Carey Calder stands as a beacon of innovation and advocacy in the realm of Indigenous business leadership and organizational development. She has amassed more than 15 years of executive management experience directly within Indigenous organizations.
Throughout her career, she has consistently been committed to empowering Indigenous communities and teams by cultivating inclusive work environments, which has guided her from Thunder Bay to Ottawa, the unceded territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin People.
Integrating an Indigenous Lens with Business Acumen
In her most recent endeavor, Carey Calder launched Nakanagis, an Indigenous-owned consulting company that provides professional management services to organizations and businesses in Canada.
As a proud member of Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek (Sand Point First Nation), and recent Master of Business Administration (MBA) graduate, operating her own company feeds her entrepreneurial spirit and exemplifies her specialized knowledge and unwavering commitment to working in community, with community, for community.
Fundamental to Nakanagis, is Carey’s aspiration to provide customized consulting solutions through the integration of Indigenous expertise and turn-key service offerings to clients, resulting in positive impacts for the communities they serve.
Carey adeptly navigates effective operations and not-for-profit organizational dynamics which has led to the approach and strategy of her consulting company. In Carey’s vision for Nakanagis, the family name of her Kokum (grandmother), she was determined to focus on services that would result in operational excellence and streamlined processes for clients. Carey upholds Indigenous values throughout her work while nurturing community development, gatherings, team engagement, operational development and strategic planning.
The Development of Inclusive Work Environments
Carey Calder demonstrates a strong dedication to inclusive work environments through her practical implementation of measures. Through a series of Nakanagis workshops, she advocates for progressive workplaces and human resource management strategies that emphasize diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Carey shares her experience by speaking on expert panels and facilitating training sessions that promote healthy workplace cultures and advocating for Indigenous inclusion, especially in leadership roles. Additionally, her work with non-Indigenous ogrganizations supports organizational policies that prioritize reconciliation, and highlights her commitment to cultivating reciprocity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants.
Leading with Social Justice and Empowerment
Thinking beyond simply a business model, Nakanagis’ vision is predicated on a dedication to social justice and empowerment.
After years of executive management within the Indigenous not-for-profit sector, Carey saw firsthand, a critical need for Indigenous-owned businesses. In order to procure professional consulting services, there were few options to purchase directly from Indigenous vendors and businesses. This was a driving force for starting Nakanagis: to provide a curated suite of strategic service offerings available to the community, which are then tailored to support specific client needs. Carey continues to champion the message that more Indigenous businesses and companies are needed, and celebrates this growing trend.
Carey’s leadership is distinguished by the Indigenous perspective she brings, which aims to guide organizational transformation. Nakanagis places a high priority on endeavours that raise the voices of Indigenous peoples and advance systemic equity, whether by means of community engagement, facilitation, or customized training. Through the provision of event planning and board professional development services, Carey primarily works with Indigenous businesses and organizations to harmonize their operations in a way that leverages efficiencies, ultimately providing teams, boards and leadership with more time to strategize, build and fulfill their goals.
As Nakanagis continues to evolve and grow, Carey’s dedication to providing high-quality service to benefit clients, illuminates the path for organizations seeking to effect significant transformation.
Learn more about their services and solutions on their official website by clicking the link here.
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