Teddy, is a 2-spirit individual from the Tsuut’ina First Nation in the Treaty 7 territory and has served as the Director of Justice for the G4 Tsuut’ina Stoney Nakoda Tribal Council (G4 SNTTC) since 2022. Teddy serves as the co-chair of the Tsuut’ina Nation Tosguna Police commission. The task of administering Justice for the Tsuut’ina and Stoney Nakoda Nations has included addressing the concerns of the community and leadership and determining effective strategies for a future that will better support First Nations. Teddy has been a member of a Policing Task Force, which is administered by the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), since 2022. The function of the task force is to determine the components of an essential services legislation for First Nations policing services. It is Teddy’s aspiration that we will establish systems that recognize the Treaty rights to justice and public safety, while also fostering community connection for all peoples of Turtle Island and the First Nations. Public safety, justice, and community well-being are all essential and indispensable components of healthy communities, by working together there is a future that promises First Nations people policing services with a community connection.

Born and raised in Edmonton, Shazia has a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Manitoba. She is a Registered Social Worker (RSW) with the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) in good standing. Throughout her career, she has worked in various non-profit agencies, such as E4C, Boyle McCauley Health Centre, and Boyle Street Community Services as well as with the Edmonton Police Service working collaboratively with members on the Heavy Users of Service (HUoS) project.

Shazia has worked for the Government of Alberta since 2015 within the Ministry of Community and Social Services for the AISH program and Disability Services (PDD & FSCD) and for the Ministry of Child & Family Services. Within Children & Family Services, she has held various positions, such as working in case management with High Risk Youth, completing assessments in community and investigations for placements, and most recently, leading a team of intervention workers. Currently, she is the Manager of Staff Wellness in the Correctional Services Division, where she oversees preventative and intervention supports for front line staff.

Through her personal journey and professional practice, Shazia has gained knowledge in several areas such as racism, gender equity, poverty, homelessness, marginalization, addictions, mental health, trauma, justice/law enforcement and working with vulnerable populations, including Indigenous and refugee communities. In addition to this, Shazia holds several positions within the Edmonton Police Commission, including Commissioner (a position she has held since 2021), and Chair of the Governance Committee. She also represents the Edmonton Police Commission on the Chief’s Community Council, where the council guides the Edmonton Police Service in meaningful dialogue centered on developing mutual trust, information sharing, relationship building, and the ability to problem-solve shared issues to better serve members of the BIPOC, underserved and diverse communities in Edmonton. She was a former Board Director with the Alberta Association of Police Governance (AAPG).

Linda was first elected in 2002 as a Ward Councillor and then Regional Councillor in 2003, and from 2006 to 2010 she was elected as the Mayor of Vaughan. Linda served as a local and regional from 2018 to 2022, in October 24, 2022, Linda was elected to serve as Deputy Mayor and Local and Regional Councillor for the 2022-2026 Term of Council for the City of Vaughan and York Region Council. York Region appointed Linda as a Board member of the York Regional Police Services Board. She is also a Board and Executive Committee member of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.

Markus is the Deputy Mayor of the City of Winnipeg (City Councillor for the new boundary ward of St Norbert – Seine River). Prior to seeking public office, Markus spent 29 years as a civil servant with the Province of Manitoba in a variety of positions but specifically the last 17 managing the Provincial Nominee Program which brings skilled workers and business investment to Manitoba. Councillor Chambers is the first Afro-Caribbean elected in Manitoba’s history in any of the three levels of government.

As an avid community volunteer, Markus has sat:

 6 years on the Board of Trustees for the United Way of Winnipeg and
 10 years on the Capital Campaign Cabinet for the Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

Additionally, Markus has also sat on the Boards:
 Henteleff Park Foundation and
 St Boniface Hospital Research Foundation (International Academy of Cardiovasular Sciences) raising money and awareness for heart health within the Caribbean Community.

Markus is a graduate of the University of Manitoba where he most recently completed the Public Sector Management program and previously double majored in Political Sciences and Sociology.

Markus was appointed Deputy Mayor of the City of Winnipeg from 2018 – 2020 and serves on the following Standing Policy Committee:

 Standing Policy Committee of Public Works
Markus currently chairs the following Boards or Standing Policy Committees
 Acting Deputy Mayor City of Winnipeg
 Winnipeg Police Board (Chair)
 Human Rights Committee of Council as (Chair)
 City Council Governance Committee
 Winnipeg Arts Council
 Red River Basin Commission Councillor Markus Chambers represents the City of Winnipeg on a variety of stakeholder issues and is committed to the values and principles of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

Micayla Hayes is a businessperson and consultant specializing in concept development, strategic growth, and organizational change management. She founded and leads the London Chef Inc., a dynamic operation offering culinary education, entertainment, and innovative programming worldwide.

With a BA from the University of Toronto and an MA from King’s College London, both in Criminology, she has a strong research background and extensive experience in theoretical and applied criminology.  She has worked with the Centre for Crime & Justice Studies in London, is a trained restorative justice facilitator, and has designed and piloted rehabilitative programs supporting community reintegration for correctional institutions.

Micayla has significant experience in governance and leadership roles. In addition to her current role as Chair of the Victoria & Esquimalt Police Board, she is the Vice-President of the BC Association of Police Boards and sits on various committees in her community.

As a former two-term Barrie City Councillor and now a Provincial Appointee to the Barrie Police Service Board, Arif has spent years navigating governance and strategy, always focused on developing resilient communities. He’s motivated to challenge apathy and the status quo, pushing for necessary change that prioritizes relevance, purpose, and accountability. Professionally, Arif thrives on helping clients extract often-unsurfaced core challenges, solving big problems and making real impact. With two decades of experience in financial services and a knack for identifying gaps, he’s built systems that help organizations scale—from quick-serve restaurants to public education, live entertainment, and member driven associations.

In line with these guiding principles, he has co-created, produced, and hosted “Hitting Home with Arif Khan”, a personal and small business finance related educational television series on Rogers TV, now in its 7th year. Based on an established relationship of trust within the community, Arif was approached by the City of Barrie to develop and produce a new series that explores and informs the public on the intricacies of local governance and operations. “Barrie, City on the Move” also airs on Rogers TV, as well as YouTube. Additionally, Arif produces and hosts two educational podcast series on business growth and strategy called “THINC Underground” and “ChamberVerse”.
At the heart of it all, Arif finds purpose in helping people and organizations articulate their core intentions, develop viable strategies, and ensure sustainable margins.. Beyond unrealized good ideas, he’s about collaboration, execution, and delivering meaningful outcomes.

When he’s not diving into strategy sessions, or producing content, Arif is connecting with leaders and communities to build capable teams, proving that service of others is the most rewarding work there is.

Yemi Akindoju is President of Vanity Fashions Limited, a privately owned and operated Canadian company founded in 1989 and a leader in the fashion jewellery industry. Prior to this, Yemi worked with Scotiabank for 12 years, where he retired as a senior client relationship manager – commercial banking. Immediately prior to immigrating to Canada in 2001, Yemi was a Senior Executive at Sterling Bank (Nigeria) Plc.

Yemi holds an accounting diploma and an MBA (Banking and Finance) from Nigeria, he is also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) 1991. He has over 35 years’ experience in the financial services industry including commercial and retail banking, microfinance, accounting, treasury management, audit, and assurance. Yemi commenced his career as an audit trainee before transitioning into banking where he provided professional support to mid-market corporate and small businesses. Yemi has been recognized for his creativity and fresh perspective in solving problems for his clients. As a senior executive, he was responsible for setting the strategic direction and leading all lines of business that served small businesses, retail, and commercial clients.

A very active member of his community in Halifax, outside of work, Yemi enjoys spending quality time with his family, swimming, and golfing. Yemi is also involved in community work through volunteer board and membership in the following organizations; Board of Directors – Canada Games Centre (Immediate Past Chair); Board Member (Treasurer) – Black Business Initiative (Current); and Volunteer, Member Standing-in-the-Gap (Help for Homeless).

A.J. (Andrew) Minor is from Winnipeg, Manitoba where he graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts (Economics). After graduation, Andrew joined and served in the RCMP in British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Manitoba, Nunavut and Ottawa, retiring in 2013, at the rank of Inspector.

In June 2013, Andrew was appointed Executive Director of the Manitoba Police Commission (MPC) where he was at the forefront of implementing police board governance in Manitoba and the establishment of the MPC Civilian Monitor Program designed to monitor mandated Independent Investigation Unit investigations into incidents of police involved deaths.

Andrew continues to train, provide policy advice and problem to all 11 municipal and First Nations police boards in Manitoba, and in June 2020 was named Commissioner of Manitoba’s Law Enforcement Review Agency, in addition to his duties at MPC.

In addition to his experience in policing, police governance and police oversight, Andrew has experience in strategic management, business process management, and change management. Andrew completed a post baccalaureate diploma in Management from Athabasca University in 2013.