Justin Ferbey

Justin is the Deputy Minister for the Department of Economic Development for the Yukon Government and the President and CEO of the Yukon Development Corporation.

Justin studied his MBA degree online whilst living in the far north of Canada, in Carcross, Yukon. Justin refers to this time as ‘very memorable’ working during the day, and then studying until midnight.

Whilst studying, Justin was called upon to lead a ratification vote to establish a new order of government in Canada. The vote was a referendum to establish a modern day treaty with the Canadian government and his indigenous community, the Carcross Tagish First Nation. The successful vote concluded 40 years of negotiations with the Canadian federal government.

Justin would go on to lead the First Nation government for four years before being asked to attempt to transform his local economy.

“I am responsible for diversifying Yukon’s economy while balancing environmental stewardship,” said Justin, “These wide responsibilities include implementation of international and national free trade agreements, supporting renewable energy projects, attracting capital into the mining sector, overseeing immigrations programming, and strengthening Yukon’s start-up economy.”

Justin says his time studying helped him to shape his career, “At the time I was leading the restructuring of our First Nation government and I was learning about organisation design at the University of Liverpool. It was a powerful opportunity to match work conundrums with lessons in real time.

“I am proud to say I hold a graduate degree from the University of Liverpool.”