Board of Directors

Dr. Ruth Williams

Chair

Dr. Ruth Williams

Ruth is a proud founding member and former President and Chief Executive Officer of All Nations Trust Company, an Aboriginal Financial Institution, operating since 1987. Currently on contract as Business Advisor and Project Manager of the Company’s Pathways to Technology Project (PTT) and Housing Resources Service (HRS).

  • The PTT mandate is to connect all 203 First Nations in BC with a minimum of 5mbps service.
  • The HRS works with 33 First Nations from three Tribal groups in Interior of BC in managing and ongoing modernization of the provision of technical services related to housing while also working on a Federal Initiative to provide alternative access to Mortgages without relying on a Ministerial Loan Guarantee.

Ruth is member of the Tsilhqotin Nation and holds a number of awards for her work including an honorary Doctorate of Law from Thompson River University, a member of the Order of BC, inducted into Canadian Council of Aboriginal Business Hall of Fame in 2011, and received the CANDO National Indigenous Developer and YWCA Women of Distinction awards.

Greg Louie

Vice Chair

Greg Louie

Greg, a former elected Chief Councillor from the Ahousaht First Nation, brings a wealth of experience in governance, finance, capital projects, strategic planning, education, reconciliation, negotiation and health. As a community leader, teacher and school principal, he tirelessly advocated for funding to address critical community needs such as schools, housing, roads, internet and cellular connectivity, medical and emergency services and essential food supply. Greg’s profound understanding of the challenges facing First Nation communities fuels his unwavering passion for enhancing the lives of Indigenous people.​

Dr. Sheila Blackstock

Treasurer

Dr. Sheila Blackstock

Dr. Sheila Blackstock is Gitxsan, from Northern British Columbia. She serves as an Associate Professor at the School of Nursing at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC). Dr. Blackstock obtained her PhD from the University of Alberta, specializing in “Developing a Theoretical Model on Incivility,” and holds a Master of Science in Nursing, and an advanced specialty in occupational health nursing. She has over 36 years of experience working as a nurse in varying nursing practice contexts (acute care, regional, rural, remote and Indigenous communities). ​​​ A founding member of Thompson Rivers University’s (TRU) Indigenous Health Nursing Committee, Dr. Blackstock assumed the role of inaugural Chair, leading initiatives to integrate Indigenous knowledge systems into nursing education. Her tenure witnessed advocacy for the nurturing of personal, professional, and social responsibilities, fostering responsive and respectful relationships.​​ With a robust background in board governance, Dr. Blackstock served as the Interior Board representative on the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) Board of Directors from 2020 to 2023. Presently, she continues her commitment to the FNHA Board, as a Director at Large and Board Chair.​​

Yousuf Ali

Yousuf Ali

Yousuf is a dedicated advocate for First Nations health and wellness with a distinguished career in health and wellness. As the former BC Regional Director for First Nations and Inuit Health at Health Canada and a Vice President with the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), he played a key role in establishing the FNHA and advancing self-determined, First Nations-led healthcare. Now retired, Yousuf continues to support First Nations communities through philanthropy and advocacy.

Genesa Greening

Director

Genesa Greening

Genesa is an award-winning non-profit leader with nearly 30 years of experience in Canada and abroad, working with over 20 non-profits and raising nearly $400 million. She is renowned as one of Vancouver’s most tireless community advocates, with a proven track record of delivering impactful results. A trailblazer, intersectional feminist, and relentless optimist, Genesa has an unparalleled record of success using innovative approaches to advocacy, government relations, philanthropy, community development, social and economic innovation, capital development, and organizational change. As the Chief Executive Officer for Vancity Community, Genesa is deeply committed to advancing Truth and Reconciliation and decolonizing philanthropy. She actively works to support Indigenous communities, recognizing the importance of addressing historical injustices and fostering equitable partnerships. Her dedication to these principles is reflected in her efforts to create inclusive and sustainable community development initiatives that honor Indigenous knowledge and leadership. Genesa has been recognized as one of the influential business leaders with Business in Vancouver’s BC 500; Business in Vancouver Influential Women in Business Award Winner; Women’s Executive Network Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada Awards Recipient; Nominee for the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards; and Business in Vancouver Top Forty under 40.

Laurie Mercer

Laurie Mercer

Laurie has in-depth experience in financial management, human resource, communications, leadership, time management, and customer service. She has the ability to motivating staff and departments to achieve the goals of the organization. Laurie retired from full-time work in July 2024 and now fills her time with the Indigenous Advisory Committee of the Northern Development Initiative Trust as well as participating in her community’s events.  Laurie is from the Nisg̱a’a Nation and holds a bachelor of commerce from UNBC.

Kip Woodward

Kip Woodward

A life-long resident of Vancouver, Kip Woodward is President of Woodcorp Investments Ltd., a private venture capital investment firm. He is on a number of private sector boards and has spent decades helping his community by sitting on a number of non-profit and government boards, including: serving as past Chair of Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, more than 20 years in health governance with St. Paul’s Hospital and its Foundation, as well as past chair of Providence Health Care. He is the Chair of the Keg Royalty Trust Fund, Chairman of SecondStreet.Org, Director The Great Western Brewery Co., Director of Village Farms International, Governor of Brentwood College School, President/Director of Mr. and Mrs. P.A. Woodward’s Foundation, and past Member of the Provincial Judicial Council and past Chair of the Nature Trust of BC. Kip is committed to the not-for-profit sector, helping young entrepreneurs and driving strategy for start-ups and mature businesses. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time fishing, hiking and skiing.

Our Staff

Nathania Fung

Executive Director

Nathania Fung

Write-up is coming!

Andrew Procknow

Director of Development

Andrew Procknow

Write-up is coming!

Laura Diaz Sierra

Executive Assistant & Administrator

Laura Diaz Sierra

Write-up is coming!

AFP Code of the Ethical Standards and the Ethical Framework for the First Nations Health Foundation

At the FNHF, we believe that trust and integrity are the foundation of effective philanthropy. Our fundraisers are proud members of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and adhere to the AFP Code of Ethical Standards—a globally recognized framework that ensures accountability, transparency, and respect in all our fundraising efforts. Read more about the AFP Code of Ethical Standards here: https://afpglobal.org/ethics/code-ethical-standards

In addition, to serve as our guide, we have an Ethical Framework that covers:

  1. Our First Nations Gift Giving Perspective
    • Reciprocity & Interconnectedness
    • Sustainability & Collective Responsibility
  2. Impact of Gifts
    • Factors to consider when accepting gifts 
  3. Evaluation of Gifts 
    • Conflicts of interest
    • Reputational risks on FNHF or FNHA
    • Negative / harmful impact on First Nations

By upholding the high standards of the AFP and our Ethical Framework, we honour our donors’ generosity, steward contributions responsibly, and remain committed to ethical practices that advance our mission.

Please reach out to us at [email protected] if you’d like to find out more.