Staff and Management

At Da Daghay (DDDC), we believe that the success of any organization lies in the hands of its dedicated and talented staff. This page is dedicated to recognizing and showcasing the exceptional individuals who make up our team and drive our organization forward.

As a leading organization in our industry, we pride ourselves on attracting and retaining top talent from diverse backgrounds, with a shared passion for excellence and innovation. Our staff and management team are the driving force behind our achievements, working together to deliver outstanding results and exceed our clients' expectations.

Our Team

“I’m humbled to be in a position where I can help build a workforce with the necessary skills and knowledge required to drive the bedrock of Yukon’s economy into the future, all in the name of the people of the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council.”
— Ben Asquith, CEO

Executive

Ben Asquith

CEO

  • Ben is the Chief Executive Officer of Da Daghay Development Corporation (DDDC). DDDC is the economic development arm of Ta’an Kwäch’än Council. DDDC is primarily involved in real estate development within the City of Whitehorse. Prior to joining DDDC, Ben spent over 10 years in commercial banking and economic development, mainly dealing with First Nation governments and their development corporations. Ben has lived on and off in Yukon his whole life and is committed to seeing Yukon First Nation governments prosper through economic development. After obtaining his education in the South, Ben returned to Yukon and is raising his 5 children with his wife Iris. Ben enjoys volunteering and contributing back to the community by way of fundraising, mentoring, and sitting on boards within the business and First Nation communities.

Tiffany Eckert-Maret

COO

  • Tiffany Lande-Gus’duteen Eckert-Maret is from the wolf clan and is a citizen of the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council. Tiffany grew up on the shores of Lake Laberge with her cousins and grandmother, the late Irene Smith. As a child, Tiffany was fortunate to travel across Canada as a military brat with her parents and her sweet sister Kayla. Tiffany was taught and maintains the traditional craft of beading and sewing slippers like her great grandmother Alice, grandmother Irene and mother Doris Anderson.

HR + Finance

John Laffra

Director, HR + Finance Officer

  • My name is John Laffra, I was named after my mother’s father, and I have three beautiful daughters. I have been with DDDC since late 2020, my current role is Director of Finance/HR. It has been a true privilege to work for this organization, I look forward to developing my skills to better support DDDC.

Marketing & Communications

Dakota Eckert-Maret

Marketing & Communications Officer

  • My name is Aanizhia-Gusduteen, I am from the wolf clan and am honoured to carry the same name of my grandma Doris. My grandparents are Doris and Andy Anderson, and my great-grandparents are Irene Smith and John Charles Smith, and my parents are Andre and Tiffany Eckert-Maret. To know me is to know that I have one super cute dog, Roxy and she is my whole life. I joined DDDC in September of 2022.

Administration

Aberdeen Broeren

Office Manager

  • My name is Aberdeen Broeren, my indigenous name is Lazeea (it means to travel all over.) I joined DDDC in the year of 2021, when I was a summer student and started as a Business Development trainee. After summer I was promoted to a full-time employee at DDDC. My positions have varied and I've been able to gain experience as a Tenant Relations Officer, Marketing/Administration, Business Development and my current position being the Office Manager for Da Daghay Development Corporation. I’m a Ta’an Kwäch’än Council citizen and the granddaughter of the late Julia Broeren. Over the last 3 years I’ve gained a lot of knowledge and opportunities. I couldn’t be prouder to be a DDDC employee.

Business Development

Desiree Coad-Broeren

Business Development Officer

  • My name is Desiree Coad-Broeren, my indigenous name is Lazeea (it means to travel all over). I am a business development officer for DDDC and a Ta’an Kwäch’än Council Citizen. I am one of the late Julia Broeren’s granddaughters. I am thankful for the opportunity to grow both professionally and personally with DDDC.

Blake Buckle

Director, Business Development Officer

  • Blake Buckle, a lifelong northerner and longtime resident of Whitehorse, brings leadership experience from the public, private, and post-secondary sectors. He is honored to support Da Daghay Development Corporation in creating wealth and opportunities for its Shareholder and citizens. Blake and his wife Christina, who runs a non-profit dance school, have three children: Odette, Wyatt, and Charlotte.

Ethan LaVallee

Business Development Officer

  • Hello everyone, I'm Ethan LaVallee, the Business Development Officer for DDDC. I'm extremely proud to be working for my First Nations (TKC) development corporation. Over the course of my first full year, I've gained experience through conferences, mentorships, etc. and I'm grateful for the opportunities I have access to with DDDC.

Property Management

Virginia Guidolin

Director, Property Management

  • With 3 years of property management experience and 1 year at Da Daghay, I’m passionate about creating a supportive, community-driven environment for our tenants. I’ve focused on improving the property through clean-up efforts, optimizing security systems, and building strong relationships with tenants and service providers. My goal is to foster an open, caring space where everyone feels valued and has the resources to live happy, healthy lives.

Matt Murphy

Manager, Property Management

  • My name is Virginia Guidolin. I’m the Director of Property Management for DDDC. I moved to Whitehorse in 1986 and have enjoyed a variety of occupations. I am very good with all public relations and look forward to many years serving the staff and tenants of DDDC.

Andy Calahizen

Lead Property Maintenance

  • Hi, my name is Andy Calahizen. I am a member from Prophet River First Nations, located in British Columbia. My grandparents were Louie & Adaleen Desjarlais. What I enjoy the most is having the support from DDDC in what I do in my job position, and not to mention the great co-workers that I get to work with. When I’m not working, I like to spend quality family time with my two boys.

Austin Smith

Property Maintenance Technician

  • Greetings, my name is Austin, and I’m a proud citizen of the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council. I am excited to be part of our development corporation, DDDC. Contributing to the growth and success of our community is something I’m deeply grateful for. I am committed to working hard to support initiatives that create opportunities and build a strong foundation for future generations.