CME Manitoba Indigenous Manufacturing Gathering

Ashley Richard

Ashley is a proud Ojibway, Métis, and Filipina woman residing in Treaty 1 Territory. Her family roots are from the Richard Family from Pine Creek First Nation, the McLeod Family in Camperville, MB.

Ashley brings a relational and empathetic approach to all of the work she does and has over 12 years’ experience working with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in both the private and not for profit sectors.

She completed her Masters in Management, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University. Her background and passion lies in design thinking as well as the teachings from her grandmother, Mary Richard.

Patrice Mousseau

Patrice Mousseau is the Founder and CEO of Satya Organic, a proud Certified B Corp, and a member of Fort William First Nation. Patrice’s daughter, Esme, was diagnosed with eczema at 8 months old and prescribed a topical steroid. Desperate to find a steroid-free solution for her child, Patrice, a former broadcast journalist, utilized her research skills and dug into traditional medicine, medical research, and academic studies to find something to help her little girl. Patrice then gathered the best organic ingredients possible, bought a $15 crockpot off of Facebook, and started experimenting-and eventually, success! Satya Organic was born-a botanically based balm that would clear Esme’s eczema up in just two days.

Today, Satya’s product line has expanded and is sold in thousands of stores across Canada. Satya is also the first Indigenous brand on the shelf at Shoppers Drug Mart and is sold in over 1100 of their stores across the country. Satya is also available at Metro locations across Ontario.

Dana Connolly

Dana Connolly is a proud Anishinaabekwe, a mother of two, and a member of Peguis First Nation with ancestral ties to Swan Lake First Nation and the Red River Métis. Raised in Winnipeg’s inner city, her experiences growing up in poverty shaped her passion for Indigenous nation-building. Dana is dedicated to helping Indigenous relatives identify their gifts, achieve their goals, and build sustainable futures.

For over 15 years, Dana has worked at an Indigenous-led organization focusing on initiatives that protect and advocate for Indigenous families, women, and girls. She also founded Mashkiki Garden Creations, a family business creating handmade, all-natural skincare products from sustainably harvested traditional plant medicines, inspired by her connection to the Land and ceremony. Dana credits her vibrant children as her greatest gifts and teachers.

Sean Rayland

Sean is a social-entrepreneur who created the streetwear brand Red Rebel Armour as it provided a form of expression and a source of revenue for his growing family.

Based on Rayland-Boubars’ experiences, he wanted to reduce the barriers Indigenous people face when trying to regain employment after leaving the criminal justice system.

For two years, he studied Social Innovation and Community Development at RRC Polytech and graduated with a diploma in Indigenous Social Entrepreneurship. After graduation, he set out to combine streetwear fashion and social enterprise to elevate his community through his own personal story of healing, identity, and resilience.

James Harper

Proud to be Nehiyaw from Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, Treaty 8 territory, James is a clean energy innovator focused on large-scale energy storage and clean microgrid projects. He is passionate about climate justice and empowering Indigenous communities, bringing extensive experience in the automotive, aerospace, and energy industries.

James’ international education in clean energy transitions and entrepreneurship drives his commitment to a sustainable, equitable future.

Grounded in his nehiyaw teachings, he strives to create a world where future generations can thrive.

Chad Brick

Chad Brick is the President of Eastside Group of Companies, which has grown from a small operation into one of Winnipeg’s leading collision repair shops and manufacturers. With a background in accounting and a Certified Professional Accounting designation from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chad joined Eastside Group in 2007 and has since led the company to significant growth and diversification.

Under Chad’s leadership, Eastside Group has expanded its market share, entered new industries, and developed a high-performing management team. The company now employs over 200 people across multiple divisions, including Eastside Industrial Coatings & Composites, Eastside Heavy Truck Collision, and Carlson Engineered Composites. Chad’s focus on quality, customer service, and employee value has positioned Eastside Group as a leader in automotive and transportation solutions.

Jillian Einarson

Jillian is the Executive Director of Protein Manitoba. She leads the ProteinMB team to mobilize the industry-led implementation of the Manitoba Protein Advantage Strategy and engages the protein sector to work together towards a shared vision of sustainable protein.

Jillian brings in-depth knowledge of the food system to ProteinMB with a background in Human Nutritional Sciences and over a decade of experience working in the agriculture and agri-food sector. Her experience with leading teams, public engagement, facilitation, communications, and industry relations informs her collaborative approach to working with diverse, cross-sectoral participants to build partnerships and develop strategic initiatives to achieve common goals.

Andrea Aiello

Andrea Aiello is a seasoned workforce development strategist and community builder with over 25 years of experience in the manufacturing industry. From her beginnings on the production floor to leadership roles such as Director of HR and Executive Director of Workforce Development, Andrea has honed her expertise in addressing talent shortages and fostering inclusive workforce strategies.

She is passionate about transforming manufacturing by creating access for underrepresented groups, guiding HR teams in developing impactful people programs, and collaborating with executives to explore innovative strategies.

Known for her strong communication skills and collaborative approach, Andrea is frequently engaged in and sought out in advisory roles, bringing curiosity, energy and a commitment to shaping the future of the manufacturing workforce.

Rhonda Forgues

Rhonda has demonstrated experience in supporting businesses and organizations with their reconciliation efforts, including implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and the MMIWG Calls for Justice.

Rhonda is experienced in driving change within government systems and structures, ensuring that processes align with community priorities. She is highly skilled in creating change across various settings, including collaborating with nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and community partners. Her expertise also extends to partnership development, facilitation, and fundraising