Sean Willy, CEO, Des Nedhe Group
Sean Willy is the CEO of Des Nedhe Group, the economic development corporation of English River First Nation. Since taking over the role Sean, a member of the Deninu Kue First Nation in the NWT, has taken Des Nedhe to a national & international stage, growing & diversifying into new business sectors and regions all while maintaining high levels of Indigenous employment.
In 2026 Des Nedhe was awarded the Skookum Jim award from the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada for leading edge Indigenous support for the Saskatchewan resource industry.
In his career, Sean has developed and implemented the most innovative Indigenous Inclusion, ESG & Socially Responsible strategies for resource companies such as Rio Tinto and Cameco Corporation.
He has championed Indigenous peoples to be seen as a full partner in long-term relationships value added relationships.
Sean is a board member for TELUS Corporation & the Nuclear Waste Management Organization. He is a past board member of Green First Forest and the Ronald McDonald House Saskatchewan. Sean has also been past Co-Chair of the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB) and has previously sat on the Canadian government’s Indigenous Innovation Housing Committee and the Indigenous Advisory Committee on Small Module Reactors.
Sean is a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan, holds his ICD designation he was honoured with the King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2024, and in 2026 was awarded the CCIB’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his progressive strategies and support of Indigenous businesses.
Sean has two children and lives with his wife Melissa in Saskatoon.