Manitoba Prospectors and Developers Association
2026 Board Candidates
President Candidates
Terry Brown, B.Comm (Hons.)
Principal & CEO Okimaw Community and HR
Terry Brown, B.Comm (Hons), is a senior executive and board director with experience supporting early-stage exploration, project development, and land-based initiatives in complex regulatory and stakeholder environments. He is the Principal and CEO of Okimaw Community and HR Solutions, a professional advisory firm providing strategic, workforce, and organizational support to governments and private sector proponents. Terry has worked extensively on front-end project development, helping advance opportunities from concept through feasibility by aligning land access, community interests, regulatory requirements, and commercial structures. His experience includes collaboration with federal, provincial, municipal, and Indigenous governments, and Fortune 100 and 500 companies across energy, infrastructure, transportation, manufacturing, and other resource-adjacent industries. He has supported hundreds of transactions contributing to more than $500 million in cumulative economic activity. Terry currently chairs BUILD Inc., serves as Board Secretary of the National Aboriginal Trust Officers Association, and is a member of the Business Council of Manitoba, where he champions inclusive growth and economic reconciliation.
Cole Stocki, P.Geo
District Exploration Geologist at First Mining Gold Corp.
Cole Stocki, P. Geo is the District Exploration Geologist at First Mining Gold, an exploration and development company located in northwest Ontario. Cole has boots on the ground experience supporting early-stage mineral exploration projects in Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. Cole knows first hand what it is like to have to relocate out of province to find work in his field, and hopes he can one day return to work in his home province. His leadership and energy carry his motivation to work with communities, industry and government to make Manitoba a top-tier jurisdiction to support mineral exploration and development moving forward.
Vice-President Candidates
MaryAnn Mihychuk, P.Geo
MPDA President 2021 - Present
Active in the mineral sector and public service spanning 48 years. My geoscience career in the field includes work in Manitoba, Ontario, and Newfoundland and Labrador. My experience includes project manager, co-author of a 43-101, mineral policy specialist, Manitoba Mines minister, president of the MPDA, company board director, and exploration company director and chair.
Secretary Candidates
Dennis Ballard
Independent Consultant
Dennis Ballard is an Indigenous policy and economic development professional with extensive experience working at the intersection of resource development, Indigenous governance, and regulatory frameworks in Manitoba. He has led and advised on mining, forestry, energy, and critical minerals initiatives, supporting First Nations in developing mining policies, impact benefit frameworks, environmental monitoring programs, and community-owned enterprises aligned with provincial and federal requirements. Dennis brings a strong understanding of Manitoba’s mineral development landscape, Indigenous rights and title, and collaborative approaches to responsible exploration and development. His work emphasizes practical partnership models that advance industry certainty while supporting Indigenous participation, stewardship, and long-term economic outcomes. He offers the MPDA Board a perspective grounded in policy, community engagement, and sustainable resource development.
Jesse Steckley
Business Council Manitoba
Director, Indigenous Education Award (IEA) & Work-Integrated Learning, Business Council of Manitoba. Key role as Program Coordinator launching one of Canada’s first Indigenous procurement programs at CCIB, supporting the federal 5% Indigenous procurement commitment. At BCM, launched one of Manitoba’s first Indigenous employment programs and grew the IEA from 100 to 533 awards—the province’s largest. IEA funnels talent from the largest expected workforce in Manitoba over the next 10–15 years: the Indigenous workforce. Focused on economic reconciliation per TRC Call to Action 92, connecting Indigenous education and employment with Manitoba’s corporate and resource sectors.
Treasurer Candidates
Kevin Gamble, CPA
Tax Manager
Kevin Gamble has served on the board of MPDA as Treasurer for the last three years. A CPA and tax specialist, Kevin has worked in industry and public practice for over 25 years advising business owners on tax-efficient strategies.
Director Candidates
James C. Campbell
Prospector
Past Officer and Director of MPDA.
Sean Campbell, P. Eng
Business Development Manager at Sigfusson Northern Ltd.
With a wide variety of skills through my experience in site operations, estimating, project management and Indigenous Engagement I take great pride in being a Professional Engineer in the Construction Industry. My experience has given me a unique perspective and drive to do the best that I can for our organization and the communities that we work in throughout Canada. I have been very fortunate to be surrounded by a dynamic and robust team of like minded individuals and look forward to what the next challenge brings!
Cameron Holmstrom
Founder and Principal Nipaawi Strategies
Cam Holmstrom is the Founder and Principal of Niipaawi Strategies. He has over a decade of experience in Parliamentary procedure and regulatory development. He has extensive experience working in the Natural Resources, Foreign Affairs, and Indigenous Rights portfolios. Among his achievements was being involved with the development and drafting of the UNDRIP legislation brought forward by former MP Romeo Saganash, which ultimately became the UNDRIP Act (Bill C-15).He has provided in-depth federal, provincial, and Indigenous government relations services to his clients, including in the mining sector, helping them navigate and work with governments. Cam is proudly Red River Métis and is a graduate of Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in French and a minor in History, and a Bachelor of Education. He is married to his better half, Allison, and is father to their daughter Lorraine.
Keith Peskoonas
Lands Manager, Gods First Nation
My name is Keith Peskoonas, Lands Manager from Gods Lake First Nation. My community is located remotely in NE Manitoba. I began my journey in the Lands Department of my First Nation when I got hired in 1997 to work on TLE. I eventually took the Lands Managers training provided by NALMA (National Aboriginal Land Managers Association) which I graduated. From then on, I was tasked to deal with land issues within our traditional use territory which includes MELs, claims, etc. Manitoba provided an in-community prospecting training where I got my prospecting certification. Throughout the years, after Consultation, many junior companies have come and gone. To date, our First Nation has completed a traditional use area plan, a community plan and currently drafting an "Indigenous Led Conservation Plan." Gods lake First Nation has executed a Mining Consultation Protocol with Manitoba in 2025. Gods Lake First Nation is in a process of completing an Exploration Agreement. This agreement to the provided to each mining exploration companies. All these activities with our territory I have been involved in working with my Leadership, and will continue working on our Lands Department. I look forward to working with MPDA. EKOSI
Steve Richard
Lands Manager Gods Lake First Nation
My name is Keith Peskoonas, Lands Manager from Gods Lake First Nation. My community is located remotely in NE Manitoba. I began my journey in the Lands Department of my First Nation when I got hired in 1997 to work on TLE. I eventually took the Lands Managers training provided by NALMA (National Aboriginal Land Managers Association) which I graduated. From then on, I was tasked to deal with land issues within our traditional use territory which includes MELs, claims, etc. Manitoba provided an in-community prospecting training where I got my prospecting certification. Throughout the years, after Consultation, many junior companies have come and gone. To date, our First Nation has completed a traditional use area plan, a community plan and currently drafting an "Indigenous Led Conservation Plan." Gods lake First Nation has executed a Mining Consultation Protocol with Manitoba in 2025. Gods Lake First Nation is in a process of completing an Exploration Agreement. This agreement to the provided to each mining exploration companies. All these activities with our territory I have been involved in working with my Leadership, and will continue working on our Lands Department. I look forward to working with MPDA. EKOSI
Robin Richards
Co-Founder and Director of Nibi Enviro Tech
My name is Robin Richards, a Métis entrepreneur from Winnipeg and a retired professional hockey player who signed with the Detroit Red Wings and St. Louis Blues. Following my athletic career, I transitioned into sales and entrepreneurship, founding and operating multiple businesses.
I am currently the Co-Founder and Director of Nibi Enviro Tech, a Manitoba-based company providing clean drinking water and food security solutions through repurposed shipping containers. In just two years, our systems have been deployed in over 20 communities, with 100+ units in Winnipeg, supporting remote bottling stations, camps, and year-round off-grid greenhouses.
I am actively engaged in the prospectors and developers sector and bring practical experience in sustainability, infrastructure, and community partnership. I would contribute a positive, entrepreneurial, and forward-thinking perspective to the Manitoba Prospectors and Developers Association board.
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