Our Leadership
Executive Committee of the Board of Directors
David Brand, CPA, CMA, CIA, CISA (retired)
Past President
David Brand, CPA, CMA, CIA, CISA (retired) has been an Instructor with Red River College since August 2019 following a 35 year career in industry, including 10 years in public practice, 15 years in retail, and 8 years in the transportation sector.
Volunteering in various capacities has been a great passion of David’s since his childhood. He has always expressed to others the importance of giving oneself to important causes and organizations. Being on the Board of New Directions (off and on) since 2004 has been a great experience and David says he has, without doubt, personally benefited from his relationship to this organization.
Aveeve McLaughlin
President
Aveeve McLaughlin is a social worker in private practice specializing in trauma work. Aveeve graduated with a Masters of Social Work from the University of Manitoba in 2012 and over the past 15+ years Aveeve has worked for many community social service agencies in both frontline and therapeutic roles. This includes working for the T.E.R.F program at New Directions supporting sexually exploited youth.
Aveeve has a special interest in women’s rights and reproductive mental health. Aveeve is committed to the community in which she lives and has volunteer experience with Klinic, United Way and the Manitoba College of Social Workers and is looking forward to continuing to contribute to New Directions as a board member.
Jim Court, FCPA, FCMA, TEP
Treasurer, Executive Secretary
Jim Court, FCPA, FCMA, TEP, was the principal partner of Court, Filopoulos & Associates CMA Ltd. since obtaining his designation in 1985. In 2015 he merged the practice with F H Black and is remaining with the new firm as an associate.
Jim has over 40 years of experience in public practice and in 2007 he was named a Fellow of the Society of Management Accountants of Canada and in 2012 was admitted to the Society of Trust and Estate practitioners.
Jim has been an active volunteer with Folklorama for 25 years and served as the Organization’s president and continues to volunteer with the Institute of Chartered Professional Accountants of Manitoba as a member of the Complaints Investigation Committee.
In 2016, Jim joined the board of directors of New Directions and the Finance Committee. In 2020, he joined the Executive Treasurer, and more recently as Board Secretary in 2022.
Dr. Harsha Kamatham
Vice-President
Dr. Kamatham is an Assistant Professor at the University of Manitoba. He received a B.Tech. (Mechanical Engineering) from the REC Calicut India, an M.B.A. (Marketing) from the IIT Madras India, and a Ph.D. (Management Science) from the University of Texas at Dallas. Before joining academia, Harsha worked for over 9 years in the industry as an sales and marketing analyst for large corporations in India and the United States.
Dr. Kamatham works on interesting marketing problems using econometric methods. He studies consumption choices and the role played by variety-seeking and satiation. He is also interested in studying donations in online environment. His most recent work was published at Journal of Business Research.
Board of Directors
Wendy Bloomfield
Wendy retired in 2014 from the Department of Family Services, after having worked 17 years in Adult Services and the Agency Accountability and Support Unit. Wendy has been an elected school trustee since 1983 and has been the Chair of Seine River School Division since 1990.
Working as a community volunteer has always been an important part of Wendy’s life and she is currently the Chair of the Child Nutrition Council of Manitoba and on the Board of St. Norbert Arts Centre. After retirement, Wendy also served for three years as a member/chair of the Vulnerable Persons Hearing Panel.
Wendy is thankful for the opportunity of being part of the New Directions Board and organization.
Allie Moar
Allie Moar is a lawyer at MLT Aikins LLP, receiving her Juris Doctor from the University of Manitoba in 2021. Prior to attending law school, Allie attended St. John’s University on an athletic scholarship and obtained her Bachelor of Science in 2018. Allie is an active volunteer within her community, with a passion for the advocacy of Indigenous peoples. Allie is excited for the opportunity to contribute to the community as a board member with New Directions.
Jennifer Waytiuk
Jennifer Waytiuk is an Indigenous Early Childhood Educator with decades of experience in nurturing children and supporting fellow educators. A passionate advocate for strong relationships in early learning, she shares her knowledge through conference workshops and as a certified Circle of Security Facilitator, helping others understand the importance of secure attachments in a child’s development.
Jennifer is deeply connected to her culture and traditions, and she enjoys beadwork, singing, and drumming,often weaving these practices into her work with children. She also brings nature-based experiencesinto her learning environments, encouraging a deep respect for the land and a strong sense of belonging.
Her work continues to be driven by connection, culture, and community—creating spaces where children and educators can grow and thrive together.
Anita Parboji
Anita Parboji is a Senior Manager of Corporate Finance at Skip Inc. and a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), earning her designation in 2018. Her career has spanned the agriculture and technology industries, where she has developed a strong foundation in financial leadership and strategic collaboration.
From a young age, Anita has been deeply connected to her community and cultural roots. As the daughter of parents who immigrated from Guyana, she grew up actively involved with the Guyanese Association of Manitoba and Folklorama – organizations that allowed her to celebrate and share her heritage while building a strong sense of belonging within the broader community.
Anita has also dedicated time to coaching youth basketball, fostering mentorship, teamwork, and confidence in young athletes. Outside of her professional and volunteer pursuits, she leads an active lifestyle, enjoying basketball, golf, and pickleball. She is also passionate about travel and cultural exploration – having recently visited Portugal, Greece, Japan, and Australia – which continues to broaden her perspectives and deepen her appreciation for diversity and shared values. She is excited for the opportunity to give back and bring her experience to the New Directions board.
Jennifer Sokal
Jennifer Sokal is an associate lawyer at MLT Aikins LLP. She obtained her Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Commerce degrees from the University of Manitoba in 2019 and 2016, respectively. Jenn has had numerous volunteer interests and is particularly passionate about the advocacy of women’s rights and equality. She is grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community through her position with the New Directions Board.
Averill Stephenson
Averill Stephenson joined the New Directions Board in 2022 and is Co-Chair on the Respectful Workplace Committee. She has devoted her career to the not-for-profit sector with 20+ years in programming, community development, and fundraising across fitness, health, and disability sectors. With a commitment to community development Averill has a passion for bringing people together to make a difference. Averill believes in the importance of physical activity contributing to community and can often be found leading group exercise classes in her community. Averill is excited to give back to the community through the opportunity to join the New Directions Board of Directors.
Rhonda Taylor
Rhonda has worked and volunteered in the not-for-profit sector for the last 20 years. The focus of her work has been in key priority areas that include education, literacy, food security, ending violence against women, truth and reconciliation and now career development. Her work is done in relationship and genuine partnership with individuals and communities whose realities have made it challenging for them to pursue their dreams and reach their full potential. The lens through which Rhonda does her work is based in social justice and believes in the importance of meeting people where they are at and empowering them to become their own advocates and champions.
As the former CEO for Career Trek, a Manitoba-based charitable organization, Rhonda is focused on building relationships with government, business, industry and communities to expand programming, inside and outside the province. The goal is to support youth who face racialized barriers giving them the tools, resources, and experiences they need to prepare for the future of work.
Ibrahim Raji
Staff Representative
Ibrahim Raji is our new Staff Representative to the Board of Directors. Ibrahim brings over six years of experience as a Support Worker and volunteer in Nigeria and the United Kingdom (UK), where he also served as a Board of Trustees member for Hull University Students’ Union (HUSU).
Since joining New Directions’ Shift Staffed Homes in 2024, Ibrahim has worked at Charing Cross and currently works at Laval House, where he helps individuals supported by New Directions to achieve their potential.
Ibrahim’s commitment to supporting others started early, caring for his grandparents and volunteering in community outreach. Outside of work, he spends time with family, watches FC Barcelona matches, and visit friends. Ibrahim also enjoys driving and being outdoors and he recently developed an interest in Canadian football, following the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Ibrahim is ready to bring his experience and dedication to the Board, supporting New Directions’ mission.
Dana Bowcott
Staff Representative
Dana Bowcott is a Community Resource Worker for Supported Independent Living. She has experience in social services at organizations like Marymound, DASCH, and New Directions, and been vocal about advocating for helping individuals with disabilities and marginalized youth. She enjoys spending time with family, cooking, gardening, and fostering adult individuals. She is dedicated to being a voice for her colleagues and creating an inclusive and respectful workplace.
CEO
Dr. Jennifer Frain, C.Psych.
Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Jennifer Frain, C. Psych., came to New Directions in 2001 as a Clinical Psychologist serving as the Coordinator of Programs and Evaluations & Manitoba Learning Centre. She then held several other Director level positions before she was appointed as the CEO in 2006. Jennifer received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Concordia University in 1997. She is committed to New Directions providing responsive and individualized services that foster the hopes and dreams of people and their communities.
Senior Directors
Darlene Daniels
Senior Director of Culture, Education, and Training Services
Darlene Daniels, Anishinew (Ojicree) Garden Hill First Nation, started working in the agency in 2001 as a Program Manager of Opikihiwawin. Then later as a Senior Director, supervising the Cultural, Education and Training services of the agency.
Prior to coming to New Directions, Darlene was the Executive Director of Anishinaabe Oway-Ishi, an Indigenous youth training program. Darlene is the Co-chairperson of the Manitoba Indigenous Youth Achievement Awards.
Darlene lives a traditional lifestyle of her people. She is a Jingle Dress dancer, drummer and singer. She is an award winning bead worker, quill worker, painter and fashion designer. Darlene is a dedicated learner of the Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwa language).
Dr. Charmayne Dubé, OT (C)
Senior Director of Adult Services
Dr. Charmayne Dubé, OT (C), began her career as a Direct Service Worker within Adult Day Services at New Directions (then Children’s Home of Winnipeg) in 1988. Upon return from practicing Occupational Therapy in the US, she provided home based OT and mental health rehabilitation supports through Community Therapy Services in Winnipeg.
In 2001, she returned to New Directions as a Home Share Provider and had successive roles as an Occupational Therapist, Coordinator, and Program Manager before moving into a Director level position in 2009. She is passionate about improving quality of services and ultimately, quality of life for all individuals we support and is committed to working collaboratively with community stakeholders.
Sarah-Jane Marquez-Hicks, B.H.Ecol., CPA, CMA
Chief Financial Officer
Sarah-Jane is a first generation Canadian borne from working class immigrants. Sarah-Jane’s service to the community began after graduating from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Human Ecology, majoring in Family Studies.
Soon after graduating, Sarah-Jane worked in community education with Klinic Community Health Centre and with the Norway House Cree Nation.
With the intentions of being more involved in non-profit policy and administration, SJ returned to post-secondary studies to attain her Certified Management Accountant designation. During this pursuit, SJ worked in finance officer, analyst and accounting roles within the Province of Manitoba and in the private sector. SJ earned her CMA designation in 2011.
In 2012 SJ became the Director of Finance and Administration at Nine Circles Community Health Centre and was responsible for all areas of accounting, payroll, human resources, facility operations and information technology. In the fall of 2019, SJ became the Director of Finance at Pulford Community Living Services, which also included technology systems in her portfolio.
Sarah-Jane is committed to developing efficient and simpatico collaborations between administrative and service program teams. SJ is equally committed to creating psychologically safe spaces for employees so they may bring their whole selves to their work and to encourage their creativity and innovation.
Dr. Alicia Ordóñez, C.Psych.
Acting CEO, Senior Director of Child Home & Clinical Services
Dr. Alicia Ordóñez, C.Psych., received a double Master’s Degree in Clinical and Educational Psychology and a Ph.D. in Counselling Psychology from Ball State University in Indiana, USA. She completed her internship at the University of Manitoba’s Student Counselling Centre and Victoria Hospital in Winnipeg.
She is a registered psychologist and has worked with children, youth, individuals, and families from diverse backgrounds in a diversity of settings including rural and urban areas affected by war in her country of origin, hospitals, community centres, universities, and private practice. She joined New Directions in 2007 and is a Senior Director overseeing Child Home and Clinical service areas. She is fully bilingual in English and Spanish and has intermediate knowledge of American Sign Language.
Elizabeth Schwersensky, B.Comm. (Hons.), CPHR
Senior Director of Organizational and Human Resources
Elizabeth Schwersensky, CPHR, joined New Directions in 2016 as the Director of Human Resources. This followed her experience leading the HR function at other non-profit organizations in Manitoba.
As the current Senior Director of Organizational and Human Resources, Elizabeth has seen her portfolio expand to include oversight of business resources, students and volunteers, and training and evaluation. Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from the Asper School of Business, a Certificate in Adult Education from St. Francis Xavier University, and is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources.
She continues to strive toward an organizational environment that utilizes the unique skills of all of the people contributing day-to-day, while updating practices to reflect the constantly changing landscape in communities New Directions serves.