Marlane is a proud member of the Sliammon Nation which is located in the Powell River area.
Marlane’s corporate experience was enhanced through her completion of the Royal Roads Indigenous-Corporate Relations program in 2003.
In July, 2007, Marlane stepped out as an independent business consultant. Marlane’s focus for the past 15 years has been bridging the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal business by promoting understanding and nurturing healthy relationships based on trust and respect.
To that end, Marlane is the President and a founding member of the Industry Council for Aboriginal Business (ICAB). Her commitment to building relationships was behind her drive to create this non-profit industry organization which is represented equally by both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal businesses leaders – www.icab.ca
Marlane is the former Manager of Aboriginal Relations for British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. From 2003 to 2007, Marlane developed, from the ground up, an Aboriginal Relations Strategy; a Consultation Toolkit; a Business Development (procurement) strategy, and employment/ outreach strategies. Marlane provided clear direction to all areas of the business of 4000+ employees. For BCF, the move away from Crown Corporation to that of an independent business required a shift in company
culture – a shift that included a relationship building
model with the 40 First Nations directly impacted by the transportation corridor.
Prior to BC Ferries, Marlane was Aboriginal Business and Employment Coordinator for Centra Gas, B.C., then a subsidiary of Westcoast Energy. She joined a national team delivering ‘Sharing a Vision’ – an award-winning Aboriginal Relations Strategy. Marlane focused on business, employment and relationship building on Vancouver Island between Victoria and Campbell River, and the upper and lower Sunshine Coast including Sea to Sky – Squamish to Lil’Wat.
