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FNBC is dedicated to supporting meaningful initiatives in the communities we serve.
Our leadership team is majority Indigenous and driven to build prosperous Nations across the country.
At FNBC, we value individual growth. Many on our team started out in another area of the organization and moved up to leadership roles. We’re motivated by seeing our communities grow and become more financially independent across socioeconomic indicators.
President & CEO of First Nations Bank of Canada
Bill Lomax is a member of the Gitxsan Nation. Bill grew up in Terrace, B.C. and studied in Vancouver before heading south to spend 22 years working on Wall Street and in Private equity in the United States.
Lomax believes the First Nations Bank of Canada will be a catalyst to create economic growth that is inclusive and sustainable in Indigenous Nations and communities. His deep experience in the US will serve him well. He worked with Native American Tribes across the US and was entrusted with managing multi-billions in Indigenous assets over the course of his career.
Chair of the Board
Chief Perry Bellegarde (Little Black Bear First Nation, Treaty 4 Territory) has championed First Nations rights and well-being for 35 years. He served two terms as National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) from 2014-2021 and identifies as an oskâpêwis or helper.
Chief Bellegarde has served on a wide range of boards including the Assembly of First Nations where he served as the Board Chair, Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, YMCA Canada, YMCA Regina, the Globe Theatre and the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority. He is a graduate from the Director’s College from McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business.
As National Chief, Chief Bellegarde worked to close the quality-of-life gap between First Nations and other Canadian families. He was instrumental in passing legislation to protect Indigenous languages and ensuring national implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. He has also promoted rights-based solutions to climate change on international platforms.
In 2018, he received the Saskatchewan Order of Merit. He holds Honorary Doctorates from Queen’s and Lakehead universities. In 2021, he was named ‘Nation Builder of the Year’ by the Empire Club of Canada and became Honorary President of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. In 2023, he received the Alumni Crowning Achievement Award: Lifetime Achievement Award from the University of Regina. Chief Bellegarde is also a Special Advisor to the law firm, Fasken, and King Charles III’s Sustainable Markets Initiative.
Corporate Director
Mr. Caldwell has extensive experience in strategy, corporate development, technology, and human resources in financial services and related sectors. He retired at the end of 2023 from Diebold Nixdorf Inc. a technology provider to the financial services and retail industries, and worked previously at D+H, a financial technology provider, and at CIBC World Markets. Mr. Caldwell graduated from Carleton University with a B.A. (Hons.) in Political Science, with his M.B.A. from the University of Toronto, and earned the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors in 2018. Mr. Caldwell serves on and Chairs the Board of aka Raisin, a software company focusing on the not-for-profit fundraising sector. David resides in Toronto.
Corporate Director
Mr. Dyrda resides in Ottawa, Ontario. Mr. Dyrda retired in April 2016 from his position as Senior Vice President with major Canadian financial institution, having enjoyed a 38-year career in business banking. He graduated from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario with a Masters in Business Administration, and from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. He earned the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Canadian Directors in 2009. Mr. Dyrda is active in a variety of charitable causes and is the Chair of the Board of the Children’s Hospital Research Institute. As well, he is a member of the Investment Committees at Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Foundation and Carleton University. He has also recently joined the joint governance committee between Children’s Hospital Research Institute and Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario and a member of the audit and finance committee at the Ottawa Hunt Club.
Corporate Director
Crystal I. Fafard is an Indigenous lawyer and partner with Maurice Law Firm a national Indigenous law firm based in Calgary with over two decades of experience. She is a member of Yellow Quill First Nation and is a well-known and respected leader in business and economic development, Indigenous rights law and business/trust law. Crystal received her B. A. (Honours) from the U of S in 1995, a J.D. from the UBC in 2000 and her ICD.D in 2022. She has a great deal of experience working Indigenous Nations and with various levels of government in economic development. Crystal is a governance expert serving several boards over two decades, some of which include or have included the Saskatchewan Indigenous Enterprise Foundation (former Chair) and STC Industrial (Chair), First Nations Power Authority (Vice-Chair), the First Nations Bank of Canada and Remai Art Gallery.
Corporate Director
Lance Fugate brings over 25 years of diverse experience spanning construction, engineering, and executive leadership in both domestic and international energy and technology sectors. Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated the ability to bridge technical innovation with strategic business execution, helping organizations grow, adapt, and succeed in highly competitive markets.
A business professional, entrepreneur, and inventor, Mr. Fugate holds patents in material asset traceability and remote sensing technologies. He has successfully guided multiple start-ups from concept to commercialization, leveraging his expertise to secure investment, build operational capacity, and deliver scalable solutions. His leadership is defined by a unique ability to integrate emerging technologies into traditional industries, creating measurable value for customers and stakeholders.
Deeply connected to the social and economic challenges facing the construction industry, Mr. Fugate has co-founded companies and initiatives that advance inclusivity and equity, with a particular focus on promoting meaningful opportunities for Indigenous workers and communities. His efforts have not only improved workforce participation but also enhanced project efficiency, sustainability, and long-term customer value.
As a proud member of Wabigoon Lake First Nation, Mr. Fugate brings both lived experience and professional insight to the growing dialogue on reconciliation, Indigenous engagement, and economic participation. He is committed to fostering partnerships that respect cultural heritage while driving innovation and prosperity in Canada and internationally.
Corporate Director
Mr. Hick is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Atuqtuarvik Corporation. Based in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, he has been with the Inuit-owned financial institution since 2004. He graduated from the University of Regina with a Bachelor of Arts Honours and completed human resource and business programs at the University of Manitoba and Queen’s University. Mr. Hick also earned his Professional Director (Pro. Dir.) designation through the Professional Directors Certification Program. His director experience extends to not-for-profit organizations and being the President and Chair of a business joint venture.
Corporate Director
Ms. LaRose is Métis and a senior human resources professional with over twenty-five years of experience in the executive search field. She founded a national executive search firm recognized as Canada’s leader in Indigenous executive and board diversity search and transitioned to developing and leading the firm’s National Board Diversity search practice following its sale. Ms. LaRose currently serves as an Advisory Board member to Air North – Yukon’s Airline and was recently appointed as a member of the Dean’s Global Council for the Schulich School of Business, York University. Previously, Ms. LaRose served as an Executive Board Director for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and is a former Chair of the Board of Trustees of Seven Oaks General Hospital, and Wellness Institute. She is a Chartered Professional of Human Resources (CPHR), a Certified Management Consultant (CMC), a Certified Leadership Coach (CLC) and a graduate of the Rotman School of Business Director Education Program. Ms. LaRose currently resides in Ottawa.
Corporate Director
Ms. Littlechild is a member of the Ermineskin Cree Nation and holds a Master of Law from the University of Victoria, a Bachelor of Law from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Arts from Carleton University. Ms. Littlechild has extensive experience in the areas of Aboriginal and Indigenous Law, Cree systems of law, and Indigenous governance. Ms. Littlechild is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Law and Legal Studies at Carleton University and formerly held various roles in law, education and governance including various positions with the Assembly of First Nations and an Advisor for the United Nations Development Program. Danika holds a UNESCO Research Chair in Biodiversity, Conservation and Indigenous Health and Well-Being. Ms. Littlechild currently resides in Ottawa.
Corporate Director
Kevin Mathias is a seasoned financial services executive with over four decades of experience in financial services, strategy development, enterprise risk management, organizational governance and organizational redesign. He retired at the end of 2024 as Chief Risk Officer at Vancity Community Investment Bank, Canada’s first values-based financial co-operative exclusively focused on partnering with organizations that drive social, economic, and environmental change.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Mathias held senior roles with the HSBC Group in both Canada and the United States, where he led technology modernization across multiple jurisdictions, streamlined front office and back office commercial credit operations. He brings a deep commitment to ethics, inclusion, and developing high performing, diverse teams. Kevin holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree from the University of Bombay and an MBA from Simon Fraser University. He resides in Port Moody, British Columbia.
Corporate Director
Ms. Nirlungayuk resides in Winnipeg, Manitoba and is the Corporate Secretary and Vice President, Governance & Member Relations with Arctic Co-operatives Ltd. Mary has over 25 years experience in Indigenous governance and has presented around the world on Indigenous topics related to Co-operatives and governance. Ms. Nirlungayuk has represented the interests of Arctic Co-operatives and the Member Co-ops at Federated Co-operatives & Co-operators Annual General Meetings. Mary is a vital resource for information and insight on Inuit culture, values and perspectives and recently recognized by Association Co-operatives Educators Board with a Co-op Governance Award named after her. This is an annual award to recognize extraordinary contributions and/or an individual’s commitment to the co-op sector.
Corporate Director
Chief Operating Officer, Cree Nation Government Board of Compensation and CREECO
Albert Rondeau is the Chief Operating Officer of the Cree Nation Government Board of Compensation and the Cree Regional Economic Enterprises Company Inc. (CREECO).
A proud member of the Cree Nation of Chisasibi, Mr. Rondeau earned his Chartered Accountant (CA) designation in 2006. He has been serving the Cree Nation since the 1990s, beginning his career in the accounting department at the community level. Over the years, he has taken on several key leadership roles, including working on audit teams for Cree entities, acting as Vice-Chairperson and Treasurer of the Cree Nation Trust, and serving as Vice-Chairperson of the James Bay Cree-Naskapi Pension Plan.
In his current role, Mr. Rondeau contributes to the management and oversight of the Cree Nation’s economic development and investment strategy. He was actively involved—alongside leadership and team members—in the development of ODEA, a landmark real estate project in downtown Montreal. This investment not only demonstrates the Cree Nation’s long-term economic vision, but also highlights its cultural identity through a design inspired by a canoe and created by renowned Indigenous architect Douglas Cardinal.
Mr. Rondeau continues to support strategic initiatives that foster sustainable prosperity for the Cree Nation, with a strong focus on sound governance, innovation, and collective success.
Corporate Director
James Salem is the Group Treasurer and Executive Vice President of Balance Sheet Management & Global Tax at TD Bank Group.
Prior to joining TD, James had a distinguished 34-year career at RBC culminating as leader of RBC’s Treasury from 2009 until January 2023. James is currently on the board of the Holland Bloorview Hospital Foundation and United Way's Major Individual (MIG) Cabinet. He is an advisor to the Queen’s University Investment Counsel and Global Economics Group. He is a board member of Carriage House Capital and was the former president of both the North American Asset Liability and the Canadian Asset Liability Management Associations. Mr. Salem is a Chartered Financial Analyst, Certified Risk Professional, and a graduate of the Ivey School of Business at Western University.
