Michael Maracle-Polak
Co-founder & President @Awtij
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WORK HISTORY
Co-founder & President @Awtij
As President of Awtij, I lead the strategic direction and operational excellence of the organization, ensuring sustainable growth and alignment with our mission to protect and sustain in-shore waters through Indigenous-led marine innovation, ensuring communities have the tools, knowledge, and sovereignty to monitor and manage their ocean resources for the well-being of the next seven generations. My role encompasses comprehensive leadership across key areas, including:• Governance: Oversee corporate governance structures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, ethical standards, and best practices. This includes board management, policy development, risk assessment, and fostering a culture of transparency and accountability to stakeholders.• Financial Management: Direct financial strategy, budgeting, and resource allocation to optimize fiscal health and drive profitability. Responsibilities include financial forecasting, cost control, investment decisions, fundraising initiatives, and collaboration with finance teams to maintain robust financial reporting and audits.• Project Management: Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of key projects, from inception to completion. This involves coordinating cross-functional teams, setting milestones, managing timelines and budgets, mitigating risks, and utilizing agile methodologies to ensure projects align with business objectives and deliver measurable results.• Overall Oversight: Provide executive-level supervision of all company operations, including human resources, marketing, sales, and technology integration. I mentor senior leadership, resolve high-level issues, evaluate performance metrics, and champion innovation to position Awtij for long-term success in a competitive landscape.At its core, my role is to build systems that endure; strengthening marine capability, advancing Indigenous leadership in innovation, and ensuring our work delivers generational impact.
EDUCATION
CANDO - Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers
Technician of Aboriginal Economic Development (TAED) Certified Professional, Development Economics and International Development
Saint Mary's University
Business, Finance, General
Harvard Business School
Certificate, Leading People and Investing to Build Sustainable Communities
Queen's University
Masters Degree, Management, Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Aboriginal Financial Officer Association (AFOA)
Certified Aboriginal Professional Administrator (CAPA), First Nation Executive Management
Fanshawe College
Diploma in Insurance, Business Insurance
ABOUT MICHAEL MARACLE-POLAK
Shé:kon (Greetings), I’m Michael Maracle-Polak, also known as Ken’niwahkwahrita:a (Little Dipper). I am Mohawk, Bear Clan and a Six Nations Band member. I am the Founder and President of Akwekon Enterprise, Inc, an Indigenous-owned and controlled advisory firm advancing Indigenous-led economic sovereignty.I serve as a senior executive and trusted advisor working at the intersection of Indigenous governance, economic development, clean energy, infrastructure, and investment strategy. I support First Nations, Boards, and partners to design and lead complex organizations and initiatives; structuring joint ventures, equity partnerships, land and energy projects, and revenue-generating enterprises where Indigenous Nations are positioned as owners and decision-makers, not stakeholders.My executive experience includes overseeing multi-department organizations, guiding Boards and leadership teams, managing complex budgets and investment portfolios, and leading large-scale project pipelines across public, private, and Indigenous sectors. I specialize in translating community vision into strategy, governance frameworks, operational systems, and long-term financial growth.I am driven by systems thinking and pattern recognition, questioning inherited models, challenging assumptions, and helping communities translate vision into action. My approach is grounded in Creation-Centred Design, and relational accountability, paired with rigorous strategy, governance, and execution.I am guided by a few core principles:• Align words with actions.• Act from inherent worth and responsibility.• Speak from lived experience; not on behalf of others.• Centre Indigenous perspectives in every endeavour.My work is grounded in disciplined execution, strategic leadership, and long-term value creation, informed by Indigenous ways of knowing that emphasize responsibility, relationship, and continuity. I focus on building high-performing organizations and partnerships that turn vision into measurable results. Connect with me or inquire about advisory, executive leadership, or speaking engagements: i•••@akwekon.ca
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