We are pleased to announce the following keynote speakers:

Damien Burns is the Deputy Minister of Community Services for the Government of Yukon, where he leads a broad portfolio focused on strengthening communities through resilient infrastructure, emergency management, local governance, and public safety initiatives across the territory. With more than 20 years of public service experience, Damien has held senior leadership roles in community development, protective services, emergency management, and wildland fire management.

Damien began his public service career as a fire crew member in Ross River and has built a career dedicated to supporting Yukon communities. His experience spans infrastructure planning, climate adaptation, emergency preparedness, and collaborative partnerships with municipalities, Indigenous governments, and community organizations. Prior to becoming Deputy Minister, he served as Assistant Deputy Minister of Community Development and Assistant Deputy Minister of Protective Services.

A strong advocate for sustainable and climate-resilient communities, Damien holds a degree in Forest Resource Management and a Master of Business Administration focused on Community Economic Development. He is passionate about working across sectors to address emerging challenges and advance practical solutions that support thriving northern communities.

Jesse Johnston is a co-founder and CEO of Ahdā Views Consulting Services Inc., a Yukon-based Indigenous consulting firm supporting First Nations governments and communities in infrastructure development, capital planning, funding strategy, and project implementation. With a background as a former Yukon First Nations Capital Director, Certified Millwright, Water and Wastewater Treatment Operator, and former Paramedic/Fire Fighter, Jesse brings practical experience in public utilities, project management, and community infrastructure. His work focuses on helping rural Yukon communities transform identified needs into funded, sustainable projects.

Keynote Topic: Projects Are A Shared Journey

Drawing on experience across public utilities, emergency services, project management, and community infrastructure development, Jesse explores how organizational culture, communication, trust, and collaboration create the momentum behind successful projects. He demonstrates why preparing community projects through consultation and approvals, developing strong partnerships, and building project readiness before funding opportunities arise are often the difference between communities that react to opportunities and those that are ready to seize them.

“The projects that are most successful are the ones that have built the relationships, trust, and project readiness to act when opportunities arise.”

This keynote explores how working together extends beyond collaboration between organizations to include the everyday contributions of individuals across our communities. It illustrates how every role contributes to identifying needs, informing decisions, building relationships, and creating the momentum that transforms community priorities into lasting outcomes. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of where they fit within the project development process and how our work strengthens relationships, prepares communities to seize opportunities, and contributes to the collective success of both their organization and the communities we serve.