Our
Leadership Team

Prior to his appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer of Nations Royalty, Derrick Pattenden served as the company’s Chief Investment Officer beginning in May 2024.

He is an accomplished investment banker with over 15 years of experience in the mining industry, specializing in finance and mergers and acquisitions. Over the course of his career, he has completed M&A transactions with a combined equity value exceeding C$20 billion, and he has direct experience with transactions involving the creation of new mining royalties, and royalty companies, as well as the restructuring of existing metal streaming agreements.

Mr. Pattenden began his investment banking career in Vancouver in 2009 with Genuity Capital Markets. Prior to joining Nations Royalty, he served as Director, Investment Banking at Canaccord Genuity, where he advised TSX and TSX Venture–listed companies and focused exclusively on the mineral exploration and mining sector.

He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Mining Engineering from the University of British Columbia and holds a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

Mr. Pattenden is a proud band member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte.

Kody Penner is a mining professional with diverse experience in the mining industry and Indigenous space. He has helped create strategy and drive value for Indigenous Governments and business while building lasting, sustainable relationships. With experience working in junior and major mining companies, he brings a collaborative approach to decision making, aligning values of rights and stakeholders toward common goals. He advanced from an underground miner to a strategy role at Canada’s largest diversified miner. He is also Vice-Chair of the Tahltan Nation Development Corporation, where he has helped lead the company through major strategic and operational changes by enhancing governance and management structures.

Prior to Nations, Kody worked as Lead, Business Planning at Teck Resources Limited’s (“Teck”) Copper Growth group where he advanced Teck’s development assets through effective business planning, efficient capital allocation, and strong governance frameworks. Before Teck, he worked as a Mining Analyst for Agentis Capital, in Investor Relations with Skeena Resources Ltd. and as Employment Director for the Tahltan Central Government. Kody holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) from the University of British Columbia.

Growing up in the mining industry, Kody worked at Imperial Metal’s Ruddock Creek exploration camp and as an underground miner at Newmont’s Brucejack mine. He is passionate about responsible resource development that benefits communities and shareholders, helping Indigenous groups work toward self-sufficiency while providing the world with much-needed minerals. 

Liam Morrison is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) with over 7 years’ experience in the mineral exploration and mining industry. Mr. Morrison began his career on project sites in northern British Columbia, working on both Tudor Gold’s Treaty Creek property and StrikePoint Gold’s Willoughby property.

He then transitioned to the financial side of the industry after completing a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Victoria in Economics and Business, as well as a postgraduate Diploma in Accounting from the University of British Columbia. Mr. Morrison went on to hold increasing financial management positions at Blackwolf Copper & Gold and Selkirk Copper Mines Inc., and also currently serves as Project Controller at Cambria Gold Mines Inc.

James Russell is a two-time founder and business development leader with a strong background in fintech, capital markets, strategic partnerships, and sales execution. At Nations Royalty, James focuses on building relationships with Indigenous Nations, industry partners, financial institutions, and corporate stakeholders to help advance long-term Indigenous participation in the mining royalty and capital markets space.

Prior to joining Nations Royalty, James was the Founder & CEO of LIVO Financial, a Canadian fintech company focused on digital wealth management and investment solutions. Through LIVO, he led strategic partnerships, product development, customer acquisition, and institutional relationship management while working with major financial industry participants and technology providers.

Earlier in his career, James held roles across financial services, business development, and sales strategy, including positions with major Canadian financial institutions. His experience spans institutional relationship management, partnership negotiations, go-to-market strategy, and scaling early-stage businesses.

James is recognized for his ability to connect ideas, people, and opportunities — particularly in complex industries where relationship-building and trust are critical. His core strength lies in sales and partnerships: creating strategic alignment between organizations, identifying growth opportunities, and helping move discussions from concept to execution.

At Nations Royalty, James plays an active role in advancing partnerships and helping communicate the company’s vision of increasing Indigenous participation in long-term royalty ownership and capital markets structures.

Stephanie Azak is a proud Nisga’a Nation member from Gitwinksihlkw, B.C., and brings a lifelong commitment to Indigenous governance, economic development, and community empowerment to her role as Corporate Secretary at Nations Royalty.   With a Bachelor of Arts in First Nations Studies from the University of British Columbia and multiple certificates in Nisga’a language, leadership, and economic development, Stephanie has spent over a decade championing community-based initiatives. Her career spans several roles across the Nisga’a Nation—from employment advising with Nisga’a Employment Skills and Training (NEST) to resource management with the Nisga’a Village of Gitwinksihlkw—demonstrating her dedication to workforce development and capacity-building.   Stephanie’s approach is grounded in cultural integrity, intergenerational knowledge, and the belief that Indigenous wealth must remain in Indigenous hands. She is also deeply engaged in cultural revitalization and regularly volunteers with community events, including the Nisga’a Four Crest Dance Group and local food banks.   Her work at Nations Royalty supports the company’s mission to strengthen Indigenous participation in capital markets while upholding the traditions, values, and vision of her community.

Trenton Kwan leads investor relations at Nations Royalty, supporting shareholders and driving engagement across the investment community. Before joining Nations Royalty, he spent seven years at one of Canada’s premier investor relations agencies, where he advised and supported public companies across the mining, energy, and technology sectors.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of British Columbia and is a CFA Charterholder.