Staff

Jennifer Fletcher – Campus Manager

Jennifer is a member of the Moose Cree First Nation and has been with the AEI since 1997. Her position as the Campus Manager is to ensure the responsibility for the day to day administration and alignment of on-campus and community-based post-secondary and certificate program delivery. She is committed to creating and maintaining a learning environment that is comfortable, supportive, and based on the values of sharing, caring, and respect.

Lori Cummings – Interim Operational Assistant

Lori Cummings is a member of Curve Lake First Nation. As the Interim Operational Assistant for Nipissing Campus, she is responsible for providing administrative support to the Campus Manager for the day-to-day management operations of the Anishinabek Educational Institute. She provides efficient and effective planning and preparation of various management led meetings and functions and as well as assisting with the development of internal and external communications. Lori supports the Campus Manager though a variety of tasks related to organizational operations and communications with a high degree of quality, professionalism and judgement.

Abigail Yzereef, BFA – Interim Social Media & Communications Coordinator

Abigail is a member of Dokis First Nation. She graduated from Laurentian University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance and a minor in Motion Picture Arts. She is also a graduate from Canadore with an Environmental Technician for Protection and Compliance diploma. As AEI’s Interim Social Media & Communications Coordinator, she provides digital marketing, media relations and overall communications support for AEI.

Katie Koostachin, HBA – Program Coordinator

Katie is a member of Biigtigong Nishnaabeg First Nation. She completed her undergrad at Nipissing University where she received an Honors Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. Katie is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day requirements of organizing the program delivery and academic support to all students registered in AEI’s on-campus and community-based programs.

Jazmine Glass, RPN – Program Coordinator

Jazmine is a member of the Nipissing First Nation. She joined the AEI team in February of 2016 and is a Registered Practical Nurse who received her Diploma at AEI.  Jazmine is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day requirements of organizing the program delivery and academic support for all students registered in AEI’s health programs.

Julie McLeod – Program Coordinator

Julie is a member of the Nipissing First Nation. She is a graduate from the AEI Binoojiinyag Kinoomaadwin – ECE and Resource Teacher programs.  She is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day requirements of organizing the program delivery and academic support for all students registered in AEI’s on-campus in community-based programs.

Sharon O’Connor – Program Coordinator

Sharon is a Registered Practical Nurse from North Bay, Ontario and is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day requirements of organizing the program delivery and academic support for all student registered in AEI’s health programs.

Kayla Bomberry – Registrar Services Coordinator

Kayla is a member of Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Psychology from The University of Western Ontario, and has diplomas in Mental Health and Addictions and Office Administration.  She oversees the duties of the Office of the Registrar and manages the student information system for AEI.

Megan Stevens, BA – Student Wellness Coordinator

Megan is the Student Wellness Coordinator. She is a member of Nipissing First Nation. She is a graduate of Niagara College, and a graduate from Nipissing University. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2017. She was formerly employed with the Ojibwe Women’s Lodge as a relief worker on the front-lines for five years; and also conducted research with Nipissing University studying “the prevalence of human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation”. She is responsible for offering guidance to mental well-being, as well as providing them with fun informational activities and cultural workshops.

Vacant – Student Wellness Program Assistant

The role of the Student Wellness Program Assistant is to assist in supporting the academic success of students through the collaborative efforts of the Student Wellness and Cultural Support programs.

Melanie Miller – Program Development Coordinator

Tanya Couchie – Program Assistant

Tanya is a member of Nipissing First Nation.  Graduated from the Binoojiingyag Kinoomaadwin: Early Childhood Education Program in 2013/2014 and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in 2015. She is responsible for assisting the Program Coordinators as well as student support.

Lacey Smith, HBECL, RECE – Campus Manager 

Lacey is from Algonquins of Pikwakanagan and Oneida Nation of the Thames First Nation, currently residing in London, Ontario, and she is the Campus Manager of AEI’s Munsee-Delaware Campus. She is responsible for the day to day administration and alignment of on-campus and community-based post-secondary and certificate program delivery. She is committed to creating and maintaining a learning environment that is comfortable, supportive, and based on the values of sharing, caring, and respect. She graduated from Fanshawe College with an Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership degree, and has always been a passionate advocate for lifelong learning, supporting Indigenous students of all ages in the field of education since 2011.

Kristin Grosbeck – Operational Assistant

Kristin is responsible for providing administrative support to the Campus Manager for the day-to-day management operations of the Anishinabek Educational Institute. She provides efficient and effective planning and preparation of various management led meetings and functions and as well as assisting with the development of internal and external communications. Kristin supports the Campus Manager though a variety of tasks related to organizational operations and communications with a high degree of quality, professionalism and judgement.

Natasha Kechego – Program Coordinator

Natasha is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of program delivery and academic support for all students enrolled in AEI’s social programs. She is a proud member of Deshkan Ziibiing (Chippewas of the Thames First Nation). Natasha graduated from St. Clair College in Chatham in 2006 with diplomas in Developmental Service Work and Child and Youth Work. In October 2023, she completed the Native Counsellor Training Program through the Ontario Native Education Counselling Association, earning a certificate granted by the Ministry of Education.

Andrea Noah – Program Coordinator

Andrea is from Eelŭnaapéewi Lahkéewiit (Delaware Nation also known as Moravian of the Thames).  She has a wealth of previous work experience with First Nations Administration and Federal Government.  Her academic experience consists of a Social Services Administration program through Algoma University and an Aboriginal Adult Education program through Brock University.  Andrea is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day requirements of organizing the program delivery and academic support for all students registered in AEI’s health programs.

Shelly Ireland – Program Assistant

Shelly is an Anishinabe Kwe from the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation. She joined the AEI Munsee-Delaware campus as the Program Assistant. She is a proud alumni of AEI, where she graduated from the Native Community Worker program in 2012. Since graduating Shelly was able to gain a vast employment experience with different departments ranging from Crisis Intervention Worker at a women’s shelter, to Housing Assistant and prior to this position she worked as an Employment Counsellor for the past 3.5 years. Being the Program Assistant at AEI has given her the opportunity to utilize her learned skills, and acquire new ones as the times are changing.

Mindy Taylor – Director of Education

Mindy is a member from the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory and has been with the UOI/AEI since 2008. Within her current role with AEI, she is responsible for overseeing new and continuing funding opportunities. AEI has numerous proposals, work plans, invoicing and reporting requirements to prepare and submit to our Funding Partners and Mindy ensures all of these are completed and submitted in a timely manner. As the Director of Education she is committed to the continued growth of AEI and is continuously searching for new funding opportunities.