About us

Our Vision

Supporting entrepreneurial spirit to create a sustainable economic future for Haida Gwaii.

Our Strategic Priorities

Building the foundations of a vibrant islands community through business and community economic development, capacity building, collaborative leadership and local sustainability.

What We Do

• Assisting entrepreneurs in all the steps of business startup and expansion

• Financing for business and social enterprise development

• Accessing capital for indigenous businesses

• Provide business advisory and counselling

• Assist in advancing grassroots community development projects

• Delivering business skills workshops

• Assisting community organizations and groups to build capacity to meet islands' needs.

Who We Are

We are a non-profit organization serving all of Haida Gwaii run by a volunteer Board of Directors and supported by dedicated staff.  We have offices in Masset and Daajing Giids. We are a member of the National Aboriginal Capital Corporation Association.  Our core funding is provided by PacifiCan.

Our Staff

General Manager:  Michael Racz

Mike is a proud resident of Haida Gwaii since 1995 and joined the Haida Gwaii Community Futures team as General Manager in 2015. He strives to work with the communities of Haida Gwaii with a concentration on community economic development, training and capacity building, and sound business practices. He holds the designation of Chartered Investment Manager® having worked in the wealth management industry for the past 10 years.  

He is a strong advocate of entrepreneurialism and private small business currently serving as a director with Northern Development Initiative Trust and Misty Isles Economic Development Society. In addition, he owns and operates his own small businesses in quarry and aggregate products and small scale log salvage on Haida Gwaii.  Mike also currently serves as an ‘Area D’ director for the Skeena Queen Charlotte Regional District.

  Mike can be contacted at gm@haidagwaiifutures.ca

Business Advisor: Jesse Embree

Born and raised in Vancouver, after a brief stint in Victoria Jesse moved to Haida Gwaii in March of 2011. He joined the Haida Gwaii Community Futures team in September of 2022 as the Business Development Officer, having come from working with our local Credit Union as well as serving as a Municipal Councillor for his home Community of Daajing Giids. With a background of working and managing small businesses from his teen years onwards, Jesse recognizes the immense value that small businesses and non-profits bring to a community as well as the challenges that many face. He believes passionately in Haida Gwaii Community Futures’ goals of sustainable economic development and helping business and non-profits leaders access the resources needed to create it.

Outside of work, Jesse is an active and engaged father and community volunteer. Known to occasionally hop on stage and always willing to “ham it up” for a good cause. He aims to put his outgoing personality and love of small businesses to work, helping to grow and support the many entrepreneurs and non-profits that make Haida Gwaii great.

Jesse can be contacted at business@haidagwaiifutures.ca

Indigenous Business Development Services : Sy-Lynne Bell

Office Manager: Cherie Goetzinger

Cherie was born and raised in Haida Gwaii, and has been with Haida Gwaii Futures since 2021. Her previous experience in small business spans over two decades as an office manger, bookkeeper and general manager for her family’s home improvement centre. Cherie is a certified bookkeeper and has tickets in advanced office administrative assistance.

In her off-time, she enjoys relaxing with her spouse and daughter. Together, they spend a lot of time with their animals and tending to their garden. On her less busy weekends, Cherie spends time reading and working on her next children’s book or moonlighting as a professional organizer.

Board of Directors

Nominations from the Communities

Village of Daajing Giids Council: Ayla Pearson (Chair)

Electoral Area E Sandspit: Kelsey Kricheldorf

Council of the Haida Nation:  Tarah Samuels

Old Massett Village Council: Cecil Brown 

Skidegate Band Council:  Michelle Pineault

Village of Masset Council:  Jim Currie

Village of Port Clements Council: Brigid Cumming

Communities at Large

Haida Representative (North): VACANT

Haida Representative (South): VACANT

Haida Gwaii Representative Other:  Carl Coffey

We are actively seeking to fill two seats for Haida Representatives on our Board of Directors.  Please send us an e-mail expressing your interest in joining our Board.

Staff Positions

Board of directors portal

This is a private page for Haida Gwaii Community Futures' Board Members. It houses a number of permanent documents available for member's information.