EDGARD VILLANUEVA CRUZ

CEO of Turtle Island Connection

TOPIC: The value, influence and impact of today’s youth.

Edgard Villanueva Cruz is a budding leader and entrepreneur engrained with a mission to support the needs of Indigenous youth, economies and communities. As a Tahltan Nation member and a confident, engaging facilitator, Edgard leverages his leadership skills, honed through mentorship and hands-on experience, to drive impactful initiatives in youth leadership, policy development, and the dreams of Indigenous youth. His work embodies a collective, unified, and reciprocal approach, ensuring the needs of youth are met, and the protocol of the respective nation followed. As a champion of change, he always aims to inspire, educate and elevate.

LEAH COSS

Co-Founder of Build a Biz Kids & Founder of BBK Network

Leah’s journey, her why and the impact that instilling confidence in youth can make.

Leah Coss is a visionary leader revolutionizing education by equipping youth with essential soft skills, hands-on experiences and a growth mindset so they can thrive in a rapidly evolving world. As the Co-Founder of Build a Biz Kids and Founder of BBK Network, Leah leverages her extensive background in franchise systems to develop scalable, cost-effective learning models that reach even the most vulnerable demographics. Her innovative approach to programming combines advanced learning methodologies with strategic collaborative partnerships to maximize impact and foster a culture of growth and inclusion. Driven by her passion for empowering individuals, Leah is on a mission to create a society where everyone recognizes and realizes their true value and has the confidence to take action on their ideas.

Teara fraser • Founder of Iskwew Air

Teara’s story about an unstoppable will to succeed at every level and push the limits of even her own expectations.

Becoming a pilot was transformational, truly giving this Métis woman wings. Teara is the Founder of Iskwew Air and elibird aero. She believes that together in this innovative space we will reimagine, rematriate, and rebuild our air transportation system - centring equity and sustainability. Teara also founded the not-for-profit Indigenous LIFT Collective and has recently co-founded Liberty Wilderness Lodge. Teara has been named WXN Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100, Top 25 Women of Influence, YWCA Woman of Distinction, and one of 24 ‘real world heroes’ in the DC Comics Wonder Woman anthology. In 2023 she received the Indigenous Business Award of Distinction for Lifetime Achievement by the BC Achievement Foundation.