Team

Jacques Dalton

Executive Director

Jacques Dalton is Métis from Northern Alberta, with roots in the historic communities of Lac Ste. Anne and the Red River, as well as the L’Hirondelle and Cunningham families, among others. He is a husband, the father of three adult children and a grandfather, and has lived in Ottawa since 2007. He brings extensive experience to his work with the First Peoples Innovation Centre, guided by a deep commitment to advancing Indigenous reconciliation, education, and culture. His career spans educational and non-profit sectors, including teaching roles at the American University in Cairo and other institutions, as well as serving as Dean of Students at a private college. Jacques has worked with youth-focused organizations in Canada and abroad, supporting initiatives such as an International Youth Centre in Cairo, programs for street‑involved youth in Canada and Mexico, and youth summer camps. He later transitioned to the public service, dedicating 14 years to Indigenous Health Research. Jacques has contributed to Indigenous Reconciliation initiatives with Indigenous partners and served as a Director within the Reconciliation Secretariat at Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada.

Viviane Michel

Director, Relations with First Nations and Inuit

Originally from Uashat mak Mani-Utenam, region on the North Shore of the Saint Lawrence, Viviane Michel, a woman from the Innu nation, has held various positions within her community. She worked as Director of the Innu Nation from 2004 to 2010. Viviane also served as Vice-President from 2010 to 2012 and President from 2012 to 2021 for Quebec Native Women. An advocate against violence against women by training, Viviane held the position of community worker at the Maison Communautaire Missinak with ex-residents, victims of violence in urban areas in Quebec City. Currently employed at the FPIC, Viviane is Director, Relations with First Nations and Inuit. Her role is to establish contacts with communities in order to facilitate access to the training offered within the indigenous FabLabs. Indeed, She works in close collaboration with various government departments, local and provincial elected officials and First Nations communities. In addition to her professional experiences, Viviane received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Quebec in Outaouais. Viviane speaks Innu and French.

Brenda McGregor

Director, Relations with First Nations and Inuit

Brenda McGregor is Algonquin and a proud member of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg in Quebec. Brenda has 30 years of experience working with First Nations in Canada. During her professional career, she has supported Indigenous organizations to promote individual well-being, First Nations governance, economy and culture. Brenda is proud to contribute to the Centre’s mission where diversity, equity, inclusion, innovation are celebrated and explored. She sees Indigenous FabLabs as an opportunity to bring Indigenous youth together in these inclusive spaces, to help them learn innovative technology, create products of inspired originality to expand career potential and opportunities of these students. Brenda speaks French and English.

Mark Tivnan

Director of Technical Services and Business Development

Mark Tivnan has a diverse background that includes studies in Technology, Administration and Project Management. Mark is a certified PMP, ITIL Expert and Auditor of Quality Management, Service Management and Information Security Management systems with over 25 years of combined work experience in Band Administration and Public Safety. His IT project management and ISO management system background help achieve project success in a systematic and process-driven approach. Mark speaks English and is learning French.

Euloge Placca

Chief Operating Officer

Euloge Placca is a PhD student in financial engineering and has a master’s degree in business administration and management and another master’s degree in accounting. He has worked as an accountant and Project Manager in Togo and China. Euloge speaks English, French, Mandarin and Mina.

Rabiatou Samna Ph.D.

Director of Analysis and Program Elaboration

Rabiatou holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Lyon 2 in France. She has over 8 years’ experience as a university lecturer, teaching statistics, economic policy, public economics, data mining and analysis, transport economics and development project design. Dr. Rabiatou has a strong background in research and program development. She is also an expert in project monitoring and evaluation. Rabiatou uses her economist skills to respond to calls for projects from the various funders, to synchronize the organisation’s activities and to ensure the monitoring and evaluation of all CIPP programs.

Hajar Haddouch

Indigenous FabLabs Senior Manager

Holder of a master’s degree in industrial and logistics engineering and a PhD in Supply Chain Management, Hajar has worked as a lead manufacturing engineer and project manager in the field of vocational training and the automotive and aeronautical manufacturing industry in Morocco. Passionate about technology and the world of FabLabs, Hajar work at CIPP as Indigenous FabLabs Senior Manager. Hajar speaks French, English and Arabic.