ABOUT US
Seven Generation Thinking
We acknowledge that we operate on Treaty Six territory—the traditional and ancestral territory of the Cree, Dene, Blackfoot, Saulteaux and Nakota Sioux. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Métis Settlements and the Métis Nation of Alberta, Regions 1, 2, 3 and 4 within the historical Northwest Métis Homeland. We acknowledge the many First Nations, Métis and Inuit who have lived on and cared for these lands for generations. We are grateful for the traditional Knowledge Keepers and Elders who guide us, the ones who are still with us today and those who have gone before us. With gratitude, we work to support, spread awareness of, and bring benefit to all Indigenous communities we are privileged to work with and represent.
Kîyânaw Kehitôtamahk
Our Approach
SevGen Consulting Inc. is a multi-disciplinary, 100% Indigenous-owned management consulting firm. We offer innovative and meaningful solutions within an Indigenous context that promote equity, collaboration and inclusion.
Through our network of esteemed Indigenous and non-Indigenous professionals, we have the combined capacity and experience to successfully engage, develop, and implement quality projects at any scale for our clients.
We work closely with businesses, communities, governments, and other stakeholders to build effective and winning partnerships. The practical guidance and tools we provide equip our clients to develop and implement goals and strategies—and achieve them.
Kehteyak
Elders
Victor Bruno
Elders are respected individuals who play key roles in Indigenous communities. They are important knowledge keepers, and they also help to ensure cultural continuity. As living connections to the past, Elders serve as teachers, healers, advisors and counsellors.
Kinîkânistamâkewak
Our Leadership Team
Derek M. Bruno
Managing Partner, Founder
Derek Bruno can best be described as visionary in his ability to find opportunity when faced with challenge. It is this drive that has led him to establish several successful businesses, while also serving two terms as Councillor for Samson Cree Nation.
Derek’s passion for community development led him to pursue his Master’s in Business Administration through Cape Breton University, during which he co-authored a University textbook titled, “Indigenous Business in Canada”. Beyond his own success, Derek’s real passion is seeing others succeed.
Bringing a strength-based perspective to his relationships, Derek has been motivated to mentor and coach communities to establish mutually beneficial relationships with industry and government.
Lanny Der
Senior Consultant
With over 30 years of professional experience, Lanny Der has worked directly with Indigenous communities throughout Alberta in various capacities, including employment and training, economic development, community engagement, organizational development, project management, relationship and partnership building, community consultations, and outreach activities.
Lanny has worked with provincial and federal governments, Indigenous non-profit organizations, educational institutions and the oil and gas industry. He has an exceptional understanding of “duty to consult”, with experience in mediation and negotiation, and has knowledge of the current legal climate and the many landmark cases affecting rights-based arguments. Spending five years at NAIT as a manager, Lanny assisted Indigenous communities to assess their training needs, develop training strategies, facilitate industry and government involvement, and also design, facilitate and coordinate delivery of customized training programs within their communities.
He also spent six years as a Director with the Government of Alberta, assisting and supporting Indigenous communities to develop and implement economic development initiatives, which led to increased economic capacity and self-sufficiency. Prior to his current consulting role, Lanny spent three years with Enbridge as a manager responsible for developing and maintaining positive relationships with Indigenous communities from Edmonton to the BC border.
Neil Pitman, MSc, PEng
Senior Consultant
As the Prime Consultant with PITWELL Engineering Management Ltd., Neil A. Pitman is a Professional Engineer with over 30 years of experience planning, designing, and managing energy related projects. He has managed real-time pipeline system operations and was Manager of Major Projects and Environmental Engineering for a province-wide gas transmission company.
His strengths are working with government and stakeholders to achieve safe, economic, and environmental solutions for all parties involved. Neil has managed teams that have successfully completed oil and gas related projects on First Nation lands, in rural areas, densely populated urban environments, and in provincial parks.
Over the last five years, Neil has worked almost exclusively with Alberta First Nations, assisting with managing their oil and gas assets and negotiating mutually beneficial agreements with industry.
Ashley Dennehy, BA
Communications Director
A social entrepreneur with a strong passion for community development, Ashley Dennehy has lived in Zambia, Fiji, and Costa Rica working with women’s cooperatives and non-profits to advocate for ending violence against women and children.
She is currently working with Indigenous communities on various community development initiatives and is starting her own non-profit in animal rescue and protection. Ashley specializes in stakeholder engagement and works with Maskwacis Education Schools Commission in the Superintendent’s Office. She resides in Lacombe, Alberta, and is currently working on her Masters in Education in Sustainability, Creativity, and Innovation.