perspectives
Michele Young-Crook
CEO, National Aboriginal Trust Officers Association (NATOA)
As CEO of National Aboriginal Trust Officers Association (NATOA), Michele Young-Crook is striving to make NATOA the centre of excellence in Trust and Investment — as well as making sure the needs of Indigenous women and Indigenous Youth are being met. Anishinaabe/Bear Clan herself, Michele is driven by her deep connection to her Indigenous culture, despite not being raised in the traditional ways of her ancestors. This is passed along through much of her work in public speaking, and she also shared her incredible story in Unbreakable Spirit, the bestseller she co-authored.
She’s using her Perspectives platform to share stories from her personal and professional journey and the lessons she’s learned along the way — starting with how she’s balancing her roles as a CEO and mother.
Successfully juggling the roles of a career and parenting is daunting even under the best conditions. But once you've eliminated the things that are unproductively eating up your time, and learn to be present in the moment, then not only will your work and family roles become more enjoyable, they will thrive.
Michele Young-Crook has been a part of the National Aboriginal Trust Officers Association (NATOA) since its inception in 2006 — originally as a volunteer for 6 years, then as a full-time staffer, and eventually moving into her current role as CEO. Throughout that time she’s dramatically grown revenues, striving to make NATOA the centre of excellence in Trust and Investment, as well as making sure the needs of Indigenous women and Indigenous Youth are being met.
The additional events that she has added to the NATOA roster have shown a great social impact. Michele has collaborated with various Indigenous communities and corporate groups to strengthen the awareness of capacity building in communities, and she volunteers her time and knowledge by assisting with local events within Indigenous communities and organizations across Canada.
Anishinaabe/Bear Clan herself, Michele is driven by her deep connection to her Indigenous culture, as she forged her own path seeking the roots of her ancestry despite not being raised in the traditional ways of her ancestors. This is passed along through much of her work in public speaking. She also shared her incredible story in Unbreakable Spirit, an international and Canadian bestseller that she co-authored.