MEET THE TEAM

Barbara McKenzie, EMBA - Chief Executive Officer

Ms. McKenzie has a long career as a leader, entrepreneur and supporter of small business in Alberta.

She has previously held roles as CEO and Executive Director at Business Link and the Leduc-Nisku Economic Development Association, as well as several senior leadership positions in marketing and brand at Goodwill Industries of Alberta, ATB Financial, and Alberta Pensions Administration.

Ms. McKenzie has an Executive MBA from the Quantic School of Business and Technology, as well as a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta and a Diploma in Marketing from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. She holds several certifications in corporate governance, project management, economic development and more.

Ms. McKenzie recently helped support the development of the City of Edmonton’s new innovation entity, Edmonton Unlimited. In her role as Director, Strategic and Operational Growth, she led a portfolio focused on EDI, ESG, revenue generation, government relations, facility management, strategy and business planning, and partnership development.

Ms. McKenzie has led several of her own entrepreneurial ventures, including DB McKenzie Group, which is focused on leading technology in the drone and UAV space to service industries such as construction, energy, agriculture and utilities.

Ms. McKenzie is known for her innovative thinking, with a passion for disruption and a deep knowledge of community. She has built lasting relationships across her career and her leadership will catalyze the growth of MSDC to support economic equality for Metis communities in Alberta.

Ms. McKenzie also gives back to her community. She is currenlty the Board Chair of the Christmas Bureau of Edmonton as chair and Chairs the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology School of Business Entrepreneurship Program Advisory Committee. She is a seasoned public speaker and has won awards for many of her initiatives and projects.

Anders Kruss, MBA, CMA - Chief Financial Officer

Anders Kruus is a Finance Executive who combines leadership with financial and operational acumen to drive repeated P&L expansion, as evidenced throughout his 25+ years at the executive level. He excels in dynamic environments, where he leverages his skills to guide teams, executives and entrepreneurs to success through actionable metrics, cash-focused planning, thoughtful empowerment and resource optimization.

Anders has advised numerous indigenous communities in both Canada and the United States and has worked in several industries including real estate, finance, and clean power, in addition to advisory and principal experience with investment pools and funds.

Along the way he has managed multi-center teams, built global client networks, co-founded numerous businesses, run a cross-border IPO, become fluent in 4 languages, and worked in seven cities across four countries. He holds an MBA in Finance and a CMA certification and has been a registered securities representative in the U.K. and the U.S.

Kyle Wilson, CFA, MBA - Chief Investment Officer

Kyle Wilson's personal and professional journeys have been shaped by the legacy of his grandfather’s Métis heritage, whose fathers before him stood alongside Louis Riel during the Red River and Northwest Resistances. As a proud member of the Métis Nation of Alberta, his family history has deepened his commitment to supporting Indigenous communities and advancing economic reconciliation.

With diverse experience in the financial industry, Kyle is passionate about quantitative analysis and making data-driven investment decisions. His expertise spans investment management, compliance and corporate finance, emphasizing innovative investment strategies and risk management while spearheading research and development initiatives in the fintech space. In his previous role, he was responsible for the oversight of a $1 billion portfolio across various investment mandates encompassing tactical global balanced, equity and fixed income strategies, concentrated Canadian and North American equities, and leveraged long/short equity. Kyle was also responsible for developing operational processes and creating efficiencies across technology, portfolio management, fund development, trading, risk management, reporting and marketing.

Kyle is a CFA Charterholder and an MBA graduate from the University of Calgary, with a BBA from Mount Royal University.

Prior to his professional career, Kyle was a member of the Mount Royal Cougars Varsity Men's Basketball team, leading the team as captain in his final two seasons. He is also an active alumnus, currently sitting as President of the Mount Royal Cougars Booster Club, facilitating strategic direction and fundraising initiatives to provide funding to scholarship endowments for student athletes. He also sits on the Mount Royal University Finance Partnership Council to support the Bissett School of Business by contributing his expertise to the Financial Analysis and Financial Services programs.

In his spare time he enjoys playing basketball, golf, slo-pitch and snowboarding. He grew up in Chestermere, Alberta, and currently resides in Calgary with his wife, Kelsey, and their dog, Auggie.