ABOUT
Lead Dog Consulting (LDC) was founded in 2017 with the goal of supporting not-for-profit (NFP) organizations and their volunteers and staff. Overseeing an organization is already challenging enough, so LDC's mission is to improve the way organizations govern and operate so they can avoid the pitfalls of volunteer burnout, financial trouble, and the communication and human resource risks that many encounter.
LDC believes that effective relationships are the first step in organizational effectiveness. This is why the majority of our work focuses on supporting NFPs establish bylaws, governance and human resource policies, and Board member training and orientation. We provide these services in a safe space, with a recognition that we are all stronger when we listen and learn from one another's perspectives.
LDC also acknowledges the responsibility of all Canadians in our collective journey towards reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, and strives to empower participants to develop their cultural awareness, sensitivity, competency, and safety. LDC is based in Sǫ̀mbak'è (Yellowknife) and respectfully acknowledges that we are situated on the traditional territories and homeland of the Dene, Inuit, and Métis peoples of the Northwest Territories. We are grateful to the many Indigenous Peoples of the NWT for allowing us the opportunity to learn, work, and live on their lands. We are also deeply grateful for the generous sharing of Traditional Knowledge, wisdom and ways of knowing, being and doing with those organizations we are fortunate to support.
OUR TEAM
RYAN FEQUET (he/him)
Founder and Principal
Ryan is a husband, father of two daughters, a brother, and passionate community volunteer. He serves as the Executive Director for an Indigenous regulatory body formed from a modern day Land Claim and Self-Government Agreement. He is an accredited Project Manager (PMP) and has a BSc. in biology and an MSc. in negotiation and conflict resolution. He has served on more than three dozen not-for-profit boards and committees at the local, territorial, and national level. Ryan has extensive experience in governance, policy development, risk management, human resource management, and was awarded the NWT's Volunteer of the Year award in 2018 for serving an average of 2hrs/day over a ten-year period in support of the northern not-for-profit sector. Ryan is an avid paddler and hiker and encourages anyone who gets the chance to paddle the Nahanni River and hike the Auyuittuq National Park.
KATE MANSFIELD (she/her)
Chief Conversation Architect
Kate is a mother, sister, friend and engaged community member. She has a MSc. in biology, is an accredited Project Manager (PMP), and works as a Senior Environmental Assessment Officer for the Mackenzie Valley Review Board. She is a passionate environmental assessment practitioner, with over five years of progressively increasing responsibility and experience working in Canada’s north. She has worked to promote sound environmental stewardship in both industry and regulatory settings. Kate's current professional focus includes culturally appropriate and effective community engagement, meaningfully incorporating well-being and sustainability into environmental assessment and the use of gender-based analysis in impact assessment. In her spare time, Kate loves walking her two dogs, puttering around her yard and making beautiful music with her band.
CONNIE LEE
(she/her)
Financial Jedi
Connie is a sister, friend, partner, and athlete. She has a public practice CPA designation and serves her community through work with the government and volunteer organizations. Connie has served as Treasurer on multiple not-for-profit boards, providing strategic and operational financial insights and advice. She is passionate about empowering individuals and organizations with education in financial literacy. Connie marries her work with life through her curiosity, pursuing a breadth of adventures like competing internationally in Ultimate, hiking the Rockies with her dog and sister, and throwing non functional clay pieces as a beginner potter.
JIM SAUNDERS
(he/him)
Peace Maker
Jim Saunders is a husband, father and business owner. When he is not negotiating or mediating, he can be found in the kitchen striving to produce quasi-gourmet meals. Jim holds a Master’s Degree in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution from Creighton University School of Law. He has over thirty years’ experience in managing commercial transportation, property, and casualty insurance claims. He has negotiated settlements to thousands of cases over that time and has participated in hundreds of mediations. He volunteers as a mediator for the Superior Court of Clark County, Washington. Jim is committed to teaching listening skills, conflict dynamics, negotiation techniques, the effects of hidden bias, and mediation practices.