Who We Are

Board of Directors

Jim Beardy, BBA

Chair, CEO Of Kawéchiwasik Development Corporation

Jim Beardy, a member of York Factory First Nation, has extensive experience working with First Nation communities, specializing in finance, accounting, Indigenous economic development, and administration. He has a profound understanding of the issues and challenges affecting Manitoba First Nations and is a strong advocate for their well-being and prosperity. Mr. Beardy currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Kawéchiwasik Development Corporation, the economic development organization for York Factory First Nation. Prior to this role, he worked for over 30 years as the Director of Finance for the Keewatin Tribal Council (KTC) in Thompson, Manitoba. In addition to his role as Chair of FPEGF, Mr. Beardy is the Treasurer for the Thompson Community Development Corporation, supporting community economic and community development. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with distinction from the University College of the North and is a member of the Thompson Chamber of Commerce and the Aboriginal Financial Officers Association (AFOA).

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Michael McMullen.

Michael McMullen, MBA

Vice Chair/Secretary, CEO And President Of MCM Consulting

Michael McMullen boasts over 35 years of business experience, specializing in strategic planning, retail sector expertise, and operations management. He is the founder and President of MCM Consulting, where he provides strategic and operational guidance to a diverse array of clients. Throughout his career, Mr. McMullen has held executive management positions across North America, with significant international exposure. Mr. McMullen has traveled extensively across Canada, conducting business in over 150 northern communities within Indigenous Communities and Nations. He earned his MBA from the University of Western Ontario and holds the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. Currently, Mr. McMullen serves as Vice-Chair/Secretary of the Diabetes Canada Board and Chair of the National Diabetes Trustee Corp. His past leadership roles include Chair of the SickNotWeak Mental Health Foundation, the Indigenous Chamber of Commerce, and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC). In 2019, he was honored and inducted into the CCC’s Emeritus Leadership Circle and continues to serve as a Governor of the CCC.

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Dr. Wanda (Wuttunee) Charles.

Dr. Wanda (Wuttunee) Charles, PhD

Director, Professor Emerita

Dr. Wanda (Wuttunee) Charles, a member of the Red Pheasant First Nation, is an internationally recognized professor and researcher specializing in Canadian Indigenous economic development. For the past 37 years, Dr. Charles has concentrated on various Indigenous studies, including Economic Development, Governance, Entrepreneurship, Community Economic Development, Sustainable Development, and the Social Economy. Dr. Charles served as a faculty member in the Native Studies department for over 30 years, progressing through the ranks of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Full Professor, and earned the title of Professor Emerita in 2022. She was also the director of Indigenous Business Education Partners (IBEP) for 20 years. In 2018, Dr. Charles received the Indigenous Faculty Award of Excellence from the University of Manitoba, and in 2011, she was named one of Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women by the Women’s Executive Network. She has garnered numerous other awards for distinguished service and academic achievement. Dr. Wanda Charles holds a Bachelor of Commerce, a Bachelor of Law, and a Master of Business Administration from Calgary, Alberta. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Manitoba in 2001.

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Our Team

Interested in Joining Our Team?

At First Peoples Economic Growth Fund, we don’t just offer jobs—we offer opportunities to make a real difference. Our team is made up of passionate professionals who combine financial expertise with a deep commitment to supporting First Nations entrepreneurs and communities.

If you’re looking for a career where your skills contribute to meaningful growth, explore our current openings below. Be part of a collaborative culture that values innovation, respect, and the power of Indigenous economic success.