Class Acts 2021

Class of 1960-1969

Kobrinsky, Ava (Collegiate 65) was chosen to receive the Order of Manitoba 2021. One of the founding directors of the Winnipeg Folk Festival, Kobrinsky is a force in the cultivation, nurturing and flourishing of contemporary folk music in Manitoba and Canada. She was the general manager the West End Cultural Centre and the Home Routes/Chemin Chez Nous, and has also played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Prairie Theatre Exchange, the Winnipeg Jewish Theatre and the Winnipeg Contemporary Dancers.

Matas, Carol (Collegiate 67) has authored a new book A Struggle For Hope. The book explores the 1944 rebellion by inmates of Auschwitz and the post-Holocaust immigration to Israel.

Class of 1970-1979

Daniel, Brodsky (Collegiate 76, BAH 84) along with John Bradford & Fabian Saleh has edited the second edition of the textbook Sex Offenders Identification, Risk Assessment, Treatment, and Legal Issues which has been released by Oxford University Press.

Le Dressay, Anne (BAH 79) self published her third poetry collection, Positions of the Soul: Poems Selected and New, appeared in 2019.  Selected poems are from two earlier books and two chapter books.

Richardson, Bill (BA 76, LLD 98) was the winner of the McNally Robinson Book for Young People, Younger Category at the Manitoba Book Awards 2020 for his book The Promise Basket.

Tougas, Janine (BA 73) has written four youth novels entitled The Voyage Series, Jaimie and the Bison Hunt, Gabriel Between Dog and Wolf, Harry and the Dark Horse, and Sara in Raven’s Clothes. They were published in French from 2013-2017 by Apprentissage Illimité Inc and translated in English in 2019. The two first novels are Canadian bestsellers in French. 

Class of 1980-1989

Bergen, David (BED 85, DLE 2007) short story collection Here the Dark was shortlisted for the 2020 Scotiabank Giller Prize. He won in 2005 for his novel The Time in Between. Here the Dark won the McNally Robinson Book of the Year in the Manitoba Book Awards. Published by Biblioasis.

Borys, Stephen (BAH 84) was named to Order of Manitoba 2020. The director and CEO of the Winnipeg Art Gallery, Borys has long been a fierce advocate for the power of art to change lives and communities. He led the effort to build the Inuit Art Centre and holds the post of adjunct professor at The University of Winnipeg. He serves on national museum association boards, where he has advanced a meaningful dialogue on the role of culture in society today.

Head, Rhonda (Collegiate 87) was recently awarded two bronze medals at the 2021 Global Music Awards. She earned the honours for two Cree language songs Kisahkihitin I Love You (Contemporary Classical Category) and 500 yrs (Protest Songs).

Hunter, Catherine (BA 86) was the winner of the Lansdowne Prize for Poetry at the Manitoba Book Awards 2020 for her book St. Boniface Elegies.

Khan, Omar (Collegiate 85) discontinued studies in 1990, returned and graduated with BA in Theatre and Film in 2021. Was an early childhood educator, working in daycares between 1994-2017. Began an acting career in 2005 which he maintains to this day. Currently residing in Ontario.

Class of 1990-1999

Robertson, David A. (BA 99) was a finalist in the Governor General Literary Awards Best Books of 2020 for his book The Barren Grounds.  He won the Alexander Kennedy Isbister Award for Non-Fiction and the Carol Shields Winnipeg Book Award for his book Black Water: Family, Legacy, and Blood Memory in the 2021 Book Awards.

Wong, Alan (Collegiate 93, PACE 19) lead the FascinAsian Film Festival (F3) which took place virtually May 28-30, 2021. This unique event originally started as part of Asian Heritage Month activities in 2017 and has grown to become a branded three-day event.

Woods, Douglas (MDIV 94) has recently published a book on media relationships. He has gleaned from over 94 interviews and press releases to publish his new book THINK HEADLINES (Turning your stories into headlines). These headlines have included a range of stories that have appeared in newspapers, magazines, radio and TV. In this book he outlines the principles and practices that have provided him repeated success in telling stories both locally and nationally. He illustrates these principles with numerous behind the scenes stories. One of the gems disclosed is the defining of what triggers a news story. These principles and practices have the potential put even small organizations on the map.

Class of 2000-2009

Blais, Eric (BA 01) Best Direction Award for Shakespeare’s Will by Who Productions at the Winnipeg Theatre Awards. The annual Evie Awards celebrate, recognize, and acknowledge excellence in Winnipeg’s theatre community. He is an instructor and has been working in theatre, film, and television for over two decades.

Condo, Rose (BAH 00) has released a poetry collection After the Storm which contains the three unabridged scripts of her acclaimed spoken word theatre shows, The Geography of Me, How to Starve an Artist and The Empathy Experiment.

Essex, Jennifer (BA Hons ’03 Theatre) a Middlesbrough-based choreographer (North Yorkshire, England) received a £10k grant to create an interactive dance show for families, called How Long is a Piece of String?

Isaac, Jaimie (BA 05, PACE 09) was selected as a CBC Manitoba Future 40 winner in 2020. She has been part of the arts and cultural community in Manitoba for many years, contributing as an artist, curator and volunteer. She had worked as the Curator of Contemporary and Indigenous Art at the Winnipeg Art Gallery for over 5 years. She is co-founder of the Ephemerals Collective.She is the new Chief Curator of The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. 

Loat, Allison (BA 06) won the Behind the Scenes Award at the 2020 Winnipeg Theatre Awards. The annual Evie Awards celebrate, recognize, and acknowledge excellence in Winnipeg’s theatre community. She is a production coordinator, and instructor.

Neepin, JJ (Jenna) (Collegiate 02, BA 08) is an Indigenous writer/director based in Winnipeg, MB. JJ has written and directed several short films with her company JJNeepinFilms including the more well-known CBC short documentary called Headdress.

Class of 2010-2019

Fil, Jennifer (BSC 10, BED 10, PBDE 18) currently teaching high school math in the River East Transcona School Division. Proud Mom of 2 girls. “Thanks for the education and experiences from the U of W.”

Williams, Lynne (BAH 12) I started my degree at 42 with two young kids at home. My goal was to hone my writing skills and become a "story expert". I had no idea of the transformational journey ahead of me. Now my dream of being a freelance writer and editor is coming true.

Class of 1970-1979

Harrison, Trevor (BA 79) stepped down at the end of June as Director of Parkland Institute, an Alberta-wide institute housed at the University of Alberta, that examines public policy from a political economy perspective.

Class of 1980-1989

Pollock, Katherine (BAH 83) is the chair of Fasken’s partnership board. She advises and represents employers in labour, employment, human rights and business-related immigration matters.

Class of 1990-1999

Hurley, Dan (BA 93) is a public relations, philanthropy and strategic planning consultant. He serves as board chair of the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance and trustee of the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 in Halifax.

Walker, Rosa (BA 91) is being honoured with an Indspire award for her 30-plus years as an Indigenous business leader. She has held countless titles, including manager of workforce diversity at the Bank of Montreal, where she fought for the rights of Indigenous workers. Rosa Walker (Justin Fraser/CBC ) Walker launched the World Indigenous Business Forum (WIBF) in 2010 to promote Indigenous economic development, and later created the Empowering Indigenous Youth in Governance and Leadership (EIYGL), a non-profit organization designed to give young Indigenous people mentorship and training opportunities. She currently serves as president and CEO of the Indigenous Leadership Development Institute (ILDI), which aims to build leadership capacity in Indigenous people.

Class of 2000-2009

Dias, Dean (BBA 08) is the Chief Executive Officer at Cereals Canada. Cereals Canada is a national, not-for-profit organization that brings a broad and diverse collaboration of partners from all sectors of the cereals value chain.

Gebremedhin, Zewdy (BBA 08) is proud to be a U of W alumni class of 2008 B.B.A graduate! She graduated from the National University of Ireland with a PhD in November 2020. She is married with 2 sons and is a Component Leader working for GIZ in the renewable energy sector in Africa. She would love to connect with former classmates but it would have to be virtually due to Covid-19 and also as she is based in Ethiopia at the moment and was in Malawi and Tanzania before that.

Class of 2010-2020

Blaikie Whitecloud, Tessa (BAH 11) has been hired as the new CEO of Siloam Mission.

Menezes, Adrian (PACE 17) is the founder/ President of IT'S ONLY HONEY INC, a management consultant that is based in Winnipeg, MB. Est 04/2020. Graduated in 2021 with a Immigration Practitioner Diploma in Laws, Policies and Procedures.

Class of 1960-1969

Foy, Lorensa (BA 60) is a retired social worker. Married to Gary Foy and "Celebrated 59th anniversary this year. Now apartment dwellers in Sudbury after 57 years in community of Lively, ON. Our 3 sons and families live nearby. Hello to class of 1960!"

Manning, Brian (Collegiate 62, BA 68) “is presently, retired since 2007 and living at East  York Acres, East York(Toronto)! Have two grown children, Trevor & Lauralee! Three grandchildren; Lukas & Luna(Trev's Kids) living in QC! Scott(Lauralee) living in Scarborough! Became a Nationally Licensed race driver in 1975! CRDA member. Became a licensed pilot(PPL) in 1986. Oshawa(YOO). COPA member”.

Class of 1970-1979

Mitchell, Barry (BSC 75) studied at Universities of Winnipeg, Manitoba and Alberta. Practiced as a Physiotherapist for 40 years. Now living the island life in Qualicum Beach, BC.

Pierce, Kathleen (BA 71) married in England 1972 and lived in South Africa until 1976. She moved to BC following the early death of her husband, Garth Pierce, and graduated from the University of British Columbia 1989 with a Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work.

Watson, Wayne (BAH 78) retired in 2005 from Louis Riel School Division after 35 years. He began a new career with Superstore as a manager of a fresh department. After three years he left for the airport where he worked as a screening officer for ten years before retiring in 2019.

Class of 1980-1989

Cameron, Marilyn (BA 86) after 10 years of living in Scotland she returned to Winnipeg in 2016. She had her dream job in Glasgow as a cataloguer of rare books and special collections, with books right back to the 1600s. She is now a library technician at Red River College.

Lamont, Catherine (BA 82) “I am a Learning Support Teacher for both French and English tracks at a bustling elementary school in Victoria. Enjoying the mountains and oceans, but missing cross country skiing, river skating, the lovely hot Manitoba summers and lake life.”

Class of 1990-2000

Rankin, Doug (BA 90) spent his entire career in Canada's North-Northern Manitoba, Northern Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories. Much of that time in remote, fly in, aboriginal communities. From the times of bush radio through to the years of email and IPhones.

Class of 1970-1979

Little, Martha (BA 79) also received a BFA Nova Scotia College of Art & Design 1982. She graduated BScN at Dalhousie University in 2010. “Currently I work as RN mental health and addictions 50% FTE. This July, 2020, I opened a studio and fine art gallery at 294 St. George Street, Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia website: marthalittlestudio.com”

Class of 1990-1999

Kyliuk, Amber (BA 97) has lived in Calgary since graduation. She’s taught yoga, raced Skeleton, owned a yoga studio, had two children... Now starting up a business helping people with pain management though yoga therapy, natural movement, and psycho social pain techniques.

Lauria, Pasquale (BA 96) MBA, Serial Entrepreneur and global citizen. Husband and father of 2 lovely kids.

Class of 1960-1969

Van Den Bosch, George (Collegiate 66, BSC 69) “After practicing law since 1974, I am retired. I practise walking my dogs and hiding from COVID-19. It is great to meet former classmates who are also fortunate enough to continue their life journey. We are indeed fortunate!”

Class of 1970-1979

Blaikie, Bill (BA 73, HDD 07) was recognized as Officer in the Order of Canada for his lifelong contributions to parliamentary service, and for his steadfast commitment to progressive change and social activism.

Carr, Jim (Collegiate 70) was re-elected as Liberal MP for Winnipeg South Centre. September 20, 2021

Class of 1980-1989

Leven, Elliot (BA 82) Deputy Chief Commissioner at the Residential Tenancies Commission of Manitoba in Winnipeg, is appointed a puisne Judge of Her Majesty's Court of Queen's Bench for Manitoba. Mr. Justice Leven replaces Mr. Justice R.G. Cummings (Brandon), who elected to resign effective September 1, 2020.

Gray, Bruce (BAH 88, MPA 90) is the Government of Manitoba Deputy Minister of Municipal Relations.

Class of 1990-1999

Antonio, (Lesley) Kim (BA 99) was appointed a puisne Judge of Her Majesty's Court of Queen's Bench for Manitoba, Family Division in December 2020.  After graduating with her LL.B from University of Manitoba in 2003, Madam Justice Antonio practiced family law with Taylor McCaffrey, first as an associate since 2004 and then as a partner from 2013 until her appointment to the bench. 

Forster, Jan (BA 92, MPA 90) is the Government of Manitoba Deputy Minister of Conservation and Climate.

Gazan, Leah (BED 98) Re-elected as a Member of Parliament for the NDP in the Winnipeg Centre riding, September 20, 2021

Hnatiuk, Jeff (BA 93) is the Government of Manitoba Deputy Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage.

Class of 2000-2009

Blaikie, Daniel (BAH 07) was re-elected as an NDP MP in the Elmwood-Transcona Riding. September 20, 2021.

Reimer, Maria (BA Hons ’00 English) is the first woman elected as Steinbach Credit Union’s Board Chair. Reimer is a partner at MLT Aikins LLP, one of Western Canada's largest law firms. She was first elected to the Board of Directors for SCU in 2015.

Class of 1980-1989

Lewis, Marion (DSC 86) was named to the Order of Manitoba 2020. A pioneer in medical genetics, Lewis co-founded the Winnipeg Rh Laboratory to study and eradicate hemolytic disease of the newborn. Prior to her work, HDN was a major cause of morbidity and death in the newborn period. The Rh Laboratory has the distinction of being one of the earliest genetic laboratories in Canada. Lewis developed and perfected the methodology to detect all forms of Rh incompatibility and to use this same technique to test the blood of all pregnant women in Manitoba.

Class of 1990-1999

Anderson, Marcia (BSC 98) was the awarded the 2021 Dr. Thomas Dignan Indigenous Health Award. The award acknowledges and celebrates Canadian physicians or physicians-in-training who epitomize a zeal and devotion to Canadian Indigenous rights and the pursuit of justice for Canada’s Indigenous Peoples.

Bullard, Dr. Jared (BSC4 99) received a Medal of Excellence at the Doctors Manitoba Awards 2021. He is a member of the leadership team from Cadham Lab who have overseen the lab specimen processing, including the use of private labs, during the pandemic. They have come up with innovative solutions to worldwide shortages in lab supplies and worked to speed up turnaround times.

Class of 2000-2009

Moodie, Erica (BA 00) is the William Dawson Scholar and a Professor in the McGill Faculty of Medicine’s Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, she has been selected as the 2020 recipient of the CRM-SSC Prize in Statistics.

Turk, William (BSC 09) is a CBC Manitoba's Future 40 Awards finalist. He is an eye surgeon, inventor and scientist. Along with Dr. Christian Petropolis they developed a 3D printed mask for health care workers if supplies of traditional protective equipment ran out.

Class of 1980-1989

McMahon, Janet (BA '83) is the CEO of Sport Manitoba. She played basketball with the Wesmen from 1979-83. She has worked in sport administration for over 30 years and is the second CEO in Sport Manitoba’s history.

Class of 2000-2009

Menzies, Jayme (BSc ’09  won the Peter Williamson Memorial Award for her contributions in coaching competitive volleyball and she was also named the Manitoba Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Council’s Indigenous Female Coach of the Decade.

Schneider, Dustin (BBA 08) is President of Unity Insurance. He is a former National Team men's volleyball athlete 2008-2016, and is a Volleyball Manitoba Hall of Fame inductee 2021.

Wells-Small, Joanne (BA 05, BED 09, PBDE 13) was inducted into the Manitoba Basketball of Fame. She played for The University of Winnipeg Wesmen, from 2000-06, where she was named national player of the year in 2004-05.

Class of 2010-2019

Grant, Taryn (Collegiate 12) was awarded Waterski and Wakeboard Canada's Female Waterski Athlete of the Year for 2020.