About - InterGroup Consultants

About InterGroup Consultants

InterGroup Consultants has developed and coordinated customized processes that meet our clients’ needs.

We value sustained and long-term relationships with clients from coast to coast to coast.

Our Team

Cam Osler

Chair & Principal

Chair & Principal

Cam is a founding partner of InterGroup Consultants, with a Master’s of economics from Simon Fraser University and over 50 years of consulting experience in the following areas:

Utility Rate Regulation
Project Planning and Development
Project Licensing
Socio-economic Impact Assessments

Cam has been a senior advisor to Yukon Energy Corporation for over 30 years, continuing to provide strategic advice on utility rate matters, resource planning, project licencing, and negotiation agreements with major industrial customers, First Nations, and an Electricity Purchase Agreement (EPA) supplier. Cam also provided socio-economic leadership on multi-disciplinary project management teams working for Manitoba Hydro and its partnerships with First Nations to complete environmental assessment and planning for hydroelectric generating stations in northern Manitoba (Wuskwatim, Keeyask, and Conawapa), as well as expert utility rate testimony for industrial customers in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland.

Recent experience includes supporting indigenous renewable resource planning and development with Nihtat Energy Ltd. (solar, wind, biomass) in the Beaufort Delta.

Other experience includes socio-economic and environmental assessment and related public consultation for several uranium mining projects in northern Saskatchewan, economic and strategic planning for downtown redevelopment in Winnipeg (The Forks; North Portage development), strategic planning and assessment of liquid fuels development opportunities from biomass (methanol), and participation in negotiation of compensation agreements for two BC First Nations impacted by past hydro developments.

Cam enjoys live theatre, the other live arts, reading to relax, and traveling without work.

Mona Pollitt-Smith

President/CEO & Principal

President & Principal

Mona joined InterGroup in 2005 and has over 15 years of professional experience in the following areas:

Project Planning and Development
Utility Rate Regulation
Project Licensing

Mona has helped prepare and defend a number of rate applications for Yukon Energy Corporation, as well as intervenor filings in utility-related hearings in Manitoba and other jurisdictions. She has also assisted with the preparation of environmental assessments and other regulatory filings for Yukon Energy Corporation (including preparation of Yukon Environmental and Socio-Economic Assessment Board Project Proposals, and Yukon Territorial Water Board Licence Applications). She coordinates activities required for regulatory review processes including helping the team prepare for public hearings. Recent experience includes supporting Indigenous renewable resource planning and development (wind, solar and biomass). Mona holds a Bachelor’s of law from the University of Manitoba.

Roberta Connon

General Manager & Principal

General Manager & Principal

Roberta joined InterGroup in 2006 and after a couple of years of consulting took on the role of General Manager in 2008. She is responsible for a wide range of activities including internal resourcing, budget control, contracting, IT, office management, finance, and strategic planning. Roberta is also the principal in charge of some heritage resources projects and other small projects with developing consultants. Roberta holds a Master’s of business administration from the University of Manitoba.

Roberta enjoys cross-country skiing, running, swimming, travel, and spending time at the family cottage.

Amber Flett

Principal & Senior Archaeologist

Principal & Archaeologist

Amber joined InterGroup in 2013 and has over 15 years of professional experience in the following areas:

Archaeology, Heritage & Culture
Project Planning and Development
Project and Data Management

Amber has knowledge in managing all phases of project development from planning stages through implementation and mitigation and has successfully helped in licensing numerous large-scale (Class 2 and 3) development projects. Amber values the importance of long-term relationships between archaeologists and Indigenous peoples. Much of her archaeological work has incorporated Indigenous engagement and traditional knowledge and reflects the belief that researchers and stakeholders must develop regionally and culturally specific understandings of traditional knowledge to work with it responsibly. Amber holds a Master’s of archaeology and heritage from the University of Leicester.

Amber is a member of the Canadian Archaeological Association, various provincial organizations and is the Past President of the Manitoba Archaeological Society.

Kristin Kent Drewes

Principal & Consultant

Principal & Consultant

Kristin joined InterGroup in 2005 and has over 15 years of professional experience in the following areas:

Socio-economic and Impact Assessment
Public and Indigenous Engagement
Facilitation
Social Research and Monitoring

Kristin has worked extensively on socio-economic and engagement assignments across multiple jurisdictions in Canada. This has included leading socio-economic impact assessments of major projects, along with the coordination and facilitation of complex multi-stakeholder processes. Kristin has extensive experience working with Indigenous communities, which has lent itself to an advanced understanding of Indigenous knowledge and how the information can be used to inform effects assessments and ultimately build better projects. Kristin has worked on projects for a wide variety of clients, including the Nuclear Waste Management Organization, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, Denison Mines, the Kivalliq Inuit Association, Community Vitality Monitoring Partnership Process, Manitoba Hydro, Cameco Corporation, the City of Winnipeg, Yukon Energy, Kenora Chiefs Advisory, among others. She holds a Master’s degree in natural resources management from the University of Manitoba.

Kristin is a member of the International Association for Impact Assessment, has taught environmental impact assessment at the University of Winnipeg, and has completed her certificates in public participation and strategies for dealing with opposition and outrage with IAP2 Canada.

Hayitbay Mahmudov

Principal & Consultant

Principal & Consultant

Hayitbay joined InterGroup in 2009. He has over 15 years of professional experience in the following areas:

Utility Rate Regulation
Economic/Financial Analysis, including Cost-Benefit Analysis and Business Valuation
Project Planning and Development

Hayitbay has experience performing technical and economic analyses, depreciation studies, and preparing evidence for utility regulatory filings, such as General Rate Applications. He has worked with environmental regulatory agencies in development project support and implementation. Hayitbay has worked with clients in multiple jurisdictions, including Yukon Energy Corporation, Northwest Territories Power Corporation, Qulliq Energy Corporation, and Jamaica Public Service Company. Before joining InterGroup Consultants, Hayitbay worked at the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Hayitbay holds a Master’s of Economics from the University of Manitoba.

Christina Blouw

Principal & Consultant

Consultant

Christina joined InterGroup in 2012 and has over 10 years of professional experience in the following areas:

Public and Indigenous engagement
Socio-economic Impact Assessment
Wildlife biology – Environmental Monitoring and Assessment

Christina’s work has included assisting with the development and implementation of key stakeholder engagement, undertaking socio-economic research and analysis, and development and implementation of traditional land and resource use assignments. A current example includes early engagement, analysis, and strategy development for the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link, a proposed transmission project linking Manitoba and the Kivalliq region of Nunavut. Efforts support the eventual effects assessment of the Project, with consideration of future regulatory requirements associated with an inter-jurisdictional project. Christina has a Master’s of science along with IAP2 certification.

Christina led and facilitated Manitoba Infrastructure’s Resource Use Data Collection Program for Project 6, an All-Season Road connecting Bunibonibee Cree Nation to God’s Lake First Nation to Manto Sipi Cree Nation. Work included collaboration with Community Coordinators to prepare for and facilitate wildlife workshops, collecting traditional resource use information shared by community members, and drafting final summary wildlife workshop reports for use by Manitoba Infrastructure as well as the First Nation communities.

Christina has experience in numerous environmental assessments, public and Indigenous engagement, and traditional land and resource use exercises. Her Master’s, which focused on polar bear habitat in the arctic, allowed her to spend time in Franklin Bay located in the southern arm of the Amundsen Gulf of the southeastern Beaufort Sea and work with local community members from Paulatuk, Northwest Territories.

Jennifer Olson

Principal & Consultant

Consultant

Jennifer joined InterGroup in 2011 and has over 10 years of professional experience in the following areas:

Socio-economic Impact Assessment
Traditional Land Use Studies
Engagement and Facilitation
Program Evaluation

Jennifer’s efforts at InterGroup have been focused on socio-economic impact assessments for resource development projects in northwestern Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia and program evaluation. She has been involved in developing and implementing community-based research programs and undertaking desktop research regarding socio-economic baseline reports and effects assessments. Jennifer has developed profiles of relevant labour markets, reviewed, and evaluated training programs, and worked with stakeholders to develop paths forward. Clients have included First Nations, multiple levels of government, and industry. Jennifer holds a doctorate of Slavic languages and literatures from the University of Toronto.

Dale Friesen

Senior Consultant

Senior Consultant

Dale joined InterGroup in 2019 and has over 25 years of professional experience in the following areas:

Utility Rate Regulation
Energy Performance Standards Development
Project Development and Planning

Dale is a mechanical engineer, registered to practice in Manitoba. Previously, Dale served as the Director for the Industrial and Commercial Solutions Division at Manitoba Hydro. At InterGroup, Dale has worked with various utilities consumers coalitions to facilitate engagement and provide technical expertise during proceedings related to scope, deliverability, cost-effectiveness, savings assessments, rate impacts, and more. Major clients Dale has worked with include the Alberta Utilities Consumer Advocate, the Manitoba Industrial Power Users Group, and Chemtrade Logistics Inc. Dale holds a Bachelor’s of mechanical engineering from the University of Manitoba.

Andrew McLaren

Senior Associate

Principal & Consultant

Andrew joined InterGroup in 2000 and has over 20 years of professional experience in the following areas:

Utility Rate Regulation
Socio-economic Impact Assessment
Economic Impact Assessments, Feasibility Studies, and Program Evaluations
Fee Setting and Policy Advice for Environmental Stewardship Programs in Canada

Andrew has prepared numerous regulatory filings before utility tribunals, including providing expert testimony before the Manitoba Public Utilities Board. Andrew’s socio-economic effects assessment projects have included designing and implementing field research programs and preparing environmental assessment reports for a variety of public and private sector clients. Andrew has also provided expert advice related to costing models and rate proposals for recycling and stewardship programs across Canada. Andrew holds a Master’s of natural resources management from the University of Manitoba.

Andrew is the chair of the Winnipeg Arts Council and former race director for the Winnipeg Pride Run.

Denis De Pape

Senior Associate

Senior Associate

Denis joined InterGroup in 1979 and is now an associate. He has over 30 years of professional experience in the following areas:

Project Planning and Development
Socio-economic Impact Assessment
Engagement and Facilitation

Denis specializes in the socio-economic aspects of major resource development projects, including project specific socio-economic policy and program development, Aboriginal engagement, best practices research, socio-economic impact assessment, post project evaluation and monitoring, support for negotiation of compensation and impact benefit agreements and mentoring of socio-economic specialists. He has provided consulting services for corporate, government, and NGO clients across western and northern Canada. Other specialties include sustainable development policy and programs, economic evaluation and case studies of projects, program review and evaluation, public/stakeholder engagement programs and facilitation of complex multi-stakeholder processes. For six years, Denis served as an environmental policy analyst for Manitoba Hydro, contributing to the development of new environmental, sustainable development and Aboriginal engagement initiatives. Denis holds a Master’s of economics from the University of Manitoba.

Denis has been a member of the International Association of Public Participation Practitioners, Interprovincial Association for Aboriginal Employment as well as a Certified Management Consultant. He has served or currently serves on the Board of Directors of three local environmental NGOs and has facilitated numerous strategic and priority-setting workshops for local NGOs. During the past fifteen years, he taught graduate courses in natural resource and environmental economics/ policy at the Natural Resources Institute, University of Manitoba.

For more than 20 years, Denis coached youth soccer and basketball and was active with school parent committees and his local community club.

Nancy LeBlond

Senior Associate

Senior Associate

Nancy joined InterGroup in 2005 and is now an associate. She has over 15 years of professional experience in the following areas:

Socio-economic Impact Assessment (including Heritage Resources)
Project Planning and Development

Nancy has worked on a range of projects with a variety of clients. Key projects include the Keeyask Generation Project for Manitoba Hydro, where she was the Team Leader for the socio-economic impact assessment; and the Mayo Hydro Enhancement Project (Mayo B) and Carmacks-Stewart Transmission Line Project for Yukon Energy Corporation. Her project management experience has focused on developing and managing multi-million-dollar budgets and work plans related to resource development projects. Before joining InterGroup Consultants, Nancy worked as a Coordinator and Environmental Research Manager for other companies. Nancy holds a Master’s of community and regional planning from the University of British Columbia and a certificate of environmental management from Lakehead University.

Nancy is a long-time member of the St. Andrews River Heights United Church hand bell choir, as well as a local book club. She also enjoys cross-country skiing, scrapbooking, and traveling to various parts of the world.

Jeff Crozier

Consultant (on leave)

Consultant

Jeff joined InterGroup Consultants in 2020 and has over 15 years of professional experience in the following areas:

Utility Rate Regulation
Auto Insurance Rate Regulation
Socio-economic Impact Assessment

Jeff, as an economist, focuses significantly on utility rate setting, auto insurance regulation, and electricity market analysis. Jeff has served clients large and small, ranging from crown corporations to not-for-profit consumer advocacy groups. Recently, Jeff has represented consumer and commercial interests in electricity and insurance rate cases in Manitoba and Alberta, prepared cost of service analyses for towns in the Northwest Territories, and is conducting a baseline economic assessment for a deep geologic repository for used nuclear fuel in Ontario. Jeff holds a Master’s of economics from McGill University, with an emphasis on cost-benefit analysis and game theory.

Jeff has held progressively senior roles in a diverse range of firms over his 15-year career and has served as the Director of Regulatory Affairs at Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) where he was accountable for the delivery and performance of the annual General Rate Application proceeding before the Manitoba Public Utilities Board (PUB).

Before his time in the auto insurance field, Jeff’s career focused on electricity rate regulation and competitive wholesale and retail electricity markets. He has served as a consumer advocate in Alberta representing the interests of small consumers before the Alberta Utilities Commission and conducted market surveillance and analysis of the wholesale and retail electricity markets in Alberta and the Western Interconnection.

A father to three young boys, his family time is always busy whether on skis, in his home woodworking shop, or at the cottage.

Currently on medical leave.

Mitch Braun

Consultant

Consultant

Mitch joined InterGroup in 2016 and has over six years of professional experience in the following areas:

Project Licensing
Utility Rate Regulation
Socio-Economic Research and Monitoring

Mitch has experience contributing to the conduct and management of socio-economic research assignments, including project management, and undertaking research and analysis on various socio-economic assessments and baseline studies in northwestern Ontario and western Canada. His research and analysis projects have included desktop research, key person interviews, data collection, and developing and implementing community-based research programs. Mitch holds a Master’s of business administration from the University of Manitoba.

Mitch is an avid cyclist and likes to travel and go hiking with his dogs.

Kurtis Ulrich

Consultant

Consultant

Kurtis joined InterGroup in 2023 and has professional experience in the following areas:

Land Use Planning
Indigenous and Public Engagement
Community Wildfire Risk Assessments and Resiliency Planning

Since joining the firm, he has been involved in land use planning with First Nations in Manitoba and facilitating community engagement.

Before joining InterGroup, Kurtis was the co-founder and Director of WildFire AP ltd. where he led projects related to community wildfire resilience, socio-ecological and archival research, community-based land use planning, and biocultural protocol development for First Nations. Kurtis has also conducted research into value chains in Manitoba’s food sector and assisted in wildlife and environmental monitoring studies. Kurtis has a Bachelor of Political Science and a Master’s of Natural Resource Management from the Natural Resource Institute at the University of Manitoba.

Amy Brown

Consultant

Consultant

Amy joined InterGroup in 2023, bringing over a decade of professional experience in:

Crown-Indigenous Agreement Negotiation and Implementation
Public Policy Creation & Legislative Interpretation
Indigenous Knowledge Integration in Land Use Planning
Public and Indigenous Engagement Facilitation

With a rich background in the public service, Amy has held significant roles, including Manager of Parks Planning and Establishment with the Government of Nunavut, Consultation and Reconciliation Coordinator with the Government of Manitoba, and Senior Advisor to Manitoba’s Deputy Minister for Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations. During her tenure, she also had the privilege of providing valuable assistance to Manitoba’s Provincial Lead on Residential Schools, aiding in the search for the children who have yet to return home.

Amy’s career highlights include notable success in the negotiation and implementation of Crown-Indigenous impact and benefit agreements. Moreover, she has worked closely with Indigenous communities to develop decolonized land and resource use plans, supporting their efforts to reclaim agency over their territories.

Since joining InterGroup, Amy has applied her knowledge and skill set towards public and Indigenous engagement, land use planning, environmental assessment, and environmental licencing.

Amy holds a Master’s of Natural Resources Management and a Bachelor’s (Advanced) in Anthropology, both from the University of Manitoba.

Kayleigh Speirs

Consultant & Curator

Consultant & Curator

Kayleigh joined InterGroup Consultants in 2021 and has over 10 years of professional experience in the following areas:

Indigenous & Partner Engagement
Museum/Heritage Centre Planning & Operations
Exhibit Design & Development
Collections Stewardship
Educational Programming Design & Facilitation
Repatriation
Archaeology
Research & Grant Writing

Kayleigh (she/her) is a Curator and Archaeologist with over a decade of experience working in museums and cultural institutions. Based in Treaty #1 territory, Kayleigh brings creativity and expertise to every project – drawing on her extensive skillset in community engagement, museum planning and operations, visitor experiences, and meaningful storytelling rooted in local knowledge – woven together with industry standards and emerging trends.

Previously the Curator and Manager of Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung Historical Centre, a National Historic Site in Treaty #3 territory, Kayleigh worked closely with Rainy River First Nations to oversee all aspects of Centre operations. This included exhibit curation, educational programming and tours, collections stewardship, and marketing and tourism strategies. Under her leadership, the Centre was awarded the 2020 Indigenous Tourism Award at the Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence, in recognition of its outstanding visitor experience and community-driven approach. Kayleigh continues to collaborate with community and Centre staff, including facilitating the development of a travelling exhibit focused on stories of Indigenous Veterans across Northwestern Ontario.

At InterGroup, Kayleigh supports a wide range of projects—both large-scale and community-based—across Manitoba, Ontario, and Nunavut. Her work with organizations such as the Manitoba Indigenous Cultural Education Centre (MICEC) and the National Indigenous Residential School Museum includes strategic planning, policy development, and the creation of visitor-facing experiences like exhibits and educational programs. Kayleigh recently completed a multi-year project that included significant planning and engagement with Manitoba Hydro and the Keeyask Partner Communities, to design and develop a permanent heritage exhibit in Northern Manitoba, as well as smaller, portable versions for each of the Partner Communities.

Kayleigh has also worked on a project with the Yukon Government where she and a team of community researchers located items of Yukon First Nation origin in museums across the world on behalf of the”Searching for Our Heritage” initiative.

Chris Ferris

Consultant

Consultant

Chris joined InterGroup in 2024 and has more than 20 years of professional experience as an economist in the economic development, agribusiness, telecom, and education research industries. At InterGroup, Chris will be focusing on:

• Utility Rate Regulation

• Socio-economic Impact Assessment/Economic Impact Assessment

• Economic/Market Analysis

Previously Chris served as the Senior Economist at Economic Development Winnipeg, where he reported on major factors which affect the Manitoba economy and developed an economic impact analysis framework to report on successes, and to evaluate prospective projects. He has experience conducting research on multiple industries, explaining the impacts of government policies, and studying diverse industries and regions. This includes applications of supply chain analysis, project assessments, and developing market analysis frameworks. Chris has developed multiple automated data analysis and modeling processes using tools such as SQL databases, Excel, R, and other platforms.

Chris holds a Master of Economics from the University of Manitoba.

Chris has organized multiple professional conferences and spoken at conferences for multiple professions and industries.

Chris sits on the Board of the Manitoba Association for Business Economics as Past-President, and the Board of Canadian Association for Business Economics as Treasurer.

Chris enjoys walking his dog and spending time with his family. He also enjoys traveling to see natural wonders, and ancient heritage sites as well as camping.

Abiola Asaolu

Consultant (on maternity leave)

Research Consultant

Abiola joined InterGroup Consultants in 2023 and has professional experience in the following areas:

Socio-economic Impact Assessment
Utility Rate Regulation

Since joining the firm, she has been involved in socio-economic research, impact assessment projects and utility ratemaking application for hydro utilities. Abiola holds a Master’s in Economics with specialization in Econometrics from the University of Manitoba. Her research focused on the impact of currency redesign polices on macroeconomic environment. She is a certified chartered accountant with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

Abiola is currently on mat leave.

Jolene Gordon

Executive Assistant

Executive Assistant

Jolene joined InterGroup in 2004 and has over 20 years of professional working experience in administration. She holds an administrative assistant diploma with honours and has advanced training in Adobe Acrobat Pro, Word, Excel, Endnote, InDesign, and Effective Supervision. Her main roles at InterGroup include document management, invoicing, updating the website, monthly forward planning, and coordination. She also trains and supervises the administrative team.

Jolene specializes in document management, including tracking matrices, maintaining files and updating records, assisting with production coordination, and handling correspondence. She also has extensive experience in formatting documents such as Environmental Impact Assessments, Requests for Proposals, General Rate Applications, and Interrogatory Responses for hearing processes.

Jolene likes to keep active and enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Alisher Khasanbaev

Financial Administrator

Financial Administrator & Research Analyst

Alisher joined InterGroup in 2017 and has over 20 years of professional experience in the following areas:

Utility Rate Regulation
Project Licensing
Socio-economic Impact Assessment

Alisher has experience in economic analysis, economic modelling, forecasting, budgeting, finance, accounting, reporting, and utility regulation. During his time at InterGroup, Alisher has primarily focused on data analysis, socio-economic impact assessments, and utility regulation. Alisher has worked with a variety of clients including industrial business clients, and provincial and municipal governments. Alisher holds a Master’s of finance of enterprises from the Andijan Institute of Engineering and Economics, Andijan, Uzbekistan, and a master’s of public policy from the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), Tokyo, Japan.

Josh Dyck

Research Consultant

Research Consultant

Josh joined InterGroup Consultants in 2021 and has professional experience in the following areas:

Socio-economic Impact Assessment
Utility Rate Regulation

He has been involved in the firm’s socio-economic research as well as utility ratemaking, which has included rate-setting with water, wastewater, and hydro utilities. Josh holds a Master’s of economics from the University of Manitoba.

In university Josh focused on Econometrics, implementing a spatial regression model with a custom bootstrapping technique for his capstone project, and took many Computer Science electives learning languages like Python, R, and Java. Outside of university he has independently studied Data Science and has ongoing Data Science projects. Recently he completed Level 1 of the CFA® Program, CFA Institute (2021).

Josh enjoys running in his spare time and competed nationally in cross country and track and field events in university.

Graham Smith

Research Consultant

Research Consultant

Graham joined InterGroup Consultants in 2021 and has professional experience in the following areas:

Socio-economic Impact Assessment
Utility Rate Regulation

He has been involved in the firm’s socio-economic research as well as utility ratemaking, which has included rate-setting with water, wastewater, and hydro utilities. Graham holds a Master’s of economics from the University of Manitoba.

In university, Graham focused on Econometrics and Applied Microeconomics. His course included a main project which looked at the impact of a work limiting disability for older individuals (45+) in the United States using the Health and Retirement Study Survey.

Graham enjoys cycling, reading, and hiking from spring to fall and plays on a slow-pitch softball team in the summer.

Alex Ross

Research Consultant

Research Consultant

Alex joined InterGroup in 2024 and has professional experience in the following areas:

Public Engagement and Facilitation
Land Use and Climate Adaptation Planning
Socio-economic Impact Assessment

Alex has prior private sector experience in strategic planning, community planning, and multi-modal forms of public engagement. They have also held numerous research positions at Canadian and South African universities. Alex holds a Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Manitoba and a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Geography from Mount Allison University, New Brunswick. Their thesis was on climate-responsive agricultural landscapes with a focus on flood design and policy changes in Southern Manitoba.

When not at work, Alex can be found in the studio trying a new craft with a few dogs at their feet.

Colin Osler

Research Analyst

Research Analyst

Colin worked as a summer student at InterGroup in 2023 and joined in January of 2024 after finishing school. He has professional experience in the following areas:

Socio-economic Impact Assessment
Utility Rate Regulation

Colin has been involved in the firm’s work in socio-economic research, environmental impact assessments, baseline projects, Indigenous renewable resource planning and development in northern Canada, and utility ratemaking. He holds two Bachelor’s degrees and in December of 2023 completed his second, in Economics, at the University of Manitoba.

During his most recent Economics degree, his coursework was concentrated in economic policy analysis, econometrics, financial and monetary macroeconomics, and political economy with supplementary coursework in management and management science. Colin earned numerous awards during his degree including the William Robert Kernaghan Memorial Scholarship in Economics. Previously, Colin completed a Bachelor’s degree in Critical + Cultural Theory and Practice from Emily Carr University where his writing was published in various art magazines, publications, and university newspapers.

Colin enjoys cooking dishes from around the world, spending time with his family, reading, going on very long walks, and pursuing his own research interests.

Alvira Ria

Research Analyst

Research Analyst

Alvira joined InterGroup in 2025 and has experience in the following areas:

Natural Resource Management
Community-Based Research
Gender-Based Analysis
Disaster Management

At InterGroup, Alvira has contributed to projects involving hazard and risk assessments, land relationship planning, resource management, and socio-economic impact assessments. Her work involves community engagement, qualitative analysis, and both desktop and field research.

Before joining InterGroup, Alvira worked as a research assistant on a variety of projects focused on climate change and adaptation, disaster resilience, gender equity, agriculture, and public health. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from North South University in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and a Master of Natural Resources Management from the University of Manitoba.

Michaelin Lower

GIS Specialist

GIS Specialist & Research Analyst

Michaelin joined InterGroup in 2025 and has experience in the following areas:

Geographic Information Sciences (GIS)
Environmental Studies

Michaelin holds a bachelors in Forest Policy and Management from the University of Winnipeg and an advanced diploma in GIS from Assiniboine Community College. After finishing her education, she worked at Manitoba Hydro in the Water Resources Department as a GIS Analyst. While there, she performed a wide variety of tasks including map application design, cartography, satellite image analysis, and field team management. She has experience in JavaScript and Python and has designed applications for online use.

Michaelin takes great enjoyment in designing interactive maps and other tools to help people get a handle on complex geographic data and understand the significance of space and place within their work. Prior to working in GIS, she held jobs at a variety of environmental non-profits doing outreach, public education, and advocacy.

In her spare time, she loves to garden and feed the neighbourhood crows.

Thao Vu

Reception & Administrative Support

Reception & Administrative Support

Thao joined InterGroup in 2019. She is gaining experience in all aspects of administration and is the first face you will see when coming to the InterGroup office. She plans on utilizing her human resources background on improving some of InterGroup’s policies.

Thao devotes her spare time to creating online videos about living in Winnipeg and is a cuisine enthusiast. She loves spending time with her calico cat, Lisa.

Darryl Taylor

Indigenous Heritage Consultant

Indigenous Heritage Consultant

Darryl Taylor joined InterGroup in 2023 and has over 20 years of professional experience in the following areas:

Engagement and Facilitation
Heritage and Culture

Darryl Taylor (he/him) is a Santee Dakota from Dakota Tipi First Nation. Darryl’s traditional Dakota name is inyan tatanka wicasa (buffalostone man). Darryl is an Indigenous Heritage Consultant at InterGroup and provides both internal and external advisory support on projects and initiatives. Darryl’s interest in herbs and medicines led to him receiving a horticulture degree from Assiniboine Community College. He had extensive experience in various Indigenous engagement and community relations positions which is complemented by a certificate from Circle of Reconciliation in guiding and facilitating trusting, meaningful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples This certificate in relationship building aligns with the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).

Darryl has worked as a Community Relations Officer for Elections Canada, a lab technician and sampler at Ag World Support Systems, and an Indigenous Engagement Liaison at Azure Sustainable Fuels. Darryl has worked on numerous Manitoba Hydro transmission projects where he provided support and advice on sensitive archaeological sites and Manitoba Hydro’s Indigenous engagement process.

Darryl is a board member with the Fort La Reine Museum and Portage la Prairie’s Assisted Community Living, and supports cultural awareness activities for students and teachers in the Portage La Prairie School Division. Darryl acts as project advisor to the Southport Aerospace Centre Inc’s (SACI) Four Wind Cultural Centre. His has been recognized for the important role he plays for his community with multiple honours and acknowledgements, including an award for outstanding contribution to the community by an Indigenous Knowledge Keeper from the Portage Chapter of Interprovincial Association on Aboriginal Employment (IANE) and the Spirit of Southport Award from SACI.

Darryl has been a Sundancer for 30 years.

Gabriella Prager

Senior Archaeologist Associate

Senior Archaeologist & Associate

Gabriella joined InterGroup in 2024 and has over 25 years of professional experience in the following areas:

Cultural Resource Management in northern and western Canada
Project Planning and Development
Project and Data Management

Gabriella is well versed in managing all phases of project development from planning stages through implementation and mitigation. She has worked effectively on multidisciplinary study teams and has served as the archaeological expert on environmental impact statements. Her projects have involved liaisons with various governments as well as local First Nations and Inuit representatives and Elders. This has provided her with an appreciation for the importance of these collaborations in heritage resource management. Gabriella holds a Master’s of arts (archaeology) from Simon Fraser University.

Gabriella is a member of the Canadian Archaeological Association.

Daniel Szot

Senior Archaeologist

Senior Archaeologist

Daniel joined InterGroup in 2018 and has over 10 years of professional experience in the following areas:

Archaeology, Heritage & Culture
Mapping and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
UAV/Drone

Daniel has been practicing archaeology for over ten years. He has extensive archaeological experience in survey, excavation, and planning of archaeological projects in Manitoba, Ontario, Nunavut, and British Columbia. Daniel has an appreciation for the use of technology within the culture and heritage resource management field. He provides GIS mapping support for heritage and socio-economic projects at InterGroup. Daniel holds a Master’s with a focus on Canada’s Historic Fur Trade from the University of Saskatchewan.

He is a member of the Canadian Archaeological Association, various provincial organizations and is the Vice President of the Manitoba Archaeological Society.

Tamás Farkas

Archaeologist

Archaeologist

Tamás joined InterGroup in 2017 and has over four years of professional experience in the following areas:

Archaeology, Heritage, and Culture
Genealogy
Classical Archaeology

Tamás has experience in conducting archeological surveys and excavations in Manitoba and Western Ontario. He also has experience in the handling and cataloging of heritage resources.
Tamás has performed audits of genealogical narratives. This type of work has led him to work with documents dating to the 18th Century and translating records written in Latin. He also assists with desktop research when necessary. Tamás holds a Master’s of Classical Archaeology and Art from the University of Edinburgh.

Joel Firman

Archaeologist

Archaeologist

Joel joined InterGroup in 2023 and has professional experience in the following areas:

Archaeology, Heritage & Culture
Artifact analysis
Collections Management

Joel is an archeologist with experience in conducting archaeological surveys and excavations in both Manitoba and Ontario. He also has experience working with museum collections, curating exhibits, cataloguing heritage resources, and conducting desktop research. Joel holds an undergraduate degree in Anthropology from Brandon University.