Lea is a proud member of the Wəlastəkwey (Maliseet Nation) at Nekwətkok (Tobique), with decades of experience in international development and the human rights of Indigenous Peoples. Through LNM Indigenous Consulting Inc., she works with and trains Indigenous Peoples, governments, organizations and corporations to achieve transformative change through human rights, Indigenous engagement, inclusion, and reconciliation.
Lea is an expert member of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. She is also working with the Canadian Foreign Service Institute to develop and deliver training for Global Affairs Canada regarding the human rights of Indigenous Peoples. Lea is also a Canadian Indigenous Resident Fellow at the Mastercard Foundation, a founding member and co-chair of the Honouring Nations Canada Circle of Advisors at Fulbright Canada, a member of the Coalition for the Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples, member of the Advisory Council for Women in International Security Canada (WIIS-C), and member of the board at Kinvia (formerly Canadian Feed the Children).
Among many other things, Lea previously served as Chief of Staff to the National Chief at the Assembly of First Nations, the Chief of Protocol and Director of Aboriginal Outreach and Participation for the Four Host First Nations during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Chief of Staff to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Special Advisor on Indigenous Issues at the Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations in New York, Canadian Technical Advisor for the Alinea International Technical Assistance Program, and Coordinator of the International Indigenous Women’s Forum (FIMI).
She holds a BA in French Language and Linguistics from the University of New Brunswick and an MA in Leadership and Training from Royal Roads University. In 2021, she was recognized by WXN as one of Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women for her profound, thoughtful and measurable impact on diversity.