Team

Our dedicated and diverse team shares a passion and commitment to making a difference in the lives of those suffering with mental illness. They represent relevant experience and contribute towards mental health initiatives and dedicate their lives to help people help themselves.

Board of Directors

Marilyn Sidhu

Marilyn Sidhu

Chair

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Max Koltek - Director

Max Koltek

Vice Chair

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Jill Duncan - Director

Jill Duncan

Director

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Jaden Brandt

Jaden Brandt

Treasurer

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Jhunell De Rivera

Director

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Chloé Wolstencroft

Director

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Executive

Rita Chahal currently serves as the Executive Director of the Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba. Travelling from Northern India to Pier 21 on Canada’s east coast, at the age of nine, Rita and her family were the second East Indian family to settle in PEI during the mid ’60s. She would later go on to graduate from Dalhousie University with honors and eventually settle in Manitoba. Building her career in the prairies for over 42 years Rita’s work spans academia and corporate sectors, however most prominently she has served the not-for-profit sector for over 25 years.

As a champion of change, Rita has held key leadership roles serving as Executive Director for: The Women in Media Foundation, Employment Projects of Winnipeg, and the Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council (MIIC). Her vision and leadership played a key role in leading the province through the resettlement of refugees during the Syrian Refugee Crisis, and the influx of refugee claimants arriving in Manitoba during the Trump administration.

As the General Manager of the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce, Rita was the first person and woman of color to take on the role. Major cornerstones of her initiatives addressed labor skills shortages issues, foreign-trained credential recognition, and HR services to address the impact of domestic violence in the workplace.

Her community work includes serving on numerous local, provincial, national committees, and Crown Corporation boards, as a chair or executive member. She has served on the Winnipeg United Way Poverty Council and is currently a member of the United Way Speakers’ Bureau.In 2021, the Nellie McClung Foundation named Rita an inaugural recipient of the Manitoba 150 Women Trailblazer Award. The award salutes the contributions that Manitoba women have made to social justice, arts, sports, politics, community activities,and promoting democracy.

A proud Canadian citizen Rita refuses to be stopped from realizing her dreams. She has excelled in her career by building partnerships and serving as a titan for change, equity, and representation. As a parent, she is most proud of her three children, whom she and her husband instilled deep appreciation and honor for their bicultural heritage. That nine-year-old girl with two braids stepping on the eastern shores of Canada is now a grandmother of four, who wants to leave behind a legacy of realized change, representation, and anti-racism action.

Rita Chahal

Executive Director

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Staff

Diana Ginter

Diana Ginter

General & Operations Manager

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Pamela Habing

Pamela Habing

Mixed Program Coordinator & Marketing Coordinator

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nikki

Nikki Beaupre

Administrative Assistant

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Matthew Cox

Matthew Cox

Night Shift Supervisor

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Kennedy Huckerby

Youth Program Coordinator

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Nicole Mason

Office Manager (Westman Region)

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Shawn Duncan

Volunteer Coordinator

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Board Member
Recruitment

The Nominating Committee of the Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba (MDAM) is currently seeking applications to fill positions on its Board of Directors. It is expected that successful candidate(s) will be appointed to sit on the Board of Directors on an interim basis until such time their names will be put forward at the election held at the Annual General meeting in September 2023. If you are interested, please download the application form from the link below.

We are a self-help organization whose purpose is helping others to help themselves through peer support, education and advocacy. We seek to increase public awareness about mood disorders and other co-occurring disorders and empower people to develop and manage mental wellness.