William Gagnon is an expert in healthcare systems decarbonization and sustainable medicine. As the Director of Implementation at the Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care, he supports health care leaders in decarbonizing their practices. Formerly with DoctorsWithout Borders (MSF) and the Centre for Sustainable Medicine (Singapore), William spearheaded initiatives to decarbonize facilities, electrical systems, and vehicles in Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Uganda and Singapore, where he learned firsthand the challenges of balancing sustainability with safety, security and critical healthcare needs, both in underdeveloped and hyper-developed countries.

William is also the part-time Executive Director of the Northwest Territories Medical Association, and the Director of Strategy for POWER Wellbeing. A French Canadian, William holds a Bachelor’s in Building Engineering from Concordia University, a Master’s in Bioresource Engineering from McGill University, two LEED professional accreditations. He is currently pursuing a PhD in healthcare systems decarbonization at Carleton University.

William is a Project Management Professional and he has studied climate and leadership at Harvard and Cornell. In August 2023, William wasamong 25,000 Yellowknife residents evacuated due to catastrophic wildfires. Named a Top 30 Under 30 Sustainability Leader by Corporate Knights, he often speaks about climate on global stages. William chairs th Northern Council for Global Cooperation. You’ll often find him skiing or sailing on Great Slave Lake.

Maggie Crump (she/her) has spent most of her career working in Indigenous governance, treaty implementation, diplomacy and intergovernmental relations. She has provided strategic advice on Indigenous self-government negotiations and implementation for the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and Kwanlin Dün First Nation, as well as to the Arctic Indigenous Peoples’ delegation at UNFCCC negotiations. She has also provided political advice and managed intergovernmental relations for the Senator of the Northwest Territories and Gwich’in Tribal Council.

Maggie has a B.A. in International Development from Dalhousie University and a M.A. in Political Economy from Carleton University. Her social justice background informs her intergovernmental work; she prioritizes relationship-building and government-to-government engagement in order to advance the priorities and interests of the communities she works with.

Maggie is a settler Canadian and has lived in a number of cities across Canada, as well as in Denmark, Ghana, and Norway. In 2022, she returned to Whitehorse and she now lives and works on the traditional territory of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, where she was born. Maggie enjoys sewing, beading, and berry picking, as well as visiting with friends and family.

Fareeha Iftikhar is a communication, stakeholder engagement and international development professional with more than 20 years of experience across nonprofit, public sector, diplomatic and international development environments. She has held leadership and program management roles with organizations including Global Affairs Canada, WaterAid, Norwegian Church Aid, The Asia Foundation and the U.S. Embassy.Throughout her career, Fareeha has worked closely with government institutions, civil society organizations, media, academia and community stakeholders to advance public engagement, social development, advocacy and partnership-building initiatives. Her experience spans strategic communications, program management, public affairs, stakeholder relations and community engagement.Fareeha holds an MPhil in International Relations and has received the Canadian Public Service Award of Excellence in recognition of her contributions to emergency response efforts following the 2010 floods in Pakistan. She is passionate about global cooperation, social justice, inclusion and strengthening partnerships that contribute to sustainable and equitable development.

Zoe Compton is drawn to multilateral diplomacy and to the community-led work that gives international environmental agreements meaning on the ground. She believes the people most affected by environmental change should have a hand in the decisions made about it.
Zoe leads the natural sciences sector at the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, serving as the national focal point for Canada's UNESCO Biosphere Regions and Global Geoparks. She also coordinates the Commission's UN Ocean Decade working group on Indigenous knowledge systems and community-engaged ocean science, which brings together researchers, practitioners and knowledge holders from across the country.
Zoe is an artist. Outside of work she can usually be found walking in the forest with her dog, cooking, or reading a novel. She lives on unceded Nionwentsïo territory of the Huron-Wendat people in Québec, where Wabanaki and Innu territories also overlap.

I started my journey in the Northwest Territories living along the Mackenzie River in the town of Inuvik. My experience there has guided me towards the work I am doing today. I am a settler on this Land; I grew up in Prince Edward Island. I am currently living in Yellowknife, and I am deeply proud to call the Northwest Territories home. My experiences in health care as a registered nurse, and time spent within the communities deeply shapes the passion I lead with towards more equitable and safer spaces for all people in health care systems today.

Along with being a labor and delivery nurse, I currently work as a program coordinator for the Northern Birthwork Collective; an organization that provides cost supported programming and services for all stages of the reproductive journey.  This role has expanded my way of thinking in how I approach caring for those seeking support. My vision of creating change is to first listen to those most impacted, then share a space at the table to help advocate for those voices to be heard in decision making processes.

The learning and unlearning I have gone through and will continue to do, is an example of my own lived experiences, stories, relationships built and opportunities I’ve had in my travels; my love for the Land and those sharing these spaces is impactful in my work and who I am today. I am learning that building relationship takes time, and I am committed to this process.

Ken Coates, a graduate of FH Collins High School in Whitehorse, had a long career as an academic historian and public policy specialist focusing on the Canadian North and Circumpolar affairs.  He held Professorial positions across Canada and in New Zealand and was the founding Vice-President (Academic) of the University of Northern British Columbia.  He retired from his position as Canada Research Chair in Regional Innovation at the University of Saskatchewan.  His last year of teaching was as Professor of Indigenous Governance, Yukon University.  Ken has published numerous books on northern and Arctic history and public affairs and he appears in the media (radio, TV, newspapers and webinars) on northern and Indigenous issues.  

Sarah Crane is a Yukoner and former public servant who believes in the importance of community to ground us in our modern times. She is temporarily based in Accra, Ghana and returning home to Whitehorse with her family in 2028. Sarah has a masters in Public Management and a graduate certificate in Organizational Development and Leadership. She brings a background in communications, organizational planning and design, coaching, diversity and inclusion, event planning and public policy. Sarah has worn many volunteer hats over the years, but the most enduring is that of a volunteer basketball coach, supporting strong, confident girls and young women through sport.

Chloë Hoechsmann is a Yellowknife-based entrepreneur and operations professional whose experience spans finance, administration, policy development, auditing, project support, and Northern industry. Like many Northerners, she has worn many hats, giving her a broad, practical understanding of how organizations function across governance, operations, and community impact. Through her work with contractors, trades businesses, operators, organizations, and project teams, Chloe has developed a strong big-picture lens on the Northern operating environment, including capacity, logistics, cash flow, reporting, communication, and accountability. Her experience with policy and auditing has strengthened her understanding of oversight, process, risk, and the systems organizations need to make sound decisions. Chloe brings practical judgment, entrepreneurial perspective, and lived Northern context to the board, with a commitment to responsible governance, clear communication, and long-term organizational resilience.

Nicole Rondeau is a citizen of Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation, community leader, educator, and former Chief of Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation (2020–2024). She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Governance from Yukon University and has extensive experience in governance, policy development, public engagement, and Indigenous leadership.
Throughout her career, Nicole has worked closely with Yukon First Nations, territorial and federal governments, educational institutions, and community organizations to advance community wellness, cultural inclusion, environmental stewardship, and equitable governance. During her leadership as Chief, she guided legislative and policy initiatives, supported accountable financial management, and represented her Nation in regional and national discussions related to Indigenous rights, fisheries, climate action, child and family services, and economic development.Nicole currently works as an Instructor with Yukon University. She also contributes to various Yukon initiatives as an Indigenous Advisor and Board Committee member. Importantly to her, is her work with To Swim and Speak with Salmon. A Youth training group that fosters relationship to salmon and water. Providing training for the next generation of Yukon advocates for the Yukon Rivers Chinook salmon.Nicole is passionate about supporting inclusive communities, advancing reconciliation and social justice, and creating opportunities for collaboration that connect local priorities with broader global perspectives.