MCBC represents the business development interests of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN).
The corporation is wholly-owned by MCFN and is governed by a board of directors. Among them, three are non-voting directors, representing MCFN council, elder and youth constituencies respectively. Their ability to move and second board motions ensures their voices and constituencies are well represented.
Warren Sault
President and CEO
Warren Sault, B.A., E.E.T., is a member of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. He brings more than 30 years of expertise working with First Nations on development issues to his role as President and CEO of MCBC. Warren’s business experience is extensive, spanning finance, development, and administration, as well as governance roles on boards of First Nations business organizations. He has served as the Executive Director of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, Economic Development Policy Analyst with the Chiefs of Ontario, and Project Manager with First Nations Engineering Services Ltd. Warren has also served on the board of Two Rivers Community Development Centre (TRCDC), an Aboriginal Financial Institution, for the past 32 years and is the current Chairperson. He also serves as Chairperson of Aboriginal Impact Capital, an Aboriginal Financial Institution, serving a network of four Aboriginal Financial Institutions and providing administration of the Indigenous Business Financing Program (IBFP) within Southern Ontario. Warren is also a former Chairperson of the National Aboriginal Capital Corporation Association, an association of Aboriginal Financial Institutions from across Canada.
Warren graduated Summa Cum Laude from McMaster University with a B.A. in Sociology and graduated with Honours from the Radio College of Canada, as an Electronic Engineering Technician.
William Briscoe
Chief Investment Officer
William Briscoe is a seasoned and results driven leader with more than 30 years of experience and brings an extensive background in real estate investment, development, and platform building to his role as MCBC’s Chief Investment Officer. He has been a key member of executive teams at GWL Realty Advisors and Triovest. From 2016 to 2024, he held executive roles at Canderel, where he led the team responsible for establishing a partnership with Tsuut’ina First Nation, creating one of the largest master-planned development projects located on First Nations land, spanning 1,200 acres, adjacent to southwest Calgary. William is a graduate of the University of Calgary and holds a certification in Real Estate Leadership from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design.
Lewis Staats
Director, Business Development
Lewis Staats brings more than four decades of First Nations focused economic development and strategic planning experience to MCBC as Director, Business Development. He is a member of Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation. Previously, Lewis was faculty at the Banff Centre in its Indigenous leadership programs, and he led the Best Practices in Nation Building and Indigenous Business Development programs for fourteen years. He is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario and holds a certification in Strategic Planning and Organizational Development from the Banff School of Advanced Management. Lewis also has extensive experience in sports management, earning five Minto Cup championship rings as President of the Six Nations Arrows Jr A lacrosse team and three National Lacrosse League championship rings as President of the Rochester Knighthawks professional lacrosse team.
Sandra Smoke
Director, Finance and Human Resources
Sandra L. Smoke brings over 25 years of extensive experience in finance, accounting, and corporate governance across various industries in both private and public sectors in Canada and the USA. As a proud member of Six Nations of the Grand River, Sandra is deeply committed to supporting First Nation communities and fostering strong governance practices. She has held key roles as Director of Administration at Original Traders Energy, Assistant Financial Controller at Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation, Internal Auditor for the Seneca Nation of Indians, and Financial Assistant for the City of Hamilton. She has also served as a Gaming Commissioner with the Six Nations Gaming Commission, gaining valuable experience in regulatory compliance and decision-making. Her expertise includes financial reporting, audit coordination, strategic planning, and implementing corporate controls and procedures. Sandra is actively pursuing her RPA and Certified Aboriginal Financial Officer (CAFO) designation at McMaster University and has completed courses in Aboriginal Business Law and Strategy and Decisions through AFOA Canada. Her dedication to professional growth and her passion for contributing to the success of First Nation organizations make her a valuable asset to MCBC.
Khadija Pipit
Director of Operations
Khadija brings over a decade of leadership experience in First Nation economic development, mining, healthcare, construction, and real estate. She has held progressively senior roles with organizations including Lac Seul First Nation, NexGold Mining Corp., and SLFNHA, where she led multi-stakeholder initiatives, capital projects, and operational improvements. Her work focuses on strengthening organizational systems, fostering effective relationships with community, industry and government partners, and delivering infrastructure and development projects. Khadija’s leadership translated strategy into disciplined execution, enhancing performance, accountability, and evidence-based decision making. She holds a Business Administration degree in Management from York University’s Schulich School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Guelph.
Terry Cooke is the past President and CEO of Hamilton Community Foundation, Ontario’s oldest community foundation. He has played a leading role in mobilizing the community to address issues like increasing access to post-secondary education, strengthening neighbourhoods, and reducing poverty.
He served as Chairman of the Region of Hamilton-Wentworth from 1994 to 2000. He has served extensively as a community volunteer with a number of charitable and other organizations. Terry is a past Chair of the Canadian Urban Institute and serves on the board of Community Foundations of Canada.
In recognition of his community service, Terry has been a Paul Harris Fellow and a two-time recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal.
Michael is proudly of mixed Gwich’in (Northwest Territories, Yukon and Alaska) and non-Indigenous decent and is passionate about promoting the well-being of Indigenous peoples through initiatives in Indigenous economic development.
Michael has over 20 years of experience in real estate investment, management and development. He leads Hungerford Properties, a second-generation family real estate investment business with over $1.6B of assets under management and development. Under Michael’s leadership, it’s subsidiary Seven Generations Capital has integrated Indigenous values across its operations and is dedicated to impactful investments on Indigenous lands. These investments are designed to create meaningful outcomes to improve the well being of Indigenous communities in various areas, including income and wealth, work and job quality, housing, knowledge and skills, community engagement, and environmental quality.
Michael currently serves on the Board of Directors for Canadian Council of Indigenous Business (CCIB), and Mississauga of the Credit (First Nation) Business Corporation. He previously served on the Board of Directors for the BC Cancer Foundation, Vancouver Heritage Foundation, and the BC Chapter of NAIOP. In 2009, he was recognized as one of Business in Vancouver’s Top 40 Under 40. Michael is currently a member of Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) and holds a Managing Broker License from BCFSA, a Bachelor of Political Science from Queen’s University, and a Masters of Business Administration from Stanford University.
Michael lives in Vancouver and raises his hands to the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations for caring for these local lands since time immemorial.
Jesse is an elected Councilor of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, where he leads the Inclusive Prosperity, Economic Growth and Job Creation portfolio on behalf of his Council colleagues. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Mississaugas of the Credit Business Corporation, helping guide strategic economic initiatives that support the Nation’s long-term vision.
Over a business career spanning more than two decades, Jesse has built experience across real estate, equity investing, and the bulk raw material delivery industry. Early in his career, he sailed internationally as a wheelsman on freighters, gaining a global perspective and a strong work ethic that continues to shape his leadership today.
With politics and service deeply rooted in his family, inspired by his grandfather’s long tenure on Council, Jesse answered the call to bring his experience home in service to his community. His work is grounded in advancing the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation’s rights, strengthening economic independence, and ensuring development is aligned with the Nation’s values and long term priorities.
His work remains focused on supporting community driven prosperity, strengthening economic foundations, and contributing to a future where the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation continues to grow and thrive for generations to come.
Andrew McIntyre is Managing Director of Segwin Consulting Ltd., a consultancy specializing in M&A advisory and strategy development.
Mr. McIntyre has more than 30 years of practical M&A experience including in strategy development, objective setting, prospecting, modeling and valuation, due diligence planning and management, agreement negotiation and documentation, and acquisition integration.
He is a trusted advisor to owners, boards and executive teams in public and private companies.
Lauren Samuel, MBA, is a strategic policy and governance professional with experience advancing Indigenous community priorities through policy development, research, and stakeholder engagement. Her career has focused on supporting Indigenous governments, organizations, and communities in areas including housing, infrastructure, economic development, data governance, health, and strategic planning.
Throughout her professional journey, Lauren has built a reputation for bringing together diverse partners to develop practical solutions to complex challenges. She has led research initiatives, policy analysis, governance reviews, and strategic planning processes that strengthen organizational performance, support sustainable growth, and create long-term community impact. Her experience working across Indigenous organizations, government partners, and community stakeholders has provided her with a strong understanding of governance, fiscal responsibility, partnership development, and strategic implementation.
As a Board Director, Lauren brings a commitment to good governance, innovation, and sustainable economic growth. She is passionate about supporting initiatives that create lasting prosperity for Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation members while ensuring business decisions reflect the Nation’s values, long-term vision, and commitment to future generations.
Lauren is a member of Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and currently resides in Thunder Bay, ON with her husband and two children. She enjoys visiting family, hiking, and going to powwows.
Vinita Jajware-Beatty is a board director, governance leader, and infrastructure executive with over two decades of experience across energy, utilities, infrastructure, insurance, and real estate operations. She brings extensive expertise in governance, enterprise risk management, strategic planning, operational leadership, and organizational transformation.
Vinita currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of Toronto Community Housing Corporation, Canada’s largest social housing provider, where she provides oversight of enterprise risk, audit and finance, capital investment, and health and safety governance. She also serves on the Board of InnTerprises Inc., supporting strategic oversight of infrastructure, economic development, and community prosperity initiatives.
In addition to her board service, Vinita is President and Board Chair of the Toronto Insurance Women’s Association and Canadian Chair of the Dive In Festival, Lloyd’s global diversity and inclusion initiative.
Throughout her career, she has worked across the public, private, and non-profit sectors, helping organizations strengthen governance, manage risk, modernize infrastructure, and deliver long-term value. Her career is rooted in infrastructure, utility operations, and electrical infrastructure, with extensive experience supporting critical infrastructure projects across Canada and internationally.
She is passionate about advancing strong governance, sustainable infrastructure, economic development, and partnerships that create lasting value for communities.
Vinita holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Guelph and has completed advanced studies in risk management, construction law, electrical infrastructure and power systems, and corporate governance, including the Institute of Corporate Directors-Rotman Directors Education Program (DEP).
David brings more than 40 years of experience in business financing and Indigenous economic development to his role at MCBC. As the former Chief Executive Officer of Two Rivers Community Development Centre, he led the delivery of financing and business support programs that assisted more than 350 businesses and facilitated over $44 million in lending.
David has played a key role in the development of Indigenous financial institutions and lending programs across Canada, including Aboriginal Impact Capital, and has extensive experience in strategic planning, governance, policy development, and supporting Indigenous entrepreneurship and economic growth. David studied Accounting and Business Administration at McMaster University and Brock University.
David’s extensive experience in Indigenous finance, economic development, and organizational leadership will provide valuable guidance and oversight in his role as Chair of the Audit Committee on MCBC’s Board of Directors.
Gimaa Stacey Laforme as served on Mississaugas of the Credit Council since the late 90s and has spent 8 years as chief of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Gimaa Laforme retired from Chief and Council this past December 23, 2023. He is a renowned poet and storyteller with a bestselling book Gimaa Laforme believes we all have an obligation to make the world just a little bit better.
He is the honorary senior fellow of Massey College and during his time as the MCFN Chief he was the first elected Chief (leading a delegation from the Mississaugas Nation) to visit with the King in 160 years. Gimaa Laforme has started a Sacred Trust foundation with friends and allies to continue to support his work of inclusion and raising consciousness.
Gimaa Laforme: “instead of thinking of climate change as a problem to be solved think instead of mother earth as a soul to be saved” If we can do that, we can change everything.
Lauren Hutter is an accomplished human resources and talent executive with more than 15 years of experience leading talent acquisition, workforce strategy, organizational effectiveness, and business transformation initiatives. She currently serves as Director, Talent Acquisition at Sun Life, where she leads national recruitment strategies and large-scale workforce planning initiatives that support business growth across multiple lines of business.
A proud member of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Lauren brings extensive expertise in governance, leadership development, change management, and strategy execution. Throughout her career, she has partnered with senior executives to build high-performing teams, enhance organizational capability, and deliver complex enterprise-wide initiatives. Her work has included advancing equity-focused hiring practices, strengthening leadership development programs, and driving operational excellence within large, regulated organizations.
Lauren is a certified leadership and team coach and holds advanced coaching credentials through CoachWorks Academy. She is an active member of the International Coaching Federation and is passionate about empowering individuals, teams, and organizations to realize their full potential through purposeful leadership and inclusive practices.
As a member of the Mississaugas of the Credit Business Corporation Board of Directors, Lauren is committed to supporting sustainable economic development, strong governance, and opportunities that create long-term prosperity for current and future generations of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. She brings a strategic, people-centered perspective to the Board and is dedicated to advancing the Corporation’s vision while honoring the values and traditions of the Nation.
James LeMoine is a PhD candidate in Mechanical Engineering at McMaster University, where his research focuses on sustainable energy systems and advancing clean energy solutions.
He holds both a Master of Applied Science and a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from McMaster University. James also serves as President of McMaster’s chapter of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), where he advocates for Indigenous representation and leadership in STEM fields.
As the Youth Member of the Board of Directors for the Mississaugas of the Credit Business Corporation, James brings a strong commitment to sustainability, innovation, and creating opportunities for future generations.