Board of Directors
John Bernard - Board Chairman
Holly Cooper
Guy Freedman
André Clément
John Bernard (Board
Chairman)
President & CEO
Donna Cona
Mr. John Bernard is a member of northern New Brunswick's Madawaska Maliseet Band and is the successful business owner of an Information and Communications company called Donna Cona.
Donna Cona Inc. was founded in 1996 with the intention of providing opportunities for Aboriginal people in the high tech industry.
Today, Donna Cona has emerged as Canada’s largest Aboriginal information and Communication technology service company.
Through his work, Mr. Bernard has been instrumental in furthering the education of Aboriginal people in the Information Technology industry. He continues to assist his employees by furthering their education through training and mentoring. He has also assisted numerous Aboriginal people in achieving their Microsoft Certified Systems Engineering designations.
Mr. Bernard has made numerous presentations to Aboriginal youth on the importance of continuing education. He has visited Aboriginal communities, and has been the guest speaker at several events, conferences and high schools.The emphasis of his presentations is placed on the importance of continuing education as well as the vast opportunities for Aboriginal people in the high tech industry.
Mr. Bernard's work led to honors which included the Deputy Minister's award for the Ice Storm of 1997. During that year, Donna Cona was also awarded the contract to develop the technical infrastructure for the Government of Nunavut. Mr. Bernard and his technical team developed and implemented the technical architecture for the newly formed Government of Nunavut. The project resulted in the first satellite-based infrastructure in the country and one of the few in the world. Both Microsoft and the Government of Nunavut have commended Mr. Bernard for his company’s innovation and reliability throughout this project.
In March 2000, Mr. Bernard was presented with the very prestigious National Aboriginal Achievement Award in the Business & Commerce category. He was also awarded the Top 40 under 40 award, a list of the top 40 Canadian business people still under the age of 40. You can find Mr. Bernard’s name in the Who’s Who of Business & Executive registration for the year 2000-2001.
In August 2003, Mr. Bernard received the prestigious Global Indigenous Entrepreneur Award at a gala ceremony at the first UN-sponsored World Summit of Indigenous Entrepreneurs (WSIE) in Toronto. That year, he was listed as Ottawa’s top 50 most influential people in Ottawa Life publication.
Mr. Bernard is also a member and sits on the Board of the following organizations:
- Aboriginal Human Resource Development Council of Canada
- Canadian Chamber of Commerce
- Canadian Youth Business Foundation
- Willis IT Curriculum Development Board
- Curriculum Services Canada
- Friends of Native Studies Council
Throughout Donna Cona’s work history, the company has laid a firm foundation of public trust, innovation, successful partnerships and a commitment in hiring and mentoring Aboriginal employment. When most IT companies find themselves with flat growth, Donna Cona growth has been a steady rate of 20% annually.
Email: info@psaba.com
Holly Cooper (Director)
Holly Cooper is an Aboriginal
professional with over 20 years work experience that includes 10 years of
business development representing Aboriginal companies in the information
technology and business services industry. Holly understands the public
sector procurement process and has achieved great success in reaching her
business development targets.
Holly is committed to Aboriginal business
development and human resource development and currently serves as a Director
for the Aboriginal Human Resource Council and the Public Sector Aboriginal
Business Association (PSABA)
Holly recently joined the business
development team of Donna Cona. As an Account Executive, Holly will assist
Donna Cona’s federal government clients to solve their business problems and
deliver quality services.
Holly is based in
Email: info@psaba.com
Guy Freedman (Director)
President
Nation Media
President of Nation Media & Design Ltd. (www.nationmedia.ca), and its subsidiary, Nation’s First Peoples Group, Guy is an entrepreneurial leader with diversified experience in the development, implementation and operation of projects, services and programs.
Nation’s recent media portfolio includes the HTML and 3D web sites for the Aboriginal Healing Foundation Residential School project (www.wherearethechildren.ca) creative designs for the Library and Archives Canada as well as creative for the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards for the past 5 years.
From Flin Flon, Manitoba, Guy is Michif (Métis) and is closely connected to the community and dedicated to the revival, renaissance and resurgence of First Nations, Métis and Inuit cultures through the arts and media.
Guy is a keynote speaker, writer, facilitator and trainer who focuses on such topics as identity, self-esteem, culture, wellness, career and using one’s gift to the best of their ability. His first book of poetry, Little Athapapuskow, A Métis Love Story, is due out in 2008.
Email: info@psaba.com
André Clément (Director)
President
Asokan Solutions de Bureau
André Clément, an Aboriginal of the Algonquin tribe in Maniwaki, Québec, is President of Asokan Business Interiors which was established in early 2003. Asokan Business Interiors is the region's fastest growing Canadian Aboriginal contract furniture and design company. Asokan is a full service dealership, enabling clients to make informed decisions on a full range of products, from panel systems to freestanding desks, seating, filing and ergonomic accessories.
Asokan means, “Bridge,” and Mr. Clément’s goal is for Asokan to form a strong link between the Aboriginal community and the various procurement groups within the Government of Canada. While Mr. Clément is the company’s majority shareholder, he is not alone in this venture. The minority shareholders and Mr. Clément’s business partners are the owners of Advanced Business Interiors ( ABI), an Ottawa-based office furnishings dealer. This provides Asokan with the backing to remain a stable and well-established supplier.
Email: info@psaba.com