SEED Winnipeg

Cindy Coker – Executive Director
Cindy joined SEED Winnipeg in 2002. Until 2001, Cindy gained extensive experience working in the economic development field in the United States, primarily using a worker cooperative model for enterprise development. She has worked as a consultant to worker cooperatives providing advice and training in the areas of management design and training, financial systems and strategic planning. Cindy was also one of the founding members of a worker cooperative network in the field of childcare and served as the initial president. She also founded and served as the executive director of a non-profit set up by the network to oversee development, training and organizing projects. Cindy has an undergraduate degree in psychology and studied educational and social psychology at the graduate level. Cindy was an organizing member of the National Network of Sector Partners in the US, served as one of the delegates for the Ms Foundation for Women to the United Nations International Conference on Women in China in 1995, and is a member of the Cooperative Charitable Trust. Cindy serves as a member of the Manitoba Cooperative Association and the Manitoba Cooperative Promotions Board. She is also Co-chair of the Winnipeg Poverty Reduction Council. back to staff

Laura Gordon – Social Worker
Laura brings years of office administration and management experience to SEED Winnipeg, including 8 years as a federal public servant within the Department of Justice, RCMP and Indian and Northern Affairs. Laura is also a former SEED Winnipeg client. She successfully created employment for herself by launching an office administration business. She also has experience working in the field of addictions. Laura completed a Bachelor of Social Work degree through the part-time inner city social work program at the University of Manitoba, and is now utilizing those skills as SEED's full-time Social Worker. back to staff

Susan Belmonte – Network Administrator/Administrative Assistant
Susan holds a Management Information Technology Diploma and is Microsoft certified. She also completed the Business Management Certification and Information Assurance & Security Certification from the University of Winnipeg, and has various software certifications. Since 1987, Susan has compiled a range of office administration experience, from data entry to supervision. Combined with her education and experience in network administration, Susan is enjoying the challenges of merging the roles of Network Administrator and Administrative Assistant to provide efficient and cost-effective support for the services and resources Seed Winnipeg utilizes towards employment and economic development. She was involved with a non-profit community organization for over 20 years and currently volunteers for her local community centre in the capacity of ad hoc board member and newsletter editor. back to staff

Since completing a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) degree at the University of Manitoba, Jackie has worked in a wide variety of industries, including consulting for small business, education and training, ESL, communications, marketing, public relations, research, and fund development. During five years spent overseas, she traveled extensively in Japan, South East Asia and Australia, and established “Ramen Records”, the record label under which she released her first full-length CD "Treasure." After her return to Canada, Jackie spent two years in Northern Manitoba instructing college prep courses for adults and coordinating the Self Employment Assistance Program for residents of Northern Manitoba.

Jackie joined SEED Winnipeg as a business counsellor in July 2005 and has since worked in a variety of roles, including program development and project management. Jackie's current role as Director of Operations involves working closely with staff across all program areas, oversight of daily operations, as well as identifying and implementing strategies that will promote efficient office operations that enhance the effectiveness of the organization and increase efficiency of the staff. In addition, Jackie manages projects across SEED program areas, and works to cultivate community and funder partnerships.

Now working toward a graduate degree in Adult Education, Jackie's community volunteer commitments have included work with Habitat for Humanity and the Manitoba Conservatory of Music & Arts, where she served as President for several years. back to staff

Sharon began her life with Seed as our Financial Officer in July 2005. She brings with her 15 years of experience in accounting, and three years experience in owning and operating her own courier business in Winnipeg. Sharon graduated with honors from Robertson Career College in Computer Office Accounting with the equivalency of a 1st year CGA. In her spare time, Sharon volunteers as a coach for YBC (the Youth Bowling Council) in Selkirk every fall and has done so for 5 years. back to staff

Daisydee joined SEED in September 2008. She is a graduate of the University of Winnipeg with a BSc in Mathematics and Statistics. With nearly a decade of experience as a volunteer, tutor, organizer, and administrative officer in the inner city and among the immigrant and refugee community, Daisy brings with her a wealth of experience. She is currently the Director of Aksyon Ng Ating Kabataan (ANAK) Inc. a Filipino-Canadian youth organization based in Winnipeg's West End. back to staff

Liz brings to SEED Winnipeg a diverse working background in a broad range of environments such as government , justice, child and family services, health, non-profit organizations and Aboriginal training/education programs. Liz is a C ertified Intercultural Trainer with expertise in program administration and management coupled with a Certificate from the University of Winnipeg Advanced Management Development Program. While Liz is committed to life long learning principles her enthusiasm for empowering others is inspirational, both personally and professionally. back to staff

Louise Simbandumwe – Director, Asset Building Programs
Louise has over 15 years of experience in a variety of local and international CED work. She has worked on development projects in Bangladesh, India, and South Africa. At a local level, she was involved in establishing the Mondragón Bookstore and Coffee House, a worker's collective based on participatory economic principles. Her expertise includes program development, program evaluation, adult education, small business development, and community organizing. She has a Bachelors degree in Commerce and has completed a Masters in Comparative Social Research. As a former refugee, Louise is passionate about human rights and social justice. Her primary volunteer commitments include Amnesty International, the Winnipeg Poverty Reduction Council, ACT (A Centre for Transformation) and the Connecting Communities Coalition. back to staff

Aileen Krush – Program Coordinator, Asset Building Programs
Aileen has over ten years' experience in the not-for-profit sector. She is a certified Youth Care Worker and has additional training in the areas of workshop design and delivery, volunteer management, and career/employment coaching. As a single parent and a former SEED client, Aileen brings a unique mix of personal and professional experience to her work at SEED Winnipeg. back to staff

Sheri Bailey – Program Coordinator, Asset Building Programs
Sheri graduated from the University of Winnipeg in 2005 with a Bachelor of Education degree majoring in Business and English. She previously graduated with honours from high school with a Business and Academic diploma. Sheri started out as a part-time bookkeeper for Seed Winnipeg, and has since moved on to the position of a full-time Asset Building Program Coordinator. Along with her educational background, Sheri brings three years of bookkeeping experience and five years of volunteer work in the non-profit sector. back to staff

Fanny holds a Bachelor Degree on Hotel and Business Management and a Master in Community Development Projects. She has more than 13 years of experience in administration, public relations, social programs and social projects and as an Event Coordinator in Government and the non-profit sector. Fanny came to Canada in 2004. She completed her English language studies and obtained her certificate in Workplace Communication for Community Social Workers at Red River College. Her Canadian work experience began with general office duties at Lakeview Insurance. She then moved on to the Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council to work with newcomers a as a Life Skills Trainer, then to the Community Education Development Association (CEDA) to do housing studies in the West Alexander Area of Winnipeg. Fanny is also involved with the Refugee Committee at Bethel Mennonite Church and is active in a Spanish-speaking community committee focusing on International Issues of Peace and Justice.

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Jennifer brings with her ten years of experience in the hospitality industry, as well as three years of experience in delivering community programs. She has coordinated programs for families such as a community kitchen, parenting workshops, and family activity programs. Jennifer is currently enrolled in the CD/CED program at Red River College. back to staff

Alex Wright - Program Assistant, Asset Building Programs

Alex joined SEED in the fall of 2008. He has a range of experience in different areas of the nonprofit sector, including a worker co-op, international community development and the CED field. Before working at SEED he coordinated the Food Connections program at Wolseley Family Place, working with participants in various food programs, including a community kitchen. Previous to that he was a member of the Mondragón Bookstore and Coffee House, a worker's collective based on participatory economic principles. back to staff

Jacob Carson - Program Coordinator, Asset Building Programs

Jacob has over ten years of experience in many different areas of the nonprofit sector including the environmental field, the co-op sector and the CED field. He was a long serving member of the Mondragón Bookstore and Coffee House, a radical worker's co-operative in Winnipeg Exchange District and has most recently run a CED social enterprise called the Community Garden Preserves with community members in the Spence/Daniel MacIntyre neighborhood. He currently sits on the board of LITE (Local Investment Towards Employment) and is involved with several other activist pursuits.

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Kevin Schachter - Program Assistant, Asset Building Programs

Kevin joined SEED in the summer of 2009 after completing a B.A. (Honours) in Sociology at the University of Winnipeg. While studying at the university, he worked as a senior research assistant on the First National Climate Survey of Homophobia in Canadian Schools and as a graphic designer for Peace Research: The Canadian Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies. Outside of work and school, he has volunteered at the West End Cultural Centre and at the North End-Stella Community Ministry.

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Harnet Weldihiwet - Program Coordinator, Asset Building Programs

Currently being updated. back to staff

Carinna Rosales – Director, Business Development Services (on leave)
Carinna brings 10+ years of experience in family owned business management in the hospitality industry. She also has 3 years of experience in international business, communications and market research; in particular with countries in Central and South America. Carinna has produced export-market feasibility studies for local and international companies, and has lived and worked in South America. Carinna holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree (English major, Sociology minor) from the University of Manitoba and an Advanced Diploma in International Business from Red River College. Carinna came to Seed Winnipeg Inc. in August 2001 as a business counsellor for the Build-a-Business Program. Her current role as Build A Business Program Manager involves facilitating business management training, providing one-on-one consulting, management of program staff, the development and implementation of customized programming, liaising with program partners, and a variety of policy development projects and committees that are relevant to the Build-a-Business program.

Brad Franck – Enterprise Developer/Business Counsellor, Community/Worker Ownership Program
Brad is the Manager of the Community & Worker Ownership Program (CWOP) of SEED Winnipeg Inc. The CWOP program works with groups to develop and launch social enterprise businesses, including worker co-operatives. Brad's business experience began in 1988 when he launched various community ventures, then shifted towards providing business counselling and training to clients in more recent years. Brad has a Certificate in Participatory Management from the University of Manitoba, a Diploma in Business Administration from Red River College, and is near completion of the Economic Development Diploma at Assiniboine Community College. Brad instructed Business Communications, Microsoft Windows and Excel for Red River Community College. He also developed and taught a high school entrepreneurship curriculum accepted by Manitoba Education and Training. Brad is committed to community economic development and enjoys working directly with community residents and organizations.

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Terri Proulx – Ethno Communities Project Coordinator/Business Counsellor, Community/Worker Ownership Program
Terri moved to Winnipeg in 1992 to purchase a franchise of Humpty's Family Restaurants after managing various locations for Humpty's head office. In 1997, the restaurant was sold prior to the expiration of the lease agreement. Terri moved into Payroll and HR with a large commercial cleaning company where she helped organize informal networks for new Canadians seeking to overcome language barriers and to improve their employment stability through connections with The International Centre and Immigration Canada. She was also the employee representative for Workplace Health & Safety, WCB, and in-house safety programs. This work created a clear view of the industry and the people who make their living from it. Terri was one of the founding members and manager of Eco-Cleaning Worker Co-operative, which started in September 2002. As part of the SEED team Terri is a business counsellor with the Community Worker Ownership Program assisting with worker co-operatives and community enterprises. back to staff

Entrepreneur, researcher, writer and activist, Billy Granger joined SEED Winnipeg as a Business Counsellor in August 2009 after spending the better part of a decade working in the non-profit sector to support and establish innovative solutions to protect the rights of Aboriginal people and the environment in his native Manitoba. Billy began a transition in focus to urban poverty reduction in 2004 when he began working with SEED Winnipeg as a client to develop what was to become the Vasa Cooperative. Since then, he has overseen its steady growth into an active member of the CED community and a rapidly expanding business that provides above-scale wages for unemployed or underemployed newcomers to manufacture high-quality, environmentally-friendly clothing and textile products.

Billy attended the University of Winnipeg where he studied a range of topics including philosophy, literature, languages, and international development. The philosophical thrust of his work is to develop and explore powerful and positive collaborations to make stronger, healthier, more inclusive communities, and brings to SEED a tireless commitment to business development as a means to combat poverty and improve quality of life. back to staff

Frank brings over 20 years of small business experience with him to SEED Winnipeg . His background includes general management in the water treatment industry; starting, growing and selling a massage therapy clinic and various other management and entrepreneurial positions.

His entrepreneurial spirit and desire to help others is evident in many of his pursuits including teaching adult education classes at the Winnipeg Technical College , Massage Therapy College of Manitoba, St. James School Division Department of Continuing Education and with the City of Winnipeg through the Leisure Guide.

Frank's practical experience with the entrepreneurial process includes preparing business plans, target marketing, financial systems and other essential components of starting a small business. In addition, he is currently working towards his Certification in Management with the Canadian Institute of Management.

Frank strongly believes that today's business must include a positive social and environmental impact in addition to being financially viable as a true measure of success. back to staff

After working with SEED's Asset Building Program in the summer of 2009, Sarah joined Business Development Services as its full-time Program Assistant. She has a long history of grassroots community organizing, most recently with Winnipeg Copwatch, where she works to fight the criminalization of poverty. Sarah also has a keen interest in co-ops, having been a member/owner of Organic Planet Worker Co-op and she is currently part of a newly-formed co-op engaged in the effort to purchase a grassroots and radical space in the Exchange District. back to staff