Our Team
Employee Biographies
Our team of professional, dedicated staff is committed to working with their clients. We pride ourselves on our technical expertise, the ability to make decisions locally and a superior level of customer service.
Our focus on the success of our customers, partners and employees is the best way to ensure that we will create value for our shareholders all Yukon Aboriginal people.
Elaine Chambers
General Manager
Elaine Chambers, born and raised in Whitehorse Yukon, is a member of the Champagne & Aishihik First Nation and of the Crow Clan. She has been employed with däna Näye Ventures since 1987 and is currently the General Manager.
Her career began as Office Manager for the Yukon Indian Development Corporation in 1987 where she supervised the bookkeeping and accounting activities for their subsidiary companies. In 1990 Elaine took over similar responsibilities for däna Näye Ventures and launched her career with them. She was promoted to Business Advisor, ABDP External Delivery in 1993. One year later, she became Manager, Financial Services and in 1996 was promoted to General Manager.
Since 1996 to Fall of 2008, Elaine has represented the Yukon on the CANDO Board of Directors. In addition, she represents däna Näye Ventures on the NACCA Board of Directors and has served as Chairperson, Secretary/Treasurer.
Elaine currently is on the Board for RAB Energy Group Inc. (Northerm Windows) and Kilrich.
She is a proud mother of two grown children, Odessa and Tina and a grandma to Kael.
Sarah Steinberg
Manager Finance and Administration
Sarah has enjoyed living in the Yukon for the past 16 years. She has been employed with däna Näye Ventures since 1999 and is currently the Manager of Finance and Administration.
Prior to this, she worked with the White River First Nation in Whitehorse as their Finance Manager for five years and was responsible for the overall operational efficiency of the organization.
Sarah is a graduate of the Business Administration Program at Yukon College.
Sarah believes in giving back to the communities in which she lives and is involved in a number of volunteer activities. Currently, she is the Treasurer for the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter, (Yukon Humane Society). She was previously on the Board of the Northern Lights Dance School and now volunteers with them and also contributes volunteer time to the Vanier High School. In the past, Sarah has served on the Holy Family Elementary School Council.
Before moving to the Yukon, Sarah managed her family’s business in New Hampshire where she was born. Raised in Fort St. John, B.C., she is the proud mother of two teenage children, Ben and Abby.
Holly Underschultz
Manager Financial Services
Holly came to work with däna Näye Ventures as their Financial Services Officer in 1999 and in 2007 was promoted to Assistant Manager of Financial Services. She is responsible for a client base of Yukon and Northern B.C. businesses who have, or who are in the process of receiving financial assistance from däna Näye Ventures.
Holly worked as an accounting technician with two chartered accountant firms in Edmonton, prior to coming to the Yukon. She also has experience in administration and in the retail industry having worked as the Office and Credit Manager with Home Hardware/ Irly Bird.
She was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta and graduated from NAIT in 1988 with a Diploma in Accounting and Business Administration.
Holly has one grown son and enjoys music, gardening and a variety of hand crafts.
Michiko Profeit
Accounting Officer
Michiko was born and raised in Whitehorse, Yukon, and graduated from Porter Creek Secondary School in 2003. She completed two years of studies at Yukon College, focusing primarily on Psychology and Sociology.
Being an avid reader, Michiko had already read 1,000 books by the time she turned seven. Her love of reading never waned, and in addition to her regular studies, she opted to take every English course offered by Yukon College 'just for fun.' She is an unbiased reader; she will read anything she can get her hands on. Her other interests include walking, snowmobiling, shopping, and spending time with friends and her large extended family.
Allison McNevin
Business Services Officer
Allison has been living in the Yukon since 1973. She grew up at Lake Leberge, attended school in Mayo and Whitehorse. She received an accounting diploma from Yukon College and completed two years of Commerce through UBC's Extension Program.
Allison enjoys teaching the Feasibility Workshops and helping all entrepreneurs start or expand their businesses here in Whitehorse, and in the communities. She came to us from H & R Block where she worked for 9 years as a senior tax preparer and taught the senior tax courses.
Allison enjoys all aspects of living in the Yukon: picking berries, gardening and preserving her own food, including cross country skiing.
Caroline Muff
Financial Services Officer
Caroline is a born and raised Yukoner. Having to be brought up in the land of the midnight sun may seem like a hardship for some but she would not have it any other way. After graduating from F.H. Collins High School she moved on to post secondary at the University College of the Fraser Valley. Not liking the 'big city' very much, she ventured home to begin her career.
Caroline's interest in finance placed her in a Customer Service Representative position with TD Canada Trust in 2003. After another try to live below the 60th parallel in 2004, she gladly transferred back to the Whitehorse branch. Seeing that she belonged in Whitehorse, she accepted a position as a Financial Service Representative with First Nations Bank of Canada in June 2004. With the opening of a new FNBC branch in June of 2007, she was promoted to Manager of Customer Service. Now, in 2008, she is happy to be with däna Näye Ventures as a Financial Service Officer.
Caroline is a member of the Taku River Tlingit First Nation, Kookhittaan crow clan. She enjoys camping and softball in the summers, rest and relaxing in the winters, and most of all, spending time with family and friends.
Andrew Hsieh
Business Services Officer
A transplant from Taiwan, Andrew has compiled an impressive business portfolio working with multi-national businesses and business development for over 15 years. His experience has taken him to Asia, Europe, Australia and various areas of North America.
A life-long learner, Andrew holds a Masters Degree in Business Communication obtained at the University of Ulster in the United Kingdom. He also holds certificates in Advanced Business Consultation, Entrepreneurship and Immigration Consultation from various Canadian Institutions.
Andrew is looking forward to establishing himself in the Yukon, exploring all that the Territory offers, and assisting all Yukon entrepreneurs and business people to launch a new business, purchase an existing business, or expand their existing business.
Niomi Smith
Administrative Assistant, Reception
Niomi was born in St. Anthony, Newfoundland and moved to Whitehorse when she was 5 years old. After growing up in Whitehorse, she attended Red Deer College for a year in 2004. She then moved back to Whitehorse, was married in the summer of 2005 and welcomed her son in the summer of 2006. Niomi has a very busy household which consists of herself, her husband, her son, 3 cats, 4 dogs, 2 guinea pigs and 2 fish tanks!
Niomi is family oriented and her favorite way to spend her time is hanging out with her husband and son. Rescuing and training dogs has become a big part of her life and she does a lot of this in her spare time. Her hobbies include reading and watching movies with her husband on Friday nights. Niomi gives back to the community by participating in volunteer events such as dog safety programs, Lyrical Hounds events and dog rescue and fostering.
Logan Freese
Financial Services Officer
Logan originally came to däna Näye Ventures in September 2006 after two and a half years with CIBC where he gained valuable experience in Customer Service and Personal/Small Business lending programs. In September of 2008, Logan left däna Näye Ventures to go and work for the City of Whitehorse. After a year's absence, which he spent gaining knowledge and more experience in accounting practices and collections methods, he returned to däna Näye Ventures in October of 2009.
Born and raised in Haines Junction, Yukon, Logan decided to return to Whitehorse after attending Lethbridge Community College's General Studies Program to seek out new employment opportunities.
Logan is an avid sports fan and outdoorsman and participates in several recreational sports leagues as well as enjoying many outdoor activities.
