Jason Kelly: Executive Director
Jason Kelly, MBA is a Gitxsan and Scottish leader whose work is grounded in service,
accountability, and community impact. He specializes in crisis leadership, risk management,
organizational stabilization, and bringing people together across complex systems. With experience
in finance, governance, public service, Indigenous justice, and community-based programming, Jason
has developed a practical ability to identify gaps, reduce inefficiencies, and align organizations
around shared outcomes.
Jason has hosted conferences, delivered public presentations, and helped create spaces where
partners, funders, service providers, and community leaders can work together more effectively. His
leadership style focuses on relationship-building, clear communication, and complementary service
delivery, ensuring that organizations do not work in isolation but instead strengthen one another’s
impact.
As an Indigenous executive leader, Jason brings both lived experience and professional training to his
work. He is especially committed to improving systems that serve Indigenous people, strengthening
organizational capacity, and advancing practical solutions that support healing, accountability, and
community safety.
Jolene Paquette Team Lead / Adult Justice Worker
Jolene Paquette is a full Plains Cree woman from Treaty 8 territory and a proud sixth-generation
great-granddaughter of Chief Ahtahkakoop of Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation in Saskatchewan. With
more than 20 years of experience supporting Indigenous individuals, families, and communities,
Jolene brings a deep blend of professional expertise, cultural grounding, and lived experience to her
work.
Jolene holds a Social Work Diploma and has spent much of her career working directly with high-
risk and vulnerable populations. She served in shelters and group
homes, where she supported high-risk youth and provided leadership in trauma-informed, culturally
safe care environments.
Her experience also includes serving as the Indigenous Victim Services Worker with the Native
Court workers. In this role, Jolene assisted clients in navigating the court system, coordinated with
Victim Services, and provided advocacy and support to individuals facing complex legal and
personal challenges.
Jolene later became the Northwest MMIWG Coordinator, supporting families impacted by Missing
and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Her region covered the Highway of Tears, from Prince
George to Haida Gwaii, where she worked closely with families, communities, and service providers
to offer culturally grounded support, advocacy, and connection to resources.
Throughout her career, Jolene has demonstrated unwavering commitment to community well-being,
cultural safety, and advocacy. Her extensive frontline experience, strong cultural knowledge, and
dedication to supporting the most vulnerable make her a valued and respected member of our team
serving Indigenous communities.
Christine Dalziel: Re-Integration Worker and Aftercare Worker
Chris Dalziel brings over 20 years of experience working within Indigenous-led non-profit
organizations, supporting community members through culturally grounded, trauma-informed
practice. Her work spans social, health, employment, and justice services, giving her a strong
understanding of the systems that impact Indigenous individuals and families.
Since 2010, she has served as a Gladue Report Writer with the Legal Aid Services Society. In this
role, she prepares detailed Gladue reports for the courts to consider during the sentencing of
Indigenous offenders. Her work includes conducting trauma-informed interviews, gathering social
and historical information, and providing context that supports fair and culturally informed judicial
decisions. She also delivers information sessions on Gladue rights and guides clients through the
application process for obtaining reports.
Her professional background includes roles such as Program Coordinator with Tse Koo Huba Yoh
and the Native Healing Centre, Career Employment Counsellor, and Administrative Assistant with
the Okanagan Families Society. She has also worked as a Hospitality Coordinator and Administrative
Assistant with the Prince George Native Friendship Centre and the Central Interior Native Health
Society.
With extensive frontline experience and a long-standing commitment to advocacy, Chris is
recognized for her strong communication skills, cultural knowledge, and dedication to supporting
Indigenous people navigating complex systems. She remains deeply committed to promoting justice,
healing, and community well-being.
Delaney Danroth: Gladue Aftercare Worker
Delaney holds a Bachelor of Arts in General Commerce and is certified in Project Management for
Business as well as Essentials of Project Management. She brings strong administrative,
coordination, and client-support experience from her work within Indigenous-serving and
community-based organizations.
Her professional background includes roles with the Prince George Native Friendship Centre and the
Ketso Yoh Men’s Shelter, where she applied trauma-informed and culturally sensitive practices in
her daily work. During her time at Ketso Yoh, Delaney liaised with the PGNFC Board of Directors,
senior management, and BC Housing, ensuring clear communication and effective collaboration
across partners. She was responsible for maintaining the safety of clients, staff, and the public, and
regularly assessed client stability while offering guidance on steps toward securing safe, affordable
housing. Delaney’s combination of project management training, frontline experience, and strong
interpersonal skills makes her a dedicated and capable support to both clients and colleagues. She is
committed to fostering culturally safe environments and helping individuals work toward greater
stability and well-being.
Trina Garnot: Indigenous Cultural Liaison (PGRCC)
Trina brings over 20 years of experience supporting vulnerable individuals and working within
community-based and Indigenous-serving organizations. She began her career in 1996 after
completing a comprehensive frontline youth care training program that included life skills
development, team building, Métis and First Nations history and culture, counselling skills, Food
Safe, emergency first aid, Justice Institute training, and wilderness first aid.
Trina has been in recovery for ten years and is passionate about supporting and helping others on their own journeys.
She regularly volunteers at events, supports members in crisis, and shares her lived
experience as part of her ongoing commitment to healing and recovery. She is also a guest speaker at
Round Lake, where she continues to offer her story of trauma, resilience, and recovery to inspire and
support others.
With decades of hands-on experience, strong cultural awareness, and a compassionate, trauma-
informed approach, Trina is dedicated to uplifting individuals and contributing to healthier, more
connected communities.
Amit Padmakumar: Gladue Aftercare and Writer
Amit holds a Bachelor of Business Management and brings strong experience in leadership,
coordination, and client-focused service. His background includes working in management roles
where he collaborated with executive teams to develop strategies and campaigns aligned with
organizational goals and priorities. In these positions, he led, mentored, and supported a high-
performing retail team, fostering a collaborative and results-driven environment.
Amit’s responsibilities also included maintaining positive customer relations, addressing concerns as
they arose, and overseeing key administrative functions such as employee scheduling, time reporting,
and vendor invoicing. His ability to balance leadership, communication, and operational tasks reflects
his strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
Amit is currently completing Gladue Report Writing training, with expected completion in March
2026. His growing knowledge in this area, combined with his management experience and
commitment to culturally informed practice, supports his transition into justice-focused and
community-based work. Dedicated, adaptable, and eager to contribute, Amit brings a thoughtful
and professional approach to supporting Indigenous individuals and communities.
Saurabh Kanao: Finance Clerk
Saurabh is a graduate student from the University of Toronto. He majored in Economics with minors
in Statistics and Psychology. He currently holds a FRM (Financial Risk Manager) Part I Certification,
CFA (Charter Financial Analyst) Level I and CFA Level II Certification, and is a Candidate for FRM
II Certification, giving him a strong foundation in financial analysis, risk management, and
quantitative methods.
He brings hands-on experience in financial modeling, data analysis, and research, with proficiency in
Python, R, SQL, and Excel. His project work includes research on the Zimbabwe Hyperinflation
Crisis, analysis for Taskeko Mines, and financial modeling projects that demonstrate his ability to
interpret complex data and support informed decision-making. Notably, he developed a financial
model in Excel and SQL to assess Air Canada’s liquidity, solvency, and profitability, contributing to
an evaluation of a proposed $100 million loan.
Saurabh’s analytical strengths, technical skills, and commitment to evidence-based work make him a
valuable contributor. His growing expertise in finance and data-driven assessment supports his ability
to contribute meaningfully to community-focused and justice-informed initiatives.
Kathleeen Meise: Manager of Operations
Kathleen brings over eight years of dedicated service to PGUAJS, supported by a strong background
in office administration, client services, and organizational management. Her previous experience
includes serving as Office Administrator and Manager for the Central Interior Logging Association,
where she coordinated major projects, conferences, and industry events such as the Canada North
Resource Expo.
Before that, she worked with the Forestry Industry Safety Council as a Development & Training
Assistant and with the Immigration and Multicultural Service Society as an Employment Counsellor
Assistant. Across these roles, she gained extensive experience supporting clients, assessing eligibility
for government-funded training programs, and arranging professional development opportunities.
Kathleen is highly skilled in maintaining comprehensive office systems, including filing, payroll,
accounts payable and receivable, purchase orders, and customer account records. She is responsible
for daily bank deposits, manages petty cash with accuracy and accountability, and oversees travel and
accommodation arrangements for staff. Her strong organizational abilities, attention to detail, and
commitment to efficient operations make her an invaluable member of the team.