her. At ILDI, she supports day-to-day administration, registration, marketing, and graphic design. She also assists with executive training.
Jessica is a self-taught learner who enjoys taking on new challenges and developing new skills. She has completed introductory courses in administration and website development, and has plans to continue her education in Graphic Design and Digital Marketing.
Nicole Isifu
Special Projects Administrator
Nicole Isifu, from Papua New Guinea, is an award-winning entrepreneur, business leader, and experienced trainer with a passion for empowering individuals, entrepreneurs, and Indigenous communities through practical skills development and economic opportunity.
As a Special Projects Administrator with the Indigenous Leadership Development Institute (ILDI), Nicole contributes to a range of initiatives supporting Indigenous leadership, entrepreneurship, and capacity development. She has played a key role in the development and expansion of ILDI’s online executive training curriculum and supports the delivery of training opportunities through the World Indigenous Business Network. She is also supporting preparations for the upcoming World Indigenous Business Forum (WIBF).
Nicole brings experience in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, leadership development, workforce training, and community engagement. She has also been an international speaker at three World Indigenous Business Forums, contributing to the global exchange of ideas, experiences, and opportunities among Indigenous business leaders.
Her training approach combines real-world entrepreneurial experience with an engaging, participant-centred style focused on building confidence, practical skills, and sustainable pathways to economic participation and prosperity.
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.