Shared Value Solutions welcomes Karen Restoule as new CEO
Shared Value Solutions, an environmental consultancy focusing on Indigenous communities, has hired Karen Restoule as its new chief executive officer. She succeeds Roman Ciecwierz, interim CEO, effective January 13.
Restoule is an Indigenous public sector executive with experience leading teams in policy implementation, change management, and Indigenous relations and policy.
She spent the last six years at Tribunals Ontario, a group of 14 adjudicative tribunals that provide Ontarians with accessible dispute resolution across areas including tenancy, child services, and criminal injuries compensation. Restoule most recently served as alternate executive chair, leading the organization’s response to Covid-19.
Before that, she spent three years as director of the justice sector at the Chiefs of Ontario, an advocacy forum and secretariat for collective decision-making for the 133 First Nations in Ontario. In the role, Restoule led the development and implementation of strategies to address justice and legal issues impacting First Nations in Ontario.
Restoule is also co-founder of BOLD Realities, a non-profit focused on building stronger relationships between industry and Indigenous communities. She was recognized as a Public Policy Forum 2018 Prime Ministers of Canada Fellow and a CivicAction 2018 Emerging Leader.
Restoule holds a JD in French common law from the University of Ottawa and a bachelor’s degree in linguistics and Indigenous studies from the University of Toronto.
"It was immediately clear that Karen was the right fit," said Ciecwierz, board chair of Shared Value Solutions (SVS). "Her passion for furthering the rights and interests of Indigenous Nations combined with her strong leadership skills makes her the perfect person to lead SVS at this time in the company's trajectory."
SVS was founded in 2012 and is based in Guelph, ON. The firm provides environmental and community development consulting services to Indigenous communities across the country. SVS’ services include environmental assessment guidance, coordination, and support; environmental, land, and resource use planning and management; traditional land use studies; technical assessments and mitigation planning for major resource projects; and negotiation strategy for impact benefit agreements and economic partnerships.
"I'm delighted to be joining an organization whose values so effortlessly align with mine," said Restoule. "The work Shared Value Solutions does is all about empowerment and true partnership. The road towards greater prosperity for Indigenous Nations comes through full economic participation and self-determination. I look forward to furthering this mission in my new role."
