When he’s recognized as Brock’s Indigenous Leader Speaker Series honouree later this month, Jonathan (Jon) Davey (BA ’05) will detail his path to business success — including his time at the University.

Davey is Haudenosaunee and a proud member of the Lower Cayuga of Six Nations of the Grand River. He is also Chief of Staff to the President and CEO of Scotiabank, as well as the first Brock University graduate to receive the Indigenous Leader designation.

Davey will share insight into his professional journey during an online community event Thursday, June 20, in advance of National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21. Held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., the webinar is a collaboration between Brock’s Indigenous Engagement Office and the Goodman School of Business.

“The selection of Jon as this year’s leader was easy,” said Robyn Bourgeois, Brock University’s Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement, who will join Davey in conversation. “As an Indigenous alumnus of Brock University, a member of our Board of Trustees and a thriving member of the business community, he was an obvious choice.

“I think participants will be eager to learn how this Brock grad approaches leadership and has achieved remarkable success as a business leader.”

At Scotiabank, Davey assists with specialized Indigenous client solutions, drawing on his experience as the company’s former Head of Indigenous Financial Services (2018-2023). He created first-to-market products such as the First Nations Leasehold Financing Program as well as Indigenous-specific investment vehicles to optimize tax benefits.

He has more than 10 years of experience as Federal Crown counsel in the Aboriginal Law Division of the Department of Justice Canada (DOJ), focusing on land management and administration on reserve lands as well as complex negotiations. While at the DOJ, he was selected as the Special Advisor and Counsel to the Assistant Deputy Minister of Aboriginal Affairs.

He also serves as a Captain in the Canadian Armed Forces primary reserve, is the recipient of the Canadian Forces Decoration and holds the appointment of Aide de Camp to the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. Davey is a member of Brock’s Board of Trustees, a Director with the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business and the Chair of the Audit and Finance Committee for the Ontario College of Teachers.

During his studies at Brock, Davey was a student in Goodman Dean Barry Wright’s undergraduate leadership class.

“I’m incredibly excited to have Jonathan as our 2024 Indigenous Leader and for our community to learn from his experience,” Wright said. “I have been able to see him grow from a curious mind in the classroom to a shining example of a visionary leader and look forward to listening and learning from his insights.”

In addition to his Honours Bachelor of Arts in Business Communication from Brock, Davey holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Cornell University and a Juris Doctorate from Osgoode Hall Law School, where he is currently an Adjunct Professor. He has been an Action Canada Fellow, a Cornell Institute for Public Affairs Fellow and recently was named one of Canada’s Top 40 under 40 by PwC and Caldwell Partners.

This is the fourth annual Indigenous Leader Speaker Series. Previous honourees include Karen MacKenzie, co-founder and President of MacKintosh Canada, Mallory Yawnghwe, founder and CEO of Indigenous Box, and Jenn Harper, founder of Cheekbone Beauty Inc.

To receive a link to the free virtual community event, please register online.