Tanisi, Tawâw! (Hello, welcome!)

I am Sydney Wanchulak, the founder of Niyâk, and I am Cree Métis and Ukrainian from Treaty 6 territory, Edmonton, AB. I grew up north of Edmonton in St. Albert and Sturgeon County, and moved to the coast in search of water and mountains. I have embarked on this journey of advising and consulting to create positive change wherever I can contribute, bringing together a decade of experience in the construction industry and seven years of specialized expertise in developing sustainability strategy within corporate environments.

My professional journey has taken me from onsite construction positions to corporate sustainability leadership, where I have had the honour to develop and execute comprehensive Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies. I have completed a Master’s in Business Administration focused on Sustainable Innovation, where I gained deeper knowledge on regenerative business practices and how to support organizations on their journey towards contributing to a positive future. Over seven years, I have specialized in conducting materiality assessments with key interest-holders, overseeing certification processes including B Corp and Climate Smart initiatives, and implementing sustainability action plans. My expertise encompasses sustainability action planning and reporting, developing metric-driven performance management systems, and creating cross-functional collaboration frameworks. I have successfully built internal sustainability services from the ground up, engaging executive leadership and fostering innovation across diverse businesses and industries.

As a natural leader and collaborator, I have had the privilege of presenting to both industry professionals and post-secondary audiences, sharing knowledge on sustainable business. I have served as a key relationship builder with senior leadership and boards, engaging them on the benefits and market opportunities of sustainability, Indigenous inclusion, and climate action. Throughout my work, I have developed impact agents within businesses, identified innovation opportunities, and promoted sustainability initiatives that create lasting change.

The values that guide my work are building connections, sharing knowledge, and having fun. My curiosity lies at the intersection of sustainability, Indigenous knowledge and ways of being, and economics. I am driven by a fundamental question that I ponder from time to time: “Is there a better way forward for business through the lenses of Indigenous knowledge and sustainability?” This inquiry shapes my approach to consulting, as I believe there are transformative possibilities when we integrate Indigenous knowledge with business practices.

I am guided by a quote that deeply resonates with me: “If you can complete your goal within a generation, you’re not thinking big enough.” The work I do is generational in nature, and I am committed to leaving the world better than when I came into it. If you are looking to move your business in the direction that will bring positive change for future generations, you are in the right place. I am committed to sharing all that I learn with those who are interested, and I look forward to sharing what I’ve learned with you.

Kinanaskomitin (thank you, I am grateful)