The People Behind WEM
Team Members
Meet our Leadership Team!
CEO
Kara Finney
Manager
What motivates you when things get challenging?
When things get challenging, I am motivated both personally as well as by the opportunity to lead through it — with resilience, clarity, and calm. I’ve learned that challenges are rarely unsolvable; they just require perspective, collaboration, and persistence. I treat it like a puzzle: I focus on what we do know, identify what’s missing, and support the team in working through the options until we get to a strong outcome. Helping others stay grounded and confident during difficult moments is a big part of what motivates me.
Directors
Marcela Civka-Young
Executive Director of Operations – MEET
What motivates you when things get challenging?
Coming Soon
Lindsay Duffield
Executive Director of HR & Finance
What motivates you when things get challenging?
When things get challenging, I’m motivated by purpose and impact. I’m at my best when I understand why the work matters and how it helps people or moves something forward. I’m also motivated by a strong sense of responsibility—if I’ve committed to something, I want to see it through well, even when it’s hard.
Candace Cherewayko
Director of Operations of WEM – Southern Manitoba region
Was there a turning point that changed how you see your work?
My decision to leave a secure job and work for a non-profit was driven by a passion to help individuals reach their educational or employability goals.
Kinsie Kean
Director of Operations of WEM – Northern Manitoba region
What motivates you when things get challenging?
What motivates me most during challenging moments is the belief that every difficult situation is an opportunity to grow. I approach obstacles as chances to learn more about myself and to continue evolving both personally and professionally. This mindset strengthens my interpersonal skills, deepens my relationships, and encourages me to lead with compassion—for myself, my colleagues, clients, and any individual seeking to further develop their personal and professional skill set.
Jocelyn Rowsell
Interim Director of Operations of ESM
What’s something you’re proud of that doesn’t show up on a résumé?
I am an avid runner and run outside year-round regardless of the weather. I have run over 25 half marathons, 4 full marathons, and an ultramarathon. Besides contributing to my physical and mental health, running has taught me discipline, perseverance, overcoming setbacks, and the importance of community—all of which help me in life and work!
Heather Daniels
Director of Organizational Effectiveness
What’s something you’re proud of that doesn’t show up on a résumé?
Something I am proud of that doesn’t show on the resume is that I love to find expensive brand-name items at the thrift store for a fraction of the cost.
Managers
Tee Dixon
Communications & Special projects manager
What’s something you struggled with during your education, and what did it teach you?
I struggled a lot with my dyslexia, having to work extra hard, second-guessing myself, looking through a dictionary (back when spell check wasn’t a thing), only to miss a glaring mistake because I’m focused on something else. Perfection isn’t human, and it’s ok to make mistakes, realize it, learn, grow, and move on.
Pooja Vishwanath
HR Manager
What motivates you when things get challenging?
I am motivated by continuous growth, and I approach challenges as opportunities to expand my capabilities. Challenges push me to evolve, and I meet them with calm, clarity, and a solution‑focused mindset. With a solution‑oriented perspective, I address problems thoughtfully and constructively. I believe every obstacle provides valuable insight, and by approaching challenges with patience, clarity, and optimism, I strengthen my resilience and move forward with confidence.
Board Members
Our board was established in 1991 with the role of assisting policy development and providing advice and guidance on strategic decisions.
Caryn Birch
Caryn has been working in career development and non-profit leadership for over 15 years. Within her career, Caryn has worked with many groups of people to have access to post-secondary education and the labour market, including but not limited to adults with intellectual disabilities, adults on social assistance and youth experiencing barriers.
Recently, Caryn has moved to Inclusion Winnipeg as their Executive Director. Inclusion Winnipeg supports all people in Winnipeg living with an intellectual disability to have equality and inclusion in their community.
Cameron Tindall
Cameron completed his BA with majors in Psychology and Rhetoric, Writing and Communications from the University of Winnipeg and has been working with Sara Riel since 2012. Cameron has over 10 years of management/project experience in the mental health and employment services field and is currently the Director of Mental Health and Addictions at Sara Riel. Cameron has presented previously at the Global Wellness Summit, Canadian Professional Human Resource Conference, and was published in the Canadian Journal of Aging in 2021 for his contributions to a project for frontline long-term care workers’ mental health during COVID-19.
Tammy Paddock
Tammy Paddock is the Human Resources Manager at Canadian Kraft Paper Industries, responsible for the administration, coordination, communication & contractual commitments for payroll, employee benefits, recruitment and labour relations and the management of all human resources functions. She joined CKP as the Payroll Administrator in 2011, before transitioning into Recruitment and Labour Relations. She has held various positions with CKP, including Payroll Administrator, HR Coordinator and the HR Team Lead. She serves as a Pension Trustee with CKP and is the Vice Chairperson on the Northern Manitoba Sector Council (NMSC). She participates in the HR Committee with the Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC), is an Administrator and member of the Job Classification Plan Corporation (JCP), a member of the International Foundation of Employee Benefits Plan (IFEBP) and a Chartered Professional of Human Resources (CPHR) Manitoba.
Before joining CKP, Tammy spent 15 years in the transportation industry. She worked for a Charter/Medivac service located in The Pas, servicing our Northern Manitoba Communities. She diversified her experience in Aviation, working in Maintenance, Payroll, Finance, Human Resources and Operations Departments and was the Assistant Operations Manager before stepping into the manufacturing industry.
Tammy believes in lifelong learning and continuous professional development in all forms. She ) holds a Chartered Professional of Human Resources (CPHR) designation with CPHR Manitoba, and a Payroll Compliance Practitioner designation from the National Payroll Institute (NPI) She has completed her Certificate in Human Resources Management with Honors from Red River Polytechnic, holds a is a certified Yellow Belt with Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CM&E) She has also completed Foundation of Trustee Management Standards (FTMS) with IFEBP.
Bonnie Burron
Bonnie Burron leads the Education and Training Trust Fund at UFCW, Local 832. She’s in charge of the education programs and keeping things running smoothly, both financially and operationally. Before taking on this role, Bonnie worked her way up from being the Financial Administrator at the UFCW Training Centre, where she handled the financial responsibilities and helped keep the training programs organized.
As a board member, Bonnie offers solid experience in managing finances and a strong background in education and training programs.
Ricky Lawrence
Ricky Lawrence is the Director of the NFI Learning Institute for NFI Group. Ricky can call upon over 45 years of experience in manufacturing and Aerospace. During this time, Ricky gained valuable experience in training and development that included technical and professional curriculum design, development and delivery based on organizational needs.
Ricky has extensive experience in working partnerships with indigenous groups, sector councils and the province of Manitoba, as well as being involved in advisory groups and boards.
Ricky can also rely on his experiences with varying projects, one of which included the design of New Flyer Institute (Now NFI Learning Institute) and utilizing a TOR (Terms of Reference) as the driver to completion.
Christiane Devlin
Christiane Devlin has been on the MEET Board since February 2020. Christiane has been the Manager of Human Resources for the past 17 years with the Kleysen Group, a transportation solution provider. Christiane brings a workplace perspective to the Board in setting strategic direction for essential skills and workplace training. Christiane has been a Co-Chair at Meet for the past 5 years.
Rick Rennie
Rick Rennie is the Health and Safety/Education Director at the Manitoba Federation of Labour. He has also held senior positions in government and in organized labour. He also serves as Vice-Chair of the MFL Occupational Health Centre and sits on the Minister’s Advisory Council on Workplace Safety and Health.
Contact Our Team
Connect with the people who help guide our mission and support learners, workers, partners, and communities across Manitoba every day.
