Current Board Members

Mayor Scott Gillingham

Scott Gillingham was elected as Winnipeg’s 44^th mayor in October 2022 with a mandate to improve city services, invest in infrastructure projects that enhance economic development, and to tackle the city’s social challenges like homelessness and crime.

Scott was first elected to Winnipeg City Council in 2014 and was re-elected to represent the St. James ward in 2018. His collaborative, responsible approach has been the hallmark of his time on City Council.

Scott believes council needs to take a longer-term view of financial issues, and focus on capital projects or investments in services that increase Winnipeg’s attractiveness as a place to live, play, work and invest.

During his five-and-a-half years as Finance Committee Chair, he acted as lead on the budget process and developed Winnipeg’s first multi-year balanced budget. Adopted in the early days of the pandemic, the multi-year budget helped the city weather the $220 million pandemic-related revenue loss.

Scott has also been the chair of the Winnipeg Police Board, Council Liaison for Labour Relations and the Council Liaison – Veteran & Military Affairs, a position he helped create. He has served as co-chair of the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region Board and as the City of Winnipeg’s representative on the board of the North American Strategy of Competitiveness.

Scott was born in Brandon, Manitoba, and raised on a mixed farm near Carman. A lifelong hockey player, he played for four seasons in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League for the Steinbach Hawks, Dauphin Kings and the Winkler Flyers.

He holds a Diploma in Theology from Horizon College and Seminary in Saskatoon, and has done graduate studies for a Masters in Theology at Canadian Mennonite University.

Prior to serving on city council, Scott was as a pastor for more than twenty years, most recently at Grace Community Church in Headingley. He and his wife Marla have been married for more than 25 years and live in Silver Heights. Together, they have raised two adult children, daughter Hannah and son Andrew.

Councillor Markus Chambers, Chair

Markus Chambers is the City Councillor for the 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.  Markus has served as the Chair of the Winnipeg Police Board since June 2020.

Colleen Mayer, Vice Chair

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.

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.

Diane Redsky

Diane Redsky is the Chief Executive Officer of the Kekekoziibii Development Corporation. Diane has spent most of her career leading the Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre. From 2011 to 2015, Diane was Project Director for the National Task Force on Human Trafficking of Women and Girls in Canada. In 2018, Diane testified at the MMIWG2S+ National Inquiry. Diane is part of the Manitoba MMIWG2S+ Coalition.

Diane has received an Honourary Doctorate Degree in Law from the University of Winnipeg, the Order of Manitoba, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal, a Leadership and Innovator/Visionary Award by Joy Smith Foundation, a Governor General’s Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case, a Senate of Canada Medal, a YMCA-YWCA Women of Distinction Award, a Rotary Paul Harris Award and a 150 Manitoba Trailblazer Award from the Nellie McClung Foundation.

Diane is currently the Chair of the Strengthening Families Working Group, an Advisory Council Member of the Islamic Social Services Association, and a Board Member of HIP (Honouring Indigenous Peoples).

Diane is a proud mother of three children and a Kookum (grandmother). She is a First Nation member of Shoal Lake First Nation #40 in Treaty #3 territory with German ancestry.

Kevin Selch

Kevin Selch is an economist turned entrepreneur. Founding Little Brown Jug Brewing Company in the Exchange District, he built a capital-intensive business that transforms agricultural ingredients into a packaged consumer product. As a business leader he has created a company that strives to do the right thing by its community, its employees, and the environment. He is motivated by the belief that we need to build the city they want to live in. In his previous career with the federal government, he worked as an economist on a broad range of microeconomic policy files. Kevin serves as an executive member of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and co-chair of the Chamber’s Commitment to Opportunity, Diversity & Equity (CODE). He has been recognized by the Manitoba LGBTQ* Chamber of Commerce and supports several community and charitable activities.

Daphne Penrose

Daphne Penrose retired from public service after a career that spanned over 33 years. Prior to her retirement in June 2022, Daphne was the Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth, which is an Independent Officer position that is responsible to advocate for the rights of children and to hold the Manitoba Government accountable for the services provided to children and their families in the areas of: child welfare, mental health, addictions, education, sexual exploitation, disabilities, victim supports and justice.

Daphne began her career in the Department of Justice working with youth in the correctional system. After completing her Master of Social Work, she joined Winnipeg Child and Family Services as a social worker. While employed within the child welfare system, Daphne worked as a front-line service worker, abuse worker, intake/after-hours worker, supervisor and a service manager. She went on to become the Executive Director at the Child Protection Branch where she oversaw several different portfolios within the Department of Families. Daphne then became the CEO of Winnipeg Child and Family Services Agency and while there Daphne was also responsible for overseeing Manitoba’s Emergency Resources system.