Crystal Laborero
Crystal Laborero is a band member of Sapotaweyak Cree Nation and is the principal of Laborero Consulting. Presently, Crystal is Chair of the Board of Directors for Assiniboine Credit Union, sits on the boards of Manitoba Blue Cross, Legal Aid Manitoba, and the Winnipeg World Trade Centre.
Most Previously, Crystal was the first incumbent to hold the role as the Trust Manager for the Peguis Surrender Claim Trust worth over $130 Million. Accountable to both Financial and Community Trustees and responsible for the overall development and implementation of the administration and operations of the Trust.
Crystal is the former Director, Human Resources with Tribal Wi-Chi-Way-Win Capital Corporation (TWCC). She is the founding CEO of TWCC’s wholly owned subsidiary, Aski Financial. Crystal has extensive experience in Indigenous human resource issues as well as community development. In a previous role, Crystal was Director of Aboriginal Relations for United Way of Winnipeg where she was charged with the responsibility to develop a first of its kind strategy that builds and enhances relationships with the Aboriginal community.
Crystal was also pivotal in the development of the Aboriginal Employment Initiative with the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and the Business Council of Manitoba. This initiative was the first of it kind in Canada as it brought together two major business groups, two levels of government and representation from a national Indigenous organization. Crystal also spent 10 years working with Royal Bank Financial Group in many capacities ranging from management to human resources where she specialized in the Recruitment & Retention of Indigenous employees. She was also part of the team to open the first on-reserve branch for the bank in Manitoba located at Peguis First Nation.
Crystal was the first Indigenous woman in Manitoba to be appointed the Chair of the Manitoba Women's Advisory Council, reporting to the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women on issues that are important to women.
Additional Experience and Accomplishments
Most Previously, Crystal was the first incumbent to hold the role as the Trust Manager for the Peguis Surrender Claim Trust worth over $130 Million. Accountable to both Financial and Community Trustees and responsible for the overall development and implementation of the administration and operations of the Trust.
Crystal is the former Director, Human Resources with Tribal Wi-Chi-Way-Win Capital Corporation (TWCC). She is the founding CEO of TWCC’s wholly owned subsidiary, Aski Financial. Crystal has extensive experience in Indigenous human resource issues as well as community development. In a previous role, Crystal was Director of Aboriginal Relations for United Way of Winnipeg where she was charged with the responsibility to develop a first of its kind strategy that builds and enhances relationships with the Aboriginal community.
Crystal was also pivotal in the development of the Aboriginal Employment Initiative with the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and the Business Council of Manitoba. This initiative was the first of it kind in Canada as it brought together two major business groups, two levels of government and representation from a national Indigenous organization. Crystal also spent 10 years working with Royal Bank Financial Group in many capacities ranging from management to human resources where she specialized in the Recruitment & Retention of Indigenous employees. She was also part of the team to open the first on-reserve branch for the bank in Manitoba located at Peguis First Nation.
Crystal was the first Indigenous woman in Manitoba to be appointed the Chair of the Manitoba Women's Advisory Council, reporting to the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women on issues that are important to women.
Additional Experience and Accomplishments
- Recruited by owners to build and develop Aski Financial, a small personal financial services company, to meet the needs of Aboriginal people in Manitoba.
- First incumbent to hold the position of Director, Human Resources at TWCC, strategically enhancing the HR function for the entire organization and supporting the wholly owned subsidiaries of Aski Financial, TIPI TWCC Insurance Partners LP
- Chaired the National Women's Advisory Council, 2004- 2007
- Selected to attend the Governor General's Canadian Leadership Conference, 2004
- Created and implemented an annual Aboriginal Job Fair in both Winnipeg and Brandon, a model which is still used today
- Researched and participated in the development of the Business Council of Manitoba Aboriginal Education Awards program which has granted over 800 awards totaling over $2.2 million dollars since inception.
- Developed and implemented an Aboriginal recruitment and retention strategy for RBC
- Implemented a Diversity Strategy for RBC regions of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and NW Ontario
- Appointed to the Board of Directors of the Helen Betty Osborne Memorial Foundation, 2002-2004
- Represented United Way at the Urban Aboriginal Strategy (Winnipeg Participation Committee) and chaired the National All Cities Committee (Federal Government)
- Part of the team to develop the Eagle's Eye View, an environmental scan of Winnipeg Aboriginal community created by United Way of Winnipeg
- Appointed to the Manitoba Workers Compensation Board, 2006-2008
- Facilitated several workshops including, Diversity, Employment Equity, Aboriginal Recruitment & Retention Strategies, Mentorship, Interview Skills, Resume Preparation, and Respectful Workplace
- Participated in the creation and implementation of Aboriginal stay in school and Internships programs
- Invited to present to the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal peoples, 2003
- Certificate in Management (CIM), University of Manitoba, 2009
- Human Resource Management, University of Manitoba, 2004
- Leadership Development, Queen's School of Business, 2010
- Practical Facilitation Skills Certificate, University of Winnipeg and Winnipeg Transition Centre, 2013
- Mentor for the Indigenous Women in Community Leadership program at the COADY International Institute, St. Xavier University 2014
- Project Lead, Building Aboriginal Cooperative Capacity Project, 2014-2016
- Former Board Chairperson, RBC Winnipeg Convention Centre, 2018 - 2019
- ICD.D Designation, Rothman School of Management, Institute of Corporate Directors - Directors Education Program, 2018
