Inspiring, empowering and building our Indigenous people to success.
Colleen Nolan is Anishinaabe, originally from Garden River First Nation. For half her life she has lived, worked and raised her family in Mohawk community of Akwesasne where she also call home.
Academic and Professional Qualifications
- EcD, Economic Developers Association of Canada, University of Waterloo, 2021 (in progress)
- CANDO, TAED Certification, 2023
- Certified Training Facilitator (Winnipeg Transition Centre)
- Career & Employment Coach Certification
- Business Administration – Human Resources (Algonquin College)
- Certified Indigenous Leadership Program (pending)
Memberships and Associations
- CANDO Associate Membership
- Tourism Industry Association of Ontario Membership
- CCAB Par Jury Committee Member (4 years)
With over 20 years of community and business development, Colleen has worked in the areas of employment and training, economic development and Indigenous tourism. As the Product Development Lead/IBA Program Coordinator, she led a team of five Indigenous Business Advisors, providing business support and training to tourism operators and Indigenous job seekers. In her role as Business Development Officer with Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, she oversaw the grants and training budget, along with the Quebec grant program and supported businesses with the community of Akwesasne.
Her specialty includes community engagement, program development and facilitation. She has facilitated numerous workshops, programs and training sessions targeting Indigenous people including Business Model Canvas, entrepreneurship, Leadership, Business Planning, to name a few. As a coach and mentor for Indigenous businesses, she is passionate about community development. When the pandemic hit, stress and anxiety took a toll and she found comfort and solace in her culture. Smudging daily, drinking cedar tea and giving thanks, it grounded her. She also found a new skill – moccasin making and since the onset of the pandemic, has taught over 1000 Indigenous to make their own pair of moccasin and mitts. She continues to teach this and pass on to Indigenous people around Ontario and virtually as far as Edmonton and California.
Colleen enjoys travelling and exploring new places to visit, along with a passion for golf !
