Date and Time
Wednesday May 13, 2026
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM EDT
11:30am - Doors open - Registration Check in
11:45pm - Buffet Lunch
12:20pm - Welcoming Comments & Panel Discussion followed by Q&A
1:30pm - Closing Remarks / Media Interviews
Location
Da Vinci Centre
340 Waterloo St S
Fees/Admission
$50 Member rate
$65 Non-Member rate
Contact Information
Andrew Lucking
Send Email
Description
Join us for a timely Leaders Luncheon, sponsored by Crestview Strategy, exploring how Northwestern Ontario businesses can respond to ongoing labour shortages through stronger workforce pipelines, Indigenous partnerships, and regional economic opportunity. Featuring perspectives from education, policy, and major project leadership, this discussion will offer practical insight into attracting talent, building meaningful relationships, and preparing for the opportunities ahead.
About Our Speakers:
Wendy Landry - Vice President Indigenous Leadership, Partnerships and Strategies
Wendy was born in Nipigon Ontario, and is a Member of the Red Rock Indian Band. She moved to Thunder Bay in the 80’s to attend Confederation College. After graduation she worked 20 years in the correctional field, joined Confederation as a sessional and part-time member of Faculty for ten years, and then became Manager at Union Gas for Municipal and Indigenous Relations. As the result of the merger, Wendy became the Sr. Advisor of Indigenous Initiatives for Enbridge Inc.
Wendy has been a strong volunteer in the City of Thunder Bay with a long list of volunteer board and committee work including Negahneewin Council, Confederation College Program Advisory Committees, Confederation College Board of Governors. The list of committees she has volunteered on and continues to lead is extensive. She has been recognized with many leadership awards, is a strong advocate and committed to NWO. She is the Mayor of the Municipality of Shuniah, President of NOMA, and has always remained a strong advocate of Confederation College. Wendy and Pat have been together for almost 40 years, married for 35 and have raised 6 children. Together they enjoy travel, camping, traditional life of hunting and fishing, and as she calls it “bush life”!
Charles Cirtwill - President & CEO
Charles Cirtwill joined Northern Policy Institute (NPI) in 2013 as its founding President & CEO. NPI is Northern Ontario's independent, evidence-driven think tank with offices in Thunder Bay and Kirkland Lake. NPI's mission is to enhance Northern Ontario's capacity to take the lead position on socio-economic policy that impacts our communities, our province, our country, and our world.
Charles has worked in the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. Over the last decade Charles has provided policy leadership in Northern Ontario on a broad range of issues including immigration, reconciliation, transportation, regional governance, and economic growth.
Through over thirty-years of public activism he has had leadership roles in organizations including Civitas, the Institute of Public Administration of Canada, Scouts Canada, the Rural Ontario Institute, the Mowat Centre, local school associations, and local homeowner's associations. He attended Dalhousie University, earning a BA in Political Science, a LLB, and a MPA with a focus on quantitative and qualitative assessment of public policy and programs.
Peter Collins - Regional Grand Chief of the Northern Superior Region
Peter Collins is a respected Anishinaabe leader from Fort William First Nation in Ontario, whose distinguished career has been defined by decades of dedicated service to his community and to First Nation leadership across the region. He served nine years as Regional Grand Chief of the Northern Superior Region and an extraordinary twenty-two years as Chief of Fort William First Nation, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to advocacy, governance, and community advancement.
Throughout his career, Mr. Collins has contributed his leadership and expertise to numerous organizations. He has served as a board member for the Anishinabek Nation, Dilico Anishinabek Family Care, BLP-Bamkushwada, and the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law Aboriginal Advisory Committee. He has also played a key role on the Chiefs Committee on Economic Development with the Assembly of First Nations, supporting initiatives that strengthen economic growth and opportunity for First Nation communities.
In September 2022, Mr. Collins assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer of Chi Mino Ozhitoowin, where he leads a partnership of seven First Nation communities on the Waasigan Transmission Line Project. In this capacity, he oversees initiatives focused on training, employment, procurement, and environmental stewardship, ensuring long-term and collective benefits for participating communities.
In recognition of his lifelong contributions, Mr. Collins is a recipient of the Anishinabek Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also honoured with the 2025 Confederation College Community Partner Award, recognizing his leadership and commitment to fostering meaningful partnerships and advancing community development.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Mr. Collins has been married to his wife, Susan, for over forty years and is a proud father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. In his personal time, he enjoys following the Toronto Maple Leafs and spending time on the golf course.
