PAST WORK EXPERIENCE                           

Co-Commissioner (Consultant) –
NDP Commission to Establish a Safe and Respectful Political Environment

Manitoba New Democratic Party
March 2018 – May 2018

The Commission is tasked with investigating the experiences of staff and elected officials who were subject to sexual harassment and misconduct.
The goals of the commission are:
a. To provide a safe and confidential environment for current and former employees, current or former party members, or stakeholders to share, on a voluntary basis, their experiences, either as someone who witnessed misconduct or was the subject of misconduct, towards a goal of preventing these things from happening again;
b. To identify the systemic failures of the work environment that allowed incidents of harassment and misconduct to occur;
c. To develop recommendations for the NDP to build a harassment-free environment where everyone feels safe and respected, and;
d. To provide recommendations to ensure that proper policies and protocols needed are in place to ensure that anyone who experiences harassment has a clear and supportive path to have it stopped and addressed.

Daniel McIntyre/St. Matthews Community Association (DMSMCA) – November 2008 – November 2017
Executive Director

DMSMCA is a community-driven not-for-profit Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation serving the Daniel McIntyre and St. Matthews (DM/SM) neighbourhoods in Winnipeg’s inner city. We work with residents and other stakeholders on various issues to reduce poverty and support the social, cultural and economic renewal of our neighbourhoods, focusing our work primarily on the following six areas – Housing, Community Building and Safety, Greening and Environment, Community Involvement and Outreach, Recreation and Youth, and Community Economic Development. We operate on the principles of Community Economic Development (CED).

Since joining the organisation in 2008, I have grown the organisation from 1 to 7 permanent employees plus various seasonal employees and interns. Under my leadership, in 2010, we successfully fundraised over $650,000 to buy and renovate a City library building which now houses our offices as well as offices for 3 other community organisations and our programming and resource centre.

As the Executive Director, my duties involve the day-to-day coordination and management of DMSMCA including:
•   Staff, Volunteer and Organisation management (disciplining, hiring and firing of all employees);
•   Management of Physical Assets – e.g. building maintenance, tenant relations and recruitment;
•   Overall Program Leadership and Management;
•   Fundraising and Funder Relations;
•   Community Planning and Communications;
•   Board  Relations and Support
•   Financial and Risk Management

Province of Manitoba –  Project Manager – Community and Economic Development Committee of Cabinet (CEDC) – February 2007 – November 2008 

The CEDC Secretariat provides staff support to the Community and Economic Development Committee of Cabinet, the Cabinet sub-committee responsible for initiation and co-ordination of community and economic development activity for the Provincial government.

Project Managers support the decision-making process of the Community and Economic Development Committee of Cabinet, by providing timely economic development expertise, community input or understanding, research and analysis of a broad range of issues and projects, leadership to interdepartmental project committees and working groups, and issue management.

Province of Manitoba – Senior Project Manager and Policy Analyst – Intergovernmental Affairs, Urban Strategic Initiatives – October 2005 – February 2007

Project and Policy Analysts are involved in the research, review and evaluation of major government programs and policy; review and evaluation of community led projects seeking government support, advising the department on the feasibility of supporting projects, ensuring consistency with government policy; and monitoring projects supported by government. A Senior Project Manager and Policy Analyst involves supervising staff and managing various program areas and initiatives and taking part in program and policy negociations across government as well as with other levels of government.

Independent Consultant –  Assessment, Review and Evaluation – April 2004 – December 2004

We assessed, reviewed and evaluated (as a member of a 7 person consulting team) the Canada – Tanzania Development Co-operation Country Programme from 1997-2003 for CIDA. As a team we focused on the areas of governance, civil society, economic development, education, gender and small enterprise development. My areas of particular focus include Gender, HIV/AIDS and Environment.

Manitoba Council for International Cooperation (MCIC) Public Engagement Coordinator – September 2003 – August 2005

Managed the MCIC Public Engagement programme – coordinated, planned, organised and implemented MCIC public engagement activities and events– such as Generating Momentum for Our World, provincial youth conference; International Development Week activities for MCIC and in the community; as well as other events and activities.

Coordinated and facilitated the MCIC Public Engagement Group. As well as organising MCIC training events with MCIC member agencies, facilitating the development of a rural outreach strategy and assisting in the preparation of funding proposals.

Independent Consultant – OCA Assessor – July 2002 – April 2003

Using the OCA Tool, I carried out organisational capacity assessments of various Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO’s) in Tanzania.

CUSO Cooperant – Communication Advisor – February 2001 – June 2003 

Worked as an International Development Worker for local Tanzanian Women’s NGO (Women Advancement Trust – WAT).  Researched, wrote, designed and produced promotional materials and an international newsletter. Provided administrative support and staff training. Organised and facilitated workshops and local and regional meetings (specifically Francophone Africa Regional Meeting – held in Cameroon). Also facilitated the formulation of a comprehensive organisational funding proposal and strategic plan.

Manitoba Human Rights Commission Commissioner – Board of Commissioners – April 2000 – March 2001.

Commissioners are selected from various geographic, cultural, social and economic sectors of the Province. They are appointed for three-year terms, on a staggered basis, and serve on a part-time basis. There are ten Commissioners. The Board of Commissioners establishes the policies that determine the manner in which the professional staff administer the programmes and activities of the agency. It is also the function of the Board to determine the appropriate disposition of all complaints and to issue binding advisory opinions.

Canadian Women’s Health Network (CWHN) National Health Educator – February 2000 – January 2001

Responsible for researching and building a network of organisations locally, provincially and nationally who provide good, trustworthy information and resources on women’s health issues, in French and English as well as other languages, also responsible for researching and then answering information requests from both consumers and health professionals (in French and English).

Canadian Federation of Students (Federation) – Organiser and Provincial Coordinator – July 1994 – January 2000 Responsible for coordinating the work of the Federation in the in Manitoba with student unions of member schools across the province. General responsibilities included managing and coordinating the Provincial Office – day-to-day operations, general programme direction and overall financial management; coordinating Provincial organising strategy; conducting research and writing (briefs and research papers, promotional materials) on issues related to post-secondary education; doing presentations (in schools, to government committee), facilitating workshops, coordinating the media strategy; and promoting the services of the Federation with students.

Also servered as a Harassment Officer During National Meetings of the Federation (with 200 – 250 participants) – an independent councillor and I carried out the duties of harassment officers for the duration of the meeting. Responsibilities included: listening to complaints, investigating complaints, mediating between the parties, and recommending appropriate disposition of all complaints.

Katimavik Project Leader – September 1993 – June 1994

Responsible for managing the Project in Saskatoon, general responsibilities included; general day-to-day administration and management of the project, managing project budget; supervising the group, including group facilitation, organising activities, disciplining (including expelling); and other general tasks; liaising with the community organisations and the community at-large (all while living in a house with a very diverse group of young participants (11) – all between the ages of 17 and 24, from across Canada).

University of Winnipeg Students’ Association (UWSA) – President – May 1992 – May 1993

Chief Executive Officer of the Students’ Association (UWSA), responsibilities included: day-to-day coordination and management of the affairs of the UWSA; lobbying and advocacy coordinator and representative as Chief Spokesperson for the UWSA within the university and the community locally, provincially and nationally; staff management such as disciplining, hiring and firing of all employees; and financial management of the UWSA in cooperation.