2024 Cando Economic Developer of the Year Award Winner: Individual Category

Lisa Grant has dedicated her career to preserving and supporting various aspects of her Indigenous heritage. Her journey began at the age of 18, working with Indigenous youth at a treatment center. She later expanded her efforts by engaging with youth through sports, eventually transitioning into the corporate world to continue making an impact. In 2011, Lisa embarked on a new educational journey after relocating to her husband’s hometown, where she was unable to secure a position in the youth care field. Today, she holds dual master’s degrees in business administration, specializing in executive management and global management. Lisa also co-developed the graduate-level certificate in Indigenous economic development in collaboration with Royal Roads University and a colleague from the Haisla Nation. Lisa is Heiltsuk on her mother’s side and Gitga’at on her father’s. Her father, a hereditary chief, was raised deeply rooted in traditional knowledge, which he has passed down through generations of oral storytelling—a practice Lisa continues to cherish and absorb to this day. Her mother, one of fourteen siblings, grew up in a large, tightly knit family supported by many adoptive relatives who enriched their community bonds. “Our success as a community lies in paving the way to improve our lives—mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually—to the best of our abilities. By doing so, we empower every member to realize their potential and tackle challenges on their own. True success creates a ripple effect; the more of us who dedicate ourselves to growth, both personally and collectively, the more that positive impact will flow through our communities, shaping a brighter future for generations to come,” she said. “Few things are more fulfilling than using your education to create a brighter future for your community.” Lisa now serves as the Business Development Manager for yáqwa Development Corporation, an organization dedicated to advancing the economic growth of the Haisla Nation. In 2014, Lisa married her husband at a beautiful ceremony in Honolulu, Hawaii. Shortly after, she promptly applied for a band transfer at the earliest opportunity. Lisa has always been driven to achieve her best, shaped by the unwavering belief instilled in her from a young age that higher education was non-negotiable. Looking back, she feels deeply grateful to her parents, crediting their guidance for much of her success today. Her parents also created an alcohol-free home, a choice that profoundly influenced Lisa on a fundamental level. Their steadfast support has been a constant throughout her life—from her early days as a preemie, born 11 weeks prematurely, to her incredible accomplishment of earning not one but two master’s degrees. Lisa served as an advisor for Rio Tinto in the areas of community engagement and communication, where she played a key role in supporting the Haisla Nation in organizing blanket exercises to share cultural teachings. These exercises were held in Kitimat, Haisla, Kemano, and Montreal, offering an invaluable opportunity to educate participants about the history of Indigenous peoples in Canada. By bringing Haisla community members and Rio Tinto employees together for these sessions, it created a thoughtful and impactful approach to fostering mutual understanding and cultural awareness. While working at Rio Tinto, Lisa came across an opportunity for a Business Development Manager position with the Haisla Nation. With her ongoing education in business, she felt it was the perfect next step. She began the role in October 2020, right in the midst of the pandemic—a challenging time, but one that proved instrumental in her professional growth. In this role, Lisa has been able to leverage her master’s in global management, along with her prior education, to make a significant impact. One of …