PCM Team

Our team members bring their own unique lived experiences, fostering a deep understanding of what our peers truly deserve in terms of compassion and support.

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Board of Directors

Our team members, from the Board of Directors to our Peer Supporters, have personal or family lived experience with mental health or substance use challenges. We understand because we’ve been there, and we genuinely care.

Stephanie is the Executive Director of Employee Experience for the Manitoba Public Service Commission. She has been with the Manitoba Government for 14 years, with 10 years spent in mental health, suicide prevention, addictions policy and oversight. Before government, Stephanie worked as the outreach manager for the Manitoba Schizophrenia Society (now Peer Connections Manitoba) for six years in both the south and north – eastern regions of Manitoba.

Since her teenage years, she has had a keen interest in mental health and well-being, playing “therapist” to her friends. Having experienced episodes of debilitating depression and anxiety in her early adulthood, she became well-aware of the inadequacies, gaps and barriers in the healthcare system, as well as in mental health services. Stephanie is a passionate advocate for mental health promotion, destigmatizing mental health and mental illness, and sharing our common and diverse human experiences with compassion, self-love, grace, and humour (wherever possible!) When not working, she loves beating her family in ping pong, tasting and rating Manitoba’s amazing craft beer selections, and listening to podcasts about leadership, self-compassion and bravery.

Florence Keeper is from Nelson House, known as Nischawasik Cree Nation. Grew up and attended school there. She attended high school in Thompson and later, Brandon university. She is a mother of six, 5 sons, one daughter, a grandmother of two wonderful boys and a granddaughter. She’s been busy! She has lived in Winnipeg now for 20 yrs.

Her work experience has always been health delivery: Medical Transportation and Referral Services. She was employed with the WRHA as the Aboriginal Health Service as Discharge Planning Coordinator.

Florence has been involved with Boards as a member in CMHA, Mental Health Community Service and the Women’s Crisis Centre in Thompson. She retired in 2014 – not her wish but due to health issues.

In 2002, a loved one became ill with a mental illness. She found herself and the whole family in distress…not understanding the illness and beginning a new journey. Without supports, resources, various hospitals and community programs, she and her family would have not survived. Today, they are in a better situation but continue to live with it.

When Florence asked to be member of the PCM board, she was eager and felt she had a better understanding and could contribute to support the issue for others. She is proud to say we have provided support to other parents here and in the northern area as she knows many people from there. She enjoys talking to people, reading, bead work, travelling, exploring new things when she can. As for her hobbies – nothing in particular – she enjoys many different things.

Gillian is the Vice President of the Board of Peer Connections Manitoba, who joined the board in March of 2020. Gillian is a Registered Nurse who is part of the management team with Shared Health. She manages the Support Staff and Nurses of the Float Pools at Health Sciences Centre. She has been a nurse for over 20 years and first became involved with the former Manitoba Schizophrenia Society (now Peer Connections Manitoba) when she worked for the University of Manitoba and brought nursing students to many of our organization’s educational programs.

Gillian has family members living with mental illness and feel passionately about being a part of a culture that normalizes taking care of mental health. The best part of her workday: recruiting future nurses and encouraging the development of best practice standards. She loves to decorate, cook and bake, and is very social. She looks forward to entertaining and is constantly making lists. She loves checking off some accomplishments…as it makes her feel like she is getting somewhere with her daily tasks!

Chantal Driedger has been an integral part of our organization for many years, initially joining the Manitoba Schizophrenia Society and later transitioning to the board when we became Peer Connections Manitoba. Currently, she holds a significant role as an educator and peer supporter at Mary Jane’s Cooking School, a unique institution offering cooking classes and projects catered to individuals facing mental health challenges.

With a personal journey that includes a schizophrenia diagnosis over two decades ago, Chantal remains an active volunteer across various organizations. Her unwavering passion lies in forging connections and nurturing meaningful relationships to promote mental wellness, both for herself and others.

Beyond her dedication to mental health advocacy, Chantal finds joy in the culinary and fine arts, regularly engaging in her hobbies. She also treasures her weekly visits to a resident in the hospital/long-term care, exemplifying her compassionate nature. As a proud mother, raising her son brings her immense happiness and fulfillment.

Chantal’s vibrant presence and dedication to empowering individuals make her an invaluable asset to our community.

Herbert is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CGA), currently working as the Senior Manager and Operations Manager for Platinum Business Services. Herbert joined Peer Connection Manitoba in August 2021 as the treasurer and a member of the Board’s Executive. He has 23 years of progressive accounting and management experience working in various industries. He hopes that his experience would help shape the PCM future.

Herbert is very passionate about volunteer work and giving back to the community. He also has personal experience dealing with mental health. He is a big believer that mental health should not be stigmatized, and that help should be readily available to people who need it. He believes that PCM is doing exactly that and hopes that this organization could grow more and reach more Manitobans.

Julius is a new member-at-large with Peer Connections Manitoba and brings years of experience from non-profit and community settings. While studying at the University of Manitoba, he dedicated many hours to serving and advocating for the student community and continues to be an advocate and support staff for youth in community organizing. Julius first became involved with PCM when he and his family reached out to the organization to provide resources and share their services with attendees at a concert dedicated to his late brother, Justice Chester, who had a passion for music and art.

“I look forward to utilizing the skills and knowledge I have gained to support Peer Connections Manitoba and their efforts to destigmatize narratives surrounding those who experience mental health adversities and instead validate their lived experiences and lift them up”.

Meet the Team

The Peer Support Team

Our Administration Team

The Peer Support Team

Our exceptional Peer Supporters, located across Manitoba and continuously expanding, bring their own personal and family lived experiences with mental health challenges, providing a profound understanding in their roles. 

WINNIPEG | Community Peer Support

  • Eric F

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER
    Winnipeg

  • Laurie

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER
    Winnipeg/Provincial Community

  • Jackie

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER
    Winnipeg

  • Sia

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER
    Winnipeg/Provincial Community

  • Sandra

    FAMILY PEER SUPPORTER
    Winnipeg/Provincial Community

WINNIPEG | Crisis Response Centre

  • Amber

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

  • Jana

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

  • Jody

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

  • Katrina

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

  • Mel

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

  • Zachary

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

  • Eileen

    FAMILY PEER SUPPORTER

  • Laurissa

    FAMILY PEER SUPPORTER

  • Rashmika

    FAMILY PEER SUPPORTER

BRANDON | Brandon Regional Health Centre

  • Giselle

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

BRANDON | Withdrawal Management Service

  • Angela

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

BRANDON | Psycho-social Rehabilitation Program

  • Emily

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER
    Psycho-social Rehabilitation

  • Cassidy

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

BRANDON | Emergency Department

  • TBA

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

DAUPHIN | Dauphin Regional Health Centre

  • Jasmine

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER
    Klinic Community Health

  • Teresa

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER
    Psycho-social Rehabilitation

  • Tba

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

DAUPHIN | Dauphin Community Peer Support

  • Eleanor

    INDIVIDUAL/FAMILY PEER SUPPORTER
    Dauphin & Surrounding Community

DAUPHIN | Dauphin Psycho-social Rehabilitation Program

  • Lindsay

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

SELKIRK | Selkirk Mental Health Centre

  • Eric

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

SWAN RIVER | PSR & Hospital

  • TBA

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

ASHERN | Withdrawal Management Service

  • TBA

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

SOUTHPORT | Withdrawal Management Service

  • TBA

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

“I never felt pressured to talk or felt like a burden but instead felt my peer support worker genuinely wanted to listen which was a completely different experience that I have had previously with mental health supports. I really valued this experience and will always remember his kindness.”

Patricia, Portage La Prairie, 26-35 Years Old

Our Administration Team

They are the backbone of our operations, keeping our operations running smoothly and providing friendly support. With their expertise and dedication, they contribute to the overall success of our mission in delivering quality services to those in need. 

  • Susan Rogers

    INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

  • Julia Hoeppner

    DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

  • Adriana Rajcher

    ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

  • Adam Milne

    PEER SUPPORT MANAGER

  • Kitana Degen

    PEER SUPPORT MANAGER

  • Amy Tung

    COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

  • Sarah Vinck

    MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE COORDINATOR

Community and Corporate Partners

Peer Connections Manitoba is committed to promoting peer support as an essential component of the mental health system in Manitoba. We are dedicated to raising awareness and becoming a leader in the field. By collaborating with like-minded organizations and securing adequate funding, we aim to integrate peer support into healthcare services effectively.

Interested in partnering with us to address the mental health needs of individuals and families of Manitoba? Fill out the form below or call us at 204.786.1616. We are making a lasting impact with the following organizations: