Kate Kehler
Executive Director
Kate Kehler is Executive Director of the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg (SPCW). She comes to the SPCW from the John Howard Society of Manitoba where she gained a greater understanding of how poverty and barriers to social equity impact individuals, families, and communities. More importantly, how inherent systemic racism is at the root of the problem. She has experience in Canada’s North, living and working in Iqaluit, where she was the Executive Director of the Law Society of Nunavut and Thompson where she worked on projects for Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc., taught and ran her own business. Kate’s other previous careers, from teaching to stage and production manager, ensures she has the necessary diverse skill set and experience to solve challenges proactively and collaboratively. Kate is a single mother of two wonderful young women and a tall, dark and handsome mutt aptly named, Romeo.
(204) 943-2561 ext. 1224
Josh Brandon
Community Animator
Josh is a community animator at SPCW and responsible for working with community organizations and groups building movements for social equity and environmental sustainability. Following Tommy Douglas’s adage that our current economic system is the law of each for himself – as the elephant says dancing among chickens – his role is to work amongst his fellow chickens so we can all raise ourselves up. He has education in sociology and anthropology and experience in several social justice and environmental organizations as a researcher and community organizer.
(204) 943-2561 ext. 1230
Albert Boakye
Community Animator
Albert completed his Masters degree in Public Administration and has a bachelor’s degree in Development Management with a specialization in Microfinance. He has special interest in policy and participatory research, sustainable and community development, and social equity. His past work include working as a Policy Analyst with Manitoba Mineral Resources and Office of the Fire Commissioner. Before joining the SPCW, he was the Vice President External for the University of Manitoba Graduate Students’ Association for 2years and led several campaigns for issues affecting graduate students. His past work in Ghana with several non-profit organizations correlates with SPCW’s core mission of providing leadership that addresses inequity and improves social conditions through research, engagement and action. He is passionate and highly interested in advocacy issues aimed at creating a better society for those marginalized through socio-economic reason. He believes in the concept of Servant Leadership by Robert Greenleaf – “The servant-leader is servant first.” Albert enjoys playing soccer, cooking and loves traveling.
(204) 943-2561 ext. 1221
Cindy Hoover
Office Manager
Cindy brings a much needed wealth of administrative and IT experience to SPCW. She is a graduate of the Business Information Technology program at Red River College and earned her diploma in Web Development. While insisting she is not a bookkeeper, Cindy has excelled at providing essential budget recording and reporting on the many different project funding sources SPCW and IPW are fortunate enough to receive as well as to our main funders, United Way Winnipeg and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Cindy is a long-time volunteer with Rhythmic Gymnastics Manitoba and Special Olympics Manitoba. She has had the amazing opportunity to attend the last five World Summer Special Olympics Games in Dublin, Shanghai, Athens, Los Angeles, and Abu Dhabi. She is also a crafter extraordinaire and while specializing in doll clothing, can figure out how to do just about anything in the craft realm.
(204) 943-2561 ext. 1232
Amber Fontaine
Communications & Administrative Assistant
(204) 943-2561
Reuben Garang
Executive Director – Immigration Partnership Winnipeg
Reuben has previously worked for the Government of Manitoba as a Policy Analyst and Community Outreach Advisor. He has volunteered and worked for Winnipeg Harvest as the Coordinator for African Refugee and Immigrants Empowerment Project. As a community based researcher, he has skills in organizing focus groups, facilitating community discussion as well as promoting equitable partnerships. Reuben has over 15 years of experience working in various positions as volunteer and staff with humanitarian organizations, settlement agencies and with refugees and immigrants from different cultural backgrounds. He received the Mayor’s Volunteer Award in 2015. With an education background in environmental science, Reuben holds a Master’s Degree in Development Practice from the University of Winnipeg.
(204) 943-2561 ext. 2239
Maggie Yeboah
Ethnocultural Communities’ Resource and Project Manager – Immigration Partnership Winnipeg
Maggie is a registered Social Worker who comes to Immigration Partnership Winnipeg (IPW) with 16 years of Community Outreach services working in the Inner-City Community. She was a teacher prior to migrating to Canada in 1981. Maggie then obtained an Early Childhood Education diploma from Red River College and worked in the Day Care field as an Early Childhood Educator for 12 years before obtaining a degree in social work. She joins IPW as the Ethnocultural Communities’ Resource and Project Manager and will be working with the Ethnocultural Council of Manitoba (ECCM) overseeing the projects of the Council. She will also be working in collaboration with non-profit organizations dealing with Immigrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers. Maggie is active in a variety of community and cultural organizations and volunteers with a number of organizations. The most important aspect of her life is her family; her husband, her four children, her adopted son with three adopted grandchildren, her extended family, and her community.
(204) 943-2561
Kathleen Vyrauen
Research and Community Development Project Manager – Immigration Partnership Winnipeg
Kathleen joins the IPW team as an advocate for community development and social equity. She has been working in the settlement sector for over 8 years in varying capacities, all of which have continued to drive her passion for creating a more welcoming and inclusive city for all marginalized communities. Kathleen holds a 4 yr. BA from the University of Winnipeg and the Global College in Human Rights and Global Studies and hopes to continue her studies in the master’s program in the near future. She wants to continue to lend her voice to advocacy work specifically focused on the needs of marginalized youth and recognizes the strength and resiliency that our young people have and the need to continue to amplified their voices as our future leaders.
On the off chance that she is not working or on the go, you can find Kathleen curled up with a good book or spending time with her family (she has two very adorable nieces that she can’t get enough of!). She also loves to cook and craft which leads her to spending A LOT of time at farmer’s markets in the summer.
(204) 943-2561
Adrianne Breyfogle
Indigenous Engagement Coordinator – Immigration Partnership Winnipeg
Adrianne comes to IPW after many years in theatre management. The skills she has acquired during her years planning, coordinating, and running theatre events benefits the area of project coordinating greatly. In addition to her project coordinating skills, Adrianne prides herself in her ability to problem solve and connect with others. She has worked with people from all different communities during her time in theatre management and had a completely open hiring process, including hiring the houseless and people with a substance abuse disorder. Adrianne has a passion for mental health advocacy and learning, with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Native Studies from the University of Manitoba. She herself is Indigenous with Métis and First Nations roots in her family. She loves camping and connecting with nature, as well as her 3 (yes, 3) cats.
(204) 943-2561
Erika Frey Morote
Project Manager – Immigration Partnership Winnipeg
Erika has over 11 years of experience as a Community Development, Settlement and Immigration Professional. She holds a Degree in Communication for Development and a Certificate in Community Development. Previously, to being a Project Manager at IPW she worked as a Settlement worker and later Director of Settlement and Community Development, walking alongside newcomer women and their families as well with gender diverse folks. Erika is passionate about settlement, immigration, food security, community economic development and social justice issues. Erika is also very passionate and committed in building and strengthening connections with the Indigenous People of this land we call Canada.
(204) 943-2561