Jessica Saunders is an Indigenous Relations leader and a proud member of the Nuxalk Nation, with over two decades of experience fostering collaborative partnerships between resource developers and Indigenous communities. Her work spans the oil and gas sector, Alberta’s oil sands, and open-pit mining projects in British Columbia. Throughout her career, she has played a key role in implementing and negotiating Impact Benefit Agreements (IBAs), designing inclusive community programs, and advancing corporate reconciliation efforts. 

Jessica holds a Master of Environmental Design in Planning from the University of Calgary. Her leadership experience includes roles with Teck Resources, and Blackwater Gold, where she currently serves as the Manager of Indigenous Relations for the Southeast Region.  

With deep expertise in government relations, stakeholder engagement, Indigenous relations, and sustainable development, Jessica also holds certifications in Corporate Community Involvement and Women’s Leadership—further reflecting her commitment to advancing equity across sectors.