We are leaders

Doug Lauvstad

Chairperson of the Board

Lauvstad is the President and Chancellor of the University College of the North. Lauvstad previously served as Executive Director for the Northern Manitoba Sector Council, an association of the mining, forestry and energy sectors of Manitoba focused on workforce development. He has served on numerous other boards and committees including as Chair of the Northern Regional Health Authority Board of Directors.

Becky Cianflone – Flin Flon

Appointed Member of the Board.

Cianflone is the Executive Director of Community Futures Greenstone. Cianflone previously worked as a Business Analyst for Community Futures Triple R and Chamber Manager for the Altona and District Chamber of Commerce. She studied business administration at Red River College and her board experience includes the Northern Manitoba Tourism Advisory Committee, UCN Governing Council and the Flin Flon Women’s Resource Centre.

Chuck Davidson – Winnipeg

Appointed Member of the Board.

Davidson is the President and CEO of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce (MCC). Prior to joining the MCC, he spent close to a decade at the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce as the Vice-President of Policy and Communications. Davidson served as Co-Chair of the Look North Task Force, and was born and raised in the northern community of Snow Lake.

Colleen Smook – Thompson

Appointed Member of the Board.

Smook is the Mayor of the City of Thompson. She has worked in the construction industry, is owner of McCreedy Campground and has served on numerous boards in the community.

Ron D. Spence - Nisichawaysihk Cree Nation

Appointed Member of the Board

Spence is the Band Councillor of the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation, holding the Economic Development, Education and Environment & Resources portfolios. He is also currently the Vice President of the Manitoba Trappers Association, board member for the Fishery & Wildlife Enhancement Fund and the Sustainable Forest committee. Spence previously served as the Vice Chief for four years for his community. He has worked as a Conservation Officer for over a decade and served on numerous boards on association of the mining, forestry and energy sectors.

Theresa Wride - Flin Flon

Appointed Member of the Board

Originally from Norway House Cree Nation; Kinosao Sipi in Treaty 5 Territory, Wride has a long history of serving communities, both as a volunteer and in her career. She is a Career Counsellor and Job Coach, primarily working with Northern Indigenous peoples, as well as a globally renowned artist. Wride was a corporate director with a mining exploration company and worked
seasonally as a tourism operator. Her board and committee involvement includes the Manitoba Women’s Advisory Council, Northern Health Region Indigenous Health & Human Resources Committee, and NorVA Centre Board on the Grant and
Inclusion Committees.

Edna Nabess - Winnipeg

Appointed Member of the Board

Edna Nabess was born and raised in Cormorant, Manitoba and is a proud member of the Mathias Colomb Cree Nation.  Edna was taught the traditions of her Cree culture by her mother and is the founder and principal designer of Cree-Ations.  Edna is a well-known artisan creating one-of-a-kind designs and is a founding member of the Manitoba Artist Showcase.  Edna received the Aboriginal Business Service Network Award in 2009, the BMO Expansion and Growth in Small Business Award in 2017 and was a Recipient of a Canada 150 Medal that same year.  In addition to the Winnipeg Police Board, Edna serves on the boards of Efficiency Manitoba, Manitoba Public Insurance, Manitoba Social Services Appeal, Manitoba 150 Celebration Committee and ATELAC.  Edna was a candidate in the 2016 Provincial Election in the riding of Kewantinook.

Edna gives back to the community by participating in multiple charitable events and fundraising activities

Chris Thevenot, CEO

Raised in Thompson, Manitoba, Chris is the sixth of seven kids who grew up taking advantage of all the North has to offer; fishing, camping, and boating in the summer with hockey and skiing in the winter. He went away for his post-secondary education but has spent the majority of his adult life in Thompson with his wife raising their two daughters. Chris has been with CEDF since 2012 and has over 15 years of experience in the field of finance, previously working with major financial institutions.  He started with CEDF as a business loans consultant before moving 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.