Keisha Goodleaf steps into new role

This month Keisha Goodleaf officially began her role as the director of revenue and business development at the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK), a milestone not just in her career, but for the community she has long envisioned supporting through sustainable, self-determined economic growth.

“It’s always been a goal of mine to work in a leadership role,” said Goodleaf. “I’m proud to have been the successful candidate for this position and that it was filled by a Kanien’kehá:ka woman - it’s always been a goal of mine.”

Goodleaf brings a broad portfolio of experience spanning multiple roles at Tewatohnhi’saktha and MCK, the latter of which she served as a business analyst in the finance department.

Her journey began as a summer student as a junior economic development officer at Tewatohnhi’saktha and eventually that led to senior roles such as economic development officer, Achieving Concrete Essentials (ACE) program manager, Workforce Development program manager, senior accounting manager, and human resources administrator.

“I initially chose to study business because I wanted to work in Kahnawake and give back to the community using my education,” she explained. “After getting involved in economic development, I realized that it’s one of the most direct ways to improve Kahnawake’s well-being and quality of life.”

Her academic background reflects this intention. After CEGEP at Champlain College Saint-Lambert, she received a diploma in health science, before heading to Concordia University where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in commerce with a major in management from the John Molson School of Business.

Goodleaf describes her approach to leadership as democratic and community-centred.

“I like to gather input from the team and those involved to get their perspective so that I have all the facts, information, and input I need to make sound decisions,” she said. “This allows for a sense of community involvement and it’s important that the community’s voice is heard, especially our youth.”

She credits both education and experience for shaping her leadership style.

“Being a student at Concordia gave me the fundamentals of leadership and business development, but real-life experience shaped me into the leader I am today,” she said. “It’s important to understand your team and adapt your style to foster trust and open communication.”

The values that guide her decision-making were instilled in her early on. “They’re the same values I grew up with and that shaped me into the person I am today.”

As director, Goodleaf’s initial focus is to orient herself within the department, assess ongoing and upcoming projects, and move forward with the development of the Kahnawake Sovereign Wealth Fund, a major initiative aimed at building long-term financial security for the community.

The department of Revenue and Business Development is still relatively new, and Goodleaf sees an opportunity to shape it into a more structured, efficient unit.

“There may be a need to hire new employees depending on the project workload,” she said. “Ultimately, I want to see the Sovereign Wealth Fund operating at full capacity through project investments.”

One area she’s particularly passionate about is renewable energy. “The Des Cultures wind farm project was quite successful, and I’d love to explore similar opportunities that align with our community’s values.”

Goodleaf is driven by a long-term vision that extends beyond spreadsheets and bottom lines.

“It’s about economic prosperity for our future generations and improved quality of life,” she said. “I want my daughter and the next seven generations to exist in an economically self-sufficient community.”

Her advice to young people interested in leadership or economic development reflects this hope: “It’s a rewarding career path. You’re creating a self-sufficient community, working toward economic prosperity, and it stays interesting because business is always evolving.”

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