MEET OUR TEAM
Staff
Kim, Director of Counselling and Advocacy
Mia, Director of Operations and Development
Cara, Sexual Assault Resource Coordinator
Sandy, Community Resource Advocate
Lucia, Junior Advocate
Gabrielle, Junior Advocate
Rosabel, Counsellor (Spanish/Español)
Nicole, Counsellor
Patty, Counsellor
Melissa, Counsellor
Cadence, Counsellor
Aria, Program Coordinator
Jamie, Program Coordinator (on leave)
Board of Directors
CO-CHAIR: Shelley Wray CO-CHAIR: Jill Hruska- Jill Hruska is a Nursing Instructor at Assiniboine Community College in Brandon Manitoba. With over 30 years of experience in health and education, Jill incorporates unity caring science by combining best practices based on Western and traditional health modalities. Unity caring science informs both physical and virtual classrooms and healthcare settings. She is an active practicing registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and is certified in Adult Education. She graduated as a Caritas Coach® in 2016 with cohort 14.She is currently an advisor to the board of the Canadian Psychedelic Association related to education development and best practice guidelines for health care providers. Jill has worked internationally in palliative care and oncology, where she nurtured and integrated energetic healing practices that most recently include indigenous practices for creative solution finding, sound, and healing. She currently applies unitary caring science in her interactions in Primary Health and Harm reduction practice areas. Jill has presented nationally and internationally on the topic of unity caring science. She follows unity caring science in her health and education practices to ensure all human beings feel valued and respected in their diversity. TREASURER: Sharla Bouchard BOARD DIRECTOR: Ana Camelo BOARD DIRECTOR: Jea Surovy- My name is Jea Surovy. I am originally from Kenora, Ontario. I moved to Brandon in the summer of 2008. I am currently a Facility Operator for the City of Brandon. I am a mother of three. Two boys and one girl. I joined the Women’s Resource Centre board of directors to give back to my community, develop relationships, be more involved, and help promote a safe space for women and children. BOARD DIRECTOR: Jill Lennon BOARD DIRECTOR: Bansri Patel- Hi! My name is Bansri Patel, and I am so excited to be a part of The Women’s Resources Center. My position is going to help me get more involved and support women, children and families in our community. My end goal is to help women know they matter! To be able to prioritize their own well being, put themselves first, and be independent in different aspects of their lives. I come from a male dominated culture where women are suppressed and deprived of their basic human rights. My passion for making a change comes from my personal experiences of being told what to do, how to dress and what are my limitations as a woman. Fortunately now the sky’s my limit! I am a strong, independent, empathetic and passionate woman. With the support of incredible women in the community I am here to lift and empower other women. BOARD DIRECTOR: Sydney Tower- I have lived in rural Manitoba my whole life- I grew up in Gladstone then moved to Brandon to pursue my Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Psychology and minoring in Sociology. I have since graduated and am now living in the community of Minnedosa; I am employed full-time with the Manitoba Metis Federation as a Registry Office and part-time with the Canada Suicide Prevention Services as a Crisis Responder. I have always had a passion for helping other and doing what I can in the community to have a positive impact, which is what brought my to join the Board of Directors for the Women’s Resource Centre. I believe it is important that we do what we can to ensure Brandon and its surrounding rural communities have these important support services available to those in need. BOARD DIRECTOR: Vicki Sturgeon- Having lived in the Brandon and area community for all of my life, I am pleased to be able to actively contribute to the community by volunteering on the board of directors for the Women’s Resource Center. This fits well with my work as a Mental Health Nurse in Shilo, where I have taken on a role and special interest in family violence. I have a husband who is also Brandon raised and community minded. Together we have 4 wonderful children who keep me busy running a household, and taking them to various extracurricular activities. We also have a handful of pets (dogs and lizards). In my spare time I enjoy using my hands with mixed media arts and crafts, camping in our giant motorhome, and spending time with friends and family. I also am trained and provide birth support as a doula for families who are in that stage of life. I am looking forward to helping the center and board have some consistency and new energy/ drive as we strive towards greatness!
General Inquiries
Brandon, MB
R7A 0P4
reception@thewomenscentrebrandon.com
Toll-Free: 1-866-255-4432
Fax: 204-727-6230