Valerie O’Connal is an Indigenous professional with over two decades of experience in community engagement, governance, and emergency management. She is a proud Dakelh woman from Nak’azdli Whut’en and currently serves as the Senior Manager of Community Engagement with Rogers Communications. Since joining Rogers in 2022, Valerie has been contributing to the company’s Indigenous Relations efforts, working alongside communities to strengthen relationships and explore opportunities for collaboration in service expansion projects.

Her career has consistently focused on supporting Indigenous Nations to build capacity and advance their priorities. Before entering the telecommunications sector, Valerie held positions with Indigenous Services Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and several First Nations governments in British Columbia and Alberta. In these roles, she worked across governance, housing, economic development, and emergency preparedness — always aiming to create practical solutions that reflected community needs.

At the Forward Summit, Valerie will share her perspective on how emerging technologies intersect with Indigenous economic empowerment. While still relatively new to the telecom industry, she brings extensive experience in building trust, fostering collaboration, and helping communities navigate systemic barriers. She will highlight how connectivity and digital tools — when introduced with Indigenous leadership and values at the forefront — can support sovereignty, resilience, and long-term economic opportunities.