Staff

Stanley Bear (MBA), Chief Executive Officer

Stanley Bear, a member of Peguis First Nations, has an MBA from Queen’s University, a Diploma in Agriculture from the University of Manitoba, and completed the Executive Development Program at Queen's University. Mr. Bear has more than 25 years experience in First Nations business and organizational development.  Since 1989 Mr. Bear has owned and managed a private health care company with 100 employees, and two management consulting companies with nine employees.  Prior to working in the private sector, Mr. Bear had over fifteen years of experience with the federal government, managing programs at the senior level with the Department of Industry Canada. 

Mr. Bear has more than 15 years experience providing management consulting services in the area of business management, business analysis, cost benefits analysis, organizational analysis, strategic planning, organizational policy and procedures development, project management, program and project evaluations, financial management and political advisory services to First Nation communities. Mr. Bear has conducted needs assessments of First Nations, which diagnoses present problems and environmental challenges that can be met through training, or future challenges that can be met through long-term development. Based on the needs assessment, individual training plans may be developed for each First Nation staff.

Lorne Cochrane, Managing Partner

Lorne Cochrane has more than 25 years of increasingly esponsible managerial and administrative expertise.  He is a visionary who focuses on the big picture while recognizing and being cognizant of the building blocks required to attain the final goals and objectives. As a member of the Fisher River Cree Nation, Mr. Cochrane is mindful of the challenges faced by First Nations communities. He uses his expertise to seek out opportunities and explore, develop and implement solutions that are focused on and accepted by the community. Mr. Cochrane is a proven leader and has managed diverse organizations of over 200 employees.

Mr. Cochrane has committed his career to the advancement of First Nations issues both at the grassroots and national levels. He was a former Executive Director of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, where he was responsible for leading significant programs, initiatives and projects such as the Framework Agreement Initiative, Manitoba Association of Native Firefighters, Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre and Human Resource Development Program on behalf of the First Nations leadership of Manitoba.

Prior to joining the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Mr. Cochrane was the Regional Director General and the Associate Regional Director General for Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Manitoba Region. Mr. Cochrane has extensive experience and knowledge of First Nations programs and services (band management, social services, human resources, education, community services, economic development, policing, health services, facilities operation and maintenance, etc.), and federal/provincial government legislation, policies and directives. As well as being a member of the Fisher River Cree Nation, Mr. Cochrane has served his community as both Chief and Councilor, and he is ever mindful of the challenges faced by First Nations communities.

George Bailey CMA, B.A. (Economics), Senior Financial Consultant

George Bailey, an accounting/financial leader with over 30 years experience, is a Certified Management Accountant and has a BA (Economics) from the University of Manitoba. 

As the Senior Financial Consultant for Indigenous Management Group Inc., where he has worked since early 2009, Mr. Bailey provides enhanced third party management and co-management financial advisory services to a number of First Nations communities in Manitoba.

Prior to joining Indigenous Management Group Inc., Mr. Bailey served as the Director of Finance for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, managing the accounting and information technology departments for the head office of the entity.  Mr. Bailey also served as the Toronto Dominion Bank Area Manager and managed and coached business sales and marketing for the branches in the Manitoba market.  He has also instructed in accounting courses for Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) at a Winnipeg location.   Mr. Bailey is a member of the Teslin Tlingit Council of the Yukon Territory.

Sarah Cook, CA, B.Comm, Financial Advisor/Accountant

Sarah Cook , a band member of Misipawistik Cree Nation, is a Chartered Accountant with a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from the University of Manitoba.  Ms. Cook is the Financial Advisor/Accountant for Indigenous Management Group Inc., providing co-management services to First Nations communities in Manitoba in the areas of financial advice, investment analysis and project management. 

Ms. Cook also provides financial administration and accounting services to Indigenous Health Group Inc., a private health care company with approximately 100 employees.  Prior to working for Indigenous Management Group Inc., Ms. Cook worked as an Auditor with BDO Canada, auditing First Nations bands financial records against federal funding agreements.  Her responsibilities included: identifying risks, ensuring compliance, assessing controls and recommending procedures to mitigate risk and to ensure effective financial management.

Poornima Saraswati, Human Resources Director

Poornima Saraswati, with more than 25 years experience in all aspects of human resources, including several years in management, has a Diploma in Human Resource Management from the University of Manitoba and is currently enrolled in her final year of the BA (Psychology) program at the University of Winnipeg.

As the Human Resources Director for Indigenous Health Group Inc. and Indigenous Management Group Inc., Ms. Saraswati provides guidance and manages the overall direction of Human Resources services, policies, and programs for the companies. Her responsibilities include providing leadership and expert advice in all aspects of human resource management, establishing and leading the recruitment practices and procedures to establish and maintain a superior workforce; and managing the development and maintenance of various related websites.

Ms. Saraswati’s previous experience in both the private and public sector include: coordinating of services, policies and programs through Human Resources staff; overseeing processes in recruitment and selection, performance management, training and development and labor relations; human resource and strategic planning; organizational reviews; succession planning; external audits; and workforce adjustments.

Ryan Bear, Associate Consultant

Ryan Bear, a member of the Peguis First Nation, has a Business Administration Diploma (Marketing), a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Management from Athabasca University and is currently enrolled in the Athabasca University's Masters in Business Administration Program. 

Mr. Bear has more than 10 years experience in the finance and accounting business. As the Associate Consultant for Indigenous Management Group Inc. and Indigenous Health Group Inc., Mr. Bear is involved in business strategy, marketing, financial and management controls, and operational management where beginning to end solutions are provided.   Mr. Bear provides objective advice, expertise and specialist skills with the aim of improving the business performance of the organization.  This includes preparing business proposals/presentations, ongoing consultation with clients, identifying issues, formulating and implementing recommendations, and ensuring the client has necessary resources to meet the recommendations.  Mr. Bear conducts analysis and quality review checks to ensure financial policies and administrative procedures are being followed, and identifies skills deficiencies and training needs for staff. 

Mr. Bear's previous experience included working for Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and for Romanow, Bear and Associates.

Conrad Bear, Associate Consultant

Conrad Bear, a member of the Peguis First Nation, is an Associate Consultant for Indigenous Management Group Inc., involved in business strategy, marketing, financial and management controls.  Mr. Bear provides objective advice, expertise and specialist skills with the aim of improving the business performance of the organization.  This includes preparing business proposals/presentations, ongoing consultation with clients, identifying issues, formulating and implementing recommendations, and ensuring the client has necessary resources to meet the recommendations.  Mr. Bear conducts analysis and quality reviews ensuring financial policies and administrative procedures are being followed, and skills deficiencies and training needs for staff are identified.

Mr. Bear has diplomas in Business Administration and Microcomputer Applications.  He is currently enrolled in the Red River College Certificate Program in Project Management.  His previous experience included working for Indian and Northern Affairs of Canada in economic development.  He has more than eight years experience in accounting and payroll management.

Janice McKay, Consultant

Janice McKay has a Diploma in Business Administration (Accounting) from Red River College.  Ms. McKay has 18 years financial and management experience in the areas of band management, human resource management, accounting, financial analysis, reporting and planning, and administration of contracts and funding arrangements.  Ms. McKay has experience with federal government, First Nations governments and private industry, and has in-depth knowledge of the financial, social and administrative challenges within First Nations governments.

As a Consultant with Indigenous Management Group Inc. Ms. McKay provides co-management services in the areas of financial advice, capacity building, investment analysis and project management to First Nations. 

Prior to working with IMG, Ms. McKay served as Band Administrator for more than five years with O chi chak ko sipi First Nation, and for eight years had managed the day-to-day operation of Grassroots News, Manitoba's Aboriginal newspaper.  As well, Ms. McKay has worked with Indian and Northern Affairs and was involved with First Nations governments where she managed Funding Arrangements, conducted audit reviews and worked to help alleviate problems, concerns and issues identified by First Nations communities.

Kris Cochrane, Program Manager

Kris Cochrane, a member of Fisher River Cree Nation has a certificate in First Nations Governance (two-year program) and is currently enrolled in the Certified Aboriginal Financial Managment Diploma program and Project Management Certificate Program.

Mr. Cochrane is a Program Manager with Indigenous Management Group Inc., providing overall management support and efforts related to band operations, health, education and other programs.  Mr. Cochrane manages the financial resources provided under Funding Arrangements; he identifies, responds to and coordinates interrelated projects such as restoration of infrastructures, environment clean-up, restoring water to communities, etc. and selects and engages outside agencies and businesses for various related projects.  Mr. Cochrane analyzes methods and procedures of the organization to determine effectiveness and efficiency, and proposes improvements to methods and procedures, ensuring proper financial policies and procedures are in place.  Mr. Cochrane ensures integrity of financial data and records for reporting, control and annual audit activities. 

Dale Bear, Program Manager

Dale Bear is a Program Manager with Indigenous Management Group Inc., providing overall management support and efforts related to band operations, health, education and other programs.  Mr. Bear manages the financial resources provided under Funding Arrangements; he identifies, responds to and coordinates interrelated projects such as restoration of infrastructures, environment clean-up, restoring water to communities, etc. and selects and engages outside agencies and businesses for various related projects.  Mr. Bear analyzes methods and procedures of the organization to determine effectiveness and efficiency, and proposes improvements to methods and procedures, ensuring proper financial policies and procedures are in place.  Mr. Bear ensures integrity of financial data and records for reporting, control and annual audit activities. 

Prior to working for IMG, Mr. Bear worked as a foreman where he planned and managed all aspects of various projects.   As a member of Peguis First Nation, Mr. Bear is familiar with issues facing First Nations communities.

Greg Miles, MA (Economics), Management Consultant/Analyst

Mr. Miles has a Masters of Arts (Economics) from McGill University with specific interest in the areas of environmental economics, cost-benefit analysis and econometrics.  He has taught various courses in Economics, Math and Statistics at both the University of Winnipeg and McGill University and has written literature in the areas of environmental economics and cost-benefit analysis.

As an Economic Consultant/Project Analyst, Mr. Miles uses his expertise in economic modeling and statistics to bring a modern-day cost-benefit analysis approach to project selection and evaluation.  He and his consulting team are proficient in the analysis of both private and public sector projects.  In addition, Mr. Miles and his consulting team provide the details of their analysis to Senior Management and various stakeholders.