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. 

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.  

Councillor Ross Eadie

Ross Eadie has been the City Councillor for the Mynarski Ward since 2010.  Ross previously served on the Winnipeg Police Board from 2014 to 2018 and has served on the Standing Policy Committee on Protection, Community Services and Parks for the past twelve years.   Ross’s experience has provided him with the opportunity to work toward providing all citizens a safer City while being a voice for his ward residents at Committee level meetings.  In addition, Ross has been a community advocate for over twenty years, volunteering on many advisory committees and organizations. 

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.

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.

Colleen Mayer

Colleen Mayer is the Director of Donor Relations and Development for STAR Air Ambulance, responsible for overseeing the development and execution of fundraising strategies in Manitoba, providing leadership to the Manitoba Foundation team and integrating with the Foundation leadership team across the prairies.

From April 2016 until September 2019, Colleen was the elected MLA for St. Vital.  Colleen was appointed Government Whip, a member of Treasury Board, Acting Deputy Speaker and then, the Minister of Crown Services responsible for Manitoba Hydro, Manitoba Public Insurance, Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, Manitoba Centennial Centre Corporation, and Efficiency Manitoba.  As Crown Services Minister, Colleen was responsible for improving the performance of Crown corporations by working within a new governance framework, to strengthen oversight and accountability, integrate Crowns into a concise budgeting process, enhance transparency in reporting outcomes and financial results, ensure consistency across government, and secure better value for Manitoba ratepayers and taxpayers.

Prior to entering provincial politics, Colleen was elected as a Trustee for the Louis Riel School Division in 2010 and re-elected in 2014. From 2006 – 2011, she served as a special advisor to the City Councillor for St. Vital.  As Executive Director of the Old St. Vital Business Improvement Zone (BIZ), Colleen built solid relationships with many city and provincial departments, businesses, and the community-at-large.

Colleen, and her husband Cory, reside in St. Vital and have two sons they are extremely proud of and a beautiful grandson that fills their lives with an abundance of joy.  She is proud of her Metis heritage and supports endeavours that educate and promote indigenous culture and awareness.

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.