Originally from Northern Manitoba, Treat 1 territory and a member of  Minegoziibe (Pine Creek) First Nation. Jo-Anne has been in the Nistawoyou region since 2007.  With 30 years of experience in the fields of Child and Youth Care, Child development and the last 21 years in on reserve addictions and mental health programming, she is committed to furthering awareness of the Intergenerational impacts of colonization, changing systems of oppression and advocating for Indigenizing and decolonizing programs that serve turtle island.

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Jo-Anne has been the Executive Director of Wood Buffalo Wellness Society since 2012. Under her leadership, the agency has grown significantly, expanding beyond the Mark Amy Treatment Centre to include housing initiatives in 2013, Recovery Homes in 2022, and Permanent Supportive Housing in 2023. Jo-Anne has been instrumental in this growth, leading with a strong Indigenous lens and a commitment to holistic, community-centered care. Her vision and dedication have been pivotal in transforming the organization into a multifaceted support network that serves a wide range of needs.

Jolene moved to Fort McMurray in 2013 to pursue new opportunities and quickly developed a deep appreciation for the region and its strong sense of community. She respectfully acknowledges that she lives and works on Treaty 8 territory, the traditional lands of the Cree, Dene, and Métis peoples.

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Before transitioning into the non-profit sector, Jolene built a strong foundation in radio sales and business development, where she honed her skills in relationship management, strategic planning, communications, and revenue growth. Her ability to build partnerships and align stakeholders around shared goals has remained a consistent strength throughout her career.

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Jolene joined Wood Buffalo Wellness Society in 2015. She began her work in housing, later supporting programming at the Mark Amy Treatment Centre, and steadily advanced into a leadership role. Over the years, she has contributed to program development, operational oversight, and cross-functional team leadership. Today, she plays an integral role in advancing the organization’s mission, bringing extensive institutional knowledge, collaborative leadership, and a strong commitment to serving the community.

Maureen Boyes, RN BScN, brings over two decades of dedicated nursing experience to First Nation communities, embodying a deep commitment to healthcare excellence. Proud of her Metis heritage, she settled in Fort McMurray 36 years ago, where she raised three daughters and now cherishes her role as a grandmother to seven grandchildren. Maureen's expertise spans across primary care, home care, STI management, and public health initiatives, making her a valued asset in promoting holistic well-being and community health.

Shannon Kiyan was born and raised in the Wood Buffalo Treaty 8 region and began her Social Work career in 2016. She brings leadership experience in housing and homelessness initiatives, neurodevelopment interventions and implementation of behavioural health supports within community-based settings. Shannon has contributed to various committees and cross-sector working groups focused on advancing coordinated responses to complex social issues and strengthening community action strategies. Her practice is focused on strong person-centred and anti-oppressive lens’, prioritizing dignity, cultural safety and equitable access to services.

Breanna is originally from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, and relocated to Fort McMurray in 2020 to pursue her education in Social Work. She brings frontline experience working within housing and homelessness initiatives, supporting individuals and families facing complex social, financial, and housing challenges.

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Breanna’s work focuses on client-centered practice, advocacy, and cross-sector collaboration. She is committed to supporting individuals in navigating services, accessing stable housing, and connecting with essential community resources.

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Breanna provides guidance and support to colleagues, fostering a collaborative team environment while working with community partners to ensure effective service delivery. She is dedicated to promoting dignity, stability, and equitable access to services for the communities she serves.

Celina is a mixed Métis and third-generation settler. She grew up in and around Amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton) and relocated to Fort McMurray (Nistawâyâw) in 2023.

In her previous work, Celina supported research at MacEwan University in various fields, including psychology, social work, and anthropology. She developed an ecogrief support handbook for Wellness and Psychological Services and launched a grief support group for students and community members. Her work with Niginan Housing Ventures helped connect clients to cultural activities and documented their experiences transitioning out of care through interviews and photovoice with the research team.

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She has presented at the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness twice on Indigenous teachings of family, home, matriarchy, and relationship to the land. Her co-authored papers include: ‘What is home? Wisdom from nêhiyawêwin’ published in Radical Housing Journal in 2022, and ‘Knowledge and Attitudes of Baccalaureate Social Work Students about Interprofessional Collaboration in Canada’ published in Canadian Social Work Review in 2024. Her honours thesis in molecular biology involved the study of cellular signalling pathways. She graduated in 2023 from MacEwan with a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Molecular Biology, minor in Psychology and a Certificate of Sustainability.

This academic grounding in various disciplines, extensive training, and personal experience of intergenerational trauma and familial addictions have informed her work in a clinical role as an Addiction Counsellor and later Team Lead of Mark Amy Recovery Services. She loves learning, spending quality time with friends, family, and nature, and engaging in grassroots organizing and community support.

Originally from Victoria, Newfoundland, I relocated to Fort McMurray in 2020, where I have continued building my career in the field of addictions and recovery support. I have been in personal recovery for six years, which strongly informs my approach and allows me to connect with individuals in a genuine, respectful, and understanding way.

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In 2021, I completed my studies in Addictions Counselling and Community Service Work. This led me to begin working in the Housing First program, where I gained hands-on experience supporting individuals facing housing instability, mental health challenges, and substance use concerns.

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I have since progressed into a management role with the Sâkihitowin Recovery Living and Recovery Outreach Programs, where I oversee daily operations, support staff, and contribute to maintaining a structured, safe, and recovery-focused environment for participants. My role emphasizes accountability, consistency, and building trust with both residents and team members.

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I am passionate about supporting long-term recovery and helping individuals rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose. My approach is rooted in lived experience, trauma-informed care, and a commitment to creating supportive environments where people can grow and succeed.