Inuit communities know the best solutions to the issues they are experiencing, and Annauma connects caring philanthropists, corporate partners, funders, and governments with opportunities to invest in inspired community-based action.

Annauma is short for Annaumakkaijiit which is an Inuktitut (Inuit language) word meaning “helping people to stay ahead”. Annauma was created to help Inuit continue to realize their dream for Nunavut.

Udloriak (Udlu) Hanson

Udlu was born and raised in Iqaluit. As a founding member of Annauma Community Foundation, Udlu brings a wealth of both professional and community experience. Udlu led the development of Qaujisaqtiit Society, Nunavut’s first charitable consortium of Inuit not-for-profits. She is also the Director Emeritus with the Rideau Hall Foundation.

Udlu is the Vice-President of Community and Strategic Development at Baffinland Iron Mines. She is the former Deputy Minister of the Department of Economic Development and Transportation (Government of Nunavut), and previously she held the roles of Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Negotiator for Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, the land claims organization representing Nunavut Inuit.

Udlu holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from Okanagan University College and a Bachelor of Education from Brock University.

Gwen Healey Akearok

Gwen was born and raised in Iqaluit. As a founding member of Annauma Community Foundation, Gwen draws on her experiences in her home community, as well as her professional experiences, to continue to strengthen capacity in Nunavut. Gwen is currently Canada’s Representative to the Arctic Human Health Expert Group of the Arctic Council, is the former Vice President of the Canadian Society for Circumpolar Health; and a former member of the Ikpigusunirmut Foundation.

As the co-founder of Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre (QHRC), Gwen is the Executive and Scientific Director, identifying community strengths to address local health concerns. Through this work, Gwen knows the importance of conducting health research in a supportive, safe, culturally-sensitive, and ethical environment. It is this knowledge that guides her work for the Foundation.

Gwen received her PhD in Public Health from the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto.

Virginia Qulaut Mearns

Virginia is the Senior Director for Inuit Relations at the Qikiqtani Inuit Association. Previously she has held roles as one of Nunavut’s top executives including Deputy Minister and Associate Deputy Minister of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs, Cabinet Secretary, and Principal Secretary for the Government of Nunavut, in addition to Chief Operating Officer of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated. In all these roles, Virginia was responsible for overseeing strategic planning and direction. Virginia is committed to developing Inuit employment opportunities, and to purposeful community development in Nunavut.

Danielle George

Danielle is the Controller at NCC Investment Group Inc. – in this role, she oversees the organization’s daily accounting operations, works closely with the CFO and CEO to provide strategic financial advice to management, and prepares the quarterly annual financial statements. She has previously held roles in the public accounting sector at Grant Thornton LLP(Halifax) and Lester Landau Chartered Professional Accountants (Iqaluit). In these roles, she has provided accounting, assurance, and taxation expertise in a variety of industries, including not-for-profits. Danielle is excited to be a member of Annauma Community Foundation board, and see Nunavummiut flourish through community-delivered action.

Danielle graduated Summa Cum Laude from Saint Mary’s University with a major in Accounting, and earned her Chartered Professional Accountant designation. She is originally from Nova Scotia, and has called Iqaluit home since March 2022.

Cindy Twerdin

Cindy is originally from Pangnirtung, and now resides in Iqaluit with her husband and four children. She has been in the airline industry since 1997, having held positions in Sales, Airport and Cargo. She is now the Associate Vice President of Government and Community Relations Nunavut. Cindy is also the Vice President of the Baffin regional Chamber of Commerce and is excited to be a member of the Annauma Board, knowing it will enable her to continue supporting and dedicating her work to Nunavummiut.

Clarence Synard

Clarence is the President and CEO at NCC Investment Group Inc, and he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the profit and non-profit sectors. Clarence moved to Iqaluit in June 1995, and began his career in Nunavut as a Project Foreman before holding the roles of Construction Manager, Vice-President of Development and Chief Operating Officer at NCC, and then moving into his current role in 2019.

Clarence works tirelessly to ensure grassroots organizations are well supported and equipped with the resources they require to make a difference in the lives of Inuit and residents of Nunavut. Clarence is an active community member, and has held the volunteer roles of President of the Baffin Chamber of Commerce, Vice-President of Skills Nunavut, Director of Qulliq Energy Corporation, Vice-Chairperson of the Building Advisory committee, Board member of Habitat for Humanity Iqaluit, and has also served on the Canadian Forces Liaison Counsel.

Clarence has been recognized for his active community involvement. He was awarded the Volunteer of the Year award from the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce in 2018, and the Qikiqtani Business Achievement Award as Businessperson of the Year in 2021.

Clarence is a proud father, avid golfer, and spends much of his free time fishing on the Sylvia Grinnell River.

Danielle Gibbie
Executive Director

Danielle is responsible for the leadership, management, and operations of all activities of Annauma.

Danielle is an accomplished leader with a depth of expertise in the non-profit and charitable sector, where she has developed a keen interest in gender equity and global health. Danielle has a natural ability to bring people and ideas together to generate sustainable and scalable impact.

Most recently, Danielle was the Director of Strategic Partnerships for Operation Eyesight Universal. In this role, she led the institutional funding strategy to secure long-term funding for the organization, and worked in close collaboration with the programs team to generate innovative approaches to strengthen its impact.

Danielle earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Mount Royal University with a minor in social innovation and non-profit management. In 2017, she completed the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) Investment Management training, covering all aspects of investing in small and growing businesses with a focus on emerging markets.

Danielle enjoys spending time hiking and camping, being in nature brings her peace. She likes to cook for friends and family, and is an avid board game player.