Cal Huntley
Mayor, City of Flin Flon (Chair)
Born and raised in Flin Flon, Manitoba, Cal has spent most of his life experiencing Manitoba’s northern communities. In addition to serving in his second term as the Mayor of Flin Flon, Cal is the chair of several initiatives and organizations in the north, including the Northern Regional Health Authority, Flin Flon and District Assessment and Referral Service, and most recently, the MMDF Application Review Committee. He also sits on the Board of Directors for the Mining Association of Manitoba, Community Futures Greenstone, SJHL Flin Flon Junior Bombers, and One North Rail.
Kathy Valentino
Councillor, City of Thompson (Vice-Chair)
Born and raised in Thompson, Manitoba, Kathy has an in-depth knowledge of the challenges and opportunities in northern Manitoba. She has knowledge and experience in the resource sector, tourism, and relationship-building with Indigenous partners and remote communities.
Ron Evans
President of R.G. Evans Indigenous Solutions
Ron Evans is the President of R.G. EVANS Indigenous Solutions, a private sector consulting company with corporate offices in both Norway House Cree Nation and the Long Plains First Nation Urban Reserve on Madison Avenue in Winnipeg. The company is active in leadership in Indigenous economic issues particularly in the formation of partnerships between government and private sector interests, including the establishment and formation of Action Plans, Truth and Reconciliation, through a joint initiative with the newly acquired TIPI Group, the Legacy Bowes Group.
Becky Cianflone
Executive Director, Community Futures Greenstone
Becky grew up in a small Metis commercial fishing community on Lake Winnipeg and chose to make Northern Manitoba her home five years ago. Becky understands the importance of community and the power of rural and northern people. Early in her career as a chamber of commerce manager, Becky discovered a passion for supporting entrepreneurship, innovation, and collaboration.
Rob Penner BSc, MSc
Associate Vice President of Community and Industry Solutions at University College of the North
Rob is currently the Associate Vice-President of Community and Industry Solutions at UCN. Prior to this, Rob was AVP of Workforce Development, Executive Director of the Northern Manitoba Mining Academy, Chair of Sciences within the Faculty of Arts and Science at UCN, and also served UCN as the Dean of Health and Applied Science, Head of the Department of Renewable Resources, and Ecotourism Project Manager within the Northern Forest Diversification Centre.
Chris Thevenot
CEO, Communities Economic Development Fund
Raised in Thompson, Manitoba, Chris grew up taking advantage of all the North has to offer; fishing, camping, boating and skiing. Chris has been with CEDF since 2012 and has over 15 years of experience in the field of finance. He spent the majority of his time at CEDF in the CFO position until December 2021 when he was appointed to his current role as CEO. Since entering the industry, he has found working in the field of economic development rewarding, seeing the impact it can leave on a community and an individual.
Brian Ross
Former Vice President, Gardewine Group
Brian recently retired from his role as Vice President of Gardewine Group in Winnipeg. Brian’s history includes nearly 20 years of experience in leading health and safety, operations, sales and marketing, billing, traffic, customer service, and building and fleet maintenance in the transportation industry. Previously, Brian worked for more than 25 years in logistics management in the mining industry in Canada and internationally.