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.

Ovue is an accomplished leader with over 20 years of experience in Quality, Food Safety and Operations Management, holding senior roles in multinational organizations. Currently a Health Canada-licensed Qualified Person (QAP), her career has spanned across various industries and has consistently been defined by a deep commitment to improving quality, safety, and environmental standards, alongside a strong passion for mental health advocacy, particularly among youth.

Born and raised in Nigeria, she was instilled with the values of determination and discipline from an early age, guiding her through a career dedicated to both personal and professional growth. Her mission has always been to serve others by sharing her knowledge and leadership, focusing on creating systems that respect human life, empower communities, and safeguard the future.

Throughout her career, Ovue has been a steadfast advocate for mental health, believing that true leadership is about inspiring others, especially the next generation. Through her involvement with organizations like Peer Connections of Manitoba, she has seen the transformative power of mentorship, understanding, and compassion. She is dedicated to fostering environments where young people can openly address their challenges and aspirations, promoting holistic wellness—mental, physical, and emotional.

Ovue’s vision is to build a future where mental health is prioritized alongside physical health, where every young person has access to the resources and skills necessary for success, and where inclusivity, understanding, and support are central to society. She remains committed to making this vision a reality, taking each step to ensure a brighter, more resilient future for all.

Jennifer has been a Registered Nurse for the last 23 years with the last 2 years in dedicated private practice as a Certified Nurse Psychotherapist. Before she was aware of her own neurodiverse powers of making unique connections and outside of the box thinking, she was always making note of the mind, body, spirit connection in healing from illness, leading to her career pivot formally into mental health. She felt uniquely qualified as a nurse and a therapist to help people make these significant mind/body health connections.

Her practice is now nearly dedicated to strength-based neurodiversity assessment, treatment and affirming therapy after her children’s diagnosis with ADHD and her own subsequent ADHD diagnosis late in life that shed WORLDS of light on her life in a positive way. Her true passion now lies in highlighting the power of neurodiversity as a strong educator and advocate for a perspective shift. It is this unique lived-experience in supporting mental health that has been a perfect segue to her new love for her role with Peer Connections Manitoba and the importance of peer connection in healing the mind in particular, and allowing the brain to be acknowledged for its vulnerability just like any other organ of the body.

In true neurodiverse style, she still struggles with work/life balance but self-awareness, like in all things, has made it easier for her to re-prioritize this in her life to work harder at enjoying her life with her children and her three fur companions and reconnecting with her lost passions that fell victim to her very active brain.

Julius 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

  • Alex

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

  • Eric

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

  • Sia

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

  • Zach

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

  • Michelle

    FAMILY PEER SUPPORTER

WINNIPEG | Crisis Response Centre

  • Amber

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

  • Avery

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

  • Brianne

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

  • Hope

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

  • Mackenzie

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

  • Meaghan

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

  • Mel

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

  • Paul

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

  • Salem

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

  • Samia

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

  • TBD

    FAMILY PEER SUPPORTER

WINNIPEG | RAAM Clinic

  • Britney

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

WINNIPEG | ACCESS River East/Transcona

  • Marida

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

WINNIPEG | ACCESS NorWest

  • Tanvir

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

WINNIPEG | Klinic Mobile Withdrawal Management Service

  • Brandi

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

  • Carrie

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

WINNIPEG | ACT Team

  • Barb

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

WINNIPEG | FACT Team

  • TBD

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

WINNIPEG | CMHA

  • Sia

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

BRANDON | Mobile Withdrawal Management Service

  • Brooke

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

BRANDON | Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program

  • Isobel

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

  • Max

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

BRANDON | Withdrawal Management Service

  • TBD

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

BRANDON | Regional Health Centre

  • Teddy

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

BRANDON | Crisis Team

  • Tamasha

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

DAUPHIN | Dauphin Regional Health Centre

  • Peter

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

  • Teresa

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

DAUPHIN | Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program

  • Lindsay

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

SOUTHERN HEALTH-SANTE SUD

  • Katrina

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

SWAN RIVER | Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program

  • TBD

SELKIRK | Selkirk Mental Health Centre

  • Eric

    INDIVIDUAL PEER SUPPORTER

THOMPSON

  • Sashana

    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. 

  • Julia Hoeppner

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

  • Adam Milne

    DIRECTOR OF PEER SERVICES

  • Monique Levesque-Pharoah

    DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

  • Angela Pickett

    PEER SUPPORT MANAGER

  • Katharine Dixon

    PEER SUPPORT MANAGER

  • Kitana Degen

    PEER SUPPORT MANAGER

  • Adriana Rajcher

    OFFICE MANAGER

  • Darin Benson

    FINANCE MANAGER

  • Victoria Miles

    EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR

  • Emily Benevides

    OFFICE ASSISTANT

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