Blog Post from member of JABC Board & Indigenous Advisory Committee

This National Indigenous History Month, we talk with JABC Board Member Lisa Ethans. Through both her work and community involvement, Lisa has demonstrated a long-lasting commitment to the Indigenous community. Let’s find out why.

Tell us about your career as an advisor for Indigenous clients.

I have provided financial advisory, wealth management and trustee services to Indigenous clients for more than two decades. My role at Deloitte has given me the opportunity to visit Indigenous communities across our country and witness the tremendous potential of Indigenous youth, their communities and their desire for growth and self sustainability.

Much of your community involvement is Indigenous related. What are some of your roles?

I founded and Chair an Indigenous scholarship program in B.C., the Chief Joe Mathias BC Aboriginal Scholarship, that has provided over 300 scholarships to Indigenous students since its inception.  I also co-founded the Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland Aboriginal mentoring program and the “Combining our Strength” Indigenous leadership program at the Minerva Foundation.

And of course, as a member of JABC’s Board of Directors and Indigenous Advisory Committee, I am committed to JABC’s new Initiative to bring more JABC programming into Indigenous communities. Organizations like JABC need to build strong relationships with Indigenous communities and work collaboratively for the economic empowerment of Indigenous peoples.

Why do you think it is important for JABC to deliver more programming to Indigenous communities?

Students need skills to prepare them for the future and Indigenous youth are the fastest growing youth population in Canada.

Students who have taken JABC programs and gone on to become successful business leaders often attribute their success in part to the excellent JABC business and financial programming they received in their youth. The great thing about JABC programs is that they introduce financial and business concepts in a fun and interactive way. This helps students build relevant skills and give them the confidence to apply this knowledge in their post-secondary pursuits and in the workplace.

Through JABC’s new Indigenous Initiative to deliver a minimum of 30 programs in Indigenous communities, more Indigenous youth will be able to benefit from what JABC has to offer. Financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship skills help prepare youth to become the community and business leaders of tomorrow.

 

About the Author:

Lisa Ethans a member of JABC’s Board of Directors and the Founder of Deloitte’s National Indigenous Client Services practice.