We have an incredibly exciting announcement to share with you: Dennis Thomas-Whonoak, who has been employed at Tsleil-Waututh Nation for the past 16 years, is moving on to a new role as Executive Director, Indigenous Business Initiatives and Engagement, at the Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia (UBC).
With this new role, his elected TWN Councillor role is still active and remains a top priority for Dennis to meet the needs of members.
“I thank the wisdom of my ancestors as well as Knowledge Keepers and Elders at TWN who have shared their wisdom with me. I will uphold these teachings in my work as a Councillor and in my new role at UBC,” said Dennis.
In his new UBC role, Dennis strives to inspire and have a deep impact on Tsleil-Waututh youth and Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island to consider their future and path towards prosperity with Post-Secondary education.
For the past eight years, Dennis has worked with Tsleil-Waututh Nation as a Senior Manager, Business Development, and as the TWN Cultural Liaison for MST (Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh) Development Corporation. Before this, he was Manager of Takaya Tours, and he worked for the 2010 Olympics as a cultural representative for TWN.
Dennis has won several awards for his work, including the 2022 Enduring Award from Capilano University Alumni Awards of Excellence, 2021 Business in Vancouver’s Top 40 Under 40, 2021 Award for Planning Excellence in the category of Planning for Reconciliation by Canadian Institute of Planners for the Heather Lands project, 2021 Gold Award in the category of Excellence in Planning Practice (City & Urban Areas) from the Planning Institute of BC for the Heather Lands project, and many Indigenous Tourism BC awards.
Dennis has an MBA (Master of Business Administration) from SFU and completed his undergraduate studies at Capilano University in business, theatre and film.
Dennis begins his new role at UBC on August 28, 2023. We wish him the very best and know he will excel in this new leadership role.
hay čxʷ q̓ə, thank you,
TWN Administration
Tsleil-Waututh Nation | səlilwətaɬ
