Indigenous issues and legal expert joins Capacity Canada board

WATERLOO REGION –   April 27, 2018 –  Capacity Canada’s board of directors has increased its pool of talented social innovators with the addition of renowned legal expert Wayne D. Garnons-Williams.

His appointment to the board was announced at Capacity Canada’s annual general meeting, held April 27 at St. George Hall in Waterloo, Ont.

Garnons-Williams is a lawyer, tribal judge and business leader, who also specializes in Aboriginal and environmental issues. He has held various federal executive legal positions throughout his distinguished career, including Register of the Federal Court of Canada and Deputy Head, Specific Claims Tribunal of Canada.

“I’m excited about joining the Capacity Canada board and can’t wait to share with them my commitment, enthusiasm and perhaps a different perspective,” he said, adding his creativity and passion for excellence are two qualities that will serve the board well.

Mr. Garnons-Williams, who is the Senior Lawyer and Principal Director of Ottawa-based Garwill Law Professional Corp., regularly shares his extensive knowledge regarding corporate, government and Indigenous issues via numerous speaking engagements.

“We were fortunate enough to have Wayne give the keynote address last year at one of our Manulife Board Governance BootCamps, where he left a lasting impression on participants by sharing some very personal stories and inspirational words about the importance of trust and communication in all aspects of life,” said Capacity Canada CEO Cathy Brothers. “To have someone of Wayne’s caliber join our board will be a huge benefit to the kind of social innovation work we’re dedicated to doing at Capacity Canada.”

A Plains Cree born on the Moosomin First Nation, Treaty 6 territory in Saskatchewan, Mr. Garnons-Williams was a survivor of the ‘Sixties Scoop’ and has dedicated a large part his professional life to help promote Indigenous business ventures. From 2008 to 2011, he served as President of the National Council for Aboriginal Federal Employees and is a member of the Indigenous Bar Association of Canada, the Carleton County Law Association and the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business.  He is also the founding president of the International Inter-tribal Trade Organization and past Chair of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Appeal Tribunal.

Besides Capacity Canada, Garnons-Williams also serves as a board member for the International Council of the Great Lakes Region and Three Feather Corporation, as well as a member of the NAFTA Chapter 18 Dispute Resolution Tribunal.

“I like working with dynamic people and their creative attitudes towards meeting challenges and problem-solving,” he said. “I enjoy practical ideas that build capacity and teamwork.”

Mr. Garnons-Williams is also passionate about assisting young and growing startup companies by providing corporate law services, specializing in International Inter-Tribal Trade Law.

“It’s this type commitment to helping these up and coming innovators advance their goals which also makes Wayne an ideal addition to our board and the work Capacity Canada does,” said Joanna Lohrenz, board chair of Capacity Canada.

The board also includes: Chair Joanna Lohrenz (Vice-President, Canadian Division, Manulife Financial); Secretary-Treasurer Terry Reidel (Executive Director, Cowan Foundation & Corporate Director: COM DEV, Linamar & The Guarantee Company of North America); board member Steve Farlow (former Acting Director, Lazaridis Institute, Lazaridis School of Business & Economics Wilfrid Laurier University); Joe Sehl (Director, Business Partners, IBM Canada) and board member Jeanette Bancarz (Community Branch Manager, ATB Financial).

Contact:         

Cathy Brothers, CEO, Capacity Canada
[email protected]
Office: 519-513-2606 x1
Mobile: 226-808-7220

Contact:

Joanna Lohrenz, Capacity Canada board chair Capacity Canada
[email protected]

Capacity Canada is a national registered charity that brings together the ideas, people and resources that fuel social innovation. Our vision is to change lives through courageous community organizations. We are accomplishing this by providing non-profit leaders new resources and professional support that enhances leadership skills, stimulates cross-sector collaboration, promotes knowledge sharing, and encourages social innovation.

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