board of directors
LWF’s board of directors is comprised of well-informed people with diverse backgrounds and relevant experience who contribute to the strategic direction of the foundation, ensuring strong decision-making and effective oversight.
Board composition is reviewed annually to ensure the right calibre and scope of director expertise, allow for well-planned succession and provide for effective committee membership. Directors are elected for various terms to ensure continuity, and can be appointed by the board between annual general meetings.
Bryan Allison
Background: CPA, CA after a B. Comm at the University of Manitoba. Financial experience across numerous industries in Europe and North America.
Skills: Financial discipline, strategic planning.
Favourite thing to do on/around Lake Winnipeg: “Enjoy the waves at Grand Beach when a strong wind blows from the north. Backwoods canoeing, portaging and camping in Nopiming and North Whiteshell Provincial Parks.”
Cheryl Bailey
Background: High-school biology and environmental science teacher; experience developing, facilitating and advising on multiple courses, programs and projects related to Lake Winnipeg, sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Skills: Community engagement and education; writing and presenting; enthusiasm, energy and commitment; current chairperson of the Rural Municipality of Gimli’s Active Trails Advisory Committee; past president and founder of Gimli Cross Country Ski Club.
Favourite thing to do on/around Lake Winnipeg: “I enjoy kayaking and paddling directly along the west shore of the lake for three seasons of the year, and snowshoeing and skiing in winter. Some years, we clear a kilometres-long path to skate on the lake right out our front door!”
Becky Cook
Background: A formal science background with a B.Sc. In Geology and Geophysics and a Ph.D. in Marine Geophysics. Becky comes from an Indigenous community of fishermen on the north basin of Lake Winnipeg, Misipawistik Cree Nation.
Skills: Passion for Lake Winnipeg, understanding of Indigenous ways of knowing and a research background.
Personal connection to Lake Winnipeg: "I grew up on the shores of Lake Winnipeg, Misipawistik Cree Nation – situated on Lake Winnipeg at the mouth of the Saskatchewan River. We spent time every summer at my family's traditional spot on Long Point. My oldest aunt told me about stories her grandmother was told by her grandmother about camping at that spot, so my family has been camping on that place for at least six generations."
Kathryn Dompierre, chair
Background: Professional engineer and environmental advocate with a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering from the University of Manitoba, M.Sc. in Environmental Regulation from the London School of Economics, and Ph.D. in Geo-Environmental Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan.
Skills: Community outreach and knowledge translation; researching and technical communications.
Personal connection to Lake Winnipeg: “As a child, I loved the weeks my family would spend on Lake Winnipeg at Victoria Beach every summer. As I grew up, I became more aware of water-quality issues affecting my favourite spot and the interconnectedness between humans and water. This pushed me to do water-related graduate research and get involved in the Canadian water community to help affect positive change for our shared resource.”
Claire Herbert
Background: A freshwater biogeographer who has been working on lake biology and data management for over 20 years. B.Sc. from the University of Manitoba.
Skills: Previous board experience; a research background; a passion for water protection, data protection and privacy protection.
Personal connection to Lake Winnipeg: “I worked as the field supervisor for the Namao for five years.”
David Horne
Background: Bachelor of Arts (Economics); Master’s of Business Administration; certified Financial Planner; most of career spent at Investors Group, including positions in trust services, product marketing, Vice President Marketing, Vice President Insurance, and Regional Vice President for distribution operations in Western Canada.
Skills: Business expertise; leadership and executive coaching; sales and marketing; volunteer board experience.
Favourite thing to do on/around Lake Winnipeg: “Spending time at my Matlock cottage with family and friends. Our cottage has been in the family for 98 years.”
Frank Indome, secretary
Background: MSc. in Information Systems from the University of Bergen in Norway. Currently a software engineer, developing software for the environment, forestry and agricultural sectors with strong expertise in GIS programming.
Skills: Worked as a volunteer with non-profit organizations for the past 30 years in various capacities. A committed and motivated Administrative Professional with exceptional community relations experience and decision-making skills. Strong work ethic, professional demeanor with great initiative.
Personal connection to Lake Winnipeg: “I have been fascinated by the vastness of Lake Winnipeg. I patronise the beaches along the lake both on the east and west shores.”
Amanda Karst
Background: Metis, family originally from Saskatchewan. B.Sc. and M.Sc. with a focus on plant ecology and ethnobotany.
Skills: Experience with environmental non-profit boards; awareness of ENGO landscape in Manitoba; dedication to understanding and celebrating Indigenous ways of knowing the land and the water, and understanding and navigating how Indigenous communities interact with western scientists and science as a whole.
Favourite thing to do on/around Lake Winnipeg: “Sit at the beach – or backcountry canoe tripping.”
Cameron Mackay
Background: Academic foundation in biological sciences completed with certifications in project management and people management from the University of Winnipeg.
Skills: Several years working for environmental and sustainability-focused non-profits; extensive expertise in event coordination, project execution, team building and operation management.
Personal connection to Lake Winnipeg: “I started my professional career working at the Lake Winnipeg Foundation and have been following the organization’s successes since. I’ve spent many summers at my family cabin on the Winnipeg River system and care deeply for the health of our beautiful Lake Winnipeg. I’m thrilled to be re-entering this community in a new capacity!”
Bruce Maclean, past chair
Background: Born in Winnipeg. Studied Environmental Sciences at the University of Manitoba. Extensive experience in community-based monitoring, and impacts of hydro and mining. Depth of experience in fisheries, environmental assessment review and Indigenous consultation.
Skills: Business owner; 10 years managing community-based monitoring programs; 10 years experience as board member of Mining Watch Canada; facilitation training, strategic planning and board governance experience; fluent in French and Spanish.
Favourite thing to do on/around Lake Winnipeg: “Explore the east side near Hollow Water First Nation, play with my kids at Grand Beach.”
Greg McCullough, chair, Science Advisory Council
Background: A PhD in Geography, with specialty in the study of hydrological processes, and sediment and nutrients transport in rivers, lakes and oceans. A professional life spent studying water, including: the physical impacts of hydro-electric developments; flow and nutrient transfers through undeveloped watersheds and lakes; algal bloom formation in Lakes Winnipeg, Manitoba and Winnipegosis; and the effect of fresh water from rivers and annual ice formation on oceanographic processes in Hudson Bay and the Beaufort Sea.
Skills: Knowledge of water-related science in Lake Winnipeg and its watershed; connections with many scientists studying it and experience helping non-scientists understand their work.
Favourite thing to do on/around Lake Winnipeg: “To cruise the north basin on the Namao with a collection of enthusiastic students, scientists and crew – or to walk alone on a George Island beach, watching waves crash and feeling the spray from a good north blow.”
Jonathan Paterson, vice chair
Background: A lawyer with a background in both local and international non-profit work. Born and raised in Winnipeg, with a BA from the University of Winnipeg and Juris Doctor degree from the University of British Columbia.
Skills: Legal knowledge, previous board experience, and experience working with environmental non-profits in Manitoba.
Personal connection to Lake Winnipeg: "I love being outdoors as much as possible, and Lake Winnipeg and its surrounding areas are some of my favourite places to be. Growing up, I have fond memories of staying at friends' cottages in the summers and spending our time swimming, hiking and biking around the lake."
Helen Yestrau, treasurer
Background: BComm (Honours) at University of Manitoba followed by a CPA, CA designation. Worked in assurance prior to moving onto a financial reporting role in a publicly traded company then settling in financial planning and analysis.
Skills: Financial analysis, process improvement, forecasting/budgeting.
Favourite thing to do on/around Lake Winnipeg: “Exploring and walking barefoot in the sand and waters.”