The Sprott School of Business at Carleton University proudly welcomes Seema Aurora and Jason Rasevych as new members of its advisory board. Together, they bring leadership and expertise in talent recruitment and Indigenous business and economic development, which will support the school in their efforts to achieve its strategic plan - Vision 2025: Business for a Better World.
Seema Aurora is an award-winning, Ottawa-based entrepreneur and currently president and CEO of TAG HR, a nationwide talent recruitment firm. She is also co-founder of Turtle Island Staffing, an Indigenous-owned staffing agency that focuses on placing Indigenous talent in public and private sector organizations in Ontario and Quebec.
“As a business leader, one needs to think beyond profits and scaling a company,” said Seema, who has been recognized for her business leadership, including the City of Ottawa’s Immigrant Businessperson of the Year, ICCC Businesswoman of the Year and ICOBC Businesswoman of the Year – to name just a few. “It’s important to provide mentorship to the next generation of business leaders and establish a supportive springboard for them to grow, learn and succeed in all industries.”
“I am looking forward to joining the Sprott School of Business Advisory Board and the Advisory Board Sub Committee for Kanata North because this is an opportunity for higher education and local businesses to come together and grow Ottawa as a renowned hub that attracts and retains both talent and business ventures.”
Jason Rasevych is a leader in business and economic development, bringing over 20 years experience working with First Nations, community economic development corporations and government. He is currently a partner at Deloitte Canada in their financial advisory practice and is the lead for their Indigenous client services practice. He also leads Deloitte’s Indigenous Trust service line which supports First Nations manage north of $1 billion in invested funds
“I’m really excited about being asked to join the advisory board,” said Jason, who is an Anishnawbe from Ginoogaming First Nation, a Treaty #9 signatory in Northwestern Ontario. “I’ve got a very keen interest in education, especially from the perspective of having more of a First Nations’ lens on business in Canada.”
In 2018, Jason was recognized as one of Canada’s top economic developers by CANDO and has received several honours for his work leading Indigenous groups to historic agreements in mining, forestry, energy and infrastructure. He co-founded the Anishnawbe Business Professional Association to advocate for the inclusion of Indigenous business in pursuit of economic reconciliation in Canada.
“From my experiences in the past, a lot of the curriculum in business schools is focused on a corporate culture that is set in a specific way without understanding First Nations’ inherent, ancestral and traditional rights. Or their relationship with land and traditional territories where municipalities, towns, cities, and businesses operate. I’m really eager to support the Sprott School of Business and bring that perspective to ensure that there is an awareness related to some of the legacy issues with First Nations and also a process to decolonize corporate Canada and educational institutes to better support an agenda of reconciliation.”
Learn more about Seema, Jason and fellow members of the Sprott Advisory Board.