Current Board Of Directors
As a non-profit and charitable organization, Wigwamen Incorporated is managed by a volunteer Board of Directors. The members of this Board are highly experienced and committed to providing decent, affordable housing for individuals and families of Indigenous ancestry. Biographies for the current Board of Directors of Wigwamen are below.
Arnold May retired from Ontario Power Generation in 2002 as Senior Analyst of Aboriginal Relations. He has been on Wigwamen’s Board since 1996. Arnold is Ojibway and a member of Nipissing First Nation where he served as Councillor for 6 years. His career was devoted to working with First Nations in the Province of Ontario in resolving grievances that they had filed with the provincial electricity generation and transmission company. Upon retiring, Arnold set up a consulting business (Beedaubun Enterprise) and did consulting for various corporations by providing advice and guidance and acting as a facilitator for ongoing discussions related to various initiatives, projects and partnerships. Arnold is certified in Conflict Resolution; Training System Design, Development and Delivery; and, is a qualified Industrial Mechanic Millwright and Machinist. He has been a Director on various Provincial Boards in the past, and continues to sit as Director.
Suzanne Brunelle is Métis with Menominee, French, and Irish roots. She earned her Bachelors’ degree at York University’s Glendon College, subsequently dedicating over forty years to federal public service, including 15 years in Real Property. She serves as the Senator of the Toronto & York Region Métis Council and is an active member of the Toronto Aboriginal Support Services Council, the City of Toronto Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Committee, and the Centennial Aboriginal Education Council. She is also the coordinator of the Community Ethics Network, a membership-funded collective of over 50 community health and support sector organizations that promote quality community healthcare and support services.
Suzanne joined the Board of Wigwamen Incorporated in July 2020 and looks forward to contributing to the goals of the organization as well as the learning she will gain along the way.
A Certified Management Accountant with experience in the property management field, Valerie works as a Controller for a real estate investment company. She has been a member of Wigwamen’s Board of Directors since August 1996. In her spare time, she works toward her goal of becoming an accomplished roller-blader, and enjoys bird watching.
John Arciuch worked for a number of years in the area of Aboriginal relations at Ontario Power Generation, and prior to that, in the environmental and forestry services field. He joined Wigwamen’s Board in February 2000. John has worked with many groups in the Toronto area to develop co-housing project proposals and holds an MBA degree from York University.
Tabatha, a proud member of Nipissing First Nation, holds the distinction of being named CEO of the Year for 2022 by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, was recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in 2023, and named as Top 100 Lobbyist in Canada four years in a row. As the President and CEO of CCIB, she is dedicated to rebuilding and strengthening the path towards reconciliation and fostering a prosperous Indigenous economy for the benefit of all Canadians. With a background in electrical engineering, Tabatha is committed to promoting Indigenous inclusion and diversity in Canada’s energy sector.
In her role at CCIB, Tabatha serves the Indigenous community by supporting the Indigenous economy and sits on various boards, including the Dexterra Group, Wigwamen Incorporated, Ontario Chamber of Commerce, and Catalyst CEO Advisory Board in Canada, among others.
Tabatha’s dedication to diversity extends to her efforts in removing systematic barriers to enhance opportunities for Indigenous businesses and women across all industry sectors.
Glen Jennings has been a member of Wigwamen’s Board of Directors since 2006. In addition to his volunteer work with Wigwamen, Glen has served on the Board of Frontiers Foundation as Secretary-Treasurer. Glen is a solicitor practicing in Toronto in the area of criminal law, focusing on complex fraud and Charter litigation. His practice has included a wide variety of criminal matters at both trial and appellate levels, as well as regulatory and disciplinary matters. Glen was called to the Ontario Bar in 1994 after completing his articles at a leading Canadian criminal law firm. Glen is also involved with lecturing at various leading continuing education programs in the legal profession.
Ian Jacobsen is Mohawk from the Mohawks of Kanesatake First Nation and is currently the Director of Indigenous Relations at Ontario Power Generation.
For much of his career Ian has worked for and with Indigenous communities and organizations. Over the past 15 years, Ian has worked in various areas of Ontario’s energy sector including Transmission and Distribution, Waterpower, and Nuclear Generation. Ian’s passion and focus is dedicated to building strong, collaborative relationships with Indigenous communities, organizations and businesses with a focus on creating opportunities for prosperity and mutual benefits within Ontario’s energy sector.
In 2021, Ian led the development of the Ontario Power Generation’s inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan. A key commitment of the plan includes growing the company’s economic impact with Indigenous communities and businesses to $1 billion by 2031.
Laurie Mace has a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from University of Toronto and a Masters in Environmental Studies (planning) from York University. After a decade as an environmental planning consultant, she spent her career in the Ontario public service managing environmental approvals delivery and providing strategic policy advice. Laurie was also a part-time sessional lecturer at Toronto Metropolitan University School of Urban & Regional Planning for almost two decades.
Laurie’s past volunteer work includes membership on a Toronto condominium corporation Board, and founding Board chair of a not-for-profit cohousing corporation. She is currently Board chair for the Upper Canada Choristers community choir, and supports local housing justice issues. Laurie joined the Board of Wigwamen in 2024 and looks forward to both contributing to the goals of the organization and learning from her colleagues.
Kyle Warton is a proud member of the Chippewas of Georgina Island FN. He holds an Honours, Bachelor of Commerce from Carleton University and recently graduated as the Valedictorian of his full-time Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto. While at Carleton, Kyle captained the Varsity Golf Team, representing the university in various Ontario University Athletics (OUA) competitions.
Kyle currently works as the Business Development Manager at Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation (SNGRDC). In his role, Kyle leads the investment division of SNGRDC which includes mergers and acquisitions (M&A), venture capital (VC), joint ventures (JV’s), and real estate. Kyle also helps manage SNGRDC’s 2.4GW renewable energy generation and storage portfolio.
Outside of his work with SNGRDC, Kyle volunteers as a mentor with Outside Looking In, a non-profit organization that supports and empowers Indigenous youth to thrive through experiential education. He also has experience working with the Optimist Club and ABC Life Literacy Canada. Kyle joined the Board of Directors of Wigwamen Incorporated in 2025.
Former Wigwamen Director Biographies:
Waylon Iserhoff is a member of Taykwa Tagamou Nation. He is currently the Chief Financial Officer for the Six Nations of the Grand Development Corporation, which manages Six Nations’ economic interests and its economic development opportunities. From 2015 to 2019, Waylon was Taykwa Tagamou Nation’s Busines Development Officer where he provided support to its Chief & Council with their various business interests. Waylon has over 25 years of experience in a variety of finance and accounting roles with Thrive Cannabis, Hudson Bay Company, Loblaw Companies Limited, Moody’s Investor Services and Deloitte. Waylon is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and has a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of Toronto and a BA from the University of Western Ontario. He joined the Wigwamen Board in 2017.
Kathleen Cieslak joined the Board of Directors of Wigwamen Incorporated in 2014. Kathleen holds an Honours BA from the University of Toronto and a Masters in Conflict Analysis and Management from Royal Roads University. She works for Ontario Power Generation and has held positions in the Real Estate division, Human Resources Talent and Change department, and currently is an Advisor in OPG’s First Nation and Métis Relations division. Kathleen has worked with non-profit companies in the past and is looking forward to being an active Wigwamen Board member. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, snowboarding, rock climbing and mountain biking.
Julie joined the Board of Directors in June 2009, and served as Director and Vice-President until 2023. Julie is Ojibway from Wasauksing First Nation, and a long-time resident of Toronto. She works for an Aboriginal organization in the city where she has had many opportunities to learn about non-profit board processes. Over the years, she has utilized many of Toronto’s Aboriginal services and wishes to give back to the Aboriginal community. She also wishes to inspire and encourage Aboriginal people to live up to their fullest potential and strive for what life has to offer. Julie has a knack for sports and is involved in volleyball and baseball.
Donna Niven was a dedicated member of the Wigwamen Incorporated Board of Directors from April 1976 to February 2021. She generously contributed her volunteer time to the community in many ways, having served as a Director on the Board of the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto for five years, served as the Secretary-Treasurer of the North American Indian Club for twelve years, and having once been voted Native Big Sister of the year. Donna’s passion for our organization and its mission has left a lasting impact. Much of our present identity and future aspirations are a testament to her contributions and dedication during her tenure on our Board.
Bill joined the Board of Directors of Wigwamen Incorporated in 1977 and became President of the corporation in 1995. His other volunteer experience includes: a 25-year membership (including having served for some time as President) with the Toronto Indian Club; having been a Director of Habitat for Humanity; and involvement with various seniors and other charitable organizations. Bill spent most of his working life in the field of maintenance and construction and in October 2000 he retired as Supervisor of Operations at Trent University in Peterborough. Born in Wikwemikong on Manitoulin Island, Bill spent much of his childhood at Garnier College Residential School.
Marie Rogers is originally from Wikwemikong on Manitoulin Island but has been living and working in Toronto since the early 1970s. She is employed with the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce as an Administrative Assistant in Retail and Small Business Credit. Marie has served as a Director for Wigwamen since 1996 and beyond her involvement with the corporation, she volunteers with the Native Peoples’ Parish. In the past she has assisted in a number of fundraising campaigns for groups such as the United Way and Toronto Sick Children’s Hospital. Her interests include figure skating and country music.
Wigwamen’s longest serving Director Eric Carlson joined the Board in September 1974. He is a retired employee of the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, having worked there for 30 years. Prior to that, he taught French and Latin at a variety of Ontario high schools, and worked with the South Saskatchewan River Development Commission. An active volunteer in the City of Toronto, Eric is also a driver for Meals-on-Wheels and the Canadian Cancer Society, and is a Board member with Frontiers Foundation. For many, this kind of community involvement would leave little time for hobbies, but Eric also manages to squeeze in some international travel and hiking.
Another longtime Board member, Delma Cooper joined Wigwamen in April 1976. Now retired from the Victorian Order of Nurses, she volunteers at St. Michael’s Hospital, and is as a very active member of the Native Peoples’ Parish of Toronto. Past volunteer experience includes having served as the Executive Secretary for the Friendship Centre and as a Big Sister with Ahbinoojyak, a former Native children’s program in the city. Delma is originally from Wikwemikong on Manitoulin Island, but has lived in Toronto since the 1960s. Her interests include theatre, critically-acclaimed movies and books, Scrabble and playing the keyboard.
Karen Wheeler joined the Board in July, 2009. She retired from the Ontario Public Service as a senior policy advisor in 2005 and currently does part-time consulting on public policy issues. She has been on the boards of several Toronto-based non-profit housing co-operatives and has held senior volunteer positions in OPSEU, AMAPCEO, and CUPE. Karen has a strong belief in the social and economic benefits of not-for-profit housing and has been involved in organizations devoted to supplying and managing such housing since 1968.
Diana (Dee) is Mi’kmaq and served on the Board from 1994-1997. She lived and worked in Toronto for 23 years but now lives in Nova Scotia where she works for the Union of Nova Scotia Indians Tribal Council. Having earned a Master of Resource and Environmental Management degree (2010) from Dalhousie University in Halifax, she has almost completed a PhD degree, focusing on environmental health, and is using her expertise to help a local First Nation impacted by industrial pollution from a pulp and paper mill. An avid runner, Dee tries to participate in 10k runs wherever her travels take her.