BeCause & Effect

Pulford Community Living Services has been a Manitoba mainstay assisting people with developmental disabilities. Established in 1986, Pulford is a leader in this area and has helped countless people with developmental disabilities find housing, employment, self-improvement, and self-worth.

My guests today are Scott Smith, Director of Program Development and Quality Assurance, and Jeff Ward, Social Media and Marketing Manager for Pulford Community Living Services.

Pulford recently launched their own podcast, so Scott and Jeff are here to tell me about their work, their plans for the future, and how COVID has affected the day-to-day at Pulford.

Dorota Blumczynska is a leader with profound empathy. As the Executive Director of Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba (IRCOM), Dorota and her team have helped thousands of refugees and immigrants navigate the difficult path of integration into Canadian Culture.

I sat down with Dorota back in August to talk about the refugee experience in 2020, the many challenges of COVID-19, and how to inspire empathy for those less fortunate.

Welcome to BeCause and Effect, a podcast from the Winnipeg Foundation, where we talk to people about the causes they care about and the effect that it has on their lives. My name is Nolan Bicknell.

We are back for a brand-new season of BeCause and Effect, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Isha Khan to the podcast. Isha is the new CEO of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, and only stepped into the job a couple of months ago.

Isha is a human rights lawyer, former executive director and senior counsel for the Manitoba Human Rights Commission, founder of the Candian Council of Muslim Women’s Winnipeg Chapter, she spent time reviewing conditions of federal penitentiaries. She is truly an advocate and expert in the area of human rights. 

I sat down to talk to Isha through a video chat, to talk about the concepts of equity, diversity, and social justice, the vision and mission for the future of the CMHR, and how to have the tough conversations and make real progress fighting for human rights.

Dr. Tyler Pearce knows the philanthropic sector well.

As Executive Director of Local Investment Toward Employment, aka LITE, Dr Pearce and her team are fundamental in helping people become employable and stay employed.

Executive Director of LITE, Dr. Tyler Pearce joins us to talk about self-care and wellness during COVID-19, the dynamics of the philanthropic sector, and how we have to focus on changing systems of oppression to truly overcome poverty.

Michael Redhead Champagne is an inspirational example of someone making a real difference at a community level.

Award winning Community Organizer, Ininiwak Helper, Public Speaker, and Author, and Advocate, Michael is known by many different monikers, all under the umbrella of fighting for social justice, children’s safety, and community ideals.

I sat down with Michael Redhead Champagne, to talk about his tireless work helping others, the 7 sacred teachings, and how we can navigate and dismantle systems of oppression.

The term heritage has been all over the news lately. From history to architecture and everything in between, now more than ever, society is discussing the importance and impact of our heritage.

Cindy Tugwell is the Executive Director of Heritage Winnipeg, and thanks to over 28 years with the organization, her perspective is priceless.

I sat down with Cindy Tugwell, Executive Director of Heritage Winnipeg, to talk about how to learn important lessons from history, the value of architecture and design at a city level, and how heritage influences culture in 2020.

Trudy Schroeder understands the intrinsic value of the Arts. As Executive Director of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Trudy leads a team of passionate people creating world-class performances that put Winnipeg on the map.

I sat down with Trudy Schroeder from the WSO, to talk about importance of music and art in every community, the value of human connection, and what the ‘new normal’ will mean for live music, and her organization in a post-COVID world.

Javier Schwersensky says he’s got the best job in the world. As CEO of the Winnipeg Humane Society, Javier leads the oldest animal shelter and animal welfare non-profit in all of Manitoba, it is now 126 years old.

Originally from Argentina, Javier has a wonderful success story in Canada, and has been giving back by working in Canada’s charitable sector for years now.

I sat down with Javier to talk about the Winnipeg Humane Society and their devotion to animals, humble beginnings in Argentina, and how the WHS is looking forward in a post covid-19 world.

Mandela Kuet advocates for equity and equality and has for nearly his entire life. He participated in the Winnipeg Foundation’s Fast Pitch earlier this year, spoke at the Black Lives Matter rally in Winnipeg earlier this month, and recently started his own non-profit for at-risk newcomer youth. So, he’s a busy guy.

I sat down with Mandela on a video chat, to talk about Black Lives Matter, his lifetime dedication to advocacy and equity, and what our communities need to learn and apply to make real change.

Claudette Leclerc has been at the helm of the Manitoba Museum for the last 23 years. As Executive Director and CEO, Claudette has overseen the growth, expansion, and immense success of the Manitoba Museum, and continues to lead her team through the COVID-19 Pandemic.

I sat down with Claudette Leclerc on a video chat, to talk about her incredible career, her devotion to arts and culture in Winnipeg, and the plan for reopening the museum in the post-COVID era.