On April 29, 2026, Northern Development held its Annual General Meeting and spring Board meeting in Prince George, where Margo Wagner was acclaimed as chair of the Northern Development Board of Directors for another term. The executive committee was also acclaimed for another term, continuing the leadership team guiding the Trust’s work across Northern B.C.
Wagner was first elected as chair of Northern Development in 2019 and serves as chair of the Cariboo Regional District and director of Area H, representing Forest Grove, Gateway, Bradley and Buffalo Creek, Ruth, Hawkins, Canim, Mahood and Hendrix Lakes.
The Northern Development Board Executive Committee is as follows:
Margo Wagner – chair
Barry Pages, chair, North Coast Regional District – vice chair
Julie Ziebart, provincial appointee – finance committee chair
Dan Rose, director, Peace River Regional District – committee member
The directors at large are:
Lara Beckett, chair, Regional District Fraser Fort George
Doug Donaldson, provincial appointee
Rob Fraser, mayor, Northern Rockies Regional Municipality
Julie Maitland, mayor, District of New Hazelton
Mark Parker, chair, Regional District Bulkley Nechako
Wayne Plenert, provincial appointee
Fred Sam, provincial appointee
Jim Smith, director, Thompson-Nicola Regional District
Chief Leah Stump, provincial appointee
The Board also approved Northern Development’s 2025 Annual Report, marking the Trust’s 20th anniversary year. The report highlights another strong year of investment and activity across Northern B.C.
Annual Report highlights include:
- $50,016,235 approved for 381 projects
- 12.0 per cent return on investment
- $12,651,144 approved through core funding programs
- $37,365,091 approved through partner programs
- 20 years of investment in Northern B.C. communities
View the full 2025 Annual Report and current Board of Directors on Northern Development’s website.
Quotes:
Margo Wagner, chair, Northern Development
“It’s an honour to be reappointed as chair of Northern Development and to continue working alongside such a dedicated Board representing communities from across Northern B.C. We’re dedicated to supporting the work happening throughout the region, stimulating community resiliency and entrepreneurial creativity and I look forward to the upcoming year!”
Ben Campbell, CEO, Northern Development
“Our Annual General Meeting and is an opportunity to reflect on the work accomplished over the past year and that our Board is strongly poised to provide strategic guidance for future work. This year’s Annual Report is especially meaningful as it showcases 20 years of supporting communities across Northern B.C. and continuing to invest in projects that strengthen the region over the long term.”
