Northern Development CEO announces retirement

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. — Chief Executive Officer of Northern Development Initiative Trust Janine North has announced her intention to retire this upcoming fall.

A press release from the Trust states that the Board of Directors supports her decision, and will determine the timeline of selecting and hiring a new CEO at its next formal meeting in April.

North plans to remain CEO until her replacement has been selected and hired, and will work with her successor to ensure a smooth leadership transition. Her decision to retire comes as the result of a decision to spend more time with family and friends, after more than a decade of service to the Trust.

The Trust was established by the Province with North as a founding CEO in 2005. It has approved more than $142 million in funding for more than 2,000 projects throughout central and northern B.C.

Throughout her career, North’s commitment to excellence has been recognized. She has received many accolades, including recognition as one of the 50 most influential women in B.C., the Influential Women in Business Award, University of Northern B.C. Honourary Lifetime Alumni, Northern B.C.’s Woman of Influence and Impact, and Northern B.C. Newsmaker of the Year.

Northern Development Intiative Trust’s CEO Janine North. Photo by Northern Development Intiative Trust

“The development of the Trust as a sustainable cornerstone of this region’s development has been a life work for me,” she said, calling it ‘rewarding, challenging, exhilarating and humbling.’

“I treasure the relationships and friends that I have gained. I have been honoured to work with passionate leaders who invest in making our communities even better places to live, work and raise our families. We have demonstrated together that the best economic and community development decisions are made in the north. With a long transition period, the board and I are committed to ensure smooth leadership succession.”

Northern Development Chair Evan Saugstad said the announcement is one he accepts with mixed emotions.

“I’m sad to see someone with her experience, desire and leadership skills leaving the Trust, while at the same time I’m happy and supportive of her decision to retire and begin experiencing life where work isn’t one’s main focus in life,” he said.

Saugstad said he congratulates Janine on behalf of the board for all of her achievements while leading the Trust and making it the truly unique and valuable organization that it has become.

“Her tireless work and leadership took the Trust from an organization that began with a large bank account and not much else, to the organization that has become institutionalized as an essential part of our communities, with an even bigger bank account,” he added.

She will remain in Northern B.C., and, as an accredited corporate director, North will continue to serve on the BC Hydro and ViaSport boards.