Staff – TradeSpeak

Rob Calderone

Program Coordinator

Robert James Calderone is the Founder and Executive Director of the Trades & Sustainability Programs at TradeSpeak. With more than three decades of hands‑on construction, trades, and youth‑leadership experience, Robert brings a rare blend of technical skill, grassroots innovation, and deep community commitment to the TradeSpeak team. A master drywaller, taper, painter, and builder, Robert has led residential and commercial construction projects across Ontario, earning a reputation for precision, integrity, and mentorship. As the founder and operator of Methodical Drywall, he established himself as a trusted leader in the trades, completing projects ranging from small repairs to installations exceeding 20,000 square feet. Robert’s passion for youth development and sustainability led him to co‑found the Canadian Future Agricultural Residential Maintenance (F.A.R.M.) Program, serving communities throughout the Kawarthas. This nonprofit initiative combined community farming, youth entrepreneurship, and an innovative “Farm Buck” system, allowing young participants to earn redeemable credits for groceries while gaining hands‑on agricultural and life skills. Under his leadership, the program operated three core initiatives: community gardens, youth entrepreneur projects, and farm‑exchange systems that supplied local soup kitchens and supported families in need. Currently serving as a project manager with TradeSpeak — formerly known as First Nations Trade School — Robert is deeply committed to sharing his expertise alongside licensed trades professionals with Indigenous youth. His focus is on empowering the next generation with practical trades knowledge, sustainability practices, and self‑sufficiency tools. At TradeSpeak, Robert leads the design and delivery of trades training, eco‑construction projects, and sustainability programs, including Earthship builds, tiny‑home development, and solar‑energy solutions. His visionary approach to self‑sufficient living, free‑energy experimentation, and regenerative agriculture continues to shape TradeSpeak’s mission to create replicable, community‑led models for ecological resilience.

Paul Snider

Logistics Manager

Paul Snider brings more than 40 years of trucking and transportation experience to his role as Logistics Manager at TradeSpeak. With a career spanning long‑haul operations, fleet coordination, and supply‑chain planning, Paul provides the program with the reliability, structure, and real‑world expertise needed to support both training and project delivery. Throughout his decades in the industry, Paul has managed routing, scheduling, safety compliance, and equipment oversight for a wide range of commercial operations. His background ensures that TradeSpeak’s materials, tools, and project resources move efficiently — whether supporting classroom instruction, job‑site builds, or community sustainability initiatives. In addition to his logistics leadership, Paul has operated online businesses since 1997 and brings extensive digital experience to the organization. He also serves as TradeSpeak’s Webmaster, overseeing site updates, content management, and digital infrastructure to ensure the platform remains accessible, secure, and community‑focused. Paul’s combined expertise in transportation, operations, and online systems makes him a key contributor to TradeSpeak’s mission of empowering Indigenous learners through practical skills, modern tools, and dependable support.

Katie Furlong

Educational Coordinator

Katie Furlong brings a powerhouse of practical and pedagogical expertise to her role as Educational Coordinator. With a career spanning over 30 years, Katie has dedicated herself to the belief that education should be as functional as it is foundational. Her unique blend of trades-based business management and specialized educational leadership makes her an invaluable asset to our trade school community. Educational & Professional Leadership
Katie's professional journey is rooted in a deep understanding of how people learn. She holds a Diploma in Early Childhood Education, a Montessori Teaching Diploma, and is a Certified Neurofeedback Practitioner. Her diverse leadership background includes:
• Founder and Operator of a private school
• 32+ years working with children of all ages and needs
• Founding member of Kinark Outdoor Centre’s Parent Advisory Committee
• Extensive trades-business management experience The Heart of a Tradesperson
Katie has personally flipped six homes, gaining hands-on mastery in renovation. Her 26 years of homesteading, self-sufficient living, and off-grid residency further solidify her commitment to practical, life-sustaining skills. Personal Mission
A proud mother of four and grandmother of one, Katie spent 16 years homeschooling her children and remains active in community events. Her mission is to empower students with the tangible skills needed to build successful careers and self-sufficient lives.