Prairie Chapter

Join us at a Prairie Chapter Chat! 

Share knowledge and network. Join our recurring Chapter Chat sessions to connect, recharge, and become inspired. Build your skill set, share your experiences, and learn from other local practitioners with the shared goal of advancing the practice for all. Both IAP2 members and non-members are welcome!

Erin Mckay

Winnipeg

Chapter President

Erin is Director of Strategy and Governance with the Government of Manitoba’s Communications and Engagement Division. In her role, she supports Manitoba’s commitment to open government and including the public in decision-making. With a background in policy and a keen interest in making government more accessible to those it serves, Erin is excited to join the Board and to promote P2 principles wherever decisions that affect the public are made.

The Government of Manitoba received Organization of the Year at IAP2 Canada’s Core Values Awards in 2021 for launching the online EngageMB portal. EngageMB facilitates meaningful input from the public into provincial decisions.

Lindsay Thompson

Winnipeg

Chapter Vice President

Lindsay is a Senior Environmental Specialist at Manitoba Hydro. Over the last 15 years, Lindsay has worked for Manitoba Hydro building strong collaborative working relationships with communities. She designs and implements successful engagement processes for new transmission and station projects. She has a Master’s degree in Natural Resources Management and a Bachelor in Environmental Studies from the University of Manitoba and an Environmental Education and Training Program Certificate from the Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources. 

 

Laena Garrison

Winnipeg

Treasurer

Laena works in the area of public policy with the Government of Manitoba’s Indigenous Reconciliation Secretariat. She has gained the majority of her public engagement experience from previous roles in the non-governmental sector, including social work, environmental advocacy, environmental education and community youth development. She is particularly passionate about place-based community engagement and public participation in mitigating global climate and pollution crises. As a board member of the Prairies Chapter, she is keen to organize in-person engagement events as a means to network and learn from each other.  

Kate Moir

Winnipeg

Secretary

Kate has almost 20 years of diverse experience in community Planning throughout Manitoba, Ontario and British Columbia with a passion for complete communities where people can live, work and play. She is a public engagement specialist with a passion for inclusive and sustainable communities by looking at the social, environmental and economic factors of any development. Kate completed a Bachelor of Arts with major in Geography and minor in social anthropology from the Vancouver Island University and Master’s degree in Environmental Management from Royal Roads University.  She is passionate about public engagement and completed her Masters Thesis on meaningful stakeholder engagement in the Sustainable Community Plan process with the City of Thompson.   

Kate is an advocate for community development that is based off meaningful engagement. Her degree has allowed her to take her profound interests and education in environmental management, social anthropology, and urban planning and understand how appropriate policy can be implemented to achieve sustainable development and the community's desired outcomes, benefits, and goals.  Kate recently completed her CP3 with IAP2.  She is a current member of the Professional Development and Training Committee for IAP2 Canada, and a returning member to the Prairie Chapter Board.   She currently is the Director of Planning for M Richard and Associates based out of Winnipeg, Manitoba. 

MORGAN VESPA (SHE/Her)

Winnipeg

Chapter Communications

Morgan has been the Manager of Public Engagement at the City of Winnipeg since 2016. With a background in environmental and First Nations engagement prior to moving into municipal engagement, Morgan’s research and professional experience has led to a keen interest in how public participation has the potential to strengthen communities and democracy.

Shawn Silzer

Regina

Chapter Liaison

Shawn’s career – which includes work in the public and private sectors in both Canada and the US – has seen him develop experience in customer experience and corporate strategy, business process management, marketing /communications, change management, project management, and stakeholder facilitation. Shawn has served on the Regina Board of the International Association of Business Communicators, is certified with the Customer Experience Professionals Association, has earned his Hammer business process mastery, and is a Prosci Change Management Professional.

LindsAy Mierau

Winnipeg

Chapter Liaison

In her role as Stakeholder Engagement Advisor with Manitoba Hydro, Lindsay provides strategic advice to all areas of the business and enables the planning, development and implementation of an enterprise-wide Strategic Engagement Framework. Prior to joining the team at Manitoba Hydro, Lindsay enjoyed working in both provincial and municipal government supporting climate action and sustainability initiatives. Her experience has taught her about the importance of strong community relationships and engagement in the effective delivery of public policy, programs and services.

Samantha Mark

Saskatoon

Member at Large