Keynote Speaker

Kelly Lendsay, President & CEO, Indigenous Works, Founder & CEO, Luminary

Kelly Lendsay, a social entrepreneur, is internationally recognized as one of Canada’s foremost innovators and organizational development experts in Indigenous engagement and workplace inclusion systems, models, and corporate/Indigenous partnerships. His dynamic communications style and passion for innovation has earned him the reputation as an engaging thought leader and effective bridge-builder fostering trusted partnerships for workforce and economic development across Canada, USA, Australia and abroad. He was honored by the University of Saskatchewan as one of their “100 Alumni of Influence” in the last century whose accomplishments have been recognized for influencing the growth and development of the university, the province, and the world.

A proud Canadian Indigenous leader of Cree and Métis ancestry, he moves seamlessly between both worlds fostering economic inclusion, wellbeing, and prosperity for all. He is a 2022 semi-finalist for Indigenous Entrepreneur of the Year award hosted by the CANIES Innovation and Entrepreneurs Foundation.

The Indigenous Inclusion Advantage is translating into a new path of partnerships and relationships for a more prosperous Canada. Kelly’s dynamic communications style, humour and passion for innovation and inclusion continues to accelerate thought leadership and foster economic reconciliation, trusted partnerships and workplace inclusion.

We begin our journey starting with Indigenous 101, describing the rich history and contribution of Indigenous people, economies and social system and uncovering what none of us learned in our formative schooling.

As you build your case for Indigenous engagement, you will discover the four pillars of exclusion and inclusion and the critical role everyone can play in creating new and innovative engagement and workplace inclusion strategies.

Finally, Kelly will share a new initiative called Luminary: Advancing Indigenous Innovation for Economic Transformation, Employment and Wellbeing. The vision is to be the most impactful Indigenous-led network and program of its kind in the world, where academia and Indigenous business grow research and innovations for commercial and wellbeing success.

Luminary is responding to two issues which are constraining Indigenous prosperity. (i) A significant gap currently exists between post-secondary research institutions and the Indigenous community, and there are systemic barriers to growing Indigenous-led research. (ii) Indigenous communities lack the means to mobilize new research knowledge and innovate new products, services and value creation which can grow and transform Indigenous economies. Research and innovation investments not only lead to stronger business and industry competitiveness, but they also enable new product and market expansions, and create jobs.

Luminary’s partnership network has more than 150 organization including more than 80 post-secondary academic institutions and business schools, 50+ Indigenous businesses, and 20+ NGO’s and mainstream businesses.

This presentation will be followed by an open Q&A dialogue in a safe space for all to explore and probe issues and questions.

Keynote Speaker

Kelly Lendsay, President & CEO, Indigenous Works, Founder & CEO, Luminary

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