2021
Cory Stephens
Cory Stephens is a commerce graduate of Gustafson School of Business at the University of Victoria. From there, he has dedicated his knowledge and expertise to bridging the gap between Indigenous entrepreneurs and the national business landscape respecting tradition and culture while encouraging connection and understanding with non-indigenous society.
Stephens’ mother is Tsimshian, step-father from Nisga’a territory and Stephens grew up in Prince Rupert, B.C., experiencing multiple communities and cultures that resulted in his personal vested interest in advancing Indigenous business relations and entrepreneurship.
After working with several Indigenous businesses and government trade organizations, Stephens founded Foot Print Consulting based in Prince Rupert, B.C. Foot Print aimed to support the growth of Indigenous communities while preserving local traditions and customs. He would develop a training and capacity program for Health Canada that would become a best practices model for Pacific Coast First Nations organizations. His work continued with the development of a First Nations’ economic development strategy and included identifying, researching and reporting on barriers to First Nations’ economic development and access to capital.
“Entrepreneurship, from a First Nation’s perspective, is often a strategic balance between community, culture and commerce,” said Stephens.
In 2013, Stephens was approached by the University of Victoria to join the newly created Indigenous Advancement of Cultural Entrepreneurship (I-ACE) program (formerly known as NW-ACE) aimed at teaching entrepreneurs start-up methodology. He became the Learning and Enhancement Officer and Program Manager for the Northwest. He has been recognized by peers for the “operational success” of the program and its many awards.
In the eight-year history of the program, there have been 40 cohorts of the program resulting in 564 graduates, 184 new businesses and 67 Indigenous communities served. Stephens continues to be a mentor to these budding entrepreneurs and businesspeople.
