Katie Young-Haddlesey has been hired as the new chief operating officer for Curve Lake First Nation.
Curve Lake First Nation’s economic development officer since 2016, Young-Haddlesey has acted as chief operating officer on two occasions for a total of 18 months, most recently when Johnny Walker left the position in February.
“Katie also has a deep and important connection to Curve Lake, having married a member of our community and being a mother to the next generation of community members,” reads a letter to the community from Chief Emily Whetung on behalf of Curve Lake council.
Before joining Curve Lake First Nation, Young-Haddlesey worked as director of business development and communications for The Loomex Group at the Peterborough Airport and as communications officer for the Greater Peterborough Area Economic Development Corporation (now Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development). Her consulting company Affinity Strategic Communications has also worked with Curve Lake First Nation in the past.
In October 2019, Young-Haddlesey won the Economic Development Officer of the Year Award at the Cando Conference in Gatineau, Quebec. Cando is an organization that promotes economic development in Indigenous communities across Canada.
“While Katie has been in the acting role, she has continued her education and had pursued and completed a university certificate in Public Administration and Governance in an Indigenous context,” reads the letter from Chief Whetung. “She is currently working to complete her BA in the second half of this program which will continue to support her development in the role.”
