January 21, 2026

yáqʷa Development Corporation (yáqʷa) is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Independent member to its Board of Directors, effective immediately.

Mr. Stephen Nairne joins the yáqʷa board at a pivotal time for the company and Haisla Nation. Together with our existing board members, Mr. Nairnewill support yáqʷa in driving sustainable economic growth and business development in alignment with Haisla Nation values, while reinforcing our commitment to strong governance.

yáqʷa undertook a comprehensive, transparent and merit-based recruitment and selection process in identifying new members for its board of directors.

Learn more about our new appointees below, and about yáqʷa’s current Board of Directors here.

Biography

Stephen Nairne, Independent Director

Stephen is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Raven Indigenous Capital Partners, an Indigenous-controlled venture capital firm that invests exclusively in Indigenous enterprises across Canada and the United States. He currently serves on the board of 8 Indigenous companies in the areas of software, media, agricultural technology, renewable energy, aviation, waste recovery, and modular housing.

Prior to joining Raven, Stephen was Managing Partner at AHL Venture Partners, an impact-focused venture firm headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, and Managing Director of the Lundin Foundation, where he designed and led initiatives to leverage sustainable community benefit streams from major projects in infrastructure and resource development. Stephen’s 25 years of experience in finance and development have spanned many sectors and roles, including with Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, Export Development Canada and the University of British Columbia.

Stephen holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance/Economics) from McGill University and a Master of Arts in International Political Economy.