About Bridging Concepts
Helping People and Ideas Connect
Since 1999, Trina Maher has been helping Indigenous organizations build their people and capacity, and on supporting non-Indigenous organizations create more inclusive workplaces.
A 100% First Nations-owned consultancy, Trina founded Bridging Concepts in 2011 to focus on using an Indigenous worldview to provide innovative solutions that honour diversity and promote sustainability.
Trina Maher
President and Chief Creative Spirit
About Trina Maher
Trina is the President & ‘Chief Creative Spirit’ at Bridging Concepts, which is a fitting title for someone who enjoys bringing creative thinking and a solutions focussed mindset to assisting clients reach their goals with purpose. Bridging Concepts is the name of the company chosen through much reflection and identifying with what Trina does best – ‘helping people and ideas connect’.
Trina is a member of the Ojibwe community of Mattagami First Nation, Ontario, who also has a proud background of French. Being raised in this duality of cultures, offers her a unique perspective and teaching philosophy in her elite & customized approach to corporate Indigenous diversity training.
Since 1999 Trina has worked to educate, strategize, advise and coach HR teams in their inclusion plans through customized training, online content development for LMS systems, designing learning programs for conferences, authoring articles for in-company newsletters, and guest speaking for corporate meetings.
Why Trina & Bridging Concepts?
Indigenous Diversity Corporate Trainer With 20+ Years Experience
Master Trainer Of Active Engagement/ hope-filled Engagement/ guiding Circles
Community Engagement & Labour-market Project Consultant
Keynote Speaker
“Trina Maher has been an invaluable partner to our team for more than a decade, delivering highly tailored training that enriches our understanding of Indigenous diversity and culture. Through a compelling blend of historical context, contemporary issues, and actionable insights, Trina equips our employees with not only relevant information but also innovative program ideas applicable to their current and future roles.”
Laura Clinton, Executive Director, Mining Matters
“Trina’s dedication to creating an inclusive space is exceptional. In our classes, she fosters an environment where all students feel valued and empowered to explore without fear of judgment. Her approach is not only open and caring but also rooted in respect for Indigenous ways of being.”
Philip Pettigrew, Career Development Practitioner Program, George Brown College
The knowledge and stories Trina shared with our employees at Agnico Eagle Mines on Red Dress Day were invaluable. Her collaboration in organizing a safe space for the presentation regarding such an important topic surpassed all expectations. Our colleagues were honoured to learn about Trina’s continued contributions to educating others and raising awareness about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit people, sharing some of her own experiences as an Indigenous woman.
Sky Chokomolin, Indigenous Affairs Community Coordinator, Agnico Eagle
“Since our training with Bridging Concepts, our commitment to collaborating with Indigenous peoples and their communities in Canada has helped Herc Rentals build long-term trusting and mutually beneficial relationships based on the values of inclusion, transparency, respect and accountability. After the training with Bridging Concepts, we have had several Indigenous team members step forward to share their backgrounds and experiences. Thank you Trina for helping us on our journey.”
Jen Pescod, Director, Human Resources, Herc Rentals
“The Canadian Career Development Foundation (CCDF) works to strengthen the reach and impact of career services for all. We have appreciated the many opportunities we’ve had over the years to work with Trina on various projects contributing to this mandate. Trina brings a respect, wisdom, enthusiasm, and insight to everything she does. We look forward to many years of continued collaboration!”
Sareena Hopkins, Executive Director, Canada Career Development Foundation
“I’ve been honoured to serve on several advisory committees in the career development sector with Trina over the years and cherish her invited chapter, “Engaging in Career Conversations with Indigenous Peoples,” in my book: Career Development for Diverse Clients: Beyond the Basics. Trina’s wisdom is something I continue to seek out and treasure – she always offers a safe environment to discuss challenging topics and I continue to learn so much from her.”
Dr. Roberta Bergen, President, Life Strategies Ltd.
“We recently had the privilege of having Trina Maher as a guest speaker during Centennial College’s Career Week. Through sharing her personal career journey, Trina successfully showcased the relevance of creating strong bridges and boundaries between the workforce, community, and one’s personal self-discovery. Her enthusiasm, candor and extensive knowledge of Indigenous practice and culture, brought a fresh perspective to the value of working and living in partnership within our community.”
Alice Hsiang, Manager Career Development Projects and Operations, Centennial College
“Our organization has engaged the services of Bridging Concepts on various projects over the past several years. Trina has worked closely with us on customized solutions that are culturally sensitive, respectful and effective. Her passion for driving positive social change is evident and is inspirational to those in our organization who have had the opportunity to work with her. Bridging Concepts is an asset to any organization seeking to enhance their Indigenous inclusion initiatives.”
Nicole Poncelet, Senior Director, Human Resources, IAMGOLD Corporation
“Trina has been a workshop presenter, keynote speaker and emcee for our national conferences since we began the Canadian Aboriginal Human Resource Management Association (CAHRMA). She consistently brings new ideas for personal and professional self-care to share with our network through her unique energized approach. Through her storytelling and humour, our members gather new ideas to bring home to their communities that inspires a healthy work/ life balance.”
Diane Carriere, President, CAHRMA
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