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Seated, left to right: Susan Horodyska, Alison Kirkland, Pat Sargeant, Cindy Ruth, Michele McClymont Standing, left to right: Heather Stephens, Angela Hilland, Colleen Walmsley, Sandra Altner, Maurice McCarthy, Linda Mayor, Cathie Clement |
The Staff
The Women's Enterprise Centre of Manitoba is the home away from home for 12 knowledgeable, dynamic and skilled individuals who work in a variety of capacities. Each day they draw on their experiences and education to guide and assist Manitoba women fulfill their dreams of business ownership.
Read on to learn more about each of the Staff.
Sandra Altner, CEO
A seasoned entrepreneur originally from New York, Sandra owned a women’s clothing boutique before completing her MBA and starting The Management Exchange, a management consulting firm that was the first in Winnipeg to offer the Self-Employment Program (SEP). The Management Exchange specialized in strategic and market planning. In 2000, Sandra was awarded the Women Business Owners of Manitoba Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the Contribution to Community category. She is a fellow of the Canadian Association of Management Consultants and is past president of the Institute of Certified Management Consultants of Manitoba.
Nancy Brommell, Business Advisor
An experienced business professional with an entrepreneurial approach, Nancy was a Business Development Specialist with the Province of Manitoba before joining the Women’s Enterprise Centre team in 2011. She holds a Bachelor of Human Ecology from the University of Manitoba and has completed training in business counselling and accounting. In addition to assisting hundreds of women start and grow their businesses, Nancy was instrumental in the development of the Women’s Business Network in Southeast Manitoba. Over the years, she has developed and delivered a variety of sessions for women entrepreneurs and through her own contract training business, has taught marketing courses to students in the Business Administration diploma course at Red River College.
Cathie Clement, Client Services, Administration
Cathie’s gifts of organization, problem solving, attention to detail and exceptional customer service are put to use every day at the Centre. She joined the team in October 2009 and her ongoing quest for productivity and performance enhancements through technology applications are perfectly aligned with the Centre’s strategic goals. Cathie’s own entrepreneurial experience makes her the perfect first point of contact for our clients. A committed volunteer, she is passionate about the inclusion of women and children in all aspects of life.
Angela Hilland, Program Manager, WEC-Tech
An experienced business professional with an entrepreneurial approach, Angela has been involved with a wide variety of organizations and industries, including custom manufacturing, software based technology, hospitality, retail, and real estate development and management. She has developed a broad base of knowledge in several functional areas, including financial and human resources management, strategic planning, information technology, marketing, and business development. Angela holds a Bachelor of Commerce, Honours degree with a major in Marketing from the University of Manitoba, and earned her CGA designation in 1999.
Susan Horodyska, Client Services, Technology
Susan brings a wealth of administrative experience to the Women’s Enterprise Centre. Prior to joining the Centre, she worked for many years in the arts and culture industry where she gained tremendous knowledge in client service and the operation of not-for-profit organizations. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from the University of Winnipeg and is working toward her diploma in Fine Art from the University of Manitoba. Susan’s keen eye for detail and artistic sense are put to the test in her role as the Centre’s website administrator. Since joining the Centre in 2008, her entrepreneurial spirit has been showcased by her ability to manage many roles and undertake the duties that keep the Centre running smoothly.
Alison Kirkland, Manager, Client Services
Alison has worked in the communications field for the past 15 years. A graduate of the University of Manitoba with a BA in Economics and a Bachelor of Human Ecology in Clothing and Textiles, she fulfills her passion for communications and her love of the business world in her role at the Centre. In 2008, Alison received her APEC-IBIZ Certificate in Small Business Counselling. She continues to take on occasional freelance writing and editing projects.
Linda Mayor, Loans Administrator and Data Base Management
Linda’s financial background is long and varied and has included jobs from Vancouver to the Maritimes. She worked in accounts payable and receivable for an electronics firm before spending 20 years with a major Canadian bank. A skilled database manager, Linda tracks information relating to women entrepreneurs in Manitoba and can seemingly generate reports at the press of a button.
Maurice McCarthy, Business Advisor
An accomplished entrepreneur who has worked in a variety of industries, Maurice is also a skilled business advisor who holds the internationally recognized APEC-IBIZ certificate in Small Business Counselling. He has a wealth of experience and wisdom in the area of entrepreneurial development and business management. Maurice spent 10 years as Industrial Commissioner at CDEM (le Conseil de développement économique des municipalités bilingues du Manitoba) where he worked closely with entrepreneurs at the startup and expansion stages, and with rural communities to foster economic development. He is fluent in English and French and holds an MBA from the University of Manitoba.
Cindy Ruth, Manager, Finance and Administration
Cindy began her career as a high school business teacher in rural Manitoba but then turned her attention to accounting and completed her Advanced Certificate of Accounting at the University of Manitoba. Over the years she has worked in a variety of businesses and for a number of years ran her own accounting services practice. In addition to her work in finance she enjoys helping clients gain an understanding of their bookkeeping in one-on-one sessions and by facilitating seminars such as “Shoe Boxes are for Shoes”.
Pat Sargeant, Entrepreneurship Coordinator
A member of the team since the Centre opened, Pat has extensive experience in human resources, organizational and administrative management, project management, event planning, and client service support. Pat holds a Certificate in Human Resource Management from the University of Manitoba and developed the Centre's organizational procedures manuals and human resource policies and procedures. In her role as Entrepreneurship Coordinator, she works directly with early stage entrepreneurs, helping them to evaluate their business idea, guiding them to relevant resources and outlining the steps necessary for successful business start.
Heather Stephens, Loans Manager
Heather has enjoyed a varied career in banking and finance. After obtaining her Bachelor of Commerce, Honours with a major in Finance from the University of Manitoba, she gained lending experience with
the Bank of Nova Scotia. Over the years she has continued to upgrade her skills by taking a variety of courses. To enhance her communications skills, she joined Toastmasters and was her club’s President in 2004. She became a CTM (Competent Toastmaster) in 2006. In 2008, Heather received her Fellowship with the Canadian Securities Institute and APEC-IBIZ Certificate in Small Business Counselling.
Colleen Walmsley, Business Advisor
Colleen is a very experienced entrepreneur. Following graduation from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Commerce, Honours degree with a major in Marketing, she entered the world of business ownership in the coffee industry where she operated a successful cafe on Corydon. For more than eight years, she managed all aspects of the business including product/service development, human resources, operations planning, and inventory management. After selling her business, she became a valuable resource for other entrepreneurs who drew upon her expertise and experience for the operation of their own businesses. Colleen joined the Women’s Enterprise Centre team in 2008 and as a skilled seminar facilitator and one-on-one advisor, continues to assist Manitoba’s women entrepreneurs.
