Mary-Anne Willsey, a seasoned professional in the world of economic development and employee empowerment, holds the position of Director of Business Operations, Economic Development at the Chippewas of Rama First Nation.  

In her role, Mary-Anne oversees seven vital business units, collectively contributing $2.1 million in salaries to community members and non community members and generating roughly $1 million in own-sourced revenues for Rama First Nation. 

Mary-Anne’s journey began at Mariposa Market Stores in Orillia, a business that was designed and build by her husband, laying the foundation for the business and human resource management principals she has carried throughout her 25-year career that followed in the gaming industry. 

Mary-Anne was part of the Casino Rama opening team, and a member of executive.  Casino Rama, a landmark in the gaming world, that at its inception, was the largest single-site employer of First Nations People in Canada. Subsequently, she ventured to Vancouver, opening of Parq Vancouver, a privately owned casino situated in downtown Vancouver before coming back to Ontario to build the marketing and customer development program for Casino Woodbine, a site that was projected to do in excess of $2Billion by 2025. 

With a deep-rooted commitment to her community, Mary-Anne returned to Rama First Nation, joining the Band Administration in the fall of 2020, overseeing the Rama First Nation owned businesses. 

Mary-Anne’s passion for driving economic development, and impressive track record in human resource development in the gaming have brought an inspiring perspective to the skills development of the Rama First Nation business employees.   

But Mary-Anne will quickly tell you that she is further inspired by the wonderful team she is working alongside here at home.