Membership

Ryan is a 25-year veteran of the Canadian communications and technology industries. He joined Manitoba Telecom Services in 2005 and has advanced progressively through senior leadership roles in marketing, product management and sales. Now serving as VP, Business for Bell MTS as part of Bell Business Markets, Ryan also leads the Epic IT team. He is Chair of Tech Manitoba and serves on the boards of Manitoba Technology Accelerator, the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and United Way Winnipeg.

As Vice Chair, Bell MTS and Western Canada, Ryan is championing Bell’s commitment to advancing communications innovation and competition in the West, including the Bell MTS $1 billion network investment commitment for Manitoba. Ryan also plays a leadership role with Bell Let’s Talk in Western Canada, including the dedicated fund for Indigenous mental health in Manitoba.

Ryan holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Saskatchewan and a Project Management Professional (PMP) designation.

Bell MTS

Bell MTS is a division of Bell Canada, Canada’s largest communications company. Bell MTS provides residential communications services including fibre-based Fibe TV and Fibe Internet, home security services, and home phone; and an unparalleled range of business communications services across Manitoba including data networking, managed IT solutions and cloud computing.

For more information on Bell MTS products and services, please visit bellmts.ca or call 204-225-5687.

Rob Read is the owner of Bison Fire Protection Inc. He has been in the fire protection industry since 1991 growing from refilling fire extinguishers to owning Bison Fire Protection. During this time Rob has been involved in many committees dedicated to improving fire protection in Manitoba. He is a past director for The Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce, MB Chapter of the Canadian Fire Alarm Assn. (CFAA), is the past president of the MB Fire Extinguishing Equipment Assn. (MFEEA), and previously served on The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Rob has done many educational presentations to Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), and associations related to the fire protection industry. He has taught the Pre-Engineered Commercial Kitchen Fire Suppression course at Red River College. He currently hosts Bison Bits a YouTube show highlighting business experiences.

Rob has always believed in giving back to the community that has given so much to him, and Bison Fire supports many charitable community events such as The Teddy Bear Picnic, Teen Challenge, The Wpg Folk Festival, and many walks for the cure.

Success with Bison Fire Protection comes in many forms. From making the Profit 500 list of Canada’s fastest growing companies 2012-2018, to many manufacturers’ awards for sales and service, to the greatest award of all, repeat and referred business from his customers.

While his background is in fire suppression using a variety of products to extinguish fire in many difference types of hazards. “If you can make it burn, I can put it out!” He takes pride in having developed solid fire alarm, and sprinkler divisions, adding three branch offices covering 2 provinces, and increasing the staff from the original five people to the current seventy five.

Rob lives just North of Winnipeg, and enjoys spending time at the lake with his family.

Bison Fire Protection Inc.

Since our establishment in 2001, Bison Fire Protection has grown rapidly to help meet the fire safety needs of our customers. We began as a fire extinguisher and automatic suppression provider, and have since grown into a full-service fire suppression business, which includes fire alarm and automatic sprinkler systems.

In 2006 our family expanded to include Thompson Extinguisher Service. In 2010 we expanded once again to meet the needs of our customers in Regina, Saskatchewan. In 2016 we opened a full service shop in Brandon MB.

Our locations are regularly inspected by Transport Canada, and are certified by Intertek to service fire extinguishers, pre-engineered, and engineered suppression systems. Our team is committed to not only providing professional fire protection service and solutions, but also to helping educate our customers and train them on how to stay safe.

As part of our commitment to you, we ensure that all Bison Fire Protection technicians are trained and certified by each of our suppliers, as required by the fire code. This commitment to training in every aspect of our company is just one of the reasons we remain a strong Winnipeg based company.

We put a high value on excellent customer service because we know that there is no substitute for a fantastic service experience, which is why our technicians are efficient, pleasant, and always happy to take the time to show you how to stay safe using our systems.

Rob Penner is the President & CEO for Bison Transport.  He began his career in the transportation industry in 1984 as a professional Driver and joined Bison Transport in 1991, moving through all aspects of Operations.  Rob was appointed Vice President, Operations in 1998 and promoted to his current role in January 2017.

 Rob is actively involved in the transportation community, having served on the Board of Directors for the Ontario Trucking Association, the Trucking Profitability Strategies Advisory Board at the University of Georgia-Athens, as well as numerous other working committees and advisory boards. Rob is involved with the Canadian Trucking Alliance, the American Trucking Association and past Chairman of the Truckload Carriers Association. Rob is currently a member of the Board for Winnipeg Airports Authority. Beyond transportation, Rob is a member of the Business Council of Canada as well as the Business Council of Manitoba. 

Bison Transport

Bison Transport is a privately held, professionally managed transportation company, established in 1969. Headquartered in Winnipeg, MB, with a network of terminals throughout Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, Bison is a leading asset-based freight solutions provider that employs over 2,600 professional Drivers and staff. We proudly deliver award-winning transportation services to our valued clients throughout North America.

John MacAulay is the Regional President of Prairies Central with BMO Bank of Montreal. He is responsible for Personal Banking services across the Northwest Territories, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Northwestern Ontario.

John joined the Bank of Montreal in 1992 and throughout his tenure has held various senior leadership positions including District Vice President for Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario and District Vice President for the Greater Toronto West area. In 2013, he relocated to Winnipeg in the role of Senior Vice President and Division Head of Prairies Central Canada. In 2015, he was appointed as the acting Head of the Commercial Banking Business, a position he held for nine months. In the summer of 2018, John relocated to Calgary to assume his current role.

John is a member of the Manitoba Business Council, a unique group of Chief Executive Officers of leading Manitoba companies who demonstrate a commitment to Manitoba’s economic growth and community development.

He lends his experience to several charitable causes including as a volunteer with the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s leadership team since 2015; in 2017 he joined the Capital Campaign Executive for the Inuit Art Centre as Chair of Leadership Gifts. He’s also served as a Campaign Cabinet Member for the Manitoba Museum’s Bringing Our Stories Forward Capital Campaign.

John currently serves on the Boards of Heritage Park Society, Theatre Calgary, where he co-chairs the Development Committee, and Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. He also sits as a Director on the Manitoba Health Sciences Centre Foundation Board and as an Honorary Campaign Member of Manitoba Opera..

John has a Bachelor of Arts (Economics) degree and Master of Business Administration in International Business from the University of Manitoba.

About BMO Financial Group 

Serving customers for 200 years and counting, BMO is a highly diversified financial services provider – the 8th largest bank, by assets, in North America. With total assets of $974 billion as of July 31, 2020, and a team of diverse and highly engaged employees, BMO provides a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management and investment banking products and services to more than 12 million customers and conducts business through three operating groups: Personal and Commercial Banking, BMO Wealth Management and BMO Capital Markets.

John Bockstael is the CEO of Bockstael Construction Limited, a fourth-generation company and one of Manitoba’s largest regional general contractors. John joined Bockstael Construction Ltd. in 1985 and has worked in all areas of the family-owned company that was started by his grandfather in 1912. The company grew with the railway and grain industry expansion into western Canada and settled into the development of the province of Manitoba with his father at the helm.

Together with his brothers, they drove organic growth through projects in health, education and special structures. The growth was partially fueled by John’s mission to deepen the technical expertise of the company by making education and training in construction technologies and processes available to all employees.

John was the 2019 chair of the Canadian Construction Association (CCA). He joined the CCA board in 2005 and has chaired the CCA General Contractors Council and Standard Practices Committee. He joined the CCA executive in 2010, serving the last three years as an elected officer prior to his term as the chair. He has also held the position of president of the Manitoba Chapter of the American Concrete Institute, served 14 years on the board of the Winnipeg Construction Association including two as president, and is the outgoing chair of Canadian Construction Innovations.

A founding member and first chair of the Friends of Engineering of the University of Manitoba, and a supporter of trades and technology programs at Red River College, John is committed to developing people, including women, for success in the world of construction and engineering.

John obtained the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors in October 2018.

My leadership style comes from a stewardship perspective. A steward takes what has been intrusted to them, makes it better before they hand it off to the next. I thrive on continuous improvement, am collaborative, encourage people to set high standards for themselves to achieve their full potential.

I enjoy business books, board work and strategic planning. I enjoy my grandkids, the outdoors, geography, golfing, fishing, and exercise to offset my chocolate diet.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-bockstael-0a2315194/

Bockstael Construction

Bockstael Construction is a fourth-generation company and one of Manitoba’s largest regional general contractors. What distinguishes us is our commitment to creating Clients for Life – we look beyond the delivery of the immediate project to develop a mutually-beneficial relationship for years to come. We are founded on family values of trust, reliability, and integrity; and fueled by an unwavering commitment to exceptional client service and innovation.

Bockstael Construction was founded in Manitoba in 1912 and has continued to grow and operate within the province. We have found continued success in a stable and growing economy, as we build across all sectors and industries.

Bockstael Construction offers Construction Management, Design Build, General Contracting, Concrete Formwork

http://bockstael.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/bockstael-construction/

https://www.instagram.com/bockstaelconstruction/

https://twitter.com/bockstaelconhttps://www.facebook.com/BockstaelConstructionLimited

After completing his education in Computer Programming in 2004, Yvan began his career working as a computer programmer. Guided by his entrepreneurial spirit, he started a software consulting company, taking on contracts for clients such as IBM and the Government of Canada. This is when he saw a unique opportunity to fill a large gap found in the eCommerce market.
In 2012, Yvan co-founded Bold Commerce, an ecommerce technology company that grew to become a leading app provider for one of the largest ecommerce platforms in the world, and now delivers technology solutions on multiple ecommerce platforms for retailers of all sizes.
From Bold’s participation in fundraising initiatives such as Extra Life North, Movember, Heart & Stroke Foundation, Techapalooza, and the United Way, to advocacy for our the company’s ongoing commitment to Pledge 1%, Yvan champions Bold’s dedication to improving the communities where we live, work, and play.

Bold Commerce
Bold Commerce is powering anywhere commerce for brands by delivering high-converting, customizable checkout experiences. The company works with leading omnichannel retailers like Vera Bradley, Harry Rosen, and Staples Canada, and emerging DTC brands, such as Pepsi’s Game Fuel, to reimagine commerce. Its proprietary suite of modular checkout, subscriptions and price rules solutions is compatible with multiple ecommerce platforms and headless architectures.
Under Yvan’s leadership, Bold Commerce has been recognized for various awards such as “Spirit of Winnipeg’s Start-up Business of the Year”, and being named #6 on Startup 50’s ranking of Canada’s Top New Growth Companies. Bold was ranked one of the fastest-growing tech companies in Canada by Deloitte, one of Canada’s s top SME Employers, E&Y’s Entrepreneur of the Year, and CBInsights’ Retail Tech 100. Follow Yvan on Twitter and LinkedIn.

https://boldcommerce.com/

The Boyd Group

The Boyd Group company’s mandate is to become the true leader of the auto body industry in North America. We provide collision and auto glass repair & replacement. 

With the story of The Boyd Group originating in Winnipeg, Manitoba over 30 years ago, it was only fitting that its head office be located in the city and province where it all began.

www.boydgroup.com

https://ca.linkedin.com/company/the-boyd-group-inc

Edward Kennedy is President and CEO of Eskay Partners Limited, an advisory and private capital enterprise. He is also CEO of Livlite Co. a zero waste e-commerce grocery business.

Edward recently retired after 25 years as CEO of The North West Company. Prior to becoming CEO, Edward worked in senior management positions at North West for five years, including Chief Operating Officer of North West and Chief Executive Officer of the Alaska Commercial Company, the Company’s U.S. subsidiary located in Anchorage.

Edward is from The Pas, Manitoba and attended high school as a boarding student at St. John’s-Ravenscourt in Winnipeg.  He holds an Honours Degree in Business from the Ivey School at Western University and a Bachelor of Laws Degree from Osgoode Hall Law School. Prior to joining North West, Edward practiced law briefly in Toronto and then worked in investment banking. 

Edward is a board member of Canada West Foundation and Canada’s History Society. He is a member of the World Presidents’ Organization, the Associates of the Asper School of Business as well as a member and past officer of the Business Council of Manitoba. He was the Chair of the 2011 Winnipeg United Way Campaign and is a past board member of several for-profit and non-profit organizations. He currently participates on advisory committees for the United Way and the Build Winnipeg Partnership Taskforce.
 
Edward has received several national industry and community recognitions over his career. 

Edward is a competitive athlete, and his other pursuits include writing and public policy, with a focus on socio-economic development. Edward and his wife Stella make their home in Winnipeg and have four children.

Garth Manness is active on a number of boards and committees including Aviso Wealth (chair) and CU CUMIS Wealth Holdings (chair).  

Over the years, he has served as chair and director for many community organizations and church boards, including as chair of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce and Siloam Mission’s Make Room Capital Campaign and is currently the Chair of Siloam Mission’s Board of Directors.

Previously, Mr. Manness served as president & chief executive officer of Credit Union Central of Manitoba (1999-2021), president of the Ontario Lottery Corporation (1994-1999) and the Western Canada Lottery Corporation (1990-1994), and as general manager of the Manitoba Lotteries Foundation (1980-1989). Mr. Manness is a graduate of the University of Manitoba, where he earned his undergraduate and MBA degrees.

Murray J. Taylor holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree from the University of Manitoba majoring in Actuarial Mathematics (1976) and he became a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (1980).  He retired after 12 years as President and CEO of IG Wealth Management (previously Investors Group) in 2016 – the final part of his 40-year career with the Power Financial Group of Companies.   He served in various industry and business leadership groups in Manitoba and nationally.   He encouraged companies to be involved in corporate responsibility roles in their communities.   Over the years and especially in retirement, he and his wife devote their personal energies to support many non-profit Christian charities in the good work they do.

Polly Craik 

Polly is a co-founder of Vexxit Inc., an exciting new start up that is democratizing the world of professional services, making it easy for people and professionals to find, connect and work together. Prior to Vexxit, Polly grew FineLine Solutions into a recognized brand serving the non-profit industry across North America. FineLine was acquired in 2015. Polly is a Director of Exchange Income Corporation (EIC), the Lake of The Woods Water Sustainability Foundation and the Business Council of Manitoba. 

Polly is a past chair the board of the Business Council of Manitoba as well as CentreVenture Development Corporation. In 2007 she chaired the IIHF world Women’s Hockey Championship Tournament in Winnipeg and was named one of the most influential women in sport and physical activity by the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women in Sport and Physical Activity. In 2005, she became the first female to be named Manitoba Business Magazine’s Entrepreneur of the Year. In 2016 Polly received the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce, Lieutenant Governor’s award for outstanding contribution by an individual to the community. Polly served as Board Chair for Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries, a provincially-owned crown corporation from 2016 to 2019.

Vexxit

As a leading Canadian tech company, Vexxit is transforming the way professional service industries find new clients and build their brands. Vexxit’s proprietary matching technology connects lawyers, accountants, financial advisors and consultants with people across Canada who need their distinct service. The brand also co-creates content with these professionals to highlight their expertise and bring their personal brands to the perfect audience. 

Ranging from thought-leadership articles to webinars to videos to podcasts, the digital content is housed in two information-rich websites, Vexxit Life and Vexxit Business. Vexxit Life serves individuals by providing content on relationships, work and finances and Vexxit Business serves business owners and managers by providing insights on strategy, process, people and technology.

Vexxit is a proud partner with the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce and Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and also partners with companies to provide meaningful employer-sponsored benefits that connect their employees with a discovery destination to help them learn, grow and manage life events. It is a co-branded resource that gives employees access to leading expert advice found in Vexxit Life.

Tune into the Vexxit podcast, Ask a Vexxpert with host, Polly Craik for a glimpse into the life and expertise of Canada’s leading professionals. Connect with the team and the brand @vexxit across social and at vexxit.com. 

Cambrian Credit Union

Everything we do at Cambrian is guided by our core values: Integrity and honesty; Member Focused; Competitive; Community involvement; Community spirit. We strive to help each of our members build strong financial foundations for making their dreams come true.

Cambrian Credit Union opened its doors to members on January 1, 1959 as Co-operators Credit Union, formed from an amalgamation of the Co-operators and Service Credit Union. We now have 11 branches proudly serving the Winnipeg and Selkirk marketplaces.

We provide Personal & Commercial Banking, Loans & Mortgages, Saving & Investing, Wealth Management, Advisor Services

http://cambrian.mb.ca/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cambrian-credit-union

Facebook: @CambrianCreditUnion  

Twitter: @CambrianCU,

Instagram: @CambrianCreditUnion,

Lea Ledohowski is the President of Canad Inns, Manitoba’s largest hospitality provider.   Lea grew up in Winnipeg where she attended High School at St. Mary’s Academy, and graduated from the University of Manitoba with a B.A. Honours.  She also holds a Master’s in Architecture from the University of BC, is a LEED Accredited Professional, and holds a Master’s of Science Degree in Real Estate Development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

As first born child of Canad Inns founder Leo Ledohowski, Lea grew up talking Manitoba Business. Over the years, she has had lived and worked as in a variety of cities domestically, and abroad, and brings a unique leadership perspective to a home-grown company that prides itself on being Manitoba Owned, Manitoba Grown and Manitoba Proud.

Canad Inns

Canad Inns is Manitoba’s largest Hospitality Provider, one of Manitoba’s Top Employers, one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for two decades, winner of the

Manitoba Hotel Association Impact Award, and the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce Outstanding Large Business Award.

Canad Inns Destination Centres feature the finest in accommodations, food and beverage, entertainment, banquet and conference facilities and so much.

Their Mission is to provide their valued guests with the Best Service and the Best Value in the Hospitality Industry. 

Canad Inns operates seven destination centres in Winnipeg, one in Portage la Prairie, one in Brandon, and one in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Canad Inns is also the owner and operator of the Radisson Winnipeg Downtown, Tavern United Bell MTS Place, Garbonzo’s Sports Pub Polo Park, The Metropolitan Entertainment Centre, three Canad Centre commercial properties and Canad Place (formerly known as the Somerset Building).

Canad Inns is Manitoba Owned, Manitoba Grown, Manitoba PROUD.

Website: Canadinns.com

Facebook/canadInns.com

Twitter:  @CanadNation

Instagram.com/Canadinns

Linkedin:  www.linkedin.com/company/canad-inns

Paul Mahon is president and CEO of Great-West Lifeco and Canada Life. Additionally, he serves as a director of Great-West Financial and Putnam Investments.

Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Paul has been with the company for 35 years. In 2019-20, he led Great-West, London Life, and Canada Life through an historic rebrand and amalgamation to become the new Canada Life Assurance Company.

A member of the Business Council of Canada, he is also a proud member of the United Way Resource Development Committee, the Canadian Life & Health Insurance Association (CLHIA) board and the Misericordia Health Centre Corporation board. Paul previously served as a director of the CancerCare
Manitoba Foundation board.

ABOUT GREAT-WEST LIFECO INC.
Great-West Lifeco (TSX: GWO) is an international financial services holding company with interests in life insurance, health insurance, retirement and investment services, asset management and reinsurance businesses. Great-West Lifeco operates in Canada, the United States and Europe under the brands Canada Life, Empower Retirement, Putnam Investments, and Irish Life.

At the end of 2019, Great-West Lifeco’s companies had approximately 24,000 employees, 197,000 advisor relationships, and thousands of distribution partners – all serving its more than 31 million customer relationships across these regions. Great-West Lifeco and its companies have $2.0 trillion in consolidated assets under administration as at December 31, 2020 and are members of the Power Corporation group of companies.

ABOUT THE CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY
Canada Life is a leading insurance, wealth management and benefits provider focused on improving the financial, physical and mental well-being of Canadians. For more than 170 years, individuals, families and business owners across Canada have trusted us to provide sound guidance and deliver on the promises we’ve made.
As of January 1, 2020, Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life became one company – Canada Life, and today, we proudly serve more than 13 million customer relationships from coast to coast to coast.

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/CanadaLifeCo/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/canadalifeco

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/canadalifeco/

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/user/canadalifeca

LinkedIn:  https://ca.linkedin.com/company/canada-life

Canada Life:  https://www.canadalife.com/

For as long as Jeff can remember, agriculture was life. Growing up on cattle farm in rural Manitoba, from an early age, Jeff understood how important farmers were to nourishing communities, but also how challenging life on a farm can be. He became passionate about helping farmers succeed and pursued a career in building connections between farmers, producers and business, from field-to-fork.

As President of Cargill Limited, Jeff has dedicated his career to supporting a strong food supply chain in Canada and fulfilling the company’s core purpose: to nourish the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way.

Cargill Limited is a subsidiary of Minneapolis-based Cargill, Incorporated, an international provider of food, agriculture, and risk management products and services. Cargill links farmers to markets, customers with ingredients and people and animals with the food they need to thrive.

In Canada, Cargill operates 88 locations and employs around 8,000 people across six provinces. Our Canadian operations have been named one of Canada’s Top Employers, Canada’s Top Diversity Employers and Canada’s Top Employer for Young People.

Cargill partners with farmers, ranchers and food companies of all sizes to support a strong and dependable food system in Canada. Cargill processes meat and oilseed, and manufactures livestock feed. In addition, Cargill is involved in crop input product retailing, grain handling, salt distribution and merchandising.

Jeff began his career at Cargill in 1996 as a facility assistant at the Yorkton, SK grain elevator. During his tenure, Jeff has held several leadership positions with Cargill’s grain and Oilseeds business, including General Manager of business in Australia, leader of Canadian operations, and global leader of Operations and Supply Chain. Today, in addition to his role as President of Cargill Limited, Jeff serves as the Managing Director of Commercial Excellence for Cargill Agriculture Supply Chain in North America.

Jeff is a proud alumnus of the Assiniboine Community College Agribusiness program and is a member of the Business Council of Canada. Jeff also volunteers his time coaching youth sports and sitting on community boards. Jeff lives in  La Salle, Manitoba with his wife Lori and their three sons.

Cargill Limited (Canada)

Cargill provides food, agriculture, financial and industrial products and services to the world. Together with farmers, customers, governments and communities, we help people thrive by applying our insights and more than 155 years of experience. We have 160,000 employees in 70 countries who are committed to feeding the world in a responsible way, reducing environmental impact and improving the communities where we live and work.

Cargill Limited is headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba and operates 88 locations across six provinces, employing around 8,000 people. Our Canadian operations have been named one of Canada’s Top Employers, Canada’s Top Diversity Employers and Canada’s Top Employer for Young People.

Cargill partners with farmers, ranchers and food companies of all sizes to support a strong and dependable food system in Canada. Cargill processes meat and oilseed, and manufactures livestock feed. In addition, Cargill is involved in crop input product retailing, as well as grain handling, salt distribution and merchandising.

We join with community leaders, non-profits and others to enrich the places where we live and work in Canada, building a strong, sustainable future for agriculture. We support local food banks, school meals, food safety and community gardens. We strengthen farmer livelihoods through development programs for future farmers and ag-education programs in classrooms. We work to safeguard the environment for future generations through a number of programs protecting wetlands, supporting youth environmental education and community cleanups.

At Cargill, everything begins with our purpose to nourish the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way. We help farmers grow more, connecting them to broader markets. We are continuously developing products that give consumers just what they’re seeking, advancing nutrition, food safety and sustainability. And we help all of our partners innovate and manage risk, so they can nourish the world again tomorrow.

After finishing his U of M Commerce degree in 3 ½ years versus 4 he joined Proctor  & Gamble in Toronto and became the youngest area manager in the history of the company.  But 3 years later he was back in Winnipeg to start the first family business, Carlyle Computer Products, from his parents’ basement in 1980. Under Derek’s Leadership Carlyle was twice recognized as Canada’s 50 Best Managed Private Companies. And in 17 years went from a basement business, to the largest computer supplies specialist in Canada with 7 offices across the west.  Then in 1997 it was sold to Boise Cascade who merged it with Grand & toy that they had acquired the year before.

Derek was a Top 40 under 40 recipients, and regional winner of the E&Y Entrepreneur of the year award.  He has been at the heart of 7 start-ups, and held over 20 Board Director positions.  Including most recently the Vice Chair of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority ($3 billion budget), and the finance chair of the Wpg. Police Board. In 2006 Derek’s 8^th start up with his sons brought a new business model in the desktop printer fleet management market with Carlyle Printer, Service, & Supplies Ltd.  In 15 years it has gone from zero to becoming the largest company of its kind in Manitoba.

Working with his son Eric is one of the highlights of his business career.  Starting the second Carlyle would not have been possible without his commitment to our Corporate Values that are an extension of our family values. 

Outside of work Derek enjoys golf and member of St Charles Country club, and travel.  He has been to 92 countries in the world with the plan to reach 100.  In the summer his weekend retreat is to Lake of the Woods where is taking up the sport of fishing.  The go to location for long weekends for his two son’s families (which include 6 grandchildren).  Proud to be celebrating 40 years of marriage to Mary and looking toward the next 40.

Carlyle Printers Service & Supplies LTD.

We are a company with deep roots in the computer supplies industry.  The original Carlyle name comes from Carlyle Johannson who started Carlyle Computer Products in 1980 with his son Derek.  At its peak it was the largest computer supplies company in western Canada with offices in the 7 major cities in the west.  In 1997 it was sold to Boise Cascade, and merged with Grand & Toy that they had acquired a year earlier.  Its success was in being specialists in the consumable part of the IT industry, products like paper, ribbons, diskettes, magnetic tapes, and toner cartridges.  When version two Carlyle Printers, Service & Supplies was formed in 2006, we looked at the marketplace of the new millennium and decided that being a supplies specialist was not enough.  The key difference between the original and the new Carlyle is that the new Carlyle Printers, Service and Supplies Ltd. brings together a one stop shop for not only supplies, but for hardware and service as well.  Carlyle has grown dramatically over the last 15 years managing devices throughout North America. 

In March of 2015 Carlyle acquired Canon Canada’s direct business unit located in Winnipeg.  Canon was confident in this reversal of the typical manufacturers buying dealers trend, due to a thorough vetting of Carlyle’s financial and service delivery capabilities.  The result was that Carlyle would become solely responsible for servicing the devices of Canon Canada’s corporate customers located in Manitoba.

Carlyle introduced to the Manitoba market the cost per page for companies’ entire printer fleet.  In the past Copier vendors sold the equipment and charged a cost per page for the service agreement that included parts, toner, and service labor.  Carlyle took that a step further and included all the desktop printers in the office.  Up to 50% of office printing happened on desktops and that area was not being managed.  For the first time a company could identify how much it cost to print a page and could start working on ways to save money by reducing how much they print.

Today Carlyle Printers Service and Supplies provides printer and copier equipment, along with service of those devices, and supplies blended down to a cost per page.  Servicing over 1,200 customers throughout North America Carlyle is responsible for managing service to over 7,500 devices.  With 5 out of 5 of the largest law firms in Winnipeg, 6 out of 7 of the largest credit unions in Manitoba and 62% of the largest private employers headquartered in Manitoba as customers, Carlyle is building on a solid foundation.

We pride ourselves on working with our customers to fully understand their office printing environments and propose solutions that will fit their unique needs and bring them financial savings, while meeting or exceeding the expectations of the users.  Working with our customers to find unique solutions and exceed expectations is core to what Carlyle does.

Recognizing that over all print volume has been and continues to decline Carlyle has diversified into workflow software.  Square 9  is the leading solution in this space helping companies to digitize the office workplace by  replacing paper based manual processes with digital ones.   We are excited to explore this new service with our customer to continue to bring them value-based solutions.

Jason Stefanson is Vice Chairman, CIBC World Markets Inc. with offices in Winnipeg, Calgary and Toronto.  At CIBC Capital Markets, Mr. Stefanson coordinates overall client coverage in several industry sectors and across the Bank’s various products and services including equity and debt markets; M&A advisory services and corporate lending.  In addition, Mr. Stefanson has led CIBC’s efforts in respect of various debt and equity offerings including IPO’s for many clients across Canada. Prior to joining CIBC in January 2007, Jason was involved in the formation of Canterbury Park Capital LP, a private equity firm based in Winnipeg. Previously, he spent three years with ENSIS Capital Corp. as a Vice-President. In addition, Jason has served as a Vice-President of Corporate Development at Assante Corporation and practiced corporate and securities law at Pitblado & Hoskin.  Jason attended the University of Manitoba, Faculty of Arts and received his Bachelor of Laws degree from Osgoode Hall Law School.

Jason lives in Winnipeg and is married to Heather Stefanson and they have 2 children. Family hobbies include politics, sports, travelling and enjoying their time together at their summer cottage at Lake of the Woods.

CIBC World Markets

CIBC (CM: NYSE, TSX) is a leading Canadian-based global financial institution with a market capitalization of $41 billion and a Basel III Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 11.8%. Through our major business units – Canadian Personal & Small Business Banking, Canadian Commercial Banking & Wealth Management, U.S. Commercial Banking & Wealth Management and Capital Markets – our more than 45,000 employees provide a full range of financial products and services to 10 million individual, small business, commercial, corporate and institutional clients in Canada, the U.S. and around the world.

CIBC’s Capital Markets business provides best-in-class insight, advice, and execution across global markets, investment banking, corporate banking and research to corporate, government and institutional clients in key markets globally.

Rob Coghlan is the president and CEO of Coghlan’s Ltd, a third generation family owned company. Rob joined Coghlan’s Ltd in 1979 and has worked in all areas of the company that was started in 1958 by his father Norm Coghlan in a small retail store located in downtown Winnipeg .

Rob is a life long Winnipegger  and has been actively involved  in various community organizations and events in the city and the province, currently sitting on the boards of Take Pride Winnipeg as well as The Frontier Center For Public Policy.

Married [Sandi] with two daughters [Natalie, Cailey], Rob’s interests include rec league hockey [Winnipeg Winter Club], golf [St Charles C.C.] along with tennis and downhill skiing.  Rob and Sandi  enjoy time with family and friends at their Lake Of The Woods Cottage .

Rob is a true believer in Winnipeg, its people, and the life it has afforded him and his family “I wouldn’t want to call anywhere else home” is a statement often used.

Coghlan’s Ltd

Coghlan’s Ltd owns and operates leading brands in the Outdoor Industry, with distribution in 30 countries around the world .

From humble beginnings in a small retail store located at 285 1/2 Fort St [currently Yoga Public] Coghlan’s has grown in to be a world leader in the outdoor recreation industry with brands Coghlan’s, Gear Aid and Mawaii .

Coghlan’s Ltd is based in Winnipeg Manitoba, with offices and distribution centers in Winnipeg  , Minneapolis MN., Bellingham WA., and Walsrode Germany.

Steve was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba.  After receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of Manitoba, he attended UBC Law School where he graduated with his J.D. in 1992.  Upon graduating, Steve returned to Winnipeg where he practiced law as a commercial litigator for five years at Fillmore Riley before making a career change from law to business in 1997.

Steve joined Conviron, a business founded by his father in 1964, and became its President and CEO in 1998. In 2013 Conviron acquired Argus Controls, a British Columbia based company, and collectively Conviron and Argus have become widely recognized as the world leaders in the supply and manufacture of controlled environment equipment used primarily in agricultural research and high value plant production applications. Under Steve’s leadership, the CEL Group of Companies have grown significantly and today their engineered solutions are relied on by the world’s most prestigious universities, government and private research institutes, and Ag biotech multinationals in more than 90 countries.  Conviron remains based in Winnipeg, with sales and service offices throughout North America, as well as in Europe and Australasia. .

The company was named Manitoba’s Exporter of the Year by the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters in 2012, and in 2016 was named Life Science Company of the Year by the Life Science Association of Manitoba.  Steve is a prior Prairie finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Steve is also President of Falcon Capital Corporation, a diversified holding company which he controls.  Falcon’s interests include real estate, an equity portfolio, and interests in a variety of technology and other companies.

Steve is passionate about Manitoba and Canada.  He devotes a considerable amount of his time to serving the community and is a strong supporter of a number of organizations.  He is the Chair of CancerCare Manitoba Foundation and sits on the board of the True North Youth Foundation where he chairs the Audit Committee. Steve is a Past Chair of the Business Council of Manitoba and continues to serve as a Director Emeritus.  He previously chaired the board of the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba and is the current Chair of the Manitoba Gold chapter of the Young Presidents’ Organization. 

From May of 2016 until March of 2018, Steve served as Vice Chair of Manitoba Hydro.  He is a past chair of the Manufacturing division of the United Way and has served on the Boards of the Assiniboine Park Conservancy, the Asper Jewish Community Campus, St. John’s-Ravenscourt School and the Manitoba division of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters.  He further served on the President’s Advisory Council at the University of Manitoba and on the Premier’s Innovation Council. He is a member of the Associates of the Asper School of Business.

In addition to his Juris Doctorate degree, Steve is a graduate of the Directors Education Program within the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management, obtaining his ICD.D designation.  He is also an alumnus of Singularity University, in Palo Alto, California, and a member of the Manitoba Bar.

Curtis joined the Credit Union Central of Manitoba as President & CEO in October 2021. In his most recent role, Curtis served as Chief Operating Officer of Manitoba Public Insurance, leading operations and customer service through a team of 1,200 people. In his five years at MPI, Curtis oversaw significant changes which helped to provide lower insurance rates, increase customer satisfaction, and evolve the culture of the firm.

Curtis grew up in Winnipeg, and holds a B.Comm from the University of Manitoba and an MBA from the London Business School in England. He spent a large part of his career in senior level positions in financial services, with RBC, HSBC, and GE Capital within Canada and Australia. He has held executive roles for businesses in credit cards, commercial finance, consumer finance, strategy, and marketing. He was also the Chief Business Development Officer for the Canadian Depository for Securities as it underwent the acquisition by the Toronto Stock Exchange Group. His collaborative leadership style will serve him well as he leads CUCM into a new era of stakeholder collaboration and execution.

Credit Union Central of Manitoba (CUCM)

Credit Union Central of Manitoba (CUCM) is the trade association and a service provider for Manitoba’s credit unions. Manitoba credit unions jointly own CUCM, and representatives from five peer groups sit on its board of directors. CUCM is financed through assessments and fee income derived through its operations.

CUCM is governed by Manitoba’s Credit Unions and Caisses Populaires Act.

Our organization has 70 employees working to assist credit unions from our downtown office at 317 Donald Street in Winnipeg.

Connect with Credit Union Central of Manitoba (CUCM) at: https://www.cucm.org/

Doug Harvey is a true Winnipegger. He was raised in Fort Garry and later graduated with his Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Manitoba before launching his career as a sales rep in the Truck Division of International Harvester.

In 1981, as International began privatizing its dealerships, Doug seized the opportunity to become a business owner by buying into his first truck dealership in Winnipeg.    

Today, Doug’s enterprises have grown to include companies in Retail & Distribution, Manufacturing and Land Development. In total, Doug’s businesses employ 800 people across Canada including over 350 in Manitoba. 

Doug is active in the community and encourages all his employees to do the same. He serves on numerous boards and industry committees. Doug and his partner Jan are proud life-long Winnipeggers whose three children and six grandchildren all work, play and reside in the Peg.

DLH Group

Starting with a single International Harvester dealership in 1981, the DLH Group of companies is now the holding company for Doug Harvey’s enterprises in Retail & Distribution, Manufacturing and Land Development. These companies include:

• Maxim Truck & Trailer – a heavy duty truck and trailer dealership network with 18 locations across Canada

• Tereck Diesel – a heavy duty repair facility in Winnipeg

• Summit Trailer Ltd. – a trailer dealer and fabrication business with four locations in Alberta and BC

• Arne’s Welding Ltd. based in Winnipeg and Trout River Industries based in PEI who manufacture dump, live floor and military trailers 

• Toowoomba Land Company, a real estate developer

In total, the DLH Group employs 800 people across Canada including over 350 in Manitoba. 

Ray Bouchard is the President and CEO of Enns Brothers Ltd., a 68-year old agricultural equipment dealer in the Province of Manitoba. Ray is also a board member of Protein Industries Canada, the pan-Prairie supercluster, and board chair of the Manitoba-based Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative (EMILI).

Ray has been involved in the agriculture industry for over 35 years and served as director, then president of the Canadian Association of Agricultural Retailers. Ray’s passion and vision for the future of Canadian agriculture is ambitious as he sees the long-term benefits for Canadians, the economy and the environment. Ray is committed to life-long learning and in 2017 received the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. He is currently the co-chair of the Business Council of Manitoba Integrated Water Strategy.

Mike is the Chief Executive Officer of Exchange Income Corporation (“EIC”). Together with Mr. Duncan Jessiman, Mike developed the initial concept of EIC in 2002. He has held the position of CEO since 2006.

Mike holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (Economics) and a MBA (Finance) from the University of Manitoba. He served in positions of increasing seniority culminating as President of The Arctic Glacier Income Fund (and its predecessor, The Arctic Group Inc.) from 1998 to 2002. He previously worked with Roynat Capital in Winnipeg from 1990 to 1996 and from 1997 to 1998. Mike was employed as the Vice-President of Corporate Development for Westsun International Inc. in Winnipeg from 1996 to 1997.

Mike is currently a director & vice chair of CentrePort Canada Inc. and a director and Chair of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Football Club. He is a member of the ICD and received the ICD.D designation in 2017.

Exchange Income Corporation

Exchange Income Corporation (“EIC”) is a diversified, acquisition-oriented corporation focused on opportunities in aerospace and aviation services and equipment and manufacturing.  The business plan of the company is to invest in profitable, well established companies with strong cash flows operating in niche markets.  The objectives of EIC are:  i) to provide shareholders with stable and growing dividends; ii) to maximize share value through on-going active monitoring of and investment in its operating subsidiaries; and iii) to continue to acquire additional companies, businesses or interests therein in order to expand and diversify EIC’s investments.

www.exchangeincomecorp.ca

Ida is a trailblazer and one of Winnipeg’s biggest industry leaders and community supporters. Her generosity, civic pride and vision drive her to improve the quality of life for all Winnipeggers. As managing partner and co-owner of the iconic Fort Garry Hotel, Spa and Conference Centre since 1994, she worked tirelessly to restore the 1913 landmark and transform it into one of the city’s top hotels, with in-demand event spaces and the luxurious Ten Spa. Her entrepreneurship and passion for yoga led her to become co-founder of Yoga Public, Canada’s largest yoga fitness studio located in downtown Winnipeg. She also seized the latest advancements in dermatology with the opening the Face Bar. Ida is a community booster who rolls up her sleeves and gets involved to strengthen the fabric of our city.

As a civic booster, she has given her time and energy to numerous community and charitable organizations, among them: CentreVenture Development Corporation, CancerCare Manitoba, Canadian Tourism Commission, Winnipeg Symphony and Business Council of Manitoba. Ida received the 2020 Tourism Winnipeg Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2016 Ogimakamik Leadership Award, the 2012 B’nai Brith Award, she was named a member of the Order of Canada in 2015, received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Winnipeg in 2016, was inducted into the Manitoba Business Hall of Fame in 2018 and received the Pan Am Clinic Philanthropy Award of Distinction in 2019, to name a few. Currently, she serves as Board Director of Economic Development Winnipeg , Telus Community Foundation and the RRCC Culinary Task Force.

Fort Garry Hotel, Spa and Conference Centre

A beloved landmark, the Fort Garry Hotel & Spa is a modern mix of contemporary style and old world elegance. This historic hotel gives off a vibe from another era, while featuring all the modern amenities that today’s travelers seek.

The Fort Garry Hotel, built in 1913 by the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, is designated a National Historic Site of Canada, and features chateau-style architecture. The monogrammed, brass doorknobs, wide hallways and 10-foot high guestroom ceilings are features of the past that remain in the present at Fort Garry.

Renowned for its food and extraordinary ability to cater small meetings, grand galas and everything in between, the Fort Garry has been, and continues to be a gathering place in the heart of downtown Winnipeg. The Fort Garry Hotel provides it all – beautiful rooms, intimate dining opportunities, exceptional catering services, wellness retreats and a world class spa. It continues to be Winnipeg’s ‘Grand Dame” hotel and a favorite for business travelers, weekends away, weddings and corporate events.

Jamie began his career as a lawyer with the prominent Toronto law firm McMillan, where he focused on corporate finance and entertainment law.  Jamie was the first recipient of the Lions Gate Innovative Producer Award, was one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40, received the I.H. Asper Broadcast Entrepreneur of the Future Award, was nominated as the New Media Visionary at the Canadian New Media Awards and was named the CFTPA’s Entrepreneur of the Year in 2008.  He believes a focus on running the company well is as important as the quality work Frantic creates.  The company has been named one of Canada’s Hottest Start-Up’s and was later named to the Profit 100 list of the fastest growing Canadian businesses three separate years and was twice named one of North America’s fastest growing businesses by Deloitte.  Jamie has been proud to see Frantic become one of Canada’s leading production companies.  The first program he created and produced was also the first “living-history” program in North America, and the Quest series went on to critical acclaim and set many ratings records.  His most important skill is surrounding himself with the creative professionals needed to make every program something to be proud of.

Frantic Films

Since its inception, Frantic Films has had a reputation for creating outstanding programming for a global audience. In addition to its success in Canada and the U.S., Frantic’s award-winning TV series, features and documentaries have sold to well over 100 countries worldwide winning over 150 awards for quality and creativity.  The team has had incredible success in virtually every genre, winning over a hundred awards and setting numerous ratings records in lifestyle, factual, reality, sports, comedy, drama, lifestyle and documentary programs.  Its TV movies and mini-series have attracted top talent including Judd Hirsch, Danny Aiello, Mercedes Ruehl and Gil Bellows. Frantic made its first feature film, Lucid, and the co-production, Stand! based off the musical “Strike” about the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919.  Frantic has over 20 years’ experience collaborating with a wide variety of partners. We take great pride in our excellent relationships with co-producers, creatives, and networks alike. Our team understands the needs of various stakeholders and we ensure productions are brought in on time, on budget and to the highest creative standards.

Chad is the President & CEO of Friesens Corporation. While he is the fifth Friesen to lead the company, he is not related to the original Friesen family. Since joining back in 1993, he has played many roles in the company; He has worked on the shop floor, served customers, marketed the firm, and sold the products. In many ways, he himself is a product of the company.

From 2009 to 2014 Chad briefly stepped away from Friesens to join the executive team of Red River Mutual. After five years in the insurance business, he returned to Friesens to become CEO in 2017.

Chad is a community builder at heart having served on numerous committees and was a founding member of several organizations focused on economic development and charitable work in Southern Manitoba. He is currently a Director on the Boards of Friesens Corporation, Red River Mutual, and Supporting Entrepreneurs through Economic Development (SEED).

Friesens Corporation

Established in 1907. Friesens helps others share their best story with the world through the power of print. The company is 100% employee-owned and is made up of four businesses that serve book publishers, self-publishers, school yearbook programs, and consumer brand packaging. The company employs 600 people, most of whom work in Altona, MB (pop. 4,200) or at FriesenPress in Victoria, BC. The company’s secret to success has been enabling great people to do greater things through a relentless investment in technology.

James Cohen is the President and CEO of Gendis Inc. www.gendis.ca , a formerly TSX-listed and now 100% privately-owned company involved in the management of several commercial real estate properties as well as investments in energy infrastructure, agribusiness and a chain of independent drug stores. James worked in all sectors of the business prior to being named CEO in 2010 and has led the transformation of the company from the sale of its former retail subsidiary to the recent privatization of the business after nearly 60 years on the TSX.

As a volunteer, James has led two of the Province’s major arts and culture organizations having served as Chair of Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet from 2005 – 2007 and Chair of the Manitoba Museum from 2018 – 2020 and he currently sits on the Executive Committee of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors and is also a member of the Young Presidents Organization.

James is also a major philanthropist to numerous organizations across the Province of Manitoba involved in a wide variety of activities.

In addition, James is a signed musician and song writer whose band James Cohen and the Prairie Roots Rockers www.prairierootsrockers.com released their debut album on Soccermom Records / Warner Music Canada in 2011 and featured several songs that charted nationally.

Hockey is another of his passions and he normally plays between 65 and 75 games of organized competitive hockey per season.

James has been married to his wife Linda since 1995.

Richard joined Globe as a property manager in 1983, after spending time as an accountant in Alberta, eventually becoming President and CEO. Globe presently has 7,500 units under its administration across Canada, with a market value of $1.5 billion. As President and CEO, Richard has undertaken philanthropic endeavours with some of Winnipeg’s most important institutions, such as the Health Sciences Centre Foundation, the Assiniboine Park Conservancy, the University of Manitoba, and United Way.

Richard’s leadership of Globe is based on his vision of continual growth for the company. Under his initiatives, Globe has been successful and continues to seek new acquisitions every year. In his spare time, Richard enjoys travelling the world and spending time with his family. Richard earned his bachelor’s degree in commerce from the University of Manitoba, receiving his CPM designation in 1988.

Globe Property Management

Globe Capital Management is a real estate acquisition and holding company. Through our subsidiary, Globe Property Management, we provide services to our valued residents.

At Globe we identify real estate that will benefit from strategic investment combined with the capacity to implement the firm’s proven management platform. Globe Capital Management seeks to acquire and manage Canadian concrete high-rise residential rental properties poised for revenue growth.

Globe was founded in Winnipeg, Manitoba and has been a proud member of the community. Winnipeg is not only a vibrant place, but also rife with real estate opportunities. For Globe, Winnipeg is a great place to be headquartered because we are in the middle of the country. The city is an ideal home base for the company’s national aspirations.

Web link: www.globecm.ca

Grant is the President & CEO of HyLife Ltd. The HyLife organization is an international integrated pork production company with three main divisions – Live Hog Production, Pig Genetics, and Pork Processing. As President & CEO, Grant is responsible for the strategic direction of the organization and overall management of the HyLife group of companies. Grant has been with HyLife for over 20 years, involved in all aspects of the business including operations, marketing, finance, and hedge management. Prior to joining HyLife, Grant worked for the Royal Bank of Canada for 10 years.

HyLife

Headquartered in La Broquerie, Manitoba, HyLife employs over 3,500 people in multiple countries. HyLife’s commitment to service, integrity, and sustainability has set the company apart as Canada’s leading pork producer and global exporter of high-quality pork products. HyLife produces 3 million hogs and processes 3.2 million hogs annually, with the pork sold to over 20 countries. HyLife consistently exceeds expectations in the marketplace, earning Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies – Platinum Member recognition based on the company’s commitment and dedication to its employees, customers, and communities. 

Damon Murchison is the President and Chief Executive Officer of IG Wealth Management, effective September 14, 2020.

Previously the Executive Vice-President, Head of Retail Distribution at Mackenzie Investments, Damon led Mackenzie’s retail sales organization and has been with the company since 2014. He was responsible for the retail sales, alliance and group sales businesses, including planning and sales effectiveness, training and development, sales experience and analytics teams, along with the private wealth, tax, estate and practice management teams.

Damon has 25 years of financial services leadership experience and previously held progressively senior positions, including Head of Sales for Retail Markets, at Manulife Financial and Head of Alliance National Sales at Fidelity Investments.

Damon has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Western University in London, Ontario, and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Richard Ivey School of Business at Western.

He is also a Member of the Board of Directors for the George Brown College Foundation.

IG Wealth Management

Our holistic approach to financial planning is comprehensive and goes beyond traditional investment advice to consider all aspects of your financial life.  We are committed to providing the right information and advice you need to feel confident about your family’s future.

From planned to unplanned, the IG Living Plan Snapshot gives you  a financial well-being score that shows how prepared you are. You’ll answer a series of questions based on five dimensions of financial well-being and then receive a result out of 100 and recommendations on how best to meet your goals. These insights will help you create a comprehensive financial plan that evolves and adapts with your life.

At IG Wealth Management, we strive every day to deliver long-term value to our stakeholders.

As a company of IGM Financial, we have a long-standing commitment to responsible management, which we believe is fundamental to long-term profitability and value creation. We conduct our business in a way that emphasizes good governance, operational integrity, ethical practices and respect for our people, our community and the environment.

Our aim is to act responsibly in everything that we do, and we know that our success also comes from our emphasis on client satisfaction, the development and support of our people, and constructive involvement in the communities in which we operate.

IG Wealth Management is committed to building strong communities across Canada. We believe this starts with Canadians feeling confident about their finances so they can achieve their goals. The IG Empower Your Tomorrow program gives Canadians the resources and confidence they need to own their financial future. Inspiring the financial confidence of Canadians is IG’s vision and the basis for our commitment to building communities.

Grant Cockshott is a graduate of the University of Manitoba, with a Bachelor of Commerce, as well as a Balanced Scorecard strategic planning designation from George Washington University, and for the last 6 years has attended the Executive Education program of Harvard Business School.  Grant’s passion is the family business, and the vital role it plays in the lives of communities, people, and nations.  He is particularly interested in human performance as it relates to strategic planning, engagement, continuous improvement, and customer service.

During his 27 years with his family’s 3^rd generation family business, Grant has overseen a dramatic shift in the culture of his business by practicing principles of engagement, consultation, inclusion, and communication.  By adopting a ‘bottom up’ strategic execution model, the Group continues to see year over year improvements to financial results, customer service, process improvement, and organizational capacity.  However, it’s non-financial outcomes which are the greatest motivator for Grant and the Innovair Group leadership team, such as furthering the skills and experience of Innovair team members, so that together they are able to provide better outcomes for patients, customers, and companies.

Innovair Group

Innovair is primarily a packager and distributor of compressed gases such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and argon used in a wide variety of sectors including the healthcare, manufacturing, education and service industries.  In addition, our four operating companies provide a wide range of related products that use these gases for respiratory care, sleep therapy, welding, robotic automation, metal fabrication, and food production.   Our mandate is to provide patients and customers with timely delivery, technical support, and innovative ideas that improve personal health and organizational productivity.

Manitoba has been our historical base of operations since our inception in 1946.  While our business takes us across Canada, Manitoba has provided the Innovair Group of companies – including Innovair Industrial, Innovair Automation, Innovair Medical, and Medigas Manitoba – with a stable economic footprint founded on a wide variety of industries that have supported our growth these last 75 years.  Exposure to a diverse industrial base such as that found in Manitoba, has allowed us to acquire deep technical skills across multiple industries, which we’ve applied to similar customers across Canada.  A consistent population of ready labour allows our customers to succeed, and enables access to skilled team members in our operating companies.

Tina Jones is owner of Jones & Company Wine Merchants and principal of Wine & Drinks College Manitoba (WDCM). With a mission to inspire a great wine culture by connecting wine lovers with real people who make great wine, Tina has directed the company’s growth into the largest private wine store and destination wine school in Manitoba. She has reached for the highest international standards, creating opportunities for advanced wine and spirit studies at WDCM through the Wine and Spirit Education Trust, the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers, and the Wine Scholar Guild. She has expanded the impact of wine education to develop the award-winning magazine, The Cellar Door.  https://joneswines.com/   

Tina is also an active partner in the dynamic concept The Rink Training Centre, providing innovative individual skill development to all levels of hockey players.  Tina and her partner Brad Rice are also pioneers in Winnipeg, with the first Canadian Sports School Hockey League teams with the Rink Hockey Academy and a newly completed $25 million Center of Excellence project.    https://www.therink.ca/   Tina is also a partner in Winnipeg’s popular Green Carrot Juice Company, a concept for fresh, cold-pressed juices. https://www.greencarrotjuice.com/

Tina’s life and work have centred in Manitoba, where her community service, innovation and accomplishments have been recognized with the Order of Manitoba, Manitoba’s highest honour (2020). The designation recognizes individuals who have demonstrated excellence and achievement, benefiting in an outstanding manner the social, cultural or economic well-being of Manitoba and its residents. She has also been named by the Women’s Executive Network with a Top 100 Award as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women (2018); the Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year (2017) from the Association of Fundraising Professionals Manitoba; and the Distinguished Alumni Award (2018) from the University of Manitoba. In early 2021 she received the honour as one of the Nellie McClung Manitoba 150 Women Trailblazer award recipients, a special, historic recognition awarded to women leaders of today and throughout Manitoba’s history.

Tina’s energy and creativity have also made her a tireless community builder. Most significantly her distinguished work as Chair of the Board of the Health Sciences Centre Foundation Board of Directors has raised record funds and touched thousands of Manitobans. https://www.hscfoundation.mb.ca/

A native of Australia with a Master of Risk Management (Business and Economics) from Melbourne’s Monash University, Benjamin Graham brings a global perspective to his position as President & CEO of Manitoba Blue Cross.

Before arriving to Manitoba in 2018, where he made his first imprint in the local business community as President & CEO of Manitoba Public Insurance, Benjamin held executive positions at QBE Insurance Asia Pacific in Hong Kong and both Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company and Deloitte & Touche in the United Arab Emirates.

While Benjamin’s strong business acumen and expertise in medical models, insurance and risk management have helped shape his career, his transparent and inclusive leadership style are contributing factors to his continued success leading business transformation and growth.  

Benjamin has developed roots in the province and is committed to the community, both as a business leader and a citizen. He’s a member of the Winnipeg Humane Society Board of Directors and is working hard to become as comfortable in hockey skates as he is in golf shoes.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-graham-31930241/?originalSubdomain=ca

Manitoba Blue Cross

Manitoba Blue Cross was born out of a desire to protect our fellow Manitobans during life’s most unexpected and sometimes challenging moments, and to ensure our community members have the supports they need to live their healthiest lives. This remains our driving force today and fuels our commitment to providing superior health and wellness benefits that are delivered with compassion and excellence in service.

We are proud to be a made-in-Manitoba company. Our local status ensures we’re keenly attuned to what’s happening in the province. We follow Manitoba’s drug formulary (which keeps drug costs low and promotes stable renewals) and we’re aware the moment a provincial budget or other health care event impacts our services.

The fact that we serve our fellow Manitobans – our neighbours, the people we sit on parent council with, our kids’ hockey coaches – keeps us connected to what’s important. We make it our priority to understand what coverage Manitobans need and strive to keep our finger on the community pulse so that we can continuously evolve to meet the needs of Manitobans.

Manitoba Blue Cross has been Manitoba’s leading health benefits provider for over 45 years. Our comprehensive understanding of health care fuels our commitment to service. Together with our subsidiary Blue Cross Life, we provide health, dental, employee assistance, life, disability and travel coverage to over half a million Manitobans.

Web: https://www.mb.bluecross.ca/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MBBlueCross

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ManitobaBlueCross/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/manitoba-blue-cross?originalSubdomain=ca

In 1959 Bob’s Father, Ed Mazer Sr., moved to Brandon and purchased Brandon Implements, the Massey Ferguson dealership. Bob started working at the dealership at a very young age and at one point worked both on his family farm and at the dealership. The dealership then became Mazer Implements in 1975 when Bob Mazer and his brother Ed purchased the business from their father. Over the next three decades, business flourished and the opportunity to buy the New Holland Franchise came about in 1988.

In 1994, Mazer Implements started their expansion by purchasing Atkinson Implements in Hartney, Manitoba. The business has continued to grow since then and there are now 18 locations across Manitoba and Southern Saskatchewan. 

Bob is a true leader in agriculture and is dedicated to helping the industry expand. Bob has been awarded Business Person of the Year from the Brandon Chamber of Commerce and has received an honorary diploma from Assiniboine Community College among many other accolades. His partnership with technical colleges, business councils, fair boards and agricultural organizations have ensured that our industry remains at the forefront of technological advances and economic policies. 

Mazergroup

Mazergroup is a privately owned group of machinery dealerships offering agricultural, construction and commercial turf equipment sales, parts and service. Mazergroup was established in 1959 as a single agriculture dealership in Brandon, Manitoba, now expanding to 18 locations across Manitoba and Southern Saskatchewan. We support our industries by offering world class equipment including: New Holland, Hyundai, Kobelco, Toro Commercial Turf, Brandt Agriculture as well as various other lines to meet our customer’s needs. To learn more, visit www.mazergroup.ca.

Jason Yates is President and CEO of McMunn & Yates Building Supplies Ltd.  Having grown up in the business that was co-founded by his father, Jason gained a solid understanding of the building supply industry.  After high school, Jason attended the University of Manitoba and obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree.  He furthered his educational pursuits and received his Master in Business Administration from the University of North Dakota. 

Jason has been an active member in both the building supply industry and community.  He is currently the President of one of Canada’s premier building supply buying groups, the Independent Lumber Dealers Cooperative.  Jason has also been active in the Western Retail Lumber Association and served as the Chair of the Education Committee.  On a local level Jason has served as the President of the Dauphin and District Chamber of Commerce and is a past recipient of its Business Person of the Year award.   Jason was also honoured to receive an Honorary Business Diploma from Assiniboine Community College for his contributions to the community and business.

McMunn & Yates Building Supplies Ltd.

McMunn & Yates Building Supplies Ltd., headquartered in Dauphin, MB, is a supplier of hardware and building materials to retail customers, contractors, home builders and commercial builders.  The company was formed in 1972 and through continued growth has expanded to include 20 lumber yards, 2 roof truss manufacturing plants and 2 flooring stores.  The company also operates a distribution centre in Headingley, MB that serves its stores’ product and supply needs through a dedicated fleet of transport trucks.  McMunn & Yates employs over 600 individuals and prides itself on partnering with its customers to help build the communities in which it operates.

www.mcmunnandyates.com

Albert D. Friesen holds a Ph.D. in protein chemistry from the University of Manitoba. He has been instrumental in the founding and development of several health industry companies, including ABI Biotechnology (now Apotex Fermentation), Canada’s first profitable biotech company, and the Winnipeg Rh Institute, where he led the development of Canada’s first biotech product, WinRho. Dr. Friesen has also played a key role in a number of regional and national organizations, including a founder and first Board of Director Chair of the Industrial Biotechnology Association of Canada (now BIOTECanada). He is President and founder of Genesys Venture Inc. (GVI), which provides the expertise for launching and managing emerging health and biotechnology ventures. He has served as CEO and Chair of Medicure Inc. since he led its formation in 1997.

Medicure is a pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of cardiovascular therapeutics for the U.S. market.

Medicure’s vision is to become a leading cardiovascular pharmaceutical company within the U.S, offering a growing product portfolio of cardiovascular products that improve patients’ lives. We have an unwavering focus on delivering safe, efficacious and cost-effective medicines that benefit patients, healthcare providers and shareholders. Our commitment to service, partnership and integrity is what sets us apart.

Paul joined New Flyer as President and Chief Executive Officer in January 2009.  Mr. Soubry holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree from the University of Manitoba and completed the executive development program at Harvard Business School.  Mr. Soubry has a sales, marketing, business development and operations background in businesses held by both trade and private equity owners, with substantial experience in business transformations and LEAN operational practices. 

Prior to joining New Flyer, Mr. Soubry worked for StandardAero for 24 years where he held a variety of increasingly senior positions including President in 2001, Chief Operating Officer in 2006, and Chief Executive Officer in 2007.  Mr. Soubry currently serves on the board of True North Sports and Entertainment Limited/Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club and the Wawanesa Insurance Company.  He has also served on the board of the Winnipeg Airports Authority, Mondetta Clothing Company and Economic Development Winnipeg Inc. and chaired the University of Manitoba’s Front and Centre Capital campaign.    

In 2003, Mr. Soubry was named one of the recipients of “Canada’s Top 40 under 40” award, was inducted in the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Hall of Fame in 2014, recognized as Canada’s 2016 CEO of the Year by the Financial Post, and a recipient of the 2018 University of Manitoba Distinguished Alumni Award.  Mr. Soubry is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors and a graduate of the Directors Education Program.

NFI Group Inc.

With over 8,000 team members in ten countries, NFI is a leading global bus manufacturer of mass mobility solutions headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba.  NFI currently offers the widest range of sustainable drive systems available, including zero-emission electric (trolley, battery, and fuel cell), natural gas, electric hybrid, and clean diesel. In total, NFI supports its installed base of over 105,000 buses and motor coaches around the world.

We exist to move people and to enable the future of mobility with innovative and sustainable solutions.  Our Mission is to design and deliver exceptional transportation solutions that are safe, accessible, efficient, and reliable.  We seek long-term success through industry-leading transportation solutions and commit to continuous investment in our people and processes to optimize, defend, diversify and grow our business. Our products, services and our company are built to rely on.

The NFI Family of Brands

Terry Brown – B. Comm (Hons), is the CEO of Okimaw Community and HR Solutions, a member of the EDIP Sovereign Wealth Solutions Group of Companies focused on providing indigenous communities with the tools to grow their sovereign wealth through economic reconciliation. In addition to being the CEO of Okimaw, Terry is also on the EDIP SWS Executive Committee and on the Board of Directors of Okimaw Community and HR Solutions and the EDIP Foundation.

Terry is a proud Indigenous business person with extensive experience working with the First Nation, Metis, Inuit and Native American communities and Fortune 100 and 500 corporations, including consumer goods, manufacturing, banking, transportation, hospitality, marketing, wholesale, energy, procurement and healthcare. He has been sought out by numerous organizations for his strong command of corporate and Indigenous issues, particularly in capacity building and connecting mainstream and Indigenous businesses.  Terry’s background has given him a dynamic understanding of the issues and opportunities facing both companies doing business in traditional indigenous territory as well as indigenous communities expanding into mainstream markets.

Terry is a confident, award-winning business leader who takes pride in being a strategic problem-solver, envisioning smart solutions and executing with expediency across all areas of an organization. Terry advises business entities, Indigenous communities and entities on policy initiatives, corporate setups, joint ventures and mergers, and acquisitions. An experienced negotiator, Terry has successfully closed hundreds of business deals.. As a business leader and VP of a First Nation owned franchise for one of the world’s largest beverage companies, Terry focused on corporate growth by helping others start and grow their own business ventures throughout the regions of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Alberta and Nunavut.

Terry is a Board member at Building Urban Industries for Local Development (BUILD); Champion for Little Stars Playhouse; and has sat on numerous boards over his career.  In 2019, he was appointed to the role of Commissioner with the Province of Manitoba Commission on Kindergarten to Grade 12 Education.

Husband of 19 years and father of a beautiful 8-year-old girl, Terry’s traditional name is “Who-Zu Ski Geezhig Ininini”, which translated to English means “Blue Sky Man” which means he always sees the bright side when it is darkest.  He was honored with the name of “Red Star Turtle Man” and has been told by elders that he’s obligated to share his knowledge throughout Turtle Island (North America).  

Okimaw Community & HR Solutions

Okimaw Community and HR Solutions is a service-based business that works exclusively with First Nations and related Indigenous entities to assess, train and support their teams as part of a broader effort to build capacity in indigenous communities.  

Okimaw specializes in community well-being through helping clients be more effective with their planning, governance and management, especially their management of people and how they collectively make organizations more effective.

Okimaw strives to combine traditional nation values with a modern approach to community planning and HR challenges. Using experience combined with best practices for learning, and customized solutions, the company appreciates and understands the various challenges that are faced running the affairs of the nation. They have experienced these challenges firsthand.

Peter Tielmann is the President & CEO of Palliser Furniture, the largest residential furniture manufacturer in Canada. Under his leadership, Palliser has undergone various improvements and integration initiatives that have given Palliser a leading position in the industry. Peter is an entrepreneurial leader who founded EQ3 in 2002, a successful vertically integrated lifestyle brand, and has been involved in various startups both in the for profit and not-for-profit sectors. He holds a degree in Architecture, and a graduate degree in Business Economics, both from Germany. He serves on several boards, including the Michaëlle Jean Foundation and the International Institute for Sustainable Development.

Palliser Furniture

From a modest start in a basement workshop over 75 years ago, Palliser has grown to be one of the largest furniture manufacturers in North America. Its obsession with quality of products and excellence of service has been the constant catalyst of the company’s success.

Today Palliser remains a family owned business with its headquarters in Winnipeg, employing over 3000 people across its locations in Canada, USA, Mexico and Indonesia.

As cofounder of Payworks, Barb Gamey has overseen the strategic direction and development of the company since its inception.

In 2000, after 15 years of senior level experience in the payroll services industry, Barb recognized that there were gaps in the industry and resulting opportunities that could be gained if she created a unique value offering that encompassed the latest in technology combined with a truly customer-centric service philosophy.

As a result, Payworks’ proprietary payroll application was developed by expert individuals who truly understood the needs of the customer and had a proven track record in the outsourcing industry. The organization has grown to over 300 employees in 10 regional locations coast to coast.

Barb has been honoured with awards for her entrepreneurial work, including receiving the Momentum Award at the 2012 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards (CWEA) and being named to the Profit W100 in 2009.

Barb is dedicated to community involvement: she sits on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Board of Directors, the Business Council of Manitoba’s Board of Directors, the TELUS Manitoba Community Board, and served as United Way Winnipeg’s 2018 Campaign Chair. Barb is also the Chancellor of the University of Winnipeg and sits on the board for both the University of Winnipeg Foundation and UM Properties. She is an ongoing supporter of numerous other community and charitable organizations.

PAYWORKS

Doing business to business, person to person. Payworks is a leading expert in the field of total workforce management solutions, providing cloud-based Payroll, Human Resources, Employee Time and Absence Management to businesses across Canada. We’re a Platinum Club member of Canada’s Best Managed Companies, having held the Best Managed distinction every year since 2012, and were designated one of Canada’s Top Small & Medium Employers for 2021. Let us show you how we’re different: visit payworks.ca for more information.

Social links:

https://www.facebook.com/payworks

https://www.linkedin.com/company/payworks-payroll-services-canada

https://twitter.com/Payworks

https://www.instagram.com/payworksinc/

https://blog.payworks.ca/

Pamela Kolochuk was named CEO of Peak of the Market Ltd. in July 2021. Pamela began her career at Peak of the Market Ltd. as Chief Financial Officer four years ago.  A CPA, MBA and Certified Change Leader with over ten years of experience in senior financial leadership, Pamela is renowned for her innovative growth strategies and for creating engaged, productive employee teams.

Born and raised on a dairy farm south of St. Claude, Manitoba, Pam is grateful for her grower and industry connections that have served her well throughout her education and work-life. After earning her accounting degree, with a double major from the University of Manitoba, she went on to gain significant accounting and high-level project experience, while developing friendships and enjoying extensive success in various positions at Cargill, Parrish & Heimbecker and G3 Canada. That knowledge, coupled with unique roles in the tech sector, round out her breadth of experience.

Pam is steadfast in her belief that agriculture is the foundation of the economy emphasized by the daily commitment to excellence shown by Peak of the Market’s grower-partners and her team of 65 employees in Winnipeg and Calgary.

A life-long learner herself, Pam has been a school trustee in Winnipeg’s Louis Riel School Division since 2018, where she dedicates much of her time to ensuring that children have access to quality, inclusive and accessible education.

Peak of the Market Ltd.

Peak of the Market is an inclusive and diverse company driven by a dedicated group of Growers and staff that has marketed quality produce for 80 years; supplying a wide variety of fresh, quality vegetables across Canada and throughout the United States. Peak of the Market, along with Growers, employs over 1,000 Manitobans and injects over $130 million into the economy each year. Peak of the Market has earned the reputation for, not only ensuring the produce grown exceeds the national standard for safety and quality, but that customers receive the same attention and superior service.

Everyone at Peak of the Market takes pride in working toward a collective commitment to excellence, in everything we do, all year long.

www.peakofthemarket.com

www.facebook.com/PeakoftheMarket

www.twitter.com/PeakoftheMarket

www.instagram.com/PeakoftheMarket

www.youtube.com/PeakoftheMarket

Abdo (Albert) El Tassi is a well-known Manitoba businessman and philanthropist who works tirelessly to promote understanding, tolerance, and respect not only in Winnipeg but globally. Albert has called Winnipeg home since 1969 when he started in the shipping department of Peerless Garments Ltd. As of June 2006, he has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of Peerless Garments LP, which is a garment manufacturer and importer carrying two main businesses: leather and cold weather garments. For over 45 years, he has worked closely with Department of National Defence staff working on the design and development of specialized garments for the military.

Giving back to the nation in which he lives; the community which he serves; and the world to which he belongs is a fundamental part of his beliefs.  Mr. El Tassi is a pillar in the Muslim community, having been a major donor to the Islamic Social Services Association, a mosque in Thompson, and the Alhijra Islamic School, among others. His support for the school is especially important to him because, as he has said, “education helps to eliminate ignorance and it fosters understanding of different cultures while promoting a better life.”

He gives generously of his time and money to many charitable organizations.  At home or work, his door is always open to those in need; help in finding housing, a job, or providing counselling to new immigrants adjusting to the Canadian way of life – he is there to help. The opportunity for success that he has enjoyed has also been an opportunity to reach out to others in need around the world. His philanthropy extends far beyond his community. Over the years he has supported UNICEF; the Canadian Museum for Human Rights; the Canadian Diabetes Association; World Vision; the United Way; Variety, the Children’s Charity of Manitoba; Winnipeg Harvest; the Winnipeg Foundation; and many, many more. He has also supported international disaster relief efforts and has sponsored nearly 50 immigrants to Canada.

Recognized for his prominent and selfless philanthropy and community service, he was a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal; he is a Member of the Order of Canada; he was named to the Order of Manitoba; and he was named Humanitarian of the Year in 2012 by the Canadian Red Cross, among numerous other honours.

Along with a long list of charity work and continued growth of a successful business, Albert is first and foremost a family man and considers with great pride and honour to have had the privilege of making Winnipeg his home since 1969 for himself, his children, and his grandchildren. 

PEERLESS GARMENTS LP

PEERLESS GARMENTS LP is a Canadian limited partnership located in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada.   Founded in 1940, Peerless Garments has been a significant supplier to the Government of Canada since its inception.  Peerless Garments also specializes in the manufacture of men’s and ladies cloth and leather outerwear garments.

Peerless Garments has serviced the many military clothing requirements of the Canadian Department of National Defence for over 60 years.  During this long-term relationship, Peerless Garments has developed the expertise to fulfill the needs and requirements of the Department of National Defence and our design staff is active in the development of new products for today’s armed forces.

Peerless Garments specializes in cold weather outerwear, with the main objective of creating garments that will keep the user warm, dry and comfortable.  Technological advances allow us to provide the end user with garments for more specific needs.  We produce such items as soft body armour, garments with static reduction, as well as garments with fire protection.  Peerless also produces the highly sensitive Chemical Warfare Protective Coverall (Toxicological Agent Protective) for the armed forces.

Peerless Garments has been instrumental in the development of many prototype samples for various government departments such as Fisheries & Oceans, Canada Customs & Revenue Agency, Transport Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, as well as the Department of National Defence.   Over the past several years, Peerless has worked closely with various military departments to design and manufacture the new high tech clothing system being developed for both Army and Air Force personnel.  The incorporation of state of the art clothing and textile technologies has resulted in adaptable, lightweight components offering protection against a wide range of climatic conditions.

We are proud of our dedication to quality and were one of the first manufacturers in Canada to receive ISO 9001 certification.

Peerless Garments LP is a union shop – our employees are members of “WORKERS UNITED”.

As Executive Chairman and CEO of People Corporation, Laurie Goldberg is responsible for providing leadership and overall strategic direction to the corporation and its subsidiaries. Under his guidance, the organization has transformed from a regional firm to one with a national presence. In 2014, Laurie was recognized as the EY Entrepreneur of the Year, Prairies Division, in the Professional and Financial Services category.

Laurie’s experience includes the positions of Chief Operating Officer and President of Assante Corporation, formerly a TSX-listed company. During his tenure with Assante, Laurie led the organization from approximately 100 employees to become one of the largest non-bank owned financial institutions in Canada, with some 2,500 employees and advisors, managing approximately $22 billion in client assets. Assante’s portfolio also included a leading sports and entertainment services organization in the United States. In 2003, the Canadian operations of Assante were sold for almost $1 billion. Prior to joining Assante, Laurie was Managing Partner with Arthur Andersen (now Deloitte). Laurie graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree from the University of Manitoba and is a Chartered Accountant.

People Corporation

People Corporation is one of Canada’s leading independent consulting firms. The People Corporation tag line, ‘Experience the Benefits of People’, reflects our commitment to bring the right people to deliver the right solutions – allowing our clients to attract industry-leading candidates, committed and focused on delivering exceptional results.  At People Corporation we are committed to helping businesses succeed. We are a national provider of group benefits, group retirement, wellness, and human resource solutions. Our experts provide valuable insight, and offer customized solutions designed to fit the unique needs of your business.

The model of our organization was designed to fill a need. We listened to customers and engaged with product experts to learn what was working in our industry and where there were gaps. Now and looking forward, we are well equipped to provide comprehensive service and create new-to-market solutions.

We are truly a team player. We partner with insurance carriers and suppliers to create unique and customized solutions. And, our service model allows our teams of experts to provide unbiased direction so that customers get solutions that work for their business.

Brian Lowes is a licenced red seal automotive technician and a graduate of the North American Auto Dealer Association Executive Education Program in Boston.  Cars have been Brian’s passion from his earliest years, and he feels exceptionally fortunate to combine his love of cars with his dedication to contribute to developing the next generation of leaders.  Brian, being the first in his family to be in the industry, believes wholeheartedly in being generous with his time and making investments in future leaders around him. He is currently the Chairman of the Mercedes-Benz Canada Dealer Advisory Board and holds Past President titles for the Manitoba Motor Dealer Association as well as The Entrepreneurs Organization, to name a few.  He led the foundational culture shift in all organizations he oversees to be one of values driven leadership.  His relentless focus on empowering his people to “do the right thing when no one is looking” has propelled these organizations to win multiple manufacturer and industry awards and build an engaged community of team members and customers.  In 2016 Brian was recognized a winner of the Automotive News North American top 40 under 40 and in 2018 was named the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association Laureate award winner, the highest honour in the Automotive retailing business, by his peers. 

Pinnacle Automotive Group

Pinnacle Automotive Group is comprised of Mercedes-Benz Winnipeg, Focus Hyundai, Kenora Hyundai, Focus Autobody and Pinnacle Collision.  We represent 3 brands across 5 locations and provide certified repair services for numerous other brands.  Operating primarily in Winnipeg and Northwestern Ontario we create an innovative and engaging community of team members and customers while retailing and servicing some of the safest and most renowned vehicles in the world.  Our mission of creating a meaningful customer experience through inspired staff and innovation is complimented by our unwavering commitment to “doing the right thing.”  Our deeply engaged and connected team members foster a culture of entrepreneurial spirit and humility.  This allows us to connect with our customers in a unique way.  The organization has been recognized with a variety of Manufacturer and Industry Awards.

mercedes-benz-winnipeg.ca
focushyundai.net
pinnaclecollisioncentre.ca

Gerry Price was born in Winnipeg and holds a B.Sc. and a M.Sc. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Manitoba as well as a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics from Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. Following graduate studies, he worked as a Defense Scientific Services Officer for the Defense Research Board in Alberta; he then joined E.H. Price Limited (now Price industries Limited) in 1977.  In 1986, he became President of Price Industries following their start up in Asia Pacific, and began to lay the foundation for their expansion into the US market.  During his tenure he has launched many new product lines, factory expansions and new business units in Canada and the US, and has grown the company to 22 times the size, scope and reach it was when he became President. 

Price Industries Limited

The Price Group comprises seven companies, operates 14 factories, seven in Canada and seven in the US. Manufactured products range from HVAC mechanical products to transit windows, aluminum extrusions and other industrial products.  The company’s workforce numbered approximately 3,000 employees in 2020, 50% in the US and 50% in Canada, with approximately 1,200 in Winnipeg, MB.

Price is a market leader in air distribution, critical controls, and noise control products.  Price also offers state-of-the-art computational fluid dynamics services that analyze how the HVAC system interacts with the indoor environment and the occupant. 

 The founding principles of Price have never changed – business integrity, first-class service, innovation and a commitment to people. After more than 70 years, Price remains a privately held family company with a deep heritage and commitment to innovation and service. Our long-standing vision, traditional values, and the Price way of doing business are the cornerstones of our leadership position in the non-residential air distribution industry.

Price Industries was founded in Winnipeg and remains loyal to Manitoba.  Price remains fully committed to Winnipeg as it is our home and an ideal market for world-class engineering and engineering technology talent.

As a co-founder of Private Pension Partners (“P3”), Don has provided the leadership and direction for P3 since inception in 2010, serving as the President and CEO of the Asset Manager and Limited Partnerships.  Don also serves as a Management Representative, Trustee, and CEO of Apartment Plus Real Estate Investment Trust (commonly referred to as A+ REIT) which was launched in the fall of 2020 as a private real estate investment trust with the mandate to acquire and hold multi-family rental properties providing that it may also hold a maximum of 20% of its net assets in strategic street-front commercial properties.  Don is also a member in good standing with the CPA Association as well as the CFA Society in Manitoba and graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1993 and 1994 respectively earning his Bachelor of Commerce Honours and Masters of Accountancy degrees.

Private Pension Partners (“P3”) is a leading private equity real estate investment firm launched to provide its clients with access to private and direct pension-grade real estate investment opportunities. After a decade of sound real estate investment management, P3 has nearly 2.3M square feet of real estate, 1,600+ apartment units, and $725M of total property assets under management or development. P3 collaborates with industry-leading real estate professionals to develop or refurbish sustainable and amenity-rich, built-for-rent multi-family or tactical street front commercial assets that bring lasting value to tenants and investor partners.

Kim Ulmer is the Regional President for Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nunavut, and Western Ontario.  Responsible for achieving a best in class sales and service experience for all clients in business and personal banking, Kim is thrilled to lead and is inspired by a talented workforce of over 2600 employees from the radiant fields of Saskatchewan to the vibrant city of Sudbury to the vast tundra of Canada’s north.   

Passionate about youth and the entrepreneurial spirit, Kim is active in the community and a supporter of employee volunteerism. Kim is currently serving as Capital Campaign Cabinet Member for Qaumajuq, the Inuit Art museum, at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. Kim currently serves on the Manitoba Premier’s Economic Opportunities Advisory Board and is playing an active role in the Asper MBA Executive Mentorship Program at the University of Manitoba. Within RBC, Kim is the Executive Champion for two regional employee resource groups including RBC Pride (LGBTQ2S* identifying employees) and The Black Professionals Network.

Kim holds an MBA from Dalhousie University and a diploma in Business Administration from SIAST, and received an honorary degree from Saskatchewan Polytechnic in the spring of 2018.

A passionate Canadian Football League fan, Kim and her husband Garnell, together with their son Lucas reside in Winnipeg, Manitoba surrounded by family, friends, and a spirited community. 

RBC Royal Bank

RBC thrives on helping clients and communities prosper.  Our Regional Office, located in Winnipeg, serving Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nunavut, and Western Ontario recognizes that Manitoba is rich in entrepreneurs, innovation, and diverse talent.  Manitoba is the home to many sectors and industries contributing to a vibrant and dynamic economy.  What truly makes Manitoba an extraordinary place is the resilience of its people from Canada’s first peoples to the newcomers who now call this province home.  From sport to the arts to the collaborative business community, it is not a question of why are we headquartered here, it is a question of why, in a province like this, wouldn’t we be.    

Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 86,000+ employees who bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada’s biggest bank, and one of the largest in the world based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our 17 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 34 other countries.  Here in Manitoba, RBC brings RBC Insurance, RBC Dominion Securities, PH&N, Private Banking, Business Financial Services, and our expansive branch network to our clients and communities to provide a diverse portfolio of financial services and so much more beyond banking.  We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteerism.

RBC Thought Leadership: https://thoughtleadership.rbc.com/

Curt Vossen graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Bachelor of Science in agricultural economics and has since dedicated his career to Canadian agriculture. Before joining Richardson as President in 1995, Curt held various merchandising and operational management positions in the grain industry.

Curt is committed to being an active member of both the business and arts communities, volunteering with a number of organizations. Curt is chair of the Business Council of Manitoba, as well as a board member of the Business Council of Canada and the Rabobank North American Advisory Board. He is also chair of the Prince Rupert Grain Company.

Curt is chair of the board of directors of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and is also a board member of the Misericordia Health Centre in Winnipeg. In addition, Curt is a trustee to the Richardson Foundation.

Richardson International Limited

Richardson International Limited is Canada’s largest agribusiness and is recognized as a global leader in agriculture and food processing. Richardson is a worldwide handler and merchandiser of all major Canadian-grown grains and oilseeds and a vertically-integrated processor and manufacturer of oats and canola-based products. Over the past two decades, the company has become a significant player in the global food business, producing a wide variety of food products and ingredients for the retail, food service, and industrial markets. One of Canada’s Best Managed Companies, Richardson has over 2,900 employees across Canada, the U.S., and the U.K.

For over 160 years, their work has been centered on supporting agriculture, building strong business connections worldwide, and investing in communities in which they do business. Richardson is proud to be headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba as they continue to serve the needs of a diverse range of customers in the agriculture and agri-food industry.

Services:
• Grain handling and merchandising;
• Full range of crop inputs products (seed, fertilizer, crop protection);
• Agronomy and digital agriculture;
• Oilseed processing;
• Milling operations;
• Food and ingredients production and packaging.

www.richardson.ca

Social Media Links:
www.linkedin.com/company/richardson-international
www.instagram.com/richardsoninternational
www.facebook.com/richardsoninternational
www.twitter.com/richardson_intl
www.youtube.com/richardsoninternational

Arni Thorsteinson is President and principal of Shelter Canadian Properties Limited. He has over 45 years of experience in real estate development and finance. Arni is a founder of Lanesborough, Huntingdon, Temple and White Rock Real Estate Investment Trusts. He is a Director of Onex Corporation and Bird Construction Company. Arni also serves on the Boards of the Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, the Michaelle Jean Foundation and Historica Canada.

Arni obtained his Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 1974 and also holds Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) and Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) degrees from the University of Manitoba.

Shelter Canadian Properties Limited

Shelter Canadian Properties Limited is a private Canadian corporation which is beneficially owned by the family of Arni Thorsteinson. The company was established in 1990 and is the successor to various Canadian real estate companies which have been in operation since 1947.

The company employs approximately 350 administrative, accounting and operational personnel who work at Head Office, the regional offices and on site at the Shelter-managed rental, condominium and commercial properties.

The overall objective of the company is to provide its clients with excellent investment opportunities which are supported by comprehensive fee and asset management services. Shelter Canadian Properties Limited, in conjunction with its U.S. equivalent, Shelter American Holdings, Inc., is currently responsible for the management of approximately 120 multi-unit rental, condominium, commercial and hotel properties, comprised of more than 12,000 suites and in excess of 3 Million square feet of commercial space.

Ben Sparrow is the CEO of Sparrow Hotels. Ben has been involved with many community groups including serving as President of Entrepreneurs Organization Winnipeg, and is a past board member of the Winnipeg Executives Association, and Manitoba Chapter of the Canadian Association of Family Enterprise. Recently Ben was a founding member of the committee to make Winnipeg a Fairtrade City and currently serves on the board of YPO Manitoba.

Ben holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Ryerson University and is a graduate of the General Management Program at Wharton, University of Pennsylvania.

Sparrow Hotels

Established in 1937, Sparrow Hotels draw on more than 80 years of experience as one of Canadas most reputable hotel management companies. Employing more than 400 full and part-time staff in Winnipeg Sparrow has a proven track record in the management of luxury and upscale full and select-service hotels, as well as conference and institutional food service facilities, spas, and restaurants.  The company has provided hospitality consulting services to a wide variety of clients for over 25 years.

In 2015 Sparrow Hotels was named the Winnipeg Large Tourism Business of the Year by Tourism Winnipeg.

Kevin Gill is the founder and President of the Staffmax group of companies. Kevin was born and raised in Winnipeg and is a proud graduate of RRC Business Administration program. Under his leadership and vision, he has grown Staffmax into one of the largest staffing & recruiting firms in Canada, led expansion into USA, Australia & Europe and has expanded service offerings into the Healthcare Staffing and EOR/PEO services field (Employer of Record/Professional Employer Organization). Kevin is a recognized expert and requested speaker in the Staffing, Recruitment, Executive Search and Employment Industry.

Kevin is a board member of the Manitoba Employers Council, Canadian Staffing & Recruiting Association (ACSESS), a member of Business Council of Manitoba, Winnipeg Executives Association (WEA), U of M Associates and a founding Investor in YES! Winnipeg. He is a recipient of the CPHR of MB Visionary of the Year Award. He has participated in the Prime Minister of Canada’s federal budget consultation process. Kevin supports the Bear Clan Patrol, MS Society, KidsSport, United Way and others.

Staffmax Staffing & Recruiting

Founded in 2007 and proudly headquartered in Winnipeg, the Staffmax group of companies is comprised of 4 companies and 3 brands in Canada, USA, Australia and Europe. Staffmax is a leading provider of High-Quality Temporary Staffing, Full-Service Permanent Recruiting, Executive Search, Healthcare Staffing, EOR/PEO services (Employer of Record/Professional Employer Organization) and HR Services.

Staffmax Staffing & Recruiting is known for providing ready, reliable, & experienced employees across all roles and disciplines. Using advanced recruitment technologies, custom Apps, AI and a team of dedicated specialized recruiters, Staffmax is able to quickly find talent to fill roles on their client’s timelines.

Staffmax is one of the largest staffing & recruiting agencies in Canada. With the number of assignment employees at clients’ locations everyday, Staffmax is one of the largest employers in Manitoba.

Staffmax Healthcare is a provider in the USA of Travel Nurses, Per Diem Nurses, Locum Tenens and Allied Health Professionals. Staffmax EOR/PEO services, available in over 120 countries, provides on behalf of their client’s employees and contractors international payroll, benefits, taxes and compliance.

Staffmax gives back to the community through numerous charitable organizations and is a Chamber Champion with the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce.

Dan McConnell joined The North West Company in 2002 in the role of Manager, Real Estate and Store Development. He quickly advanced to the position of Director in April 2004, promoted to Vice-President of Real Estate & Store Development in September 2008. He then became Executive Vice-President, Chief Development Officer in 2014 and in 2018 became President, International Retail relocating to Boca Raton before returning to Winnipeg in July 2021 as President and Chief Executive Officer.

Dan has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Wales and many years’ experience in retail development.

Dan is a board member of The North West Company and United Grocers Inc.

Dan and his wife Kirsten now make their home in Winnipeg with their 3 children Liam, Matthew and Brynn.

The North West Company

North West is multi-billion dollar retailer serving rural and developing regions of North America, the Caribbean and the south Pacific. North West’s vision is to help people live better by offering a superior range of everyday products and services ranging from food, apparel, home and outdoor products as well as health, financial, transportation and other core lifestyle services. North West’s customer base is over 80% BIPOC and our operations are within areas most affected by climate change, making social responsibility a business sustainability imperative that we are proud to be leaders in.  

https://www.northwest.ca

Mark Chipman is the Executive Chairman of the Board of True North Sports & Entertainment Limited and Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club. 

Born and raised in Winnipeg, Mark attended the University of North Dakota where he earned an Honors B.A. in Economics and a Juris Doctorate in Law. 

Mark entered the business of professional hockey in 1996 through the acquisition of the Minnesota Moose. In 2001, Mark led the development of Bell MTS Place and the acquisition of the Atlanta Thrashers in 2011. In December of 2016, Mark was named to the Executive Committee of the NHL’s Board of Governors as well as the Selection Committee of the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2019.

Mark has been the recipient of the Order of Manitoba and the University of North Dakota’s Sioux Award. He is a founding member of the Hockey Canada Foundation, established the True North Youth Foundation and Gonzaga Middle School.

True North Sports & Entertainment

True North endeavours to be recognized as a preeminent organization within the National Hockey League, the American Hockey League and the North American entertainment industry.  We further strive to establish ourselves as an integral asset to the City of Winnipeg and the Province of Manitoba and to be a consistent source of pride for our entire community. 

We are relentless in our pursuit of providing a superior patron experience in all of our facilities, developing championship caliber hockey teams, nurturing and providing opportunities for our colleagues and collectively making a meaningful and consistent contribution to our community.

Ms. Mactaggart received her Bachelor of Sc. Physics (Honours) degree from Edinburgh University in Scotland and has 30 years of industry experience. She has experience in both technical and management roles, spanning International, Canadian, Large and Small cap organizations. Ms. Mactaggart joined Tundra Oil & Gas in 2010 and was appointed President & CEO in 2018. She currently leads a team focused on light oil production in the SW Manitoba and SE Saskatchewan Williston Basin area. In addition to participation in the Business Council of Manitoba, Ms. Mactaggart is Vice-Chair of Explorers and Producers of Canada (EPAC).

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-mactaggart-9b725624/

Tundra Oil & Gas

Tundra Oil & Gas recognizes that operating in its communities and provinces is an opportunity as well as a responsibility. We are committed to achieving a balance of economic, social and environmental sustainability. This commitment underlies the way we conduct our business across all our operations.

Since its inception in 1980, Tundra Oil & Gas has delivered above average returns on private equity capital through the discovery and recovery of light oil resources in the Williston Basin in a safe and environmentally sustainable manner.

At Tundra, we continuously strive to minimize our impact on the environment, and as a company, we are committed to finding innovative and integrated solutions to delivering environmentally responsible energy.

Tundra’s goal is to reduce the environmental impact of our operations, using techniques such as monitoring of air quality and water wells, as well as, an active program to address end of life asset closure. With the development of new technologies, Tundra’s facilities are continuously upgraded. Historic facilities are decommissioned and replaced with new facilities to minimize waste gas production, enhance spill prevention methods and reduce energy consumption.

www.tundraoilandgas.com

Dr. Tim Berube spent much of his early working years with the Canadian Forces and in a career abroad. He was Vice-President and General Manager for the broadband communications firm Arris International in Tokyo, Japan. Upon repatriating to Canada, Dr. Berube founded Ben Berube Holdings International, an organization offering both domestic and international consultancy services. More recently, he served on the Board of Directors with the North West Local Health Integration Network under the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care in Ontario. He is currently a Commissioner with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

Dr. Berube has over 25 years of experience in global leadership, executive management, governance, business development, operations, sales, marketing, engineering, project management and consulting. Dr. Berube has a 10-year international portfolio resulting in the creation of two multi-million-dollar multinational enterprises.

Holding a Master of Science (Leadership)  from Capella University, a Master of Business Administration (International)  from the University of South Australia and a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering  from Lakehead University. He also possesses multiple non-secular degrees in metaphysics and divinity, culminating in a Doctor of Philosophy (Metaphysical Sciences)  and a Doctor of Divinity from the University of Metaphysical Sciences.

Westman Communications

Guided by cooperative principles, we are committed to delivering a quality customer experience and to achieving growth through investment by leveraging technology, the strength of our people, our partners and our infrastructure. We will be a customer- focused leader, enabling communications and entertainment services, for the benefit of our cooperative Members and the communities we serve.

https://westmancom.com/about-us/company-profile/vision-mission-and-values

Barry Rempel has served as President & CEO of Winnipeg Airports Authority Inc. (WAA) since April 2002. Under Barry’s leadership the airport campus has transformed and become Canada’s greenest major air terminal and the campus is the heart of Winnipeg’s intermodal Airport City.   

Made in Manitoba – Barry has a long serving career in aviation.  Prior to joining Winnipeg Airports Authority, he was President & CEO of Tradeparks Development Corp. He also served as Chief Executive for two Canadian Airlines International operating divisions:  Cargo and Canadian North.

Barry believes in community.  Currently he serves on Canadian Airports Council and SRG Security Resource Group, Churchill Transportation Inc., and is a member of the RCAF Commander’s Council.  He sits on the board of the Business Council of Manitoba, the Airports Council International – North America, and the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s Inuit Art and Learning Centre Capital Campaign.   He sits on the Board of Directors of Economic Development Winnipeg. Barry serves as Honorary Colonel of the Royal Canadian Air Force, and first-ever Honorary Colonel of 1 Canadian Air Division. In 2017,

In 2015, Barry was named Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Winnipeg.

Barry and Janice Rempel reside in Winnipeg.  When not involved in community activities, they enjoy touring the many magnificent communities of Manitoba, with special attention to Carman, Manitoba…Barry’s birthplace. 

Winnipeg Airports Authority Inc.

Winnipeg Airports Authority’s vision is to lead transportation innovation and growth to serve our community. The company’s mission is to provide excellent airport facilities and services in a fiscally prudent manner.

Manitoba offers a prime geographic location for Winnipeg Airports Authority and the air transportation sector to flourish as it is in the heart of Canada and North America. Cargo operations thrive in the centre of the mid-continent trade-corridor with the ability to move essential goods to global markets within 48 hours.

Winnipeg Airports Authority (WAA) is responsible for operating, managing, maintaining and strategically investing in Winnipeg Richardson International Airport. The company also leverages its diverse structure to oversee and operate Iqaluit International Airport, while simultaneously providing aviation services and solutions at more than 30 other airports across Canada to help benefit communities across the country.

WAA enhances connectivity within the region, including in Manitoba and Canada’s North, by facilitating the movement of people and goods to reach different local and global markets.  Under WAA’s management, Winnipeg Richardson International Airport has evolved to become a leading cargo hub in North America and is a key component of Canada’s air cargo activity. WAA continues to drive the expansion of the airport campus in Winnipeg to develop a thriving network of industry partners all working together to lead the future of the sector and further serve the community.

Darryl Levy is President & Chief Executive Officer of Wynward Insurance Group.  Headquartered in Winnipeg, Wynward is a subsidiary of James Richardson & Sons, which is highly regarded as one of the most prominent privately owned companies in Canada.

Prior to joining Wynward in 2011, Mr. Levy was President-Western Canada at Rogers Communications and served in various senior executive positions at Rogers from 1994-2011. Mr. Levy is Vice Chairman of the Business Council of Manitoba, Trustee of the Richardson Foundation, and a Board Director of FP Canadian Newspapers- the Publisher of the Winnipeg Free Press & Brandon Sun. He has served as a member of the Winnipeg region United Way Cabinet since 2012 in various Chair capacities, most recently as Co-Chair of the Major Corporations division, in addition to serving as a member of the Major Donor Cabinet. He has also served on the Boards of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Junior Achievement of Manitoba, University of Winnipeg Faculty of Business Advisory Board, and “Tell Us About Us”, a Winnipeg based tele-service Company. Mr. Levy is also a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO).

Wynward Insurance Group

Wynward is a commercial property and casualty insurer that serves its customers in all Provinces and Territories across Canada. With over $40 Billion in client insured assets from coast to coast, Wynward’s focus is to develop risk management solutions for Canadian businesses. By focusing on key specialty markets, the Company has developed a portfolio of capabilities that drives its core value proposition-Wynward is in business to serve other businesses.