FEATURED MDMC SPEAKERS

Ngaire Abernethy recently retired after 45 years as a front-line social worker. Most recently she worked for Westman Crisis Services and in the Brandon Regional Health Centre’s Emergency Dept. Ngaire and her husband George were posted in many rural and northern communities with the RCMP. Ngaire has been providing support to first responders and health care workers through several CISM networks for most of her career.  Ngaire is a board member of Project Resilience 911 and a clinical trainer for the Peer and Trauma Support Systems training program under the Mood Disorders Society of Canada. Ngaire is an active volunteer with her therapy dogs. She is a co-founder of PATDogs therapy dog group, a member of the PATDogs Trauma Response Emotional Assistance Team (T.R.E.A.T.), and is an adviser to Paws 4 Valour, a canine-assisted peer support group for public safety personnel. In 2024, Ngaire completed a Graduate Certificate in Animal-Assisted Social Work at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania. Her current canine partner Koki is a tiny, brave lap dog.

Grant Durfey is a professional emergency manager currently serving as the Manager of Emergency Management and Community Emergency Management Coordinator (CEMC) for the County of Simcoe. He began his career as a frontline paramedic, where he developed a deep appreciation for emergency response and community resilience. Motivated to make a broader impact, Grant pursued part-time studies in emergency management, earning both a certificate and a graduate diploma in the field. In 2019, he transitioned into full-time emergency management, where he has focused on enhancing municipal preparedness through practical programming and the strategic use of community-based resources. Most recently, Grant completed a Master of Arts in Disaster and Emergency Management from Royal Roads University. Grant is passionate about building resilient communities from the ground up, combining frontline experience with academic insight to drive meaningful change.

Mark retired in 2022 after a career spanning trades, business ownership, 31+ years in emergency services, and
municipal leadership. He moved from Brandon to Melita, Manitoba, in 1989. Over 19 years there, he built a successful auto glass business, served as Chamber of Commerce President, sat two terms on council, and spent nearly two decades in the fire service, ultimately as Fire Chief. In 2008, Mark joined the Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC) as an Emergency Services Instructor. He taught multiple disciplines and responded to provincial floods, wildland fires, and search operations. When the OFC assumed Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) for ICS Canada around 2012, he was appointed Lead ICS Instructor. Mark delivered all levels and positions of ICS, and represented Manitoba as an instructor in national ICS Canada–sponsored deliveries, in addition to contributing to ICS Canada doctrine reviews as a subject matter expert. He served a short term as Emergency Coordinator, volunteers with Team Rubicon Canada, and served as TR Canada’s Chief ICS Instructor. Mark holds a Certificate in Adult Education with Honours, specializing in curriculum design and program development. Following retirement, he was invited to instruct the inaugural ICS Canada 0305 All-Hazards Type III delivery and received employment offers from ICS consulting firms across Canada. However, the Manitoba government denied his Lead Instructor authorization solely because he was no longer an employee. This restriction prevented all national opportunities but led to the founding of Dynam-ICS™ Training Solutions, an independent company delivering ICS education across Manitoba.

Emily George is the Executive Director of Recreation Manitoba, where she leads efforts to strengthen the recreation sector and support practitioners across the province. In her role, Emily champions the essential role recreation plays in advancing community wellbeing, resilience, and inclusion, ensuring the sector’s voice is recognized at both local and provincial levels.

Emily brings a uniquely broad perspective to her work, having travelled extensively across Canada and developed a deep knowledge of the diverse realities, challenges, and strengths of communities in every province and territory. This experience enriches her leadership, allowing her to connect local Manitoba priorities with national trends and opportunities in recreation, health, and community development. Alongside her experience, Emily completed a Master of Arts in Physical Education from the University of Victoria, a Bachelors of Recreation and Sport Studies from the University of New Brunswick, and a certificate in Non-Profit Leadership for Impact from the University of Toronto.

With a strong background in leadership and community engagement, Emily is known for fostering collaboration and innovation within the recreation field. She works closely with municipal practitioners, provincial partners, and national organizations to promote the value of recreation as a driver of health, belonging, and quality of life. Passionate about processes and Manitoba, Emily is committed to elevating the sector, creating opportunities for growth, and ensuring that communities of all sizes have the voice and support they need to thrive.

With over two decades of experience in disaster and emergency management at the local, regional, and national levels, Perron has held leadership roles across the public, private, and non-governmental sectors. Recognized for his collaborative approach and ability to bring clarity to complex incidents, he is passionate about incident management, crisis intervention, disaster social services, and crisis communications. His work consistently emphasizes the importance of coordination and accountability across all four components of emergency management—mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. From 2016 to 2022, Perron served as national director of disaster and emergency management for an international NGO, and more recently completed a two-and-a-half-year term with Public Safety Canada. In addition to founding Goodyear Emergency Management Consulting, he currently serves as a Sessional Instructor with the School of Public Safety, Emergency
Management Division at the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC), and as an Emergency Management Specialist with Napier Emergency Consulting. Perron has contributed to more than 30 disaster responses across domestically and internationally. He has completed advanced training at the provincial, national, and international levels—including studies at the Canadian Emergency Management College—and holds a Master of Arts in Disaster and Emergency Management from Royal Roads University. His graduate research, Socioeconomics and Emergency Preparedness: A Collective Case Study of Low-Income Residents in London, Ontario, explored the intersection of social vulnerability and preparedness.

Brock Happychuk is a Senior Emergency Management Engagement Specialist with Manitoba Emergency Management Organization (EMO). Prior to joining Manitoba EMO in 2024, he served 24 years in the field of wildland fire as a manager with Manitoba Wildfire Service, national instructor, and firefighter with experience across Canada and the United States.  Brock’s experience has emphasized the value of strong networks and relationships towards effective and efficient emergency management programs. Brock holds BComm (Hons) from University of Manitoba, and has emergency services training as a firefighter, paramedic and has operated in multiple Incident Command System capacities.

Brad Hay has been with Manitoba Hydro for nearly 25 years and is the Enterprise Emergency Response Coordinator. Brad has supported Manitoba Hydro through the 2021 and 2025 wildfire seasons, the 2022 flood season, the COVID-19 Pandemic, and multiple business continuity challenges. Brad has a diploma in electrical engineering technology, designations as a Maintenance Management Professional and associate business continuity planner. He also holds certificates in emergency management, emergency exercise design, and most recently he earned a degree in Emergency and Security Management Studies. With an unwavering commitment to safety, business continuity, and operational resilience, Brad is a highly respected and trusted leader in the utility sector, known for his expertise in emergency response and continuity planning.

Dr. Ahmed Jwely, FRCP(C), is a distinguished psychiatrist with extensive experience in clinical practice, medical
leadership, and medicolegal assessment. Certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada,
he holds active medical licenses in Ontario, Manitoba, and Alberta. Dr. Jwely’s clinical career spans significant roles in hospital settings, including inpatient and emergency psychiatry at institutions like the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Trillium Health Partners (THP), and the Health Sciences Center in Winnipeg, where he also served as Associate Medical Director of HSC-Emergency psychiatry and Crisis Services (CRA). He is the Medical Director of Seasons Medical Center in Winnipeg and holds an appointment to the Mental Health Review Board in Manitoba.

A dedicated educator, Dr. Jwely has held academic appointments as an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Western Ontario (UWO), the University of Toronto (UOT), and as an instructor at the University of Manitoba. He holds certifications in catastrophic impairment evaluation (C-CAT) and medicolegal expertise (CMLE). His professional contributions include research on immigration and psychosis, published in the Asia Pacific Psychiatry Journal, and he is an active member of numerous professional associations, including the Canadian and American Psychiatric Associations.

Dr. Patricia Martel has over 18 years experience as a practitioner in emergency management. Her career has
included work with provincial, regional, and municipal governments, Indigenous communities, NGOs, and the private sector. Patricia has served in a range of positions in different Emergency Operation Centres (EOCs) for many large scale events and emergencies triggered by hazards including multiple severe forest fire seasons and northern spring breakup flooding, Toronto G8/G20, Goderich tornado, Pan Am Games, Hurricane Sandy, COVID-19 pandemic, Southern Niagara Blizzard/Multi-Hazard Emergency, and the Total Solar Eclipse. She has been in the field both domestically and internationally during impact for a variety of hazards from tornadoes to floods to understand how to improve planning and responses.

Patricia developed and managed the 2012 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment program for the Province of Ontario Identification which won international acclaim for its innovative methodology. She now manages the Ontario Office of Napier Emergency Consulting. Patricia also has a PhD focused on effective operational emergency planning for vulnerable populations and has served as an instructor for several university emergency management graduate programs.

Michelle McLean is a PhD Candidate in Population Health at the University of Ottawa. She has worked across
academic, government, and non-profit sectors to reduce disaster risk and build resilient, inclusive communities.
Her current research focuses on making risk communication and community engagement more accessible to
everyone, with the goal of creating more effective emergency management systems that recognize and respond to the diverse needs of all people. Michelle’s previous experience includes roles in identifying indicators for Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) at Public Health Ontario, developing post–COVID-condition guidelines with the Public Health Agency of Canada, and collaborating with Indigenous partners on initiatives to expand access to remote, culturally competent trauma care. Her work is driven by a commitment to advancing equity and ensuring that no one is left behind in emergency management and public health systems.

Shelley was employed with the Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization for 32 years, retiring in 2017. 
Her career has been spent working with Manitoba communities, Indigenous clients, academic institutions, businesses and organizations offering emergency management program building through training, education and planning. Shelley’s extensive knowledge of emergency management has been gained through work with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the United States as well as through years managing emergencies across Canada and Europe.  She was Manitoba’s representative on the Canadian Emergency Management College’s training committee for 17 years, developing and teaching educational programs to emergency managers.

Shelley is the founding member and chair of the Manitoba Disaster Management Conference (1991) and the founding member and Executive Director of the Manitoba Association of Municipal Emergency Coordinators (2018).  She has been awarded the Emergency Management Exemplary Service Award for her work achievement in the areas of prevention, preparation, response, and recovery from emergencies and disasters in Canada. Shelley was recently awarded the King Charles III Coronation medal for her emergency management work with communities and First Nation communities in Canada.  She is a frequent contributor on television and radio during emergency events in Manitoba and participated on the television documentary series “Disaster Deja Vu” as an emergency management expert contributor. Now as the managing director of Napier Emergency Consulting, she works coast to coast in Canada teaching and educating communities, Indigenous clients, businesses, and academic institutions about the importance of having programs recover from disasters.

Jennifer Parkman is a member of War Lake First Nation with experience in crisis intervention, child welfare, mental health, and policy work. She has a strong background in advocacy, working to advance the rights of First Nation communities through a traditional lens on systemic change. Most recently, Jennifer served as co-lead in the Manitoba wildfire evacuation efforts through the Southern Chiefs’ Organization, delivering vital support to those affected by addressing service gaps, advocating for impacted evacuees, coordinating efforts, and deploying organizational resources.

Emily Pietropaolo is the Vice-President, Recovery for the Canadian Red Cross (CRC). Emily is responsible for leading recovery operations in Canada after disasters and disruptive events. This includes the CRC’s support to small business programs, community granting, individual and family assistance including personal losses, and housing repair and reconstruction. Emily’s expertise is the creation and standing up of novel and complex programming to meet emerging needs. Emily has been with the CRC for over 15 years, working in relief and recovery following disruptive events, and has been involved in CRC’s response efforts in Canada since 2006. Her experience includes case management of Canadians impacted by the September 11, 2001 attacks in the US, the Nova Scotia mass shooting, provision of funds and rapid tests to community organizations during COVID-19, leading the 2024 Jasper wildfire recovery, and most recently overseeing national recovery operations for the 2025 wildfires across Canada.

Geoff Reimer is an accomplished environmental and water resources professional with over two decades of
progressive experience in government, municipal, and First Nations program leadership. He holds a Water Resources Engineering Technology Degree from SIAST Palliser Institute with undergraduate studies in Geological Sciences at the University of Winnipeg. Currently serving as Director of the Water and Environment Program for the Southern Chiefs’ Organization Inc., Geoffrey leads the development of First Nations Owned and Operated Water utility, Solid waste management, environmental stewardship and emergency management initiatives that are based in the upholding of First Nation’s treaty and inherent rights. His career includes senior roles with the City of Winnipeg and the Province of Manitoba, where he oversaw large-scale water management projects, drainage and flooding regulation, and solid waste operations. As President of GPR Project Management and Consulting Inc., Geoffrey continues to provide expert technical guidance to municipalities, developers, and communities on sustainable water resource planning and policy.

With over 30 years of experience in crisis intervention and leadership development, John is a Workforce Wellness & Culture Alignment Specialist who helps organizations move beyond reactive survival mode to proactive resilience. He works alongside progressive leaders—especially those in high-pressure sector services —to turn high-stakes moments into opportunities for growth, engagement, and retention.  As the founder of FORTLOG Services Inc., he has partnered with first responders, Indigenous communities, non-profits, small businesses, and more. His qualifications include Conversational IQ™, psychological health & safety, ICF coaching, crisis intervention, trauma treatment, certified grief counsellor, and a bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He is also the author of two bestselling books: Run Toward the Roar: Transforming Crisis and Change into the Opportunity to Thrive, Living the I AM in an I HAVE Culture: Being the Leader People Trust through Critical Moments. Offstage, John finds balance at his off-grid family cabin, enjoying the simpler things in life. He often jokes that he should have started with grandkids and skipped parenting altogether. He’s the husband of one, father of three, and proud grandfather of two.

Loren was elected as the Reeve for the Rural Municipality of Lac du Bonnet in a 2016 byelection.  Since then, he has been acclaimed in 2018, and 2022 and is currently serving his community and region in his third term. Loren served 30 years in law enforcement, commencing his policing career with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 1978. In 1981, he joined the Winnipeg Police Service, where he spent many years in specialized investigative units, such as Robbery/Homicide and Major Crimes. Loren was promoted to Sergeant and was also selected as the Coordinator of the Emergency Response Tactical Unit, a specialized unit that he served for 17 years. Loren is committed to his role as Reeve, to serving his residents and region where he grew up, to make it a strong, thriving, safe community, a “Four Seasons Playground” where “People come for a weekend and stay for a lifetime.”

Jay Shaw is the Deputy Chief of Safety, Emergency Management and Public Information with the  Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service. Shaw was responsible for developing the city’s Office of Emergency Management in 2017 and has led the City of Winnipeg through several major disasters and emergencies including the global COVID -19 pandemic. Jay is a graduate of Harvard University’s National Preparedness Leadership Initiative studying Crisis Leadership and has recently completed the International Association of Fire Chief’s Executive Development Institute.

Tyler Smith, winner of The Amazing Race Canada Season 9, is a survivor, mental health advocate, entrepreneur, and public speaker who has turned personal tragedy into a mission to inspire and support others. A survivor of the 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash, which claimed the lives of 16 teammates, staff, and coaches, Tyler has dedicated his life to raising awareness about mental health and the power of vulnerability. Alongside his partner Kat Kastner, Tyler captured the hearts of Canadians as Team #TyKat, often paying tribute to the “16 angels” lost in the tragedy. Their victory on The Amazing Race Canada was a powerful testament to resilience, teamwork, and the enduring strength of hope. Tyler’s journey of healing led him to found Not Alone Co., a mental health awareness clothing line and social enterprise that promotes open conversations around trauma, PTSD, and mental health. He is also the co-host of the podcast Speak Your Mind, alongside NHL veteran Riley Sheahan, which focuses on normalizing discussions about mental health with guests from sports, entertainment, and beyond. Through public speaking, entrepreneurship, and advocacy, Tyler continues to inspire individuals and communities to create safe spaces to belong, embrace connections to empower one another, and support systems that enable paths of improving healing, hope and community.

Louise Stitt has been involved in Emergency Services for 40+ years, first working as a Paramedic with Winnipeg EMS for 10 years, while volunteering with the Canadian Red Cross in multiple roles. She completed her Advanced Care Paramedic certification in the U.S. in 1981. She was Program Developer for EMS Education with MB Health
and worked with the Office of the Fire Commissioner as an EMS Educator and Program Coordinator for the newly
developed Provincial Critical Incident Stress Management initiative. Her many years of supporting debriefings for emergency services personnel created a passion for easing the inevitable psychological stressors related to the
fallout from being a part of disaster and emergency scenes. She retired in 2019. Louise is amazed and grateful for the opportunity to be involved with her canine pet therapy partner, Sadie, from whom she has learned, over the last few years, about how animal assisted crisis interventions can improve the lives of those who need it most.

Laine Wilson is the Director of Community Relations with the Rural Municipality of Rockwood, where she leads
initiatives that strengthen local engagement, safety, and quality of life. With over a decade of experience in recreation and community development, Laine has been a strong advocate for the essential role recreation plays in building resilient, connected communities.

Laine is a University of Manitoba graduate with a Bachelor of Recreation Management and Community Development and completed a Public Relations certificate from the University of Toronto. She currently serves as a Board Member with the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA) and is a Past President of Recreation Manitoba, where she has championed provincial and national initiatives that highlight the value of recreation in advancing community wellbeing. Laine is passionate about collaboration, leveraging networks, and ensuring recreation is recognized as a key partner in areas such as health, emergency preparedness, and community resilience. Whether working locally or at a national level, Laine brings energy, vision, and a deep commitment to fostering thriving communities where people feel safe, connected, and supported.

Larissa Farrell – OEM
Dwayne Hackinen – OEM
Louise Boily – ESS
Brian McCorriston – WFPS Fire Ops
Steve Brglez – WFPS EMS Ops
Raj Sharma – Director of Safety
Inspector Jenn McKinnon – WPS
Sergeant Chris McLean – WPS