Stephen H. Rose appointed as Chair of the Board for YESAB

The Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephen H. Rose as the new Chair of the Board, effective January 19, 2024. The Chair of the Board is appointed by the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC).

Bringing with him a wealth of experience spanning over thirty-nine years in both the public and private sectors, Stephen is primed to lead YESAB in its continued work in the public interest. “I am honored and excited to join YESAB as the Chair of the Board,” says Stephen. “I look forward to working collaboratively with the other members of the Board, stakeholders and First Nations to uphold YESAB’s mandate and fostering responsible and sustainable development of the territory.”

Stephen’s extensive background encompasses various facets of the corporate and public sector including financial operations, policy development, communications, Information Technology, and human resources. During his career, Stephen has been instrumental in fostering collaborative relationships between industry stakeholders, governmental bodies, non-governmental, and First Nations organizations. He served the Government of Yukon in various roles including Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Planning and Economic Policy, and Assistant Deputy Minister of Operations at Department of Economic Development, until his retirement in December 2018.

Stephen, as the newly appointed Chair of the Board for YESAB, aims to prioritize engagement with Board members, staff, stakeholders, and the community at large when assessing environmental and socio-economic impacts of crucial projects. With a commitment to the community’s well-being and honoring the perspectives of First Nations, Stephen will take a collaborative approach that ensures thorough assessments and sustainable decisions.

Role and responsibilities of Chair of the Board:

As per YESAB Governance and Structure , the Chair’s role involves providing leadership to the Board and to the Executive Director to ensure that YESAB meets its responsibilities. The Chair is accountable to the Board. Among the Board, the Chair of the Board and two Board members form the Executive Committee, which has a number of responsibilities under the Yukon Environmental and Socio-Economic Assessment Act (YESAA). 

The Chair is also responsible for the general day-to-day management of Board matters and sees that all resolutions of the Board are put into effect. The Chair is a link between the Board and YESAB staff (via the Executive Director).