Murray is the General Manager of Vero Management Ltd.. When we met a couple years ago, it was while the world of business started to open up to First Nations. I was reading about things happening in First Nation economic development. Little did I know Murray played an instrumental role in developing incredible stories , literally breakthroughs in capacity building on many fronts.
More recently Murray saw a need, took the risk, and now it’s paying off. “The best part of it all is we are making a difference to First Nation communities we work with.” Just one year ago, Murray decided to form a management consulting practice. In her career, most recently the last decade, she was Regional Manager, Aboriginal Banking, RBC, B.C. District, and became intricately aware of First Nations community and economic development. She mastered a few financial turns in making success out of the unique challenges faced by First Nations.
“Businesses and corporations alike were attempting to balance economic development with sustainable and healthier intentions.”
Murray says, “Strong financial fundamentals are a critical component of any business or community development scenario." Murray believes the people she works with have professional backgrounds that fit an emerging business model, one that works within the environment to create wealth while sustaining the environment, “The business models developed in Canada with First Nations and Aboriginal groups could have a much broader application throughout the world of Indigenous People developing their economies. There is a global shift towards more socially and environmentally responsible development and support.”
There is a number of framework organizations monitoring this emerging economy, and Murray rapidly cites several, including Dow Jones Sustainability Index, Janzi Funds, and, “the Ecuador Principles, and other globally recognized benchmarks have been established to ensure socially and environmentally responsible development.” Whether it is First Nations or corporate clients the objective is the same for Vero, “bringing a team of experts who are committed to making the outcome a success.”
Business stories about First Nations used to be hard to find in the 1990s when I started looking and writing them up in all kinds of news outlets. Today we are beginning to see Aboriginal business reaching to new highs in the Canadian and world economy. The economy of the country is changing, Murray says, “We need to change and adapt to meet changing needs. Often this is through transitioning workers from one sector to another. ” She adds, “Developments of massive proportions are becoming increasingly common,” and all partners have critical financial decisions to make. “That’s where Vero will play a critical role.”
She adds, “It’s our goal to ensure First Nations are fully in front of the changes that take place in their territories.” Her company adheres to a philosophical statement: Vero Management Ltd. is Where Business and Social Responsibility Meet. By the way, Vero means ‘Truth’ in Latin.