KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Liz Wilson
Liz Wilson is a born & raised Winnipegger, proud of her family’s long history in Manitoba. Liz holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) degree from the Asper School of Business at the University of Manitoba.
She started her career in marketing at the Manitoba Lotteries Corporation. She wanted to work for ‘someone else’ in the real world before entering into a family business, but Liz always knew she wanted to be at Wilson Furniture.
In 1995, she joined her father, Claude Wilson, in the business, and shortly after, became President to run the high-end retail furniture store at Main Street & Graham.
Liz made the difficult decision, based on market conditions and consumer preferences, to close their 4th generation 120-year-old business in 2002 and then move into the world of non-profit conservation.
She worked for Ducks Unlimited Canada for 13 years in various staff and volunteer management and fundraising roles. In 2018, she was hired as only the second President and CEO in FortWhyte Alive’s history.
Liz was raised with an appreciation for nature, wildlife, and the outdoors and a strong belief in giving back to your community.
She and her husband Bruce, with their golden retriever Jake, now live in Stonewall, Manitoba, where she enjoys spending time on Bruce’s family farm and helping him in his own Greenhouse & Garden Centre business. She lives an active and outdoor lifestyle, playing golf and hockey, curling, camping, hunting, and ice fishing.
She demonstrates the ethos of FortWhyte in her own lifestyle and is honored to be leading FortWhyte Alive in its next stage of sustainable growth.
PANEL HIGHLIGHT
Innovation Panel
Innovation is the catalyst for growth and transformation, shaping industries and redefining possibilities. In this panel, our esteemed speakers bring diverse insights from technology, business, and creative fields, exploring how innovative thinking drives change. Join us to discover the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in innovation, as well as the mindset and strategies that fuel impactful ideas
Jenna & Ashley
Founders of Jenna Rae Cakes
Jenna and Ashley, twin sisters and the creative forces and owners behind Jenna Rae Cakes, have turned their passion into a thriving brand. With four bakery locations in Winnipeg, two best-selling cookbooks, and features on Food Network, NBC, and beyond, their delicious creations have put their Winnipeg-based company on the map.Â
From macarons and cookie sandwiches to custom cakes and more, indulge in their sweet creations and follow @jennaraecakes on Instagram for endless inspiration to make life sweet.
Matt Schaubroeck
Founder of Leverage Point Consulting
Matt is a serial entrepreneur specializing in helping impact-driven companies thrive. He has a comprehensive background in helping startups and founders transform their ideas into growing companies. Past success in scaling up early-stage companies includes PremiseHQ (COO), and ioAirFlow (President & CEO, company acquired in 2022).
Matt currently provides support to companies around the world, both through his company Leverage Point Consulting and in a volunteer capacity though Catalyste+, where he has worked across three continents. Areas of expertise include investor readiness, market commercialization, strategy development, and organizational culture.
Johanna Chambers
Founder of The Gang Fitness
Johanna Chambers is the Founder of The Gang Fitness, a Canadian strength training community dedicated to redefining women’s fitness. Established in 2017, The Gang Fitness has grown into a powerful movement with three locations across Manitoba. In September, Johanna and her team celebrated a major milestone with the opening of their own dedicated gym, further solidifying The Gang Fitness as a trusted space for women and nonbinary folks to pursue their fitness and wellness goals in the most safe and fun environment possible. With a mission to help women build confidence in what they’re capable of, both in and out of the gym, Johanna emphasizes that fitness is about much more than appearance. It’s about resilience, strength, and personal growth.
WORKSHOP OVERVIEW
Managing ConflictÂ
Lukas Neville
Dr. Lukas Neville is an Associate Professor of Organizational Behaviour and Acting Academic Lead for the President’s Student Leadership Program. He researches and teaches in the areas of conflict management, trust, and negotiation. Prior to joining Asper, Lukas completed his Ph.D. at the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University. Lukas teaches in the B.Comm, MBA, and Executive Education programs, and has delivered training and facilitated workshops for audiences in a range of industries, including financial services, health care, logistics, and consumer retail. Lukas’ research has been published in a range of top management and organizational psychology journals, and his teaching has been recognized with awards including the Reg Litz MBA Luminary Teaching Award and the CSA Golden Shovel.
Lukas’ session will focus on conflict resolution. He will aim to bridge theory and practice, showing you how insights from conflict management can guide your practice as a leader. In order to take the most away from this session, come prepared with questions and problems you have regarding how to navigate conflict and disagreements among your internal and external stakeholders and other partners.
PANEL HIGHLIGHT
EDI Panel
Equity Diversity and Inclusion are essential principles within any organization. From student unions to larger companies, making sure members are given fair opportunities, a sense of inclusion within the community and having a diverse range of backgrounds and experience are essential to maintaining a healthy environment that values the wellbeing and progress of their members. Bring your questions and pick the minds of these panelists who are dedicated to the success and implementation of EDI initiatives within their own professional fields.
Liz Choi
CEO of Education Canada Group
Liz Choi is a driven, decisive executive with extensive experience in driving strategy and growth with a demonstrated track record of maximizing business opportunities through innovation and consistently achieving organizational performance goals. She possesses a strong understanding of the interconnectedness of the sectors with experience in both public and private sectors.Â
She holds a bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Manitoba in adult and post-secondary education. Core research and studies covered the internationalization of higher education, with examination into perspectives, best practices, methodologies, gaps and how to achieve better outcomes through more effective integrated approaches.
Prior to her current role, Liz was the Chief Transformation and Growth Officer at ECG as well as President, Robertson Online. Liz also held several senior positions at the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology, including: Vice President, Students and Strategic Partnerships; Vice President, International. She served the Chair of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce in 2022. In addition, she was the Chair of the Business Development Committee and a board director of Career Trek, a group that introduces thousands of young students every year to different career options.
Michelle Cameron
Owner at Dreamcatcher Promotions and INAC -Indigenous Nations Apparel Company
Michelle Cameron is a member of the Peguis First Nation and is a mother of five children. Michelle is the owner of three companies Dreamcatcher Promotions, Indigenous Nations Apparel Company, and Dreamcatcher Executive Offices.
Dreamcatcher Promotions is the largest Indigenous-owned promotional company in Canada and is one of the largest promotional companies in Winnipeg. Indigenous Nations Apparel Company (INAC) has 4 stores in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. One store is located in the largest mall in Manitoba and is recognized for being the first-ever Indigenous-owned store within CF Polo Park.
Michelle sits on various boards Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries, the Business Council, Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, and is the chair of the Indigenous Chamber of Commerce. She is the Auntie in Residence with the SEE enclave program, with the purpose of mentoring and guiding new entrepreneurs to become successful in their business endeavors.
Mark Schollenberg
Director Strategic Initiatives at RBC
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Mark Schollenberg is the Director of Strategic Initiatives at RBC, with over 15 years of experience in strategic planning, business development, and leadership in commercial banking.
He helped launch RBC Pride, an employee resource group for 2SLGBTQI+ employees at RBC and he also serves as Board Chair of Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce, where he helped raise $25 million to create Canada’s first 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Program.
A CFA charterholder and graduate of the Asper School of Business, Mark is dedicated to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion, empowering diverse entrepreneurs across Canada.
Industry Sessions
Marketing
Doug Darling
President and CEO of Tripwire Media Group
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Doug’s friends make fun of him for how much he talks about story – and he really doesn’t mind – because it’s true! As the founder of a video agency that specializes in storytelling, Tripwire Media Group, Doug has grown his skillset in the art and science of story and teaching others how to harness it’s useful power.Â
From coaching classes of students across the world, to training companies on the Science of Storytelling, to embarking on a new journey in securing Legacy stories for those we love most – Doug truly has a passion for storytelling and what it can do for people and organizations. He can’t wait to help tell yours.Â
Finance
Bonnie Procyshyn
Partner and VP Finance at Para
Bonnie launched her accounting career straight out of university, obtaining her CA while working in public practice. During this time, she gained extensive experience working with a variety of clients, from large public companies and national nonprofits to government entities and small, locally grown businesses. After 10 years in audit, she transitioned to the Enterprise group, where for five years she partnered closely with owners of privately held corporations, guiding them in areas from accounting to tax compliance.
 Now at Para, Bonnie works with business owners and entrepreneurs, helping to relieve the burdens of financial reporting and tax compliance so they can focus on what matters most: growing their businesses. As an entrepreneur herself, Bonnie brings valuable firsthand insight into the challenges her clients face and where to best support them.
 Outside of overseeing Para’s growing team, Bonnie enjoys time with her husband and two young boys. You’ll often find them savoring cinnamon buns at the Forks or visiting the polar bears at the zoo.
Leadership
Joanne Zuk
Joanne Zuk is a Winnipeg-based strategist and consultant who works with organizations that have complex relationships with government – including crown corporations, national non-profits, and member-based professional organizations. She is the Principal and CEO of Joanne Zuk Strategy, and prior to opening her boutique consulting firm, was the senior executive responsible for building a culture of innovation and strategic alignment across the Manitoba public service.
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Joanne has taught strategy, negotiation, and innovation at multiple universities and colleges in Manitoba. She has Bachelor degrees in Biology and Psychology (University of Winnipeg), a Masters in Public Administration with an MBA stream (University of Manitoba), a certificate in Executive Leadership (York University), and is an expert in the innovation methodologies of Lean, Human Centred Design, Innovation Engineering, and Effective Public Participation.
Human Resources
Corinne Gusnoski
Senior Manager, Business Development at New Media Manitoba
As a passionate Winnipegger and New Media Manitoba’s (NMM) Senior Manager of Business Development, Corinne is energized by helping Manitoba interactive digital media companies flourish and grow. Supporting companies in video game development, virtual reality, ed-tech, and more, she manages NMM’s Business Development Programs that drive revenue generation, market expansion, and job creation.
Prior to joining NMM, Corinne assisted in attracting, retaining, and expanding companies at Economic Development Winnipeg (EDW). While on EDW’s Talent team, she coordinated international recruitment missions, including one to Argentina focused on finding experienced tech talent to relocate to Winnipeg.
Committed to community engagement, Corinne volunteers with the Young Associates (including on the Board), We Believe in Winnipeg Toastmasters Club, and JDC West. She also enjoys judging for entrepreneurship competitions through the Stu Clark Centre and case competitions through the Asper School of Business.
Hayley Yamamoto
Human Resources Specialist, Talent Acquisition at Payworks, CPHR Candidate
Hayley Yamamoto graduated from the University of Manitoba’s Asper School of Business with a Bachelor of Commerce (BComm) (Honours) degree in 2021, majoring in Human Resources (HR) and Marketing.Â
After graduation, Hayley wanted to combine the skills and knowledge she gained throughout the program in both HR and Marketing, and joined her Co-op work term three employer, Payworks, full-time. Payworks is a leading expert in the field of total workforce management solutions, providing cloud-based Payroll, Human Resources, Employee Time and Absence Management to businesses across Canada.
At first, her role comprised of a broad array of facets in the HR sphere but she quickly found her niche as Human Resources Specialist, Talent Acquisition. Hayley manages full cycle recruitment across Canada for all areas of the business, including Sales, Customer Service, IT, and Product Management. She is highly involved in candidate experience, Payworks’ employer branding, and the company’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives – all of which are areas of passion for her.Â
Adam Nepon
Human Resources, Diversity, and Indigenous Leadership
Adam Nepon is a thought leader in human resources with a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging (DEIAB), neurodiversity, and Indigenous engagement. A graduate of the Asper School of Business’s MBA program, Adam was the first to complete the specialization in Indigenous Business and Economy, reflecting his deep commitment to advancing reconciliation and inclusive business practices.
Adam has been recognized with the Emerging Leader Award for his innovative contributions, and his insights help organizations transform their workplace culture to align with corporate responsibility initiatives.
At the NBSC conference, Adam will share how HR leaders can drive meaningful change and empower the next generation of business innovators.