Our Leadership
Executive Committee of the Board of Directors
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 (now Honouring Our Journey) 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.
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.
Anita Parboji
Treasurer
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.
Mary Agnes Welch
Executive Secretary
Mary Agnes is a public opinion researcher and a committed community volunteer. She is the vice-president of qualitative research and chief of talent & culture with Abacus Data, which purchased Probe Research in 2026.
Mary Agnes works with a variety of non-profit, labour and government clients across Canada. Prior to joining Probe in 2016, Mary Agnes was a political and policy reporter with the Winnipeg Free Press.
She has served on the boards of Westminster Housing Society, the Exchange District BIZ, Manitobans for the Arts and the West End Cultural Centre.
Board of Directors
Averill Stephenson
Averill Stephenson joined the New Directions Board in 2022 and is Co-Chair of Governance. 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.
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.
Tyler Roopchand
Tyler Roopchand is a Controller at HyLife and a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA). His career began with Deloitte’s audit practice and has now progressed to the agricultural industry where he continues to develop his financial leadership and strategic insights.
Prior to joining HyLife, Tyler worked in Deloitte’s audit practice, serving clients across a range of industries and gaining extensive experience in financial reporting, audit, internal controls, risk management, and accounting matters. This experience provided a strong foundation in financial oversight, governance, accountability, and evaluating organizational and financial risks
In his current role as Controller, Tyler works closely with senior leadership to oversee financial reporting, forecasting, financial controls, and business planning. His experience in both a leading public accounting firm and the agriculture sector provides a practical perspective on financial stewardship, strategic decision-making, and sustainable organizational operations.
As a CPA and finance leader, Tyler brings to the board of New Directions a combination of technical accounting expertise, audit and risk experience, commercial judgment, and a commitment to strong governance. Tyler is honoured for the opportunity to give back and contribute his financial expertise, leadership experience, and perspective to the New Directions board.
Marshall Richard
Meg Kendall
Meg Kendall joined the New Directions Board in 2026 bringing a strong background in strategic leadership, data analytics, and human-centered design. Her professional journey includes leading multidisciplinary insight, digital, and user-experience teams across major organizations. Meg holds an M.Sc. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from the University of Calgary, a First Class Honours degree in Psychology and Computer Science from the University of Manitoba, and executive leadership training from the Asper School of Business. At the heart of Meg’s work is a passion for understanding people—whether through establishing feedback systems, creating inclusive digital experiences, or mentoring rising talent. She believes in using research and collaborative strategy to build responsive, equitable services that support individuals and families. Meg lives in Winnipeg and remains actively involved in local community initiatives.
Ibrahim Raji
Staff Representative
Ibrahim Raji is our 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 brings experience and dedication to his 2nd year on the Board, supporting New Directions’ mission.
Jamie Heide
Staff Representative
Jamie Heide is our Staff Representative to the Board of Directors. Jamie brings over five years of experience with New Directions, starting as a casual in Shift Staffed Homes and is now currently a Case Manager. She sees firsthand the dedication, creativity, and compassion that staff bring to their work every day. She has always believed that the best organizations are built on strong relationships, mutual respect, and a willingness to listen. During her career she has valued collaboration, open communication and advocacy and believes that staff perspectives are essential to informed decision making.
Serving as a Staff Representative, she is looking forward to amplifying those voices at the board level while encouraging meaningful communication and contributing to decisions that support both staff and the people we serve. She is committed to representing her colleagues with integrity, fairness, and a desire to make a positive difference.
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).
Scott Smith
Senior Director of Adult Services
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.