Dillon Consulting launches Indigenous-owned services firm
Dillon Consulting recently announced the launch of SOAR Professional Services, an engineering, environmental-science and management-consulting firm dedicated to supporting First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities and organizations across the country.
Led, staffed and owned by Indigenous professionals, SOAR is based out of Kingsclear First Nation in New Brunswick, and works to understands the diverse traditions and cultures of Indigenous communities and capturing community perspectives in its work.
“We believe we have created an organization with purpose and bold objectives, representing how a Canadian corporation, inspired by progression in the value of inclusion with visionary leadership, can promote a truly innovative approach towards reconciliation,” said SOAR Professional Services president Ryan Dunbar. “SOAR aspires to provide Indigenous people opportunities to help their communities the way I was empowered by Dillon early in my career. I am proud of the courageous path we are setting upon, given our desire to do things the right way, for the right reasons.”
The firm also works with like-minded Canadian corporations aiming to advance their relationships with Indigenous peoples positively. SOAR’s partnership with Dillon Consulting provides the new firm with access to significant technical resources and expertise, and will allow expansion of capacity as required to deliver projects that positively impact the lives of Indigenous people, regardless of project location or complexity.
“At Dillon we strongly believe in the value and difference an employee-owned company provides to both employees and clients. SOAR Professional Services was born from the vision of our passionate people. As a minority owner, Dillon is fully committed to empowering and supporting the Indigenous owners of SOAR to build their own employee-owned firm,” said Dillon Consulting CEO Sean Hanlon. “Supporting the creation and development of SOAR is a step towards acknowledging the legacy our historic governments have created with Indigenous Peoples, moving towards reconciliation in a meaningful way. I believe SOAR will become a destination for Indigenous entrepreneurs and professionals to make meaningful change in communities across Canada.”
SOAR’s work focuses on economic development, housing, environmental, planning and infrastructure projects.
Featured image: SOAR PS logo. (SOAR Professional Services)