Directors And Members

Ivan Dechkoff

CHAIRPERSON

During is working career, Ivan Dechkoff held a variety managerial positions in financial institutions such as the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce: Community Manager, Territorial Manager, Brach Manager, etc. Ivan understands the financial and managerial sides of a business and brings this perspective to DNV.

Larissa Stanley

VICE CHAIRPERSON

Larissa Stanley was born and raised in Whitehorse, Yukon and is a Liard First Nation Citizen. She has been on the DNV board since 2016, when she started as a youth board member. She currently owns and operates a small business, Art of Larissa Stanley, which offers graphic design, branding and visual art services. Prior to this, she worked with Kwanlin Dun First Nation’s finance department for a decade. Larissa brings her knowledge and experience as a business owner and artist, as well as an extensive finance background to the team.  

Maria Benoit

BOARD DIRECTOR

Maria, a Carcross/Tagish First Nation Citizen and a representative of the Deisheetan Clan, has been DNV’s Chair for 9 years.

Maria brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table. From being the Executive Director of the Skookum Jim Friendship Centre, a not-for profit organisations, to serving her First Nation as Deputy Chief, a member of the Executive Council as well as being a Clan representative, Maria understands the importance of financial support and accountability.

Rod Snow

BOARD DIRECTOR

Rod is a long-time Yukoner and former partner of DLA Piper (previously Davis &Company) who retired in 2016 after 37 years of practicing law in BC and Yukon. He is the only northern lawyer to serve as national President of the Canadian Bar Association. In recognition of this and his contribution to the profession, he was appointed Queen’s Counsel by the Attorney General of BC in 2012.

Rod graduated with a B.A. and LL.B from Dalhousie University in Halifax and an LL.M. from the University of Washington In Seattle. Before he retired, Rod was Managing Partner of his firm’s Yukon office and practiced as a corporate and commercial lawyer.

He is currently the Chair of Yukon University Foundation and a member of the board of directors of Yukon Energy Corporation and Tse Zul Development Corporation and previously was a member of the board of Vancouver Port Corporation. Active in his community, he has served as President of the Asia Pacific Festival in Vancouver and the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Whitehorse.

James MacDonald

SECRETARY/TREASURER

James MacDonald was born and raised in Whitehorse, Yukon, from parents of Southern and Northern Tutchone respectively. In 2005, he graduated with distinction from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Arts from the School of Native Studies. That same year, he joined the staff at Tr’ondek Hwech’in in Dawson City.

In 2012 he joined the Council of Yukon First Nations as the Manager of Natural Resources and Environment, supporting the goals and objectives of Self-Governing Yukon First Nations. In 2014, he achieved a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Alaska Southeast.

In September 2019, he went to work for the Assembly of First Nations – Yukon Region as the Director of Operations. James has spent over a decade working with and for Yukon First Nations.

• David Joe
• Richard Sidney
• Maureen Birckel