Nicole Treitz is the Vice President of Growth & Partnerships at Gakino’amaage: Teach For Canada. She joined the organization in its first year and has played a central role in supporting its growth from an early-stage start-up into a national, Indigenous-led organization working alongside First Nations to strengthen local education systems and expand opportunities for young people in remote communities.

A former educator, Nicole has built her career at the intersection of youth development, education, and systems change, with a commitment to strengthening the conditions for a promising future for young people and for Canada. She began as Teach For Canada’s founding Director of Development, establishing the organization’s fundraising and partnership strategy and helping shape the structures, relationships, and collaborative approaches that guide its work today. As Vice President, she leads national philanthropy and strategic partnerships, working with First Nations, governments, and philanthropic leaders to advance community-defined priorities.

Nicole’s leadership spans long-term strategy, major partnership development, and the mobilization of capital in service of Nation-directed goals. She is recognized for her ability to navigate complex systems, foster cross-sector alignment, and support partners in translating shared priorities into sustainable, long-term impact.

Beyond her role at Gakino’amaage, Nicole contributes to provincial and national governance. She previously served on the Board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ontario, providing oversight for a provincial endowment supporting youth mentorship, and she now serves on the Board of Directors of MS Canada, advancing national research, policy, and support systems for people living with multiple sclerosis.

Outside of her professional work, she prioritizes staying well and recharging in the Rocky Mountains with her family.