The CCIB team is made up of passionate professionals who share a commitment to advancing Indigenous prosperity across Canada. Together, we bring diverse experiences, ideas, and cultural perspectives that drive meaningful partnerships and lasting impact.
We’re proud to work alongside communities, businesses, and leaders who are shaping a stronger, more inclusive economy.
President & CEO
Tabatha is Anishinaabe, a proud member of Nipissing First Nation. As the President and CEO of Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB), she is committed to rebuilding and strengthening the path toward reconciliation and fostering a prosperous Indigenous economy for the benefit of all Canadians. With a degree in electrical engineering, Tabatha is dedicated to supporting Indigenous inclusion and diversity in Canada’s energy sector.
Tabatha’s leadership has been widely recognized. She was named CEO of the Year in 2022 by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in 2023, and has been recognized as a Top 100 Lobbyist in Canada four years in a row. In recognition of her contributions to Indigenous economic development, she was awarded an Honorary Diploma from Loyalist College in Applied Arts and Technology.
She has also received her ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors, demonstrating her commitment to excellence in corporate governance and board leadership. Serving the Indigenous community through CCIB’s commitment to supporting the Indigenous economy, Tabatha is often called upon to provide input to the federal government. She attended the 2023 North American Leaders Summit, joining delegates from Canada, Mexico, and the USA, and served on the Indo-Pacific Advisory Committee, offering recommendations on trade diversification, inclusive growth, and climate change.
She was also a past member of the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Supply Council, where she advocated for the inclusion of Indigenous businesses in Canada’s pandemic response and most recently has joined the Council on CAN-U.S. Relations.
Tabatha is a strong advocate for Indigenous economic growth through her work with various organizations, committees, and boards. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for Dexterra Group, Wigwamen Inc., Ontario Chamber of Commerce, and the Catalyst CEO Advisory Board in Canada, among others. As an appointee of the Catalyst CEO Advisory Board, she collaborates with global business leaders to help build workplaces that work for women. She is also a member of Queen’s University Dean of Engineering’s Circle of Advisors, Universities Canada’s Global Skills Opportunity Program Advisory Group, and the C.D. Howe Institute’s Energy Policy Program.
Tabatha has appeared numerous times before the Senate and House of Commons, and spoke at the World Trade Organization and in France and the UK advocating for Indigenous business issues. She also served as a main judge on Bears’ Lair, an Indigenous TV series on APTN dedicated to fostering Indigenous entrepreneurship. Above all else, Tabatha is a proud mother to two incredible young men and is happiest cheering them on from the side of the hockey rink or lacrosse field.
Chief Operating Officer
Denise has a background in Chemical Engineering and over 30 years of industry experience in risk management, operational management systems, and operational effectiveness.
A believer in giving back to the community, Denise has been appointed to many local and national boards. She continues to serve on Efficiency One’s Board of Directors, IWK Health Board of Directors, and Engineers Canada Board of Directors.
Denise is an alumnus of the 2022 Governor General’s Leadership Conference and was recently named a Fellow by Engineers Canada. Several organizations have recognized Denise for her community work and promotion of engineering to historically excluded and marginalized groups. She enjoys spending time with family and friends at her ocean-side cottage in Nova Scotia when not at work.
VP, Business Development & Membership Experience
Paul-Emile has been active in Research, Consulting, Fundraising and Business Development for the past fifteen years. In 2007, he completed his honours degree in History, Political Science and Canadian Studies at the University of Toronto.
In 2010, he completed his Masters in Environmental Studies at York University with a focus on Indigenous knowledge and a significant research paper titled The Traditional Rights of Ways on the Walpole Island First Nation.
He has served as a Member of the Research Advisory Committee with the Canadian Energy Research Institute, the Chair of the National Advisory Committee with ORIGIN Inc., the Program Advisory Committee for Global Corporate Communications at Humber College and the Board of Directors for Aboriginal Legal Services. In his spare time, Paul-Emile is an avid follower of sports and business.
VP, Marketing, Communications & Events
Shannon currently oversees the marketing and communications efforts at Canadian Council for Indigenous Business, as well as working with the events team to present business forums, award galas, and other events hosted by the organization across the country.
Previous to this, Shannon worked with both local and international not-for-agencies in community development and disaster recovery, as well as spending 26 years as a business journalist, writer, editor and humour columnist—primarily with the National Post and Calgary Herald.
She has worked with dozens of businesses, government agencies and not-for-profits as a marketing and communications professional, film and video director, public speaker, event organizer and media relations consultant. Shannon is an active member of the Métis Nation of Alberta and comes from a line of Nêhiyawak matriarchs, with family roots in the Manitoba Red River Settlement, as well as the Métis of Willow Bunch and Qu’Appelle in Saskatchewan.
She is a passionate advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), economic reconciliation and Indigenous women in business. She says nothing brings her more satisfaction than seeing the people around her feel appreciated and empowered.
Shannon is a proud mom of five, a Rocky mountain adventurer, live music lover, hiker, camper and storyteller. She admits she purchases far too many beaded earrings and has no intention of stopping.
VP, Entrepreneurship & Procurement
Philip Ducharme is currently the Vice President of Entrepreneurship & Procurement at Canadian Council for Indigenous Business. In his role he is responsible for leading Supply Change™, CCIB’s Aboriginal Procurement Strategy and the Tools for Indigenous Business (TIB) program.
In the last 25 years, Philip has held several senior roles with various Indigenous organizations across Canada in a variety of sectors including business, health, education, employment and awards and recognition.
Philip has participated as a member of the Aboriginal Advisory Group for Ontario Power Authority, the Social Procurement Advisory Committee with the Government of Canada and was an Aboriginal committee member for the Canadian Construction Association’s Aboriginal Engagement Best Practices Guide.
Philip graduated from the University of Regina in Business Administration. Philip Ducharme is a proud Métis with all eight of his Great-Grandparents attached to Métis Scrip applications and is a member of the Manitoba Métis Federation.
VP, Research & Public Policy
Matthew Foss is a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta, with over 20 years of research and public policy experience and is an Executive Fellow with the University of Calgary School of Public Policy. Matthew has frequently provided seminars and presentations to domestic and international audiences and has taught university-level economics courses.
Prior to joining CCIB, he ran his own energy economics and public policy consulting business for several years.
Matthew recently served as the Chief Energy Economist/Executive Director of Energy Information and Analysis for the Alberta Government, where he lead a team of researchers and analysts responsible for assessing the value of Alberta’s energy resources, designing Alberta’s oil and gas royalty formulas, programs, features and incentives, forecasting oil and natural gas prices and energy revenues, and advising one of the world’s largest oil and gas producing regions on energy markets and related policies and strategies.
Matthew has a Master of Arts in Economics and a Bachelor of Arts First Class Honours in Economics, both obtained from the University of Calgary. A father of 4, Matthew enjoys relaxing at the lake and hiking.
VP, Finance
Christine, a proud Métis Nation of Alberta member, brings over 25 years of finance, accounting, strategy, and risk management expertise. As VP of Finance, she is dedicated to advancing opportunities for Indigenous businesses, aligning with CCIB’s mission to promote, strengthen, and enhance a prosperous Indigenous economy through fostering business relationships, opportunities, and awareness for all members.
Christine serves in several governance and advisory capacities, including as Board Chair of the Jessica Martel Memorial Foundation and Board President of Caregivers Alberta. She is also a council member of the Reporting and Assurance Standards Oversight Council (RASOC), a Board Member of the Indigenous Centre for Cumulative Effects (ICCE) and sits on the Economic Development Advisory Committee for Strathcona County. She holds the Accredited Director (Acc.Dir.) designation from the Chartered Governance Institute of Canada and an ESG Specialization from the Corporate Finance Institute.
