A Message from Tabatha Bull and the CCIB Board of Directors

Press Release

After joining the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business as Chief Operating Officer in September 2018 and serving for six years in the role of President and Chief Executive Officer, we are writing to share that Tabatha Bull has decided to transition out of her role in 2026.

With continuity and long-term stability as her priority, she has intentionally left her transition timeline open. Once all parties are confident that an incoming CEO is ready to assume leadership later in 2026, Tabatha will move out of her role, ensuring a seamless and well-supported transition.

Under Tabatha’s leadership, CCIB has experienced a period of significant growth and impact.

Her strategic leadership strengthened CCIB’s role as a national leader in Indigenous procurement and further advanced its recognition as a trusted provider of Indigenous business certifications for Inuit, Métis and First Nations businesses.

Key achievements the Board would like to recognize include leadership in:

• Growing membership—membership numbers tripled during her tenure.
• Advancing Indigenous procurement through strengthened government commitments and corporate accountability.
• Advocating for Indigenous interests as one of the most consistently active lobbyists in the country, participating in trade missions, and engaging in national and international government relations.
• Leveraging media engagement and evidence-based advocacy during critical periods, including COVID-19 and CAN-US Trade relationship challenges.
• Strengthening the CCIB Certified Indigenous Business program, elevating the program’s reputation, reach and accountability.
• Optimizing internal processes, practices and infrastructure.
• Expanding the team with national representation.
• Delivering new grant programs, including those for young Indigenous entrepreneurs and Indigenous women.
• Bolstering Indigenous procurement within the organization.

Together, these efforts have helped CCIB maintain and advance its position as a respected, solutions-oriented leader in Indigenous economic development.

While Tabatha’s vision and leadership will be deeply missed, the Board stands united in supporting her decision and celebrates the strong, sustainable foundation she has built alongside the CCIB team. The legacy of progress will continue to guide CCIB’s work and expand opportunities for Indigenous businesses and communities for generations to come.

The Board of Directors will be initiating a formal search for the next CEO to ensure CCIB’s important work continues uninterrupted. As Tabatha transitions out of this role, the Board extends its gratitude not only for what she has led this organization to accomplish for the benefit of our members, but also for the honour, integrity, commitment and care she has brought to CCIB.

Tabatha Bull: “Serving as the President and CEO of CCIB has been a true privilege. I am immensely proud of what our team has accomplished together to serve not only our members but the broader Indigenous economy. From the beginning, I have seen this role as one of stewardship, to strengthen the organization, build trust, and ensure it is positioned for long-term success beyond any one leader. While I have not yet decided what my next chapter will be, my belief in this organization and its mission is stronger than ever. CCIB is well-positioned to continue building national capacity and advancing economic prosperity for all Indigenous Peoples across Canada and, in turn, for all Canadians.”

Michael Jacobs, Co-chair, CCIB Board of Directors: “The Board is deeply grateful for Tabatha’s transformative leadership. We have truly been a team. Both Tabatha and the Board are committed to a continuity in leadership that honours our strategic plan and maintains our current momentum, and we have already formed a search committee to identify our next leader who will build upon this position of strength. CCIB has a history of scaling its impact with each leadership transition, and thanks to the stability Tabatha’s stewardship has brought us, CCIB’s next chapter will be no different.”

Desiree Norwegian, Co-chair, CCIB Board of Directors: “Tabatha’s time serving as leader of CCIB has been a gift, and we continue to be grateful not only for her years of service, vision, and hard work but also for her trust in us as a Board. Now, as we look ahead to finding a new leader to take this incredible organization forward in service to the Indigenous economy, we are also thankful that Tabatha is making it a priority to exit with intention and integrity, ensuring we have the time we need to make this a seamless transition we can all be confident in.”

Our work continues without pause, and we thank you for your unwavering support during this transition.

With gratitude,

Tabatha, Mike and Desiree

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