Meet Our Admin & Finance Team: Tessa, Keshia, Izzy
The team that keeps everything running behind the scenes!
You might not see them out front every day, but behind the scenes, Tessa, Keshia, and Izzy are helping keep Ha’oom Fisheries Society running every day.
From preparing Board meetings and supporting negotiations to processing invoices and making sure everyone gets paid on time, our Admin and Finance Team provides the organizational, administrative, and financial support that keeps the rest of the organization moving forward.
So, who are the people behind all of this work? Let’s meet the team!
Tessa Saxby-Jones - Strategic and Operations Manager
What does Tessa do?
Tessa helps keep Ha’oom organized, connected, and moving in the same direction. She works closely with the Ha’oom Board of Directors and the Five Nations Lead Negotiators, supporting Board meetings, organizational planning, and the negotiations work.
Her Key Responsibilities Include:
Preparing and coordinating Board meetings and materials
Supporting Lead Negotiators with meetings and negotiation-related coordination
Helping maintain team work plans and organizational coordination
Keeping key administrative processes organized and on track
A little about tessa
Tessa has worked with T’aaq-wiihak Fisheries, now Ha’oom Fisheries Society, since 2018 and has had the honour of working extensively with Nuu-chah-nulth Nations for more than 10 years.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from the University of Victoria. Tessa has returned to Denman Island to raise her boys and enjoys every opportunity she gets to spend time on the ocean.
Keshia Evans - Human Resources
What does Keshia do?
Keshia is our go-to person for human resources and staff support. From onboarding new employees to keeping our day-to-day administrative processes running smoothly, she helps ensure our team has the HR support it needs to do its work.
Her Key Responsibilities Include:
Supporting onboarding and employee coordination
Helping staff with HR questions and administrative needs
Coordinating HR processes and maintaining employee records
Supporting accounts payable administration
A little about Keshia
Keshia is originally from Southern Ontario and never looked back after embracing the move West. Her background in Tourism Management nurtured a strong passion for human connection, community, and program development.
She looks forward to coordinating and supporting impactful programs with Ha’oom. In her spare time, she enjoys travelling, exploring the wonders of nature, and spending time with her tiny dog, Irie.
Izzy Ahmed - finance manager
What does Izzy do?
Izzy leads Ha’oom’s financial systems. While much of her work happens behind the scenes, it is essential to everything we do, from paying our staff and suppliers to supporting financial reporting and audits.
Her key responsibilities are:
Processing invoices and financial transactions
Managing financial reporting and financial systems
Processing staff payroll
Helping ensure our financial processes are accurate, accountable, and sustainable
A Little about Izzy
Izzy joined Ha’oom in April 2022. With a background in accounting, HR, and social sciences, she brings a unique understanding of both numbers and people to work.
She grew up between Africa, Geneva, and Ontario, and eventually made the move West after spending time in Northern Canada.
Izzy is passionate about community-focused work and, when she’s not working with numbers, you can find her reading, stargazing, or travelling.
Contact the ADmin and Finance TEam
Contact Keshia at keshia@haoom.ca for Questions About:
Employment and HR
Onboarding and staff support
Invoices or payments you have submitted
Contact Tessa at tessa@haoom.ca for Questions About:
Ha’oom’s strategic direction and priorities
Organizational planning
Board processes and decisions
Lead Negotiator meetings and coordination
How Ha’oom’s work connects to broader negotiations and initiatives
General administrative support
Contact Izzy at izzy@haoom.ca for Questions About:
Financial processes and reporting
Invoices and financial transactions
Payroll
We’re here to support you!
Whether you’re working in the office, out on the water, participating in a program, or supporting Ha’oom in another way, our Admin and Finance Team is here to help.
A big part of their work may happen behind the scenes, but Tessa, Keshia, and Izzy play an important role in making sure Ha’oom has the people, systems, and support needed to keep doing its work across the Five Nations.
So if you have a question, need some help, or aren’t sure who to ask, don’t hesitate to reach out!
Klecko klecko,
Ha’oom Fisheries Society