Manitoba Women's Advisory Council




Members of Council


Colleen Munro, Chairperson (Winnipeg)

Colleen Munro, Chairperson (Winnipeg) is the president of Hugh Munro Construction. Ms. Munro has served on numerous boards including as president of the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association and the Western Canada Road Builders Association. Ms. Munro also served as a member on the Apprenticeship Manitoba Board and the Minister’s Advisory Council on Workforce Development.

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Karla Warkentin (Morden)

Karla Warkentin (Morden) is the director of finance for the Mennonite Collegiate Institute. She has been a member of the Women’s Giving Circle with Morden Area Foundation, Many Hands Resource Centre and Westside Community Church. Ms. Warkentin holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Manitoba, a Master of Divinity from Providence Theological Seminary, a certification in Christian Spiritual Direction Formation from Renovare Institute and a certification in Christian Spiritual Direction from Christos Centre.

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Lorie English (Winnipeg)

Lorie English (Winnipeg) is the executive director of West Central Women’s Resource Centre. She is also a sessional instructor at the University of Winnipeg in the Urban and Inner City studies department. She formerly worked for Canada World Youth. Ms. English currently serves on the board of Nor’West Community Health Co-operative, she previously served on the board of Main Street Project and she is a former member of Women’s Health Clinic. Ms. English holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Global Studies from Wilfrid University.

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Elizabeth (Liz) Crawford (Winnipeg)

Elizabeth (Liz) Crawford (Winnipeg) is the CEO of Swish Model Management and Productions. She is also the owner of the Rosè Beach House Motel and co-owner of Studio 315. Ms. Crawford is the founder and president of Reach Canada, a sister charity to Reach USA working alongside medical experts with an interest in Hirschsprung disease to better support patients and caregivers navigating this rare disease. Her areas of expertise include business, marketing, branding, management and mentoring.

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Divya Sharma (Winnipeg)

Divya Sharma (Winnipeg) is a special project coordinator for CanU Canada. Ms. Sharma was previously a community and communications specialist with Inclusion Winnipeg. Ms. Sharma has an extensive amount of committee experience including project manager for Taking it Global Rising Youth and student council president for Fort Richmond Collegiate. Ms. Sharma has also been a board member for Manitoba Council for International Cooperation, Asian Women of Winnipeg and Winnipeg Women's Conference. Ms. Sharma holds countless achievements including Lieutenant Governor's Community Leadership Award, Manitoba Council for International Corporation Outstanding Take Action Project Award, and Manitoba Legislative Assembly Recognition. Ms. Sharma is currently studying for a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Manitoba.

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Golchin Jalalat (Winnipeg)

Golchin Jalalat (Winnipeg) is a network administrator with Reimer World Corp. She is a former instructor at Red River College Polytech and former IT Manager with Jeghatu Construction Company. Ms. Jalalat holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Software Engineering from Urmia University and a Masters in IT Engineering from Amirkabir University of Technology in Iran. She also holds a Management Certificate and a Post Degree Diploma in Network Security both from University of Winnipeg.

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Jagjit Polly Pachu (Polly) (Winnipeg)

Jagjit Polly Pachu (Polly) is a registered cardiology technologist with Victoria General Hospital. She has completed courses through Paddington Technical College and the Canadian Society of Cardiology Technologists. Ms. Pachu has served as president to the Canadian Society of Cardiology Technologists and the Manitoba Association of Cardiology Technologists, union representative for the Manitoba Association for Health Care Professionals and vice-chair to the Immigrant Women’s Association of Manitoba. Ms. Pachu is a current member of the Occupational Health and Safety Committee, the Coloured Committee and volunteers for the Hindu Health and Wellness Centre.

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Marites (Tes) Aiello (Winnipeg)

Marites (Tes) Aiello is a human resource consultant with the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), where she has served in various roles for over 13 years including her time as an operations support office, branch operations officer and manager of client care. She has a certified general accountant’s designation from Red River College and current co-chair of the RBC Employee Resource Group. Ms. Aiello has served as the public relations membership chair to the Manitoba Filipino Business Council and as a public relations volunteer for the Filipino Women’s Group of Manitoba. She has received the TFCC Filipino Champion of the Year and was named Business Woman of the Year by the Manitoba Filipino Business Council. Ms. Aiello received twice both the Mayor’s Recognition of Volunteerism and Community Service Award and the RBC Regional President’s Community Leadership Award.

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Laura Marrast (Winnipeg)

Laura Marrast is the operations manager for the Reflexology Association of Canada. She has experience as a program coordinator for African & Caribbean Diversity and as assistant manager of university information for The George Washington University. Ms. Marrast has a master of arts with a focus on international affairs from The George Washington University and a bachelor of journalism from Carleton University. She currently volunteers with the Joy Smith Foundation and as a puppeteer for Puppets4Him.

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Theresa Wride (Flin Flon)

Theresa Wride is a job coach with the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies Career Centre. She has also held the role of career counsellor for the Flin Flon Aboriginal Friendship Centre. Ms. Wride has served as a volunteer for the Northern Pregnancy Care Centre, the Northern Visual Arts Centre and the Northern Health Region.

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