Please join us in welcoming Patricia Sayer, Manager, Economic Development, to the Coast Funds team. In her new role, Patricia will work with First Nations to identify opportunities, create business plans, manage risks, and evaluate the impacts of their economic investments with Coast Funds.

Patricia is a proud Cree-Métis Saulteaux woman from Treaty 4 territory in southern Saskatchewan, now living on the unceded territory of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples in Vancouver, British Columbia.

I am humbled and honoured to be part of a team that works alongside First Nations and their partners, through right relations and in reciprocity, to support self-determined economic development projects.

Patricia is a Chartered Professional Accountant and brings recent experience in commercial banking, financial management systems, and social impact investing. Prior to joining Coast Funds, Patricia worked as a senior financial analyst for Grand Challenges Canada – Indigenous Innovation Initiative, an innovation platform that supports Indigenous communities to identify and solve challenges.

“The opportunity to combine my technical training, professional knowledge, and Indigenous lived experience and worldviews is what drew me to Coast Funds,” says Patricia. “I am humbled and honoured to be part of a team that works alongside First Nations and their partners, through right relations and in reciprocity, to support self-determined economic development projects that drive resiliency and prosperity.”

Through her career and volunteer service, Patricia contributes her worldview, skills, and experience to work that strengthens Indigenous communities and peoples. She has advised and mentored teams working on issues related to education and inclusion for Indigenous peoples. Patricia is a member of the advisory board for INDIGI-X and serves on the board of directors for the Vancouver Native Housing Society and the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society.

“Patricia brings strong business skills, a deep understanding of what it means to work in service of Indigenous communities, and a wonderful sense of humour,” says Eddy Adra, Acting CEO of Coast Funds. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to have her on the team.”

In her role at Coast Funds, Patricia will support First Nations in fulfilling their visions for sustainable, coastal economies that are grounded in traditional values. Through investments with Coast Funds, First Nations are building a conservation economy that blends ecotourism and stewardship with community-owned fisheries, forestry operations, and renewable energy projects.

Since its founding, Coast Funds has delivered $62.2 million in financing through the Coast Economic Development Society to support First Nations’ economic development priorities. These investments are building diversified local economies and creating family-supporting jobs in the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii.