Team | Otipêy

Jeff Cyr

Founder and Managing Partner | CEO, Otipêy Foundation

Jeff, Métis from the White Horse Plains in Manitoba, is the architect behind Otipêy’s outcomes finance model. With over two decades of leadership in Indigenous policy, investment, and innovation, he spearheaded Canada’s first Community-Driven Outcomes Contract. Jeff is also CEO of Otipêy Foundation and was a founder and managing partner of Raven Indigenous Capital Partners. He is an Ashoka Fellow and a recognized voice in Indigenous social finance globally.

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Wáhiakatste Diome-Deer

Associate Partner & Chief of Staff to the CEO

Wáhiakatste (Wahi) Diome-Deer is Associate Partner and Chief of Staff to the CEO at Otipêy. A Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk) woman of the Wolf Clan from Kahnawà:ke, she is grounded in her Haudenosaunee culture and identity. She has been with the firm since its earliest days and helped shape the investment thesis, governance and first fund that define it. She leads Otipêy's strategy, operations and senior relationships, from government and investors to the communities and partners at the heart of its work. She works closely with both of Otipêy's fund teams leading capital formation and managing the investment process. A former Globe and Mail columnist on Indigenous leadership and UN delegate on Indigenous issues, and board member of Kahnawà:ke's inaugural Environment Advisory Committee, she is now a member of the Indigenous Leadership Circle. She holds degrees from McGill University and Dartmouth College and certifications in private markets and sustainable development, and is fluent in English and French.

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Alisa Den Duyf

Chief Financial Officer

Alisa is a senior finance professional with over 40 years of experience supporting both corporate and non-profit organizations. As CFO at Otipêy, she ensures strong financial management across our funds and operations. Outside of work, Alisa enjoys cruising the Gulf Islands of BC on her trawler.

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Marie-Josée Parent

Chief Operations & Impact Officer, Otipêy Foundation

Marie-Josée is Chief Operations and Impact Officer at Otipêy Foundation. She previously served as a Montreal city councillor and executive council member and as executive director of DestiNATIONS, an Indigenous Cultural Embassy project. Her experience spans public policy, Indigenous culture, impact measurement and climate action, including advisory roles with UNESCO and CCUNESCO. She chairs Workers for Climate Justice and serves on the board of Transition en Commun. Her family is deeply rooted in the Baie-des-Chaleurs region and is of mixed Acadian and Mi’kmaq ancestry. Marie-Josée holds a BA in philosophy, a master’s in art history and executive training in impact measurement and management from Oxford University.

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Rebecca Waterhouse

Principal, Raven Indigenous Outcomes Fund I

Rebecca oversees investment strategy and portfolio management for Raven Indigenous Outcomes Fund I at Otipêy. Based in Halifax, she brings experience in impact investing, philanthropy and social finance policy. Previously, she managed a portfolio of nonprofit initiatives and chaired the Impact Investment Strategy Committee at MakeWay. She also worked with the Canadian Alternative Investment Foundation and Cooperative, a social-purpose lender supporting Canadian charities, and led responsible investing for her local community foundation. Rebecca holds a master’s in philanthropy and a certification in sustainable investments.

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Genevieve Marsh

Director of Finance

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Aura Silva

Sr. Associate, Raven Indigenous Outcomes Fund I

Born and raised in Mexico City, Aura Silva is a newcomer to the traditional and unceded territories of the Kosapsum and Songhees Nations on Vancouver Island. She holds an MBA in Sustainable Innovation from the University of Victoria, where she co-founded the Propel Impact Fund. Aura brings expertise in ESG, climate finance and impact investing, including experience partnering with First Nations to develop opportunities rooted in community priorities and values. She serves on the investment committees of the Propel Impact Fund and Thrive Impact Fund. As Otipêy’s Senior Outcomes Finance Associate, Aura leads deals, shapes investment frameworks and builds partnerships that advance community-led change.

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Mitch Langan

Sr. Associate, Raven Indigenous Outcomes Fund I

Mitch is a citizen of the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan. He brings more than a decade of experience in Indigenous community banking, investment management and business financing, including roles with First Nations Bank of Canada, Métis Settlements Development Corporation and Raven Indigenous Capital Partners. An entrepreneur and advocate for Indigenous innovation, Mitch co-founded Brand X Technologies and has advised and mentored emerging Indigenous entrepreneurs. He holds an MBA and Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Saskatchewan’s Edwards School of Business, with additional training in private equity governance and corporate finance.

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Aiden Cyr

Sr. Advisor, Government and Strategic Relations

Aiden Cyr is Red River Métis from Manitoba and serves as Otipêy’s Senior Advisor, Government and Strategic Relations, leading its government relations, policy and research work. His career has focused on Indigenous rights, climate policy and public service, including roles with Indigenous Services Canada, Natural Resources Canada and Senator Boyer’s office. A Schwarzman Scholar, Aiden holds a Master of Global Affairs from Tsinghua University and degrees in political science and public policy from Concordia University. He also serves on the board of Apathy is Boring and is a writing fellow with The Philanthropist.

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Sami Saad

Sr. Associate (Impact), Otipêy Foundation

Sami Saad leads financial innovation at Otipêy Foundation, developing investment models and the financial and impact frameworks used to measure their outcomes. He brings more than 15 years of experience in commercial banking, venture capital and impact investing across EMEA and North America. Previously, he was vice-president of investment at IM Fndng, a USAID-backed fund supporting entrepreneurs in emerging markets, and taught economics and accounting at the American University of Beirut. He remains a venture partner at Misfit Ventures. Sami holds an MBA from HEC Paris and a degree in economics.

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Sydney Ferguson

Program Officer, Otipêy Foundation

Sydney brings extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, community health care and equity-focused initiatives. Throughout her career, she has helped strengthen organizations, build partnerships and advance community well-being. She takes a collaborative, people-centred approach grounded in strong relationships, community priorities and locally led solutions. Sydney is particularly passionate about supporting Indigenous leadership and creating lasting social and economic impact. She lives in Toronto as a settler on the traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, Anishnabeg, Chippewa, Haudenosaunee and Wendat peoples.

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Angel Sansregrett

Specialist, Communications & Operations

Angel is a citizen of the Métis Nation of Alberta who lives and works in Mohkínstsis (Calgary) on Treaty 7 territory. As Otipêy’s Communications and Operations Specialist, she supports storytelling, strategic communications and operations. Previously, she worked in Indigenous relations, helping organizations decolonize HR and recruitment practices and develop Reconciliation Action Plans. Passionate about Indigenous self-determination, Angel currently serves on Suncor’s Indigenous youth advisory council.

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Kirrily Fry

Executive Assistant to the Founder & Managing Partner

Kirrily is Executive Assistant to Otipêy’s Founder and Managing Partner, supporting executive priorities, operations and internal systems. Originally from Australia, she brings nearly a decade of international experience supporting senior leaders across the financial services, retail, technology and energy sectors. Her expertise spans executive operations, governance, stakeholder engagement, communications and organizational change. Kirrily holds a Certificate IV in Business Administration and is a Professional Scrum Master™ I. She lives in Osgoode, Ontario, as a newcomer on the traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg.

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Carl Mashon

Board Member, Otipêy Foundation

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Catherine Pennington

Board Member, Otipêy Foundation

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Jason Cardinal

Board Member, Otipêy Foundation

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Nicolas Allarie

Board Member, Otipêy Foundation

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Ahwidokazit Wendy Phillips

Elder in Residence

Wendy Phillips is a Traditional Healer, Seer, and Spiritual Leader from the Potawatomi and Ojibwa Nations, and a proud member of Wasauksing First Nation. As Raven’s Elder in Residence, she brings deep cultural knowledge, spiritual guidance, and traditional teachings to our work. Wendy carries the 8th Fire Prophecies, conducts a wide range of ceremonies, and supports Indigenous-led healing and governance. She holds a Master’s degree in Anishinaabe Traditional Governance from York University and was awarded the Remarkable Woman Award and Community Medal for her contributions.

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The team shaping this work