Directors of Green Action Centre are elected by members at an Annual General Meeting held in June. Directors serve 2-year terms on the board. Meetings are held monthly. The responsibilities of board members are set out in Green Action Centre’s bylaws. Participation on the board of a non-profit organization can be a rewarding volunteer experience. If you are a member of Green Action Centre and are interested in learning more, please contact us.

David Klein

President

(Appointed 2019) David’s past work experience has had him in various industries including agriculture, manufacturing, conservation, and most recently, the public service sector. This breadth of experiences has allowed him to develop a strong understanding of current sustainable business practices and to help drive businesses towards adopting more ecologically minded business models. David currently works with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and his role has him working closely with various stakeholders to ensure Canada’s aquatic ecosystems remain sustainable for generations to come. David holds a Bachelor Environmental Science (Hons.) degree where he double majored in Biology and Conservation and a Master of Business Administration degree where he double majored in Finance and Leadership – both degrees were obtained from the University of Manitoba. David enjoys spending time outside in his vegetable garden as well as camping, kayaking, canoeing and hiking throughout Manitoba’s diverse natural landscapes and waterways.

Grant Calder

Vice President

(appointed 2023) Grant Calder is a consultant with MNP’s Consulting Services. He has previously worked as a case manager in the fields of mental health and justice, addiction and housing support, and outreach services – Grant has an extensive background working with folks experiencing unsheltered homelessness across the cities of Toronto, Vancouver, and Winnipeg. Traditionally trained as an urban planner, he holds a Master of Environmental Studies: Planning degree with a specialization in community / social policy and planning. Having spent six years studying in York University’s Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change, where he also completed a Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Hons.), Grant is passionate about exploring and taking action on social and environmental issues. He also enjoys spending time outside hiking, camping, adventuring, and walking / cycling. 

Brayden Dueck

Treasurer

(Appointed 2022) Brayden works in corporate development with G3 Canada, a Canadian grain handler, where he’s involved with corporate strategy, M&A, and financial forecasting. He has worked in a number of industries including agriculture, finance, retail, and hospitality. He has a history of community involvement working as co-chair of the University of Manitoba’s annual fundraiser raising funds for cystic fibrosis research and volunteer coordinator raising funds for Resource Assistance for Youth (RaY). Brayden holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons.) degree where he double majored in Finance and International Business from the I.H. Asper School of Business at the University of Manitoba. He is also currently studying to obtain his Chartered Financial Analyst designation. In his spare time Brayden loves to explore the outdoors through hiking, snowboarding, and hockey.

Jessie Klassen

Secretary

(Appointed 2021) Jessie worked as a Commuter Options Coordinator with Green Action Centre from 2007 – 2016 and is excited to contribute to an organization she respects and believes in as a member of the Board. Jessie brings community engagement and project management experience working as a Sustainability Engagement and Projects Coordinator in the University of Manitoba’s Office of Sustainability. In her previous role as Advocacy and Community Engagement Coordinator with CNIB Foundation of Manitoba, Jessie worked to build and support a large base of committed volunteers and gained experience with innovative volunteer and donor recognition approaches. Jessie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health Sciences from Queen’s University, a Masters degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in leadership and community engagement from Royal Roads University, and a Certificate in Sustainable Building Design and Construction from Fleming College. In her free time, Jessie enjoys camping, hiking, and biking with her family, and reading a good book in the sunshine.

Charles Feaver

Director

(Appointed 2022) Charles has lived and worked in Manitoba for 40 years. He focused on various aspects of communications throughout his career. He came to Winnipeg to advise the provincial government on telecommunications policy. After 10 years in that role, he completed an MBA, and moved on to manage market research in a database marketing company, and then led customer research for an investment company. Since his retirement, he has been active in Bike Winnipeg, focusing on road safety and fundraising. More recently, he has become part of the Trees Please Winnipeg coalition to lobby for better funding of tree maintenance and planting in Winnipeg.

Nicola Garrett

Director

(Appointed 2020) Nicola is the Director of Marketing and Business Development for MLT Aikins LLP, a large Western Canadian law firm. She’s experienced in marketing and digital strategy, sponsorship and events. She has worked with multiple industries including legal and finance, agriculture and retail. Nicola grew up on farms in rural Cornwall, England and then Manitoba and now considers herself a proud Winnipegger. She’s volunteered with the Queen Green Coaches program via The David Suzuki Foundation and Big Brothers Big Sisters Winnipeg. She enjoys urban gardening, exploring trails on foot or by bike and camping in Otentiks.

Cindy Labaty

Director

(Appointed 2018) Cindy has been employed in various human resource positions for over twenty years. After graduating with a Masters degree in Business Administration from the University of Manitoba, Cindy spent 7 years working and living in the Northwest Territories.  She enjoyed many canoeing, camping and hiking adventures in Canada’s beautiful north, most notably paddling the Nahanni River.  Since her return to Winnipeg, she has worked as the Manager of Human Resources for the St. James-Assiniboia School Division for the past 16 years. During her time at the School Division she also held the position of Community Led Emissions Reduction Coordinator. A provincial pilot project whose mission was to empower and enable community members to make small sustainable behavioral changes to reduce GHG’s on a permanent basis. Cindy is an avid cyclist and is thrilled to contribute her experience and knowledge of human resources to the Green Action Centre.

Elona McGifford

Director

(Appointed 2020) Elona is a lawyer with Taylor McCaffrey LLP working in both wills and estates law and in corporate and commercial law. She has extensive experience advising charities and not-for-profit organizations on corporate governance matters. Elona’s interest in environmental matters started with childhood canoe trips, hikes and skiing in Manitoba wilderness. Today Elona is a committed supporter of many environmental non-profit organizations in Manitoba with a particular interest in protecting Manitoba’s many ecological treasures.

Neil Richard

Director

(Appointed 2020) Neil Richard is a Chartered Professional Accountant, currently working as Manager of Risk & Compliance for Ducks Unlimited Canada, a large conservation-focused not-for-profit organization. He has experience in finance, accounting, and risk management both in the not-for-profit and public sectors, as well as through board involvement with other not-for-profit organizations. He is an avid traveller, having worked abroad for several years of his professional career, and enjoys spending time outdoors through sport, camping, hiking, cycling, and skiing. He is excited to see more and more people in Winnipeg make healthy, eco-friendly, and sustainable changes that benefit themselves, the city, and the environment. .

Alec Soriano

Director

(appointed 2023) Alec Soriano is a dynamic and accomplished Territory Account Manager with Nutanix Canada with a proven track record of delivering business value and growth. His strategic mindset and exceptional communications skills enable him to build strong relationships with key stakeholders, and c-level executives holding a BBA from the University of Winnipeg and currently completing his MBA with the Quantic School of Business & Technology Alec helps translate complex IT problems into key business outcomes. He is adept at identifying market trends, and capitalizing on emerging opportunities, positioning himself as a trusted advisor to his clients and committees he serves on. With a passion for technology, innovation, active living and a relentless drive for success, Alec is committed to helping the Green Action Centre drive meaningful growth and foster long-term successful partnerships with the Manitoba business community.

Audra Taylor

Director

(Appointed 2022) Audra is a social worker who is employed with the province of Manitoba. She graduated with a Bachelor in Human Ecology and a Masters in Social Work. Although her previous work has not focused on environmental issues, she is a fierce advocate for environmental causes in her community and workplace. She initiated workplace recycling programs and led several community cleanups in Winnipeg as well at Lake Winnipeg. She was raised in a family which valued farming, gardening, composting and recycling and preserving the environmental health of our communities. She brings diverse previous board governance experience including Women’s Health Clinic and the Day Nursery Centre. She sat as a lay member on the Social Services Appeal Board, the College of Occupational Therapists of Manitoba and the College of Pharmacists of Manitoba. She enjoys growing fruit and vegetables in her front yard and riding her bike to work.