Scott
Patles-Richardson

Scott Patles-Richardson is a First Nation executive business leader committed to creating opportunities focused on capacity building and economic development of First Nations and Métis communities. Over the course of his extensive career, Scott has brokered multi-million-dollar settlements, agreements, and contracts on behalf of Indigenous communities and organizations across Canada.

With nearly 30 years of professional experience, Scott has founded, operated, and led diverse organizations at multiple stages of growth, from start-up to mature, across various industries, to produce millions of dollars in revenue.

Scott started his career in business and commercial banking, working for banks including Scotiabank and RBC, where he developed a strong financial and analytical acumen that has enabled him to identify high-potential business opportunities. One of these was Masha Krupp Translation Group, which Scott acquired and guided from insolvency to profitability in only 6 months. He also transformed the organization, rebranding it as Nations Translation Group, which is now a 100% First Nation-owned enterprise and leading provider of translation and interpretation services to the federal, provincial, and municipal governments in Canada.

Scott is also the CEO of Métis Infinity Investments, a private equity firm owned by Métis Infinity Trust, a trust that represents all 31 Métis community councils. As CEO, he has led the strategic acquisition of a number of investment companies, negotiated a $700M and first-of-its-kind joint-venture, fee-splitting syndicate with a chartered bank, and restructured a $90M, 18MW solar portfolio, increasing cash flow.

Embodying a rare combination of expertise in mergers and acquisitions, strategy, and Indigenous engagement and advocacy, Scott launched Indigenous Financial Services to serve First Nations communities and organizations and advise on strategic planning, governance, economic development, and capacity building initiatives. He also acts as chief negotiator on access to capital, impact benefit agreements (IBA), and land claims matters.

Prior to launching his own advisory practice, Scott worked alongside former National Chief Phil Fontaine and partnered with executive leaders in order to advocate for Indigenous communities and their interests, providing insights that informed key strategic decisions. Scott was the Indigenous engagement advisor to TC Energy for their $12B Energy East Project. He was also a key contributor to Cleveland-Cliffs’ Ring of Fire project, and the Feed-In Tariff Program in Ontario, with which he facilitated the creation of $100M in deals.

A dedicated and engaged board member, Scott serves as a board director and advisory committee member with several organizations leading private and public sector organizations as well as regulators. He is a Member of the Indigenous Advisory Committee with the Canada Energy Regulator as well as Board Director with PWC, Switch Broker Network, MNO Solar, Red Lake Plumbing and Heating, SOAR and his own reserve of Pabineau First Nation on their Economic Development Corporation.

Scott holds his Bachelor of Arts degree in Native Studies, Economics, and Geography from the University of Manitoba. He is also a Certified Treasury Professional, accredited by the Association for Financial Professionals.