Current Board Members
Councillor Markus Chambers, Chair |
Markus Chambers is the newly elected City Councillor for the new ward of St Norbert – Seine River. Prior to seeking election Markus spent 29 years as a civil servant with the Province of Manitoba in a variety of positions. Markus began his career with the province working at the Seven Oaks Centre for Youth as a juvenile counsellor before accepting a permanent position with the Income Assistance Program where he worked for 7 years before becoming a Policy Analyst for the Department of Family Services. Markus transitioned to the Department of Labour and Immigration and spent 17 years assisting in the development and management of the Provincial Nominee Program. As an avid community volunteer, Markus has served 6 years on the Board of Trustees for the United Way of Winnipeg and 10 years on the Capitol Campaign Cabinet for the Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Additionally, Markus has also served on the boards of the Henteleff Park Foundation and the St Boniface Hospital Research Foundation (International Academy of Cardiovascular Sciences) raising money and awareness for heart health within the Caribbean Community. Markus is a graduate of the University of Manitoba where he most recently completed the Public Sector Management program and previously double majored in Political Sciences and Sociology. |
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Brian Scharfstein, Vice Chair |
Brian Scharfstein is a Canadian Pedorthist specializing in the care of diabetic and arthritic feet. He is the President and CEO of Canadian Footwear and The FootHealth Centers in Winnipeg and Calgary. He is the owner of FootHealth Centre Pedorthic Consulting Services. Brian has been serving the Manitoba community for almost 50 years. For the past 17 years Brian has regularly been providing education and conducting clinics in First Nations communities. He prides himself in the trusted relationships he’s built over the past many years with leaders in the Indigenous community. Brian is a past chairman of The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, and currently sits on the board of the Mount Carmel Clinic Foundation. He is actively involved in providing footwear to core area institutions through our “Fit Feet on the Street” charity. |
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Mohamed El Tassi |
Mohamed El Tassi is the President of Strata Supply Corp. Mohamed contributes to the business community through the Downtown Biz and the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce. He has served on the Boards of the Air Cadets, EPIC Opportunities, Manitoba’s Residential Tenancies Branch, the University of Winnipeg Community Renewal Corporation, the Canadian Muslim Leadership Institution and the Rotary Club of Transcona. Mohamed is actively involved in his faith community while assisting new immigrants to Canada. He personally supports the work of the Silom Mission, Agape Table and Habitat for Humanity and participates in the CEO Sleep Out. Mohamed is devoted to helping others, motivated in keeping the city safe and committed to making a difference. |
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Damon Johnston |
Damon Johnston is the current President of the Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg and has held that role since 2008. Damon retired from the City of Winnipeg in 2005 after serving as a Community Resource Officer in the Aboriginal Community and other various roles for 15 years. Previously, he served as the Assistant Executive Director of the Indian and Metis Friendship Centre of Winnipeg, was elected the Secretary Treasurer of the Ontario Metis and Non Status Association and was a correctional and probation officer with the Ontario Ministry of Corrections. Damon proudly served in the Royal Canadian Navy from 1966 to 1968. Damon is a strong advocate for giving back to his community and in addition to the Winnipeg Police Board, currently serves as the Chair of the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba and as a member on the boards of the Media Credit Union, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) – Manitoba and Winnipeg, SEED Winnipeg Inc., and Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad Inc. (Ndinawe) Damon is a Member of Fort William First Nation, Thunder Bay, Ontario and is a graduate of the Confederation College of Applied Arts and Technology with a Diploma in Administrative Management. |
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Councillor Brian Mayes |
Brian Mayes has represented the St. Vital Ward since 2011. He currently Chairs the Standing Policy Committee on Water and Waste, Riverbank Management and the Environment and is the longest serving member of the Executive Policy Committee. Brian also serves as the Council Representative on the Board of Governors of the Winnipeg Art Gallery, as Board Director of the Assiniboine Park Conservancy and Chairs the Winnipeg Food Council. |
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Edna Nabess |
Edna Nabess was born and raised in Cormorant, Manitoba and is a proud member of the Mathias Colomb Cree Nation. Edna was taught the traditions of her Cree culture by her mother and is the founder and principal designer of Cree-Ations. Edna is a well-known artisan creating one-of-a-kind designs and is a founding member of the Manitoba Artist Showcase. Edna received the Aboriginal Business Service Network Award in 2009, the BMO Expansion and Growth in Small Business Award in 2017 and was a Recipient of a Canada 150 Medal that same year. In addition to the Winnipeg Police Board, Edna serves on the boards of Efficiency Manitoba, Manitoba Public Insurance, Manitoba Social Services Appeal, Manitoba 150 Celebration Committee and the Advanced Education Training and Literacy Aboriginal Advisory Council (AETLAAC). Edna was a candidate in the 2016 Provincial Election in the riding of Kewantinook. Edna gives back to the community by participating in multiple charitable events and fundraising activities. |
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Alicja Szarkiewicz |
Alicja (Allie) Szarkiewicz is a proud immigrant to Canada and has made life-long roots in Winnipeg. She is a retired middle school teacher with over 30 years of experience. Allie has been a member of the Winnipeg Police Board since 2016 and a Director on the Board of the Canadian Association of Police Governance (CAPG) since 2018. Allie is an active community volunteer and has served on various local boards and advisory councils including the St. James-Assiniboia Teachers Association Executive, the Winnipeg Public Library Advisory Council and the Grace Hospital Patient and Family Advisory Council. Allie continues to give back to the community by participating in many charitable events and fundraising activities, including the Drop Zone Challenge. Allie was a candidate in the 2015 Federal Election in the City Centre riding and a candidate in the 2016 Provincial Election in the riding of Logan. She continues to be involved as a community and political advocate. Allie is a yoga enthusiast, entrepreneur, life-long-learner, avid traveler and proud mom. |