Cathy Dowd has been the Program Director of the Portage Learning and Literacy Centre for the past six years, overseeing programs for Settlement, Language Training, Employment, and Skills Training & Work Experience (for youth). Prior to this, she was the Executive Director of the University of Manitoba Students’ Union for six years, overseeing the operation of six major on-campus businesses and over 35 different services and programs, which encompassed a $16 Million budget and employed 30 full-time and over 175 part-time staff.
Cathy was previously on the Board for MEALO (2015-16), serving as Secretary, and then joined the MANSO Board for its inaugural year (2016), continuing to serve as Secretary. Since 2017, she has been on the Board for English Online, serving as Secretary for the past two years. She is currently a member of MANSO’s Professional Development Committee as well as the Employment and Entrepreneurship Working Group of the Portage Local Immigration Partnership.
Cathy has extensive organizational and program management experience and is a strong believer in continuous learning. She holds a B.Sc. degree and a B.A. degree from the University of Manitoba, as well as a Certificate in Management and Administration (CIMA) through the Canadian Institute of Management (CIM).
Cathy is honoured to serve on the MANSO Board again, as she recognizes its significant role in
supporting members through communication, networking, and professional development activities, as well as acting as a strong voice for the Manitoba settlement and integration sector.

I first went down the path of settlement in Japan. There I taught English to Japanese citizens wishing to travel abroad for work or study. When I came back to Winnipeg I felt the need to continue on that path of helping newcomers succeed in Canada. I attended the University of Manitoba CTESL program and from there taught at, what was then known as the Victor Mager EAL program out of the Rene Deleurme Centre in St. Vital. After that I was fortunate enough to get hired on as a language assessor at WELARC. Working as a language assessor gave me a new perspective on what newcomers have to deal with when settling in Canada. Being on the Language Advisory Group with MANSO has given me a different angle from which to view settlement.

Abdi has extensive experience of the front line as well as leadership of the sector. He brings significant connections in the newcomer community, the three levels of government and a diversity of other stakeholders. He is well versed with federal and provincial immigration policies and is a well-regarded advocate for newcomers in Canada. He has served on numerous boards and committees and has been recognized for his work advocating for new Canadians. He has also been actively involved in a number of initiatives to bring positive change to the local community in Winnipeg as well as in Canada and internationally. Has lived in Winnipeg for the last 17 years since immigrating to Canada and been involved in local initiatives to bring about positive change to the community at a number of different levels.

Jennifer Tomsich is a Senior Psychosocial Advisor at Newcomers Employment and Education Development Services (NEEDS) Inc. Jennifer has worked at NEEDS Inc. for over 10 years in a variety of roles and capacities over the years by providing direct support, facilitating programming, program development, program coordination and overall client support to immigrant and refugee children, youth and their families. Jennifer currently holds a Bachelor of Social Work and is expected to graduate with a Master of Social Work in 2021. Jennifer is currently a member of the MANSO Health Working Group and also an executive member of the Gang Interagency Action Network (GAIN). Jennifer also previously involved with Youth Agencies Alliance on the Programming Committee and Friends of Sherbrook Pool.

Codi Guenther started working in the settlement sector through her practicum at IRCOM in 2008 after graduating from CMU with her BA in Peace and Conflict Transformation Studies.  From there, she moved on to working at New Journey Housing, first as a receptionist, then housing counselor and now currently as Executive Director.  Working in various positions has given Codi 10 years of experience meeting with individuals and families as they work their way towards making Winnipeg and Manitoba their new home.  Codi has been the chair of the MANSO housing committee since 2013 and works hard to bring forward the various housing needs of newcomers to the Right to Housing Coalition, MB Non-Profit Housing Association, and other housing advocacy groups.  Codi spends non-work time hanging out with her partner and 2 kids in their west end neighbourhood.

Jose came to Canada in 1988 as a new immigrant from El Salvador. He has spent over 20 years working in the settlement sector. While at A & O, Jose worked as a Liaison Worker for the senior ESL classes, and as a Senior Centre Facilitator where he set up a computer lab at a community centre. He is the point person for SOIS for technology access and training for both clients and staff, including digital literacy classes, advanced computer, and social media sessions. The last 10 years he has worked at Seven Oaks Immigrant Services and is currently a Coordinator. Jose leads our community partnerships and zone work, and supports SWIS, community connections, employment, volunteering, skills building and language classes both formal and informal. He is a community leader, who enjoys volunteering. His involvement as a volunteer has included the Refugee committee at St. Ignatius Church, Pan Am Games, past president for the Salvadoran Association and Coordinator of the El Salvador Pavilion.

Roselyn Advincula is the Director of Settlement Services at Immigrant Centre. She is originally from the Philippines. 

Prior to this, she was the Neighbourhood Immigrant Settlement Workers coordinator and the ZONE coordinator in Winnipeg. Over the years, she worked with many partner agencies and mentored settlement workers in the city. She developed the Share our World program, which is a cultural adaptation literacy program.

She also works as a group facilitator at Aurora Family Therapy Centre, where she initiated and co-facilitated community groups such as Girls Inspiring Girls, Newcomer Youth Leadership, Women’s group, Create Program and more.

Roselyn is a social worker by profession and by heart. She recently completed a Certificate in Ethics and Contemporary Social Issues; Immigration and Integration through St. Paul University in Ottawa by the N4 Program. She is currently taking a Certificate in Community Capacity Building through the support of Booth University in Winnipeg. She was nominated for the YMCA Women of Distinction Award for two years. She is nominated for the Pasasalamat Award in the Immigration and Settlement category. She became a member of the Manitoba Advisory Council on Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism. She loves building relationships and is passionate in multicultural learning and cultural humility. She co-organized numerous newcomer events, which welcomed more than thousands of newcomers through the years. Roselyn loves to connect and learn from everyone from all walks of life.  She believes that “We learn and grow by listening and connecting.”

Anna holds a Master’s Degree in English from the University of Warsaw, Poland, with majors in Applied Linguistics and minors in teaching English and French as Foreign Languages and translations. Throughout her career, Anna has been passionate about language learning. Since coming to Canada in 2007, she has been working to help newcomers to Manitoba in their settlement journey as a language teacher, language assessor, and researcher. She has participated and presented in local and national conferences, advised on the strategic direction of specific initiatives, and led teams to achieve specific goals. Anna enjoys work related to finance, evaluation and strategic planning and is hoping to contribute her personal and professional experience to the settlement network in Manitoba. Anna is currently the Associate Dean for English Language Learning and Newcomer Initiatives at RRC Polytech. Recently, Anna completed courses focused on advancing one’s understanding of barriers and biases: Gender and Sexual Identities: Advancing Understanding and Inclusion (February 17, 2022), Four Seasons of Reconciliation (September 21, 2021), Anti-Racism: A Journey to Allyship (2022), and the Blanket Exercise (2022).

Boris Ntambwe is a respected member of the Manitoba settlement sector, known for his extensive experience and leadership qualities at SFM/Accueil francophone. His lived experience as a refugee has been helpful in starting up the Refugee Assistance Program (RAP) and Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH) at Accueil francophone. Boris has been associated with Accueil francophone since September 2007, offering comprehensive support in pre-arrival activities, and post-arrival integration, and fostering collaboration with partners for successful pathways to integration. He brings a wealth of board experience, having served in various capacities, including various roles from Member-at-large, to Treasurer, and Vice-President for Altered Minds and as a board member for the Community Advisory Board for the City of Winnipeg. Boris currently serves as Treasurer on the board of the Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH) Council.

With a diverse professional background, Boris has held roles such as Branch Manager, Liaison Officer, Administrative Assistant, Community Liaison, and Volunteer Coordinator. He holds a combined education in Systems Analysis, Community Development/Community Economic Development, and Urban and Inner-City studies. Boris has engaged in educational opportunities, including completing an Anti-Racism course at the University of Winnipeg and participating in workshops focused on anti-racism.

With lived immigrant experience overcoming systemic barriers during apartheid South Africa, Enver is grateful to do work with a team and sector that creates generational impact for people and communities. With local and international experience in the non-profit and private sectors, strategic partnership development, and an MBA in Community Economic Development, Enver brings an innovative toolkit and unique perspective to address complex issues and implement strategy. Enver serves as CEO of Westman Immigrant Services (WIS), which includes a team of 80 staff over 9 locations supporting immigrant settlement, refugee resettlement, and temporary residents. Enver also leads the Rural Manitoba Immigrant Employment Council (RMIEC), which is part of a national network to help employers and communities attract, hire, and retain immigrant talent. He has served on the National RAP Employee Wellness Research Advisory Board, the Manitoba Immigration Advisory Council, and is a member of the Immigrant Employment Council of Canada. With a practitioner-academic interest in the economic and social inclusion of immigrants and newcomers, Enver is currently pursuing a PhD in Education and Social Justice. Enver is dedicated to helping immigrants, newcomers, and the sector as a member of the MANSO Board of Directors.

Karina is the Director of Community Development at West Central Women's Resource Centre. She has more than 20 years of experience working in Community Services with an approach of Gender, Equity, and Human Rights. She was born in Mexico City, where she studied Sociology and participated with different agencies designing, coordinating and implementing multiple projects focused in GBV, Human Rights, Women and Indigenous Rights, Discrimination and Anti-Racism. Furthermore, Karina is the founder and Executive Director of a nonprofit in Mexico, which supports indigenous women and their families, who immigrated from different indigenous communities to Mexico City. 

Karina came to Canada in 2012 and started to work at WCWRC in 2018, where she has held the positions of Settlement Worker, Gender Based Violence Worker, and currently Director of Community Development, coordinating programs including Employment, Settlement, and GBV programs directed mainly to immigrant women and gender diverse people.