• Nch’ḵay̓ Development Corporation
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We Are Leaders Entrepreneurs Squamish Nch’ḵay̓

Nch’ḵay̓ Acquires International Plaza

Community Update & Press Release

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Squamish Nation villages of vendors

Establish business the Nch’ḵay̓ way.

Our mandate is to develop, manage and own the active businesses of the Nation, to allow  the separation of business and governance within the Squamish Nation.
About Us

Building our community by creating opportunities

Nch’ḵay̓ Development Corporation was established in 2018 as the wholly-owned economic development group of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation). Nch’ḵay̓ is responsible for developing, managing, and growing businesses that generate sustainable wealth and opportunity for the Squamish People. Guided by Sḵwx̱wú7mesh values and teachings, Nch’ḵay̓ works to support long-term prosperity and community well-being for current and future generations. The name ‘Nch’ḵay̓’ was chosen as a reference to the Great Flood – the flood that forced Squamish Nation ancestors to tie their canoes to the highest mountain in the territory, known in English as Mount Garibaldi, in order to survive.

We are Nch’ḵay̓.
Active
Transparent
Engaged
PROGRESSIVE
UNIQUE
Innovative
EFFECTIVE
SUStAINABLE
Who We Are

Nch’ḵay̓ Executive Team

Our team is made up of accomplished experts in the fields of finance, real estate, business development, Indigenous economic development, corporate governance, and more. Read about them here.

Brandi Halls

Executive Vice President, Brand, Marketing & Community Engagement

Sean Ruzicka

Executive Vice President of Business Development & Partnerships

Denis Murphy

Chief Financial Officer

Jennifer Podmore Russell

Chief Development Officer

Mindy Wight

Chief Executive Officer
Our Team

Nch’ḵay̓ Senior Leadership

Trevor Casey

Director, Development & Construction

Tim Holloway

Senior Director, Operations & Partnership

Andrew Charney

Director, Asset Management

Molly Hudson

Vice President, Forestry & Sustainability

Anthony Danielov

Director, Mergers & Acquisitions

Lauren English

Director, Real Estate Planning & Development

Caitlin Popplewell

Director, Finance

Lauren Hutchison

Director, Communications

Wesley Wong

Director, IT

Sarah Silva

Vice President, Real Estate & Planning

Nch’ḵay̓ Board of Directors

Our team is made up of accomplished experts in the fields of finance, real estate, business development, Indigenous economic development, corporate governance, and more. Read about them here.

Susan L. MacLaurin

Independent

Walter Schneider

Nation Member Director

Syexwáliya Ann Whonnock

Squamish Nation Council Member

Mike Magee

Independent

Tiyáltelut Kristen Rivers

Squamish Nation Council

Heather Tremain

Independent

Joy MacPhail

Board Chair, Independent
Message from the Squamish Council Chair

“Nch’ḵay̓ was established to develop and manage the businesses of the Nation. Together we will show leadership, demonstrating to the world how Indigenous Peoples are influencing Canada positively, as much as Canada has had a profound impact on Indigenous Peoples. We’ve had to change and sacrifice so much of who we are and give up so much of what belongs to us for Canada to exist. Reconciliation is evidenced by the broad collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous governments, but also through the net positive economic impact we will have on Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.” 

Khelsilem

Squamish Nation Council (2017 – 2025)

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About the Squamish Nation

Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw
The Squamish Nation

The Squamish Nation consists of 23 villages, comprised of descendants of the Coast Salish Indigenous Peoples who live in the present-day Greater Vancouver area, Gibson’s Landing, and the Squamish River watershed.

The Squamish Nation has occupied and governed the territory since beyond recorded history. The Squamish Nation’s culture is rich and resilient. The Nation continues to practice its customs and traditions, which are strongly interconnected with the traditional territory.

Together, Squamish lands, customs, and traditions are the foundations of who the peoples are as Sḵwx̱wú7mesh.

Learn More

Our Businesses and Projects

Sen̓áḵw

Transforming the Skyline, and the Nation
View Project

International Plaza

Rooted in Community, Invested in the Future
View Property

Mosquito Creek Marina

Reflecting Our Vision
View Business

Lynnwood Marina

Reflecting Our Vision
View Business

Capilano River RV Park

A Park With a Purpose
View Business

Squamish Valley Gas Bar

Fueling Our Future
View Business
Nch’ḵay̓ and Ta Skw’ats

Great Flood Story

This story is a true account of the Squamish Nation’s connection to Nch’ḵay̓ that has been handed down for innumerable generations. The ancient memory of these events ties many cultures together as canoes went in many directions allowing people to repopulate the ands once the waters subsided. It is a good lesson on the fragility of society and the raw power of nature.

Learn More

Latest News

What's Happening

Media Coverage

Take a look at what’s happening in the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw. 

News

Media

Discover More Information

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Brandi Halls

Executive Vice President, Brand, Marketing & Community Engagement

Brandi Halls is a proud Sḵwx̱wú7mesh woman with more than 20 years of experience in building brands and leading strategic communications with a focus on social impact. She has developed and delivered successful media and marketing campaigns across North America and is delighted to bring her vision, passion, and expertise home to the Squamish Nation as the Executive Director of Brand, Marketing & Community Engagement at Nch’ḵay̓.

Prior to joining Nch’ḵay̓, Brandi served as the Brand Director and Chief Ethics Officer of Lush Cosmetics, where she played a key role in driving consumer engagement and expanding the company’s presence across North America. She has extensive experience in executing dynamic media and consumer-facing events to promote product launches and campaigns, shaping growth and impact strategies, and aligning cross-channel messaging with strategic business priorities.

Brandi is driven by her values of sustainability, equity, and social justice. She majored in Communications and Public Relations at Simon Fraser University before spending six years living and working in New York City. Today she’s back in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh territory with her husband, two daughters and pup.

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Susan L. MacLaurin

Independent

Susan L. MacLaurin, CFA, joined QuadReal in December 2016 and retired from full-time work in December of 2023 after 40 years in Canada’s commercial real estate industry. When at QuadReal, Susan refined her focus from real estate asset allocation, portfolio management, and client service to communications. As Chief Communications Officer at QuadReal, her responsibilities included building and fortifying a culture of collaboration, and nurturing stakeholder and community engagement while supporting the team’s global mandate to deliver strong investment returns and sustainable growth.

Susan holds a B.A. from Bryn Mawr College, an MBA from the University of Toronto, and is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors. Susan is the present Chair of CARE Canada, an organization helping to unlock a gender-just future, and a board member of Adler University, an organization educating graduate social workers who themselves advance social justice. At the core of the work of both these social profit organizations is a commitment to advance decolonization, reconciliation and anti-racism. Susan joined the Nch’ḵay̓ Board of Directors in April 2024.

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Tai Nguyen

Vice President Operations

Tai brings over 15 years of financial and operational improvement experience. Prior to joining Nch’ḵay̓, he was the VP of Finance and Corporate Services for JJM Construction Ltd. Tai holds CPA and CMA designations, a BCom and an MBA.

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Sean Ruzicka

Executive Vice President of Business Development & Partnerships

Sean Ruzicka is Executive Vice President of Business Development & Partnerships, chair of the Sen̓áḵw Procurement Committee, and a board member of Nch’ú7mut Contracting, which supports the Nch’ú7mut Endorsed Business Registry (NEBR). He leads the teams responsible for assessing new economic opportunities, negotiating complex deals, and driving procurement opportunities that generate Squamish employment and business opportunities, and revenue for Nch’ḵay̓.

Sean brings a breadth of experience in leadership, strategy, process, business planning, and procurement from nearly 20 years in the tech sector. There, he took a business from startup to over $1 billion in annual revenue and was responsible for an annual capital budget of more than $400 million.

At Nch’ḵay̓, Sean most enjoys his role as a mentor to recent Squamish graduates and new team members—the next generation of leaders in their community. Sean holds a degree in Economics and an MBA and spends his free time with his family in and on the waters and lands of the Nation.

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Denis Murphy

Chief Financial Officer

Denis Murphy is the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Board for Nch’ḵaỷ Development Corporation. In this role, he provides leadership in strategic decision-making, business planning, and financial management for the organization and its subsidiaries, with a particular focus on real estate development — most notably for the Sen̓áḵw development, the largest net zero carbon residential project in Canada. Prior to joining Nch’ḵaỷ, Denis served as the Senior Financial Officer for the Squamish Nation and has over 18 years of experience in Finance, having worked for the Provincial Health Services Authority, British Airways, and Baker Tilly. He holds an FCCA designation and a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Imperial College London.

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Walter Schneider

Nation Member Director

Walter is Chief Executive Officer at New Relationship Trust, a corporation that manages a large investment fund and strategic funding partnerships to support nation-building initiatives in First Nation communities across BC.  He brings 20+ years of broad experience, perspective, and capability to the Board through education and past roles including as a Vice-President in a global investment bank, a CEO of a shared governance corporation focused on First Nation financial management and the Senior Administrator role at Squamish Nation.

Walter’s professional passion is finance and real estate and bringing critical discourse to colonial influences on First Nations process and participation in various domains including economic development. Walter is a Squamish Nation member and proud to join the corporate leadership team that will enhance the economic potential while protecting the ancestral resiliency of Squamish Nation for generations to come.

Walter is a Chartered Professional Accountant (Chartered Accountant) and holds an MBA from Simon Fraser University – Beedie School of Business, a diploma in Financial Management from the British Columbia Institute of Technology and is currently pursuing and in the final stage of completing a diploma in Urban Land Economics – Real Estate Development through Sauder School of Business at University of British Columbia.

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Sarah Silva

Vice President of Real Estate & Development

As the VP of Real Estate, Sarah identifies business ideas to create and pursue real estate strategic opportunities. Developing and leading real estate projects ensuring that all projects reflect the highest standards of corporate social responsibility and land stewardship in alignment with Squamish Nation values. Promoting projects that balance economic, social, environmental, and cultural needs of current and future generations. Previously Sarah served as the CEO for Hiy̓ám̓ ta Housing Sḵw̱xwú7mesh Society where she was also a founding board member. Sarah is a proud member of the Squamish Nation.

 

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Jennifer Podmore Russell

Executive Vice President, Real Estate & Development

Jenn Podmore Russell has more than 20 years of experience in real estate strategy, portfolio planning, and development advisory. She is an established authority on development in British Columbia with an in-depth understanding of how to translate informed visions into successful places.

She was the founder and managing partner of MPC Intelligence, a research and analytics solution for the new home development industry in Western Canada. She has held senior roles at both rennie and Deloitte where she brought strategies in development, operation, and portfolio to life through execution.

In addition to her contributions to strategic real estate growth, Jennifer is passionate about creating meaningful change in her community. She serves on the board of the Urban Development Institute and the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation, and as director of the Arrowleaf Real Estate Holdings Board, and is a former Vice-Chair of the Vancouver Economic Commission.

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Joy MacPhail

Board Chair, Independent

Joy MacPhail brings a wealth of business and political experience to the Board. In 1991, Joy was successful in her first attempt at electoral politics when she was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Vancouver-Hastings in British Columbia. She was re-elected in 1996 and 2001, before retiring from politics in 2005. During her political career she held many significant portfolios: Deputy Premier, Minister of Finance, Minister of Health, Minister of Education, Government House Leader, and Leader of the Opposition, among others.

In September 2019, the Governments of Canada and British Columbia appointed Joy as Chair of The Expert Panel on the Future of Housing Supply and Affordability. The Expert Panel released their final report – “Opening Doors:Unlocking Housing Supply for Affordability” – in June 2021. The Governor General of Canada appointed Joy to the Order of Canada (CM) on December 29, 2021.

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Mindy Wight

Chief Executive Officer

Mindy Wight is CEO for Nch’ḵay̓ Development Corporation, the wholly owned economic development group of the Squamish Nation, and previously held roles as its CFO and Treasurer of the Board. She provides leadership in strategic decision-making, business planning and financial management for the organization and its subsidiaries with a focus on real estate development. Mindy also serves as a Director for the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade and the Board of Veren Inc.

Prior to joining Nch’ḵay̓, Mindy held progressive tax roles at MNP LLP from 2016 to 2021 and most recently was a Partner and National Leader of Indigenous Tax Services for the firm. Mindy has also worked for two of the Big Four National accounting firms, the Chartered Accounting School of Business and the Canada Revenue Agency since graduating from the University of Northern British Columbia with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree, Accounting in 2007. She also holds a diploma in accounting and finance from the College of New Caledonia and a certificate from Harvard University’s executive education program Leading People and Investing to Build Sustainable Communities. Mindy possesses CPA, CA, and CAFM designations and is a proud member of the Squamish Nation.

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Heather Tremain

Independent

Heather is a city builder with a passion for social purpose real estate and sustainable development. She is a champion of affordable home ownership and has helped achieve change to both public policy and funding in support of this segment of the housing spectrum. 

Heather is the CEO of Options for Homes, an organization that uses an innovative financial model to help low and moderate income families become homeowners.  Under Heather’s leadership, Options has become Canada’s largest developer of affordable ownership housing and has grown its development pipeline to $1 billion.

Before joining Options, Heather founded and led Urban Fabric Group, a strategic real estate and development consultancy to non-profits. She is also the co-founder and CEO of reSource Rethinking Building, a Vancouver-based green building consulting and development company .

Heather has a Masters’ degree in Architecture from the University of British Columbia and an undergraduate degree in Political Science from McMaster University. From 2008-2009, she was a Loeb Fellow at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design and a Visiting Fellow at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy.

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Syexwáliya Ann Whonnock

Squamish Nation Council Member

Syex̱wáliya Ann Whonnock is a Knowledge Carrier & Elder Advisor from Squamish Nation with strong Indigenous worldviews, ancestral knowledge and traditional teachings. She is a Longhouse Elder with cultural and traditional protocols knowledge, and she brings experience and a strong voice to the role. Syex̱wáliya is widely respected and acknowledged for her commitment to providing support within her community and beyond.

Syex̱wáliya returned to Squamish Nation Council in September 2021. She previously served on Council from 1989-2005 and again from 2009-2017 and was a Council Co-Chairperson from 2013-2017. 

Syex̱wáliya strongly believes in developing ways to improve and increase First Nations Economic Development in order for Squamish Nation, and all First Nations, to have Financial resources meet the needs of their citizens now and into the future. She believes that with successful developments and returns there can be investments in education, training, language and culture, and First Nations businesses to have self-sustaining Squamish and First Nation Citizens.

Syex̱wáliya holds a Master’s in Business Administration in Indigenous Business & Leadership from Simon Fraser University, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Capilano University.

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Tiyáltelut Kristen Rivers

Squamish Nation Council

Tiyaltelut Kristen Rivers is a proud Indigenous woman of Squamish descent. She has extensive governance experience with over a decade of experience serving on several governance boards and appointments. In her work, Kristen is committed to reconciliation and advancing social and economic justice. 

Kristen has honed her skills in the areas of strategic leadership and ethical decision-making by serving three years as elected Co-Chair of the Squamish Nation Council – a position equivalent to an elected Chief in other Nations. She was also Deputy Chair of the Nation’s Finance and Audit Committee and an active member of many other Council Committees.

Kristen presently holds positions on the governance boards of the New Relationship Trust and Nch’kay Development Corporation and is an appointed member of the City of Vancouver’s UNDRIP Task Force. She serves the Squamish Nation’s over 4,000 members through her work on Council’s Strategic Priorities and Budgeting Committee. Kristen is in her second consecutive term on the Squamish Nation Council while also pursuing her Master of Business Administration at Simon Fraser University.

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Mike Magee

Independent

Mike Magee is the principal and founder of Convergence Strategies, founded in 2000. In 2019, he co-founded Blue House Investments, an impact investment firm with a focus on emerging low carbon technology start-ups and bringing them to scale. He played a critical role in advancing several large scale infrastructure and land-use initiatives throughout the region that seek to balance economic opportunity and social and environmental responsibility.

In 2008, Mike served as Vancouver Mayor’s Chief of Staff through three successive terms. He was instrumental in crafting and implementing the strategies, partnerships, and agendas that made Vancouver a global leader in sustainability and civic innovation – recognized by the World Economic Forum as the world’s greenest city.

Mike has a longstanding interest in supporting First Nations-driven conservation-based economic development. Before working for the city, Mike played a key role in supporting several northern First Nations in their groundbreaking conservation land-use planning and economic development. As well, Mike now serves on the Board of Directors for the Grizzly Bear Foundation.