About Us

CARRIE ATKINSON, Board Chair – The Pas

Carrie moved to Northern Manitoba in 2005. Owning a business gave her opportunities to meet a variety of people beyond the borders of The Pas. She was appointed Vice Chair to the Northern Health Region in 2017, which led to the appointment of the Northern Health Foundation Board Chair in 2019.

Throughout her time in The Pas, Carrie has served on the executive team for the local Chamber of Commerce for 13 years, as well as the Board Chair for Oscar’s Place. Now in her second term as a Councillor for The Town of The Pas, Carrie finds continuing to serve her community to be both a privilege and a priority.

DOUG LAUVSTAD, Board Vice-Chair – The Pas

Doug was appointed President and Vice Chancellor of the University College of the North in 2017. The mandate of this unique, northern institution is to enhance the social and economic well-being of northern Manitoba. Prior to this appointment, he was the Executive Director of the Northern Manitoba Sector Council, an association of northern Manitoba’s largest industry sectors. This organization focuses on building and sustaining a world-class workforce in northern Manitoba. Under his leadership, hundreds of northern and Indigenous people have received training, resulting in fulfilling and prosperous careers in Manitoba’s resource sector.

Doug has over 15 years of experience in leadership and governance, including experience as Chair of the Northern Regional Health Authority. He has served on the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualification Board, as well as the Look North Economic Development Agency Board of Governors, Colleges and Institutes of Canada, the National Advancing Workplace Literacy Committee, The Pas Community Development Corporation, the Premier’s Economic Advisory Council, Minister of Advanced Education and Learning’s Advisory Committee, and the First People’s Development Council.

ANTHONY MCINNIS, Board Secretary – Thompson

Anthony is a long-time Thompson resident and is the City Manager (Chief Administrative Officer) for the City of Thompson. He is connected to his community through former board experience, as well as project management and leadership experiences in provincial and municipal government.

Anthony has both a personal and professional interest in the promotion and enhancement of northern healthcare as his mother worked as an RN at the Thompson General Hospital for over 30 years.

MARGOT GRAY, Board Treasurer – Flin Flon

Margot considers it her honor and pleasure to sit on the Board of the Northern Health Foundation. After graduating from St. Boniface School of Nursing in 1973, Margot worked in the healthcare field until 2006. As well as maintaining her nursing career, she has been a member of various Committees and Boards, both professionally and personally. Margot sat on the Board for the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba for several terms, as well as the Flin Flon Arts Council and Flin Flon and Area Ducks Unlimited Committee. She and her husband are very involved within the community in order to give back to its members. She strongly believes it is one’s duty and privilege to get involved and give back to the community.

DWAYNE PORTEY, Board Member – Thompson

Dwayne was born and raised in Thompson and is passionate about giving back to his hometown community. His family all resides in the North.

Dwayne is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Chartered Investment Manager (CIM), and established his business in Thompson 20 years ago. He has been an active volunteer in youth athletics (hockey coach) and most recently, became a member of the City of Thompson’s Development Review Committee. Dwayne is a vital part of the Northern Health Foundation Board.

RYAN LALONDE, Board Member – Thompson

Ryan was born and raised in Thompson, and has spent the majority of his time living and working in Northern Manitoba. Ryan is an Assessment Officer for the Province of Manitoba’s Municipal Assessment and Advisory Services Branch. In 2017, he received his diploma in Civil Engineering from Canadore College. In 2022, he received a Certificate in Real Property Assessment from the University of British Columbia. Ryan strives to connect with residents from a variety of sectors in the north, including taxpayers, business owners, and community stakeholders. This, combined with his personal lived experience of the north, has given Ryan a keen sense of the unique needs of Northern Manitobans and the challenges they face.

Ryan enjoys everything the north has to offer. He is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys camping, hiking, and exploring, but his true passion is fishing. He was recently married to his wife, Kaidie, and they are expecting their first child. They also take care of three cats and a German Shepherd named Sam.

HEATHER RICHARDSON, Board Member – Flin Flon

Heather is a long time resident and City Council Member for the City of Flin Flon.  She is an Executive Assistant for the Northern Health Region and has been an employee at NHR since 2011.  Heather has a strong sense of community and is dedicated to contributing and realizing her vision of seeing the north flourish.

JIM BERSCHEID, Board Member – The Pas

Jim became involved with the Northern Health Foundation after hearing of the Foundation’s past accomplishments. He was inspired by what had been achieved and joined the Board in order to contribute to the ongoing and future successes of the Foundation.

Jim is self-employed (VJ Berscheid Ltd.), and has an extensive background in marketing, finance, and human resource development. Jim has been a Councilor for the RM of Kelsey, President and Board Member of The Pas and OCN Chamber of Commerce and long-time member of the Rotary Club. He is a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan in Ag Business and an International Trade Accelerator Program.

CHELSEA CUDMORE, Board Member – The Pas

Chelsea was born and raised in The Pas, MB. She is the Administrative Assistant for Medical Services in The Pas and has worked with the Northern Health Region since April of 2013.

Chelsea enjoys spending time with her family, listening to music, and exercising. She joined the Northern Health Foundation with the goal of becoming more involved in her community. Chelsea is happy to be a volunteer and is looking forward to being a part of the future and ongoing success of the Northern Health Foundation.

RAJ SEWDA, Ex Officio Non-Voting Member – Flin Flon

Raj is a Registered Nurse who received his fellowship from the American College of Health Executives and the International Society for Quality in Health Care. He is a Surveyor and a Leading Practice Reviewer for Accreditation Canada. In addition, Raj was a Professor in the Health Management program at Ontario’s Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology. He was the Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice-President Clinical and Chief Nursing Executive at Toronto’s Runnymede Health Centre. Most recently, Raj was employed as a Clinical Partner at Sienna Senior Living, supporting Long Term Care Communities across Ontario and British Columbia.

In 2023, Raj accepted the opportunity to lead the Northern Health Region as CEO and to experience this vast area in all its diverse needs.

SARA PAWLACHUK, CEO, Ex Officio Non-Voting Member – Flin Flon

Sara has been involved with the Foundation since its creation. Having worked in administration roles with the Northern Health Region since 2013, Sara has participated in volunteer roles for events as well as the background administration and governance growth for the Foundation. This experience along with her current role as Communications Coordinator for the NHR bring a wealth of Regional knowledge to the Board.

Sara is a born and raised northern, from Flin Flon, MB. She obtained a Business Administration Diploma, Majoring in Finance from SAIT Polytechnic in Calgary, Alberta and then returned back to Flin Flon. She enjoys raising a family in a tight-knit community with so many outdoor experiences right out the backdoor. As a former lifeguard Sara is passionate about water safety, and she also sits on the local public daycare Board of Directors.

KRISTA LEMCKE, Foundation Office Coordinator – Flin Flon

Krista grew up in Flin Flon, MB. She has a background in graphic design, branding, marketing and lending.

Krista operates a creative technology consulting business (Virtual Nonsense Inc.) with her husband that combines their expertise in Interactive Digital Media, IT, Graphic Design, Marketing and Brand Design to help businesses and organizations embrace digital technology and successfully utilize it to meet their business needs.