Leadership

ICD.D - Chairperson

Colby Delorme is one of the founding creators of Influence Mentoring Society and was appointed Chairperson of the IMS’ Board of Directors in December 2020.  With over 26 years of business experience and entrepreneurship experience, Mr. Delorme has built multiple businesses and is currently the Imagination Group of Companies president. Mr. Delorme’s experience has spanned the construction industry, brand development and marketing, a certification practice, franchise development, tobacco manufacturing, and business consulting.  Mr. Delorme is also a celebrated industry leader; in 2010, he was inducted into the Calgary Top 40 Under 40 and won the Big Idea 2. In 2014, Mr. Delorme received the Dr. Douglas Cardinal Award from the University of Calgary. Colby Delorme has a long and varied career in Not-For-Profit and Corporate governance, sitting on many boards over the past 15 years. 

Mr. Delorme holds an Institute of Corporate Directors Designation from the Rotman School of Management and was recently awarded the Queen's Platinum Jubilee award in Alberta.  Colby is passionate about creating new and sustainable opportunities in business and for Indigenous peoples.

You can read more about Colby's story here. 

B.F.A. - Vice Chairperson

Jay Gerritsen is one of the founding creators of Influence Mentoring Society, and was appointed Vice Chairperson of the IMS’ Board of Directors in December 2020. Jay’s professional career includes over 20 years in team building management and leadership roles.

Jay is currently a Senior Consultation Advisor for the Major Projects Management Office, Natural Resources Canada. Jay brings knowledge and awareness of Indigenous issues and the Government of Canada’s obligations and commitments with respect to Indigenous Peoples. Jay has a unique understanding of the diversity of the culture, the history, legal rights, politics and an understanding of the top issues for Indigenous Peoples; both politically and socially.

Jay holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication. Jay is also a member of the Board of Directors and Miskanawah Community Services Association, a not-for-profit social services organization working from an Indigenous worldview to strengthen the resilience of children, youth and families. Jay lives in Calgary with his wife Arden and son Matthew.

LLB, BA, BCL - Secretary

Bruce Randall is one of the founding creators of Influence Mentoring Society and was appointed Secretary of the IMS’ Board of Directors in December 2020. Bruce is a community-builder, lawyer, corporate professional and non-profit leader with 40 years of progressive experience across Canada, helping organizations develop and grow, with expertise in infrastructure and governance alignment with organizational goals; team building; stakeholder engagement; and strategic planning and execution. 

Bruce retired as the initial and long-time Executive Director of the Calgary Region Immigrant Employment Council (CRIEC) in September 2022. CRIEC designs and delivers highly effective employment-related mentoring programs connecting newcomer professionals with Calgary-region corporate mentors.

Bruce practiced law in Quebec, Ontario and Alberta, leaving that sector in 2004 with his final role being General Counsel and V-P Law for The Forzani Group Ltd. in Calgary. 

Bruce’s community leadership includes serving as the Board Chairperson of Miskanawah Community Services Association (an Indigenous social services organization serving Indigenous children, youth and families); as a Board director and governance committee member of Calgary Youth Justice Society (a non-profit community organization dedicated to helping young people find what is strong in their lives through programs proven to build resilience, reduce risk and nurture community connections); and as a mentor to students and emerging professionals.

Raised in northern New Brunswick, Bruce’s life has been influenced, informed and inspired by that special place. Recently, Bruce was awarded the Queen's Platinum Jubilee award in Alberta.

MA, BA - Board Member

Jennifer Findlay was appointed to the Influence Mentoring Society Board of Directors in December 2020. With almost 20 years of experience working in the private sector, Jennifer’s work has focused largely on building relationships with a broad base of communities and stakeholders to ensure understanding of, and benefit from, resource development. 

Jennifer currently works at Pembina Pipeline Corporation as Senior Manager, External Affairs Services, leading Communications, Community and Indigenous Affairs and Government Relations teams.  Prior to this, she led Government and Tribal Affairs on Pembina’s Jordan Cove LNG project, based out of Portland, Oregon.  Before joining Pembina, Jennifer held a variety of roles at Talisman Energy and Repsol Oil and Gas Canada, where her work on resource plays and major projects took her to many lesser known parts of Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and the Northwest Territories. She spent an additional three years working firmly outside her comfort zone in development roles focused on financial and procurement controls, water strategy and international exploration. 

Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Indigenous Studies (with distinction), a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (with distinction) and a Master of Arts in Community Studies.  Jennifer is also the Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors at Miskanawah Community Services Association, a not-for-profit social services organization working from an Indigenous worldview to strengthen the resilience of children, youth and families.

She is passionate about volunteering to support Indigenous communities and people as a result of the profound impact they have had on her life and her worldview.  Jennifer lives in Calgary with her husband Brent and dog Stella, and works hard to enjoy as much travelling and good food as is humanly possible.

B. Hons. N.A. - Board Member

Valerie Knaga was appointed to the Influence Mentoring Society Board of Directors in February 2021.
Valerie has extensive experience in working with Indigenous communities across Alberta, in Saskatchewan and British Columbia on land use studies, reconciliation efforts, heritage preservation, historic resource management, protection of culturally significant sites and consultation.

Prior to joining the Government of Alberta, Valerie worked as a researcher with a focus on applied historical research. Graduating with an Honors in Natives Studies, from the Faculty of Native Studies, University of Alberta, Valerie’s thesis focus was on historic Métis communities in Alberta. Valerie has been with the Government of Alberta for 13 years, for the last 8 years she has been in the role of Director of the Aboriginal Heritage Section in the Historic Resources Management Branch with Alberta Culture, Multiculturalism and the Status of Women.

Valerie is passionate about Indigenous heritage and is committed to working towards meeting the Truth and Reconciliation’s Calls to Action and recognizing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples within a cultural resource and heritage management setting. Valerie is Co-Chair of the Indigenous Engagement Working Group, for the Federal-Provincial/Territorial Table on Culture and Heritage (FPTCH) and enjoys working in collaboration with colleagues across Canada in different provincial, territorial and federal organizations.

Valerie has recently sat on the City of St. Albert’s Heritage Advisory Committee and is a current member of the National Trust for Canada.

LLB, BS - Board Member

Katherine Murphy was appointed to the Influence Mentoring Society Board of Directors in October 2021. Katherine is a strategic and innovative leader, with expertise in governance, law, policy, engagement, and communications. A collaborative consensus-builder, Katherine has extensive experience working with government, Indigenous peoples, industry and stakeholders in the context of Canada’s rapidly evolving energy industry.

Katherine is the Chief of Staff and Corporate Secretary of the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) and in that capacity provides strategic and governance support to the organization’s Board of Directors, CEO and Indigenous Advisory Committee. Prior to that, Katherine served as the CER’s Associate General Counsel, and Legal Counsel, after practicing energy law at two national law firms.

Katherine holds an Honours Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry from Acadia University (University Scholar) and a Bachelor of Laws Degree from Dalhousie University (Dean’s List). Katherine is passionate about work that advances reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, and initiatives that promote mental health, and support well-being of women, children and youth. Katherine lives in Calgary and is a proud mom of two sons, Seamus and Riley. In her spare time, Katherine can be found cooking, reading, at the dog park with her puppy Darcy, and enjoying time on the water.