About AFM

Structure

Heather Mitchell, Chair (Dugald)

AFM Board of Governors

The Board of Governors is the governing body by which the affairs of the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba (AFM) are directed and administered, in accordance with The Addictions Foundation of Manitoba Act.

The membership consists of fifteen governors, appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council of the sitting Government, and represents the diversity of the Province of Manitoba from regional and professional perspectives.

The Board approves policies, vision, mission, values, and strategic d irections, budgets and major financial expenditures that govern all aspects of the AFM's operations and advises the Minister of Healthy Living, Seniors and Consumer Affairs on courses of action.

Board Members

Heather Mitchell, Chair (Dugald) read biography

Abdo (Albert) Ibrahim El Tassi, C.M., O.M. (Winnipeg) read biography

Ron Hay (Brandon) read biography

Mary Head (Opaskwayak, Manitoba) read biography

Lori S. Johnson (Winnipeg) read biography

Martha Jonasson (Wabowden) read biography

Don McCaskill (Winnipeg) read biography

Keith MacDonald (Thompson) read biography

I. David Perlov (Winnipeg) read biography

Sandra Pruden (Interlake) read biography

Valerie Regehr (Winnipeg) read biography

Gord Sytnick (Valley River) read biography

Board Member Biographies

Heather Mitchell (Dugald) - Chair

Enjoyed a 25 year career with AFM
Retired in January of 2007
Experience includes rehabilitation counsellor and prevention/education consultant
Held several supervisory roles in Winnipeg Region, including Youth, Men’s Services, Women’s Services, Adult Community Based Services, Family Services, Intake/Assessment and Primary Care Services; Impaired Drivers’ Program, Community Prevention Programs, Satellite Programs, and Maintenance Services
Was the Clinical Resource Consultant for AFM staff provincially
Served on a number of committees, both internal and external
On the Board of Directors for the International Summer School for Addictions, Moorhead State University for 8 years
Involved in program development and provided several training sessions and presentations outside of the Province on various aspects of AFM, as well as other addictions related topics
Appointed to the Board in December, 2007.

Abdo (Albert) Ibrahim El Tassi, C.M., O.M. (Winnipeg)

Immigrated from Lebanon in October, 1969; became a Canadian citizen in May, 1975
Professional background in Lebanon was a principal and a teacher
Currently the President and CEO of Peerless Garments in Winnipeg
Started at Peerless in 1969 in the shipping department and became President and CEO in 2006
Received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002
Inducted as a Member of the Order of Canada in 2003
Named to the Order of Manitoba in 2009
One of the founders of the Mosque of Thompson, Manitoba – the only Mosque outside the City of Winnipeg serving the Muslim community in the north of the province
Also founded the Alhijra School to meet the needs of the Islamic community in Winnipeg
Appointed to the Board in December, 2010

Ron Hay (Brandon)

Born and raised in Bissett
Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Manitoba
Was a Guidance Counsellor in the Rolling River School Division from 1968 to 1972
Guidance Counsellor and later a teacher in the Brandon School Division from 1972 until his retirement in 2001.
Served on a number of Boards in Brandon including the Canadian Mental Health Association, Planned Parenthood, Big Sisters of Brandon and Habitat for Humanity.
Chaired the Eagles Gymnastics Centre board for a number of years and served on the Board for the Men’s Provincial Gymnastics Association
Married to Maxine and has three sons and two daughters-in-law
Long time member of a book club and loves fishing, cross country skiing and the occasional canoe trip.
Appointed to the Board in July, 2006; re-appointed to the Board in December, 2007 and December, 2008
Is chair of the AFM’s Board of Governors Audit Committee and sits on the Executive Policy Committee

Mary Head (Opaskwayak)

Resident and a member of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation, situated near The Pas, Manitoba
Currently employed with the Opaskwayak Cree Nation as the Manager of Natural Resources
Served as an advocate in the criminal justice system and in the voluntary sector addressing urban Aboriginal issues
Has a strong knowledge of policy development, risk management, governance and Robert’s Rules.
Appointed to the Board in September 2007

Lori S. Johnson (Winnipeg)

Currently serving as Executive Director of two provincially mandated community health agencies, Sexuality Education Resource Centre MB and Klinic Community Health Centre
A Registered Nurse
Has a wide range of experience in the delivery of and advocacy for the full range of primary health care services through the development of interprofessional collaborative teams
Served her community as an elected official school trustee in Manitoba’s largest division
Chair of the Board of Winnipeg School Division
Well known leader in the community
Recognized for her demonstrated ability to bring people together in common purpose
Works successfully toward the formation of strong partnerships across sectors, to the benefit of clients of health, social services, and public education in the community
Brings a particular strength through her knowledge and experience in the area of mental health and addiction services
Provides culturally sensitive and appropriate programming to hard to reach, vulnerable and marginalized individuals
Has lived, worked and raised a family in her home communities of the West Broadway and Wolseley neighbourhoods for almost 3 decades.
Appointed to the Board in April, 2010
Is vice-chair of the AFM Board of Governors and sits on the Executive Policy Committee and the Governance Committee.

Martha Jonasson (Wabowden)

Born and raised in Wabowden, Manitoba
The second oldest of seventeen siblings (thirteen still living) plus two foster brothers
Widowed; the mother of one daughter and four sons; grandmother of fifteen; and great-grandmother of thirteen
Employed with both Federal and Provincial governments from 1972 until retirement in 2002
Work history includes being a business owner, a public health worker, information officer, youth drug and alcohol abuse worker, and an employment counselor/consultant
Volunteers in many committees associated with the University College of the North (UCN), including: Elders Rep on Governing Council, Elders Council, Research and Scholarship Committee; Midwifery Committee and Representative Workforce Committee
Also volunteers on the Wabowden School Committee and the Wabowden Youth Centre Committee
Past member of the Wabowden Youth Restitution Committee and was a volunteer probation officer for youth
Appointed to the Board in June, 2007

Don McCaskill (Winnipeg)

Born in Gladstone and raised in Winnipeg where he currently resides.
Graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Arts degree
Worked in the education field for 18 years beginning his teaching career with Frontier School Division in Gillam, Manitoba. He taught Band, Music, and English Language Arts
Moved back to the City of Winnipeg where he worked for City Social Services as an Eligibility Worker
Returned to the Frontier School Division to coordinate the Work Education Program, which teaches young adults work place skills
Coordinated the Home Placement Program, for students where a high school program is not available, and the Program for the Education of Native Teachers (P.E.N.T.), a training program for aspiring local teachers.
Currently Assistant Superintendent for Senior Years and Career Programs for Frontier School Division
Oversees the High School Program, Adult Education, Work Education, Health, Wellness and Physical Education, Home Placement, and P.E.N.T.
Provides direct support to the school divisions 25 school counsellors.
Served as an executive member on Manitoba Association of Secondary Teachers of At-Risk Students and as a board member of the Manitoba Adolescent Treatment Centre
Recently appointed as a board member of the Manitoba Red Cross
Appointed to the Board in April, 2010
Holds the position of Treasurer and sits on the Executive Policy Committee and Audit Committee of the AFM Board of Governors

Keith MacDonald (Thompson)

Assistant Director of Operations for both The Burntwood Hotel and the Thompson Inn properties since October, 2008
Was General Manager of the Burntwood Hotel from September, 2005 to October, 2008.
Amassed 27 years of experience in the Hospitality Industry
Worked in various aspects of the industry, from Corporate Hotels in Fredericton, N.Bto Calgary, Alberta; in Banff, Alberta and outback retreats for Brewster Adventures in both Banff and Kananaskis Country.
Experience in each and every position in a hotel.
Married to Laura and proud parent of two teenaged children and one pre-teenaged child.
Originally from Moncton, NB,
5 year career with Public Works Canada
Been actively involved in volunteer work, which included Chairperson of Rendez-vous Fredericton, Secretary for the Thompson Hotel / Restaurant Association and more recently, President of the Thompson Chamber of Commerce.
Appointed to the Board in December, 2010
Sits on the AFM’s Board of Governors Audit Committee

I. David Perlov (Winnipeg)

Born, raised and lives in Winnipeg
Has been practicing law since 1975.
With the law firm Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP since the merger of Perlov Stewart LLP and Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP in June, 2010.
Active in the community
On the boards of a variety of non-profit organizations and been a member of their executive.
Appointed to the Board in December 15, 2010

Sandra Pruden (Petersfield)

Born and raised in the Clandeboye/Petersfield area,
Has been living in the town of Petersfield for the past 18 years
Employed with the Interlake Regional Health Authority since June of 1990, and has been working as a Home Care Resource Coordinator in Gimli, Manitoba since June of 1999.
Long history of volunteer work, and was awarded the outstanding volunteer of the year award for the Municipality of St. Andrews in 2008
Been involved in the planning and implementing of various fundraisers for organizations and for individuals within Petersfield, and in surrounding communities, including the formation of a trust fund developed to help Children in the community who are struggling with serious and sometimes life-threatening illness.
Present volunteer work includes sitting on the board of the Canadian Mental Health Association – Interlake, and is currently the president of the Petersfield Community Club.
Also volunteers for a number of organizations, including Citizens on Patrol Program, St. Georges Wakefield Church, Interlake Women’s Resource Centre, Northeast Palliative Care, Camp Stepping Stones.
Appointed to the Board in December, 2010.

Valerie Regehr (Winnipeg)

Worked in the area of counselling and health for the last 25 years
Has been a counsellor and trainer at the Fort Garry Women’s Resource Centre, as an instructor for the counselling certificate program at the U of M, a program manager for the Community Action Program for Children (a program of Health Canada)
Currently the Manager of Counselling and Health promotion and the clinical supervisor at Women’s Health Clinic
Also volunteered as Chair of the Margaret Lawrence Advisory panel,
Currently involved with the Herizons Magazine board of directors, the Winnipeg Folk Festival and the Winnipeg Humane Society.
Enjoys living in the Wolseley neighbourhood with her partner, teenage son and 2 large dogs
Sings in several choirs and loves to garden, paddle, work with stained glass and travel as often as she can
Appointed to the Board in December, 2010
Sits on the AFM’s Board of Governors Governance Committee

Gord Sytnick, (Valley River)

Resides in Valley River, which is just outside Dauphin
Livestock farmed until 1997
Employed with Community Mental Health in Dauphin since 2007 and works as a proctor
Is a co-ordinator of a club for people with psychiatric illness.
Knowledge and understanding of 12 step programs and service structures.
Appointed to the Board in December, 2007

Yvonne Block, CEO

Executive Office

By providing coordinated provincial direction and leadership AFM Provincial Executive ensure the provision of efficient and effective day-to-day management and administration of AFM resources in the delivery of programs and services.

This office also ensures the provision of client-centered, evidence based services associated with alcohol and drug abuse/misuse and problems with gambling consistent with the determinants of health.

The Executive offices are responsible for coordinating and supporting corporate planning processes, and the development and review of AFM policies and position statements.

AFM works in partnership with other interested groups/organizations in support of common goals, leading the organization in the identification and implementation of best practices and continuous quality improvement processes.

Regional Offices

Alcohol /other drugs, problem gambling, rehabilitation, and prevention/education services are available across the province. These services are administered through Regional offices in Brandon (Western Region), Thompson (Northern Region) and Winnipeg (Winnipeg Region). Program availability will vary from location to location.

Human Resources

Human Resources provides comprehensive services, support and guidance in the areas of recruitment, job analysis, human resource planning, collective bargaining, contract administration, payroll and benefits, labour relations, employee relations, and workplace safety and health.

Learning, Information and Library Services (LILS)

Learning, Information and Library Services works to enhance public awareness of the AFM's services/resources and addiction-related issues, coordinating activities, and providing the general public, allied professionals, stakeholders, clients and staff with province-wide access to accurate, up-to-date information on addiction-related topics through Library services; and Winnipeg Community Prevention Programs .

Information Technology

Information Technology Services include: network administration and system design; acquiring, allocating and distributing hardware/software; applications development; and, development and implementation of annual IT plans, projects and initiatives.

Finance

AFM's Finance Unit provides service, direction, and control to the organization in the areas of budgeting, accounting, internal audit, insurance and risk management, administration of Federal/Provincial cost shared programs, and management information system programs.

Accountability and Continuous Improvement Unit (ACIU)

This unit is tasked with coordinating activities to improve our accountability, integrating the renewal for our alcohol and other drugs, and gambling systems and programs.

The responsibilities of this unit will be in the areas of evaluation, monitoring, accreditation, corporate and program indicators, program and systems renewal and risk management.