Profile
Managing Director, Plus Petroleum Canada
Winona Lafreniere is an accomplished Indigenous leader, reconciliation strategist, and business development professional with more than 25 years of experience advancing
Indigenous relations, economic reconciliation, and workforce development across government, industry, and non-profit sectors. Her career is defined by her ability to build strategic partnerships, secure multimillion-dollar funding, and design innovative
programs that bridge traditional knowledge with modern skills.Winona brings deep cultural competency, strategic insight, and operational discipline to
her leadership at Plus Petroleum Canada. She has led high-impact reconciliation
initiatives, workforce programs, and multi-stakeholder collaborations that generate measurable outcomes for communities and industry alike. Her experience includes
delivering over thirty training-to-employment programs for Indigenous communities,guiding reconciliation action plans, and driving business development initiatives that
strengthen economic participation.Prior to joining Plus Petroleum, Winona held senior roles with the Indian Resources Council, Midwest Pipelines, and the Government of Alberta, where she consistently advanced Indigenous workforce opportunities, secured major project funding, and supported community-driven economic development.
She also co-founded Red Sun Digital Media Creations, empowering Indigenous youth through film, media, and digital storytelling. As Managing Director of Plus Petroleum Canada, Winona leverages her extensive cross-sector experience to strengthen partnerships, expand market opportunities, and support the company’s commitment to responsible development and inclusive growth. She is recognized for turning strategic relationships into tangible business results and for championing pathways that create long-term value for communities and industry.