Chief Leah Stump has been appointed to the Northern Development Initiative Trust Board of Directors.
Stump is one of five directors appointed by the province to the board, with the other eight directors appointed by the four regional advisory committees. She is filling the position left by outgoing director,Alison Hoskins who was first appointed to the board by the province seven years ago.
“On behalf of Northern Development’s board of directors, we eagerly welcome Leah to her seat at the board table,” said Margo Wagner, Chair, Northern Development, in a news release. “We look forward to working together and learning from Leah’s perspective and experience as the Trust continues to advance innovative ways to catalyze transformative development.”
Stump is currently serving her third term as the elected chief of Nazko First Nation, having first been appointed to the role in December 2020. As an educator by training, Stump worked in Quesnel for School District 28 for six years before returning to her community of Nazko to live, work, and contribute. She joins the Trust’s governance team with experience from other boards, including Quesnel Shelter and Support Society, Nenqayni Wellness Centre, and the Cariboo Chilcotin Aboriginal Training Employment Centre.
“Joining the Northern Development Board is an excellent opportunity to support community resiliency in a new way,” said Stump. “The far-reaching impact that the Trust has on its service region will allow for the transfer of knowledge between rural and remote communities in the upper 70 percent of the province. I look forward to sharing lessons I’ve learned while leading Nazko First Nation and learning from other community leaders.”
In the fall, Northern Development published its 2025-2027 Strategic Plan, which features four strategic pillars: deliver effective and impactful funding opportunities; catalyze community resilience through relationships and partnerships in our region; invest in a sustainable future for Northern B.C.; and advance corporate effectiveness and operational processes. As a governance board, Stump joins 12 other board members in providing direction to the CEO to advance these goals.