Vanessa Lesperance (she/her) is a heart-centered mixed heritage Metis woman who is reclaiming her Metis roots. The proud descendant of voyageurs and ancestors who were part of the Red River Resistance.
Vanessa is a facilitator, speaker, connector and the co-founder of Decolonize and Rize -- combining reconciliation and well-being services together to equip their clients for important changemaking work. She holds a graduate degree in business from SFU and a masters degree in leadership from Royal Roads University with a focus on decolonizing business through workplace spirituality. She has worked with Indigenous entrepreneurs (women and youth) from across Turtle Island for several years. Vanessa has also been published in SAY Magazine, Liizbeth Magazine, World Federation Association of Teachers Education and teaches at the Justice Institute of BC on Power & Privilege and in the centre of leadership. For fun she enjoys a good board games night with family or friends.