Leadership Team
Sherri MacDuff
Executive Director
About Sherri MacDuff
Rebecca Rolfe
National Program Director
About Rebecca Rolfe
Megan Holman
Program Coordinator
About Megan Holman
Megan has a Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care from Toronto Metropolitan University and a Postgraduate Certificate in Child and Youth Care Studies from the University of Strathclyde. Her professional background includes engaging youth across various settings, from schools and communities to camps and outdoor education programs.
Megan is immensely passionate about developing strengths-based programming that supports young people in meaningful ways, whatever that looks like for them. She believes in creating spaces where young people feel safe, connected, and supported to embrace who they are as they walk through life.
Board of Directors
Jadelyn Psutka
Director
About Jadelyn Psutka
Jadelyn Psutka is of First Nations and Settler decent, a member of Oneida Nation of the Thames, Turtle clan. Jadelyn current resides in Ottawa region as the Senior Manger, Indigenous Enablement and Recruitment with KPMG Canada. She brings her experience with community to Corporate Canada in building recruitment strategy, inclusive programming, inclusion through allyship, and enhancing firm commitment to Truth and Reconciliation.
Roberta Bighetty
Director
About Roberta Bighetty
Roberta, a member of the Mathias Colomb Cree Nation, serves as the Indigenous Engagement Lead for Indigenous Futures in Engineering at Queen’s University. With a deep love for learning, she finds fulfilment in inspiring others with the same enthusiasm. Her firsthand experience of living and working in Indigenous communities has shaped her perspective, which she aims to bring to her role on the board of directors.
Mitchell Muscat
Treasurer
About Mitchell Muscat
Mitchell Muscat has a BComm from the Smith School of Business at Queens University. He is currently an Associate Director, Capital Markets Performance Management at RBC, as part of the Indigenous Peoples Development Program. Here he performs regulatory reporting and provides other support to various lines of business at RBC, currently RBC Capital Markets. Mitchell is a Métis Nation of Ontario citizen and former youth representative of the Moon River Métis Council. Here he sought to solve issues faced by Métis youth and encourage the preservation of cultural heritage along with the council. He hopes to continue to support Indigenous communities with Focus Forward.
Jessica Franko
Director
About Jessica Franko
Jessica Franko is a settler woman with Icelandic and mixed European ancestry. Jessica grew up in Michi Saagiig Anishinaabe territory, and currently resides in Tkaronto, where she works as a Program Director for a national youth leadership program. With a Master’s of Adult Education, and global experience across Canada, Botswana, China, and beyond, she is excited to bring a pedagogical and program planning approach that centers on participatory design, local wisdom, experiential learning, and strengths-based development to the board.
Shaun Cormier
Director
About Shaun Cormier
Shaun Cormier is a business advisor and project manager with extensive experience working with Indigenous communities across Northern BC and the Arctic. He has led partnerships, business development, and training initiatives that prioritize local employment and community-driven outcomes. Passionate about creating opportunities for Indigenous youth, Shaun connects communities and industry to deliver lasting economic and social impact. Shaun holds an LL.M from the University of Lapland and recently completed the Directors Education Program with the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Shane Nicoletti
Director
About Shane Nicoletti
Shane Nicoletti is a member of the Witset First Nation in Northern British Columbia, Laksilyu (Small Frog Clan). He is a strategy and operations leader with experience in consulting, financial services, and business development. Currently based in Toronto, Shane has held roles at McKinsey & Company and in the banking sector, where he has focused on improving funding processes, building partnerships, and driving operational efficiency. Raised in a small town and the first in his family to graduate high school, Shane is passionate about mentorship and expanding opportunities for the next generation. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of British Columbia and a master’s degree in business from Queen’s University.
Evan Veryard
Founder, Chairman
About Evan Veryard
Evan Veryard is the Founder & Chairman of Focus Forward for Indigenous Youth. Evan started the charity after having an opportunity to teach woodworking to youth at the Katarokwi Learning Centre, where he saw first-hand the challenges facing Indigenous youth and the significant gap in educational opportunities that existed. Seeing these gaps and understanding how his own experiential learning opportunities had a significant impact in helping him build confidence as a youth, Evan decided to start Focus Forward to help facilitate more of these opportunities for others.
Evan holds a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering from McGill University and a MASc of Chemical Engineering in the Field of Nuclear Engineering from RMC. For work, Evan serves as the Managing Director of a Toronto-based business consultancy.
