Beyond The Lair

Edgard Villanueva Cruz from Turtle Island Connection

EDGARD VILLANUEVA CRUZ CEO of Turtle Island Connection TOPIC: The value, influence and impact of today’s youth. Edgard Villanueva Cruz is a budding leader and entrepreneur engrained with a mission to support the needs of Indigenous youth, economies and communities. As a Tahltan Nation member and a confident, engaging facilitator, Edgard leverages his leadership skills, honed through mentorship and hands-on experience, to drive impactful initiatives in youth leadership, policy development, and the dreams of Indigenous youth. His work embodies a collective, unified, and reciprocal approach, ensuring the needs of youth are met, and the protocol of the respective nation followed. As a champion of change, he always aims to inspire, educate and elevate.

Leah Coss from Build a Biz Kids

LEAH COSS Co-Founder of Build a Biz Kids & Founder of BBK Network Leah’s journey, her why and the impact that instilling confidence in youth can make. Leah Coss is a visionary leader revolutionizing education by equipping youth with essential soft skills, hands-on experiences and a growth mindset so they can thrive in a rapidly evolving world. As the Co-Founder of Build a Biz Kids and Founder of BBK Network, Leah leverages her extensive background in franchise systems to develop scalable, cost-effective learning models that reach even the most vulnerable demographics. Her innovative approach to programming combines advanced learning methodologies with strategic collaborative partnerships to maximize impact and foster a culture of growth and inclusion. Driven by her passion for empowering individuals, Leah is on a mission to create a society where everyone recognizes and realizes their true value and has the confidence to take action on their ideas.

Teara Fraser from Iskwew Air

Teara fraser • Founder of Iskwew Air Teara’s story about an unstoppable will to succeed at every level and push the limits of even her own expectations. Becoming a pilot was transformational, truly giving this Métis woman wings. Teara is the Founder of Iskwew Air and elibird aero. She believes that together in this innovative space we will reimagine, rematriate, and rebuild our air transportation system - centring equity and sustainability. Teara also founded the not-for-profit Indigenous LIFT Collective and has recently co-founded Liberty Wilderness Lodge. Teara has been named WXN Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100, Top 25 Women of Influence, YWCA Woman of Distinction, and one of 24 ‘real world heroes’ in the DC Comics Wonder Woman anthology. In 2023 she received the Indigenous Business Award of Distinction for Lifetime Achievement by the BC Achievement Foundation.

Ryan St. Germaine from Indigenous Tech Circle

RYAN ST. GERMAINE • Founder & CEO of the Indigenous Tech Circle How Ryan created a circle to support, advance, educate and inspire Indigenous tech entrepreneurs and companies. Ryan St. Germaine is a seasoned entrepreneur, AI strategist, and advocate for Indigenous leadership in technology. As the Founder & CEO of the Indigenous Tech Circle, he established Canada’s largest Indigenous-led tech network, fostering growth, collaboration, and innovation among over 350 Indigenous founders, leaders, and changemakers. Now Board Chair of the Circle’s non-profit, he leads a 100%The Indigenous board focused on strategic vision and impactful programming. With a career spanning HRTech, EdTech, AI-driven insights, and social recruitment, Ryan has co-founded and led companies like BCjobs.ca and Jobcast to successful exits. His expertise includes AI, product development, marketplace innovation, and purpose-driven community building. As an Executive in Residence with Foresight Canada, New Ventures BC, and Raven Indigenous Capital Partners, he mentors founders on AI, scaling ventures, and community-driven impact. Known for building resilient tech ecosystems, Ryan empowers Indigenous professionals by connecting them to capital, mentorship, and growth.

Shain Jackson from Spirit Works Ltd.

Shain Jackson • President of Spirit Works Ltd. His journey making a difference as a lawyer, a social entrepreneur & leading change while improving Indigenous lives. Shain Niniwem Selapem Jackson is Coast Salish from the community of Sechelt. He is a lawyer who has represented the interests of Indigenous communities and organizations throughout British Columbia in relation to a broad array of issues. After years working within the Canadian legal system, Shain switched gears to begin exploring Indigenous laws and their codification within artwork. Artistically, Shain works in Coast Salish design. As he has continued to develop his own artwork to a higher level, he has had the privilege of collaborating with many well-known and up and coming artists. Currently Shain is the President of Spirit Works Limited, an Indigenous owned, operated and staffed company focused on the design, production and distribution of Indigenous artwork such as jewelry, bentwood boxes, paddles, and artworks integrated into building infrastructure. Shain has always taken very seriously his responsibilities not only to his own community, but to the larger urban Indigenous community. To further this he has developed programs aimed at providing employment and training to Indigenous youth; donates space, equipment and expertise to Indigenous artists in need; consistently donates time and artwork to numerous charitable organizations; has designed and facilitated workshops aimed at providing cultural teachings for at-risk Indigenous youth; and much more.