Manitoba Labour and Immigration

Heather Acres (Flin Flon)

A graduate of the Faculty of Human Ecology at the University of Manitoba and a recipient of the Governor General’s Meritorious Service Medal, Heather Acres is a community development specialist with over 25 years of experience working in northern communities particularly in the health, education and environment sectors through her consulting business. 

Barbara Tascona (Winnipeg)

Barbara brings significant experience in the areas of public education, community and advocacy work. She is a language teacher at the Seven Oaks School Division where much of her work as a teacher focuses on empowering young people to educate others about the dangers of tobacco use.  Barbara has served as the team facilitator and project leader for the Students Working Against Tobacco Committee (S.W.A.T.) at West Kildonan Collegiate.  She recently completed a term with Manitoba Health’s Department of Healthy Living, Youth, and Seniors on a tobacco education campaign for students. 

Louise Hodder (Thompson)

Louise Hodder has been a community volunteer for most of her adult life, with a focus on promoting gender equality and the economic and social well-being of women. She was a member of the Government of Manitoba’s first Affirmative Action Committee and the Thompson Action Committee on the Status of Women. She has acted as the Interim President for the Thompson Chamber of Commerce and participated on the Thompson Crisis Centre Board of Directors. She currently sits on the YWCA Board of Directors. Based in Thompson, Louise has travelled extensively in northern Manitoba and has networked with women in most communities in that region. She is passionate about reaching out to northern women and bringing their issues forward. In 2009 Louise was awarded the YWCA’s Women of Distinction award for Community Building and Volunteerism.

Judie Lee (Dauphin)

Judie has been a resident of Dauphin, Manitoba for the past 31 years and throughout that time has been actively involved in supporting women’s issues.  She has 15 years experience advocating for women rights working in violence against women agencies, and was instrumental in establishing a Family Resource Centre in 1998.  She was also involved with the local Manitoba Action Committee on the Status of Women for many years.  Judie continues to be passionate about social issues for women and youth.

Lorene Mahoney (Winnipeg)

Lorene is a nurse who was born and raised in Winnipeg. She graduated with Bachelor of Nursing degree from the University of Manitoba and has been practicing in both hospital and community settings for the past 36 years. She is currently a senior policy analyst in long term care with the Province of Manitoba. Lorene has been active in many advocacy groups and served on numerous Boards over the years focusing on women’s issues, diversity, social justice, and health care. Lorene is a strong advocate of the engagement of women in the political process at all levels. Lorene is a member of the Congress of Black Women of Manitoba.

Krista Piche (Winnipeg)

Krista is a lawyer practicing mainly in the areas of family, and criminal law at the Winnipeg firm Chapman Goddard Kagan.  After serving in the Canadian Forces and working at the University of Manitoba, Krista completed her Bachelor of Arts in 2003 and received her Law degree at the University of Manitoba in 2006. Krista worked as Crown Counsel at Manitoba Prosecution Services for several years.  She has extensive volunteer experience in legal and women’s organizations, currently a council member of the Manitoba Bar Association and secretary/treasurer of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Conference (SOGIC) of the Canadian Bar Association.  Krista is a past board member of the Rainbow Resource Centre.

Zulfiya Tursonova (Winnipeg) 

Zulfiya is a Ph.D. Candidate (ABD) in Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Manitoba.  Her research focuses on ethnographic examinations of women, work, and livelihoods in the context of significant social, political, and economic change in Uzbekistan and Central Asia.  Her work in this area has enriched the understanding of cultural and gender-based conflict resolution practices in the field of peace and conflict studies.  In addition, Zulfiya is a lecturer and trainer on peace education, cross cultural education, gender, migration, and development issues and she has worked with several local, regional, and international organizations on women’s issues in Kazakhstan, Austria, Germany, and Canada.  Zulfiya is an active member of the Winnipeg Chapter for the National Committee for UN Women and UNPAC.  Zulfiya has served as a project evaluator on a volunteer basis at the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation since 2011.

Stacy Senkbeil (Brandon)

Stacy is a recent graduate from Brandon University and has her degree in Gender and Women’s Studies. She is an experienced student organizer, having served as President of the Brandon University Students’ Union, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students Manitoba Component, and board member of the Brandon University Senate and Board of Governors. Stacy developed experience and interest in women’s issues while acting as Chairperson of the Brandon University Women’s Collective. She is currently a board member of the Brandon Folk Music and Arts Society and the Brandon YWCA. Stacy is an active voice for community, women and student concerns.

Katherena Vermette (Winnipeg)

Katherena is a Metis writer of poetry and fiction. Her work has appeared in several literary magazines and compilations, including the upcoming Manitoapow – Aboriginal Literary History of Manitoba (Highwater Press 2012). Vermette was the 2010-2011 Blogger in Residence for thewriterscollective.org and recently begun graduate work in the prestigious Master of Fine Arts - Creative Writing program at the University of British Columbia. Now working in the Arts community, Katherena previously spent over ten years working in the field of Aboriginal social services. 

Ariana Yaftali (Winnipeg)

Ariana is committed to addressing the needs and concerns of women. She works as a Refugee Sponsorship Counsellor at Manitoba Interfaith and Immigration Council, and has ten years experience working with humanitarian agencies, including the United Nations Program for Afghanistan in Islamabad, Pakistan. Ariana is the co-founder of the Afghan-Canadian Women’s Organization and the Chair of the Board for the Entry Program – Altered Minds Inc and she is also vice-chair of UN Women local chapter, Winnipeg.  Prior to coming to Canada, Ariana worked with a number of organizations committed to women’s rights and equality. She co-facilitated the National Consultation Workshop for Afghan Women in Kabul, Afghanistan and the National Human Rights Workshop for the Human Rights Commission in Kabul. Ariana has sat on the Board of the Manitoba Immigrant Women’s Association, MOSAIC Board and the Canadian Council for Refugees. She is also the author of "We Did It" book, a collection of refugees' experiences.