Meet our Board of Directors
Recreation Manitoba is a volunteer-based organization, comprised of individuals who work in parks, recreation and related fields.
Courtney Bangert-Murray l President of Recreation Manitoba l Program Coordinator, City of Selkirk
A life-long resident of the Eastman region, Courtney has worked within the recreation sector for over 13 years in a variety of roles. These roles have included working with children through respite, teaching swimming lessons, managing aquatic facilities, working as a recreation director and program coordinator, coaching many sports and volunteering in her community. After graduating with a Bachelor of Kinesiology, Courtney became passionate about using recreation as a driving force to help strengthen community connections and improve the lives of individuals to help live fulfilling, purposeful and healthy lives.
Courtney is the Recreation Coordinator for the City of Selkirk. She also plays an important role as a Family Recreation Practitioner, with Recreation Opportunities for Children (ROC) Eastman. Courtney has served on the Recreation Manitoba board since 2020 and has volunteered since 2020 as part of the annual conference committee. In addition to her titles, she is a certified fitness leader with the Manitoba Fitness Council, leading classes weekly. Courtney can often be found "pool-side", facilitating lifeguard and swim instructor training or teaching first-aid as an affiliate with the Lifesaving Society of Manitoba. In her leisure time, Courtney enjoys swimming, listening to music, hiking, camping, cycling and traveling!
Brenna Philp l Vice President of Recreation Manitoba l Director of Recreation & Leisure Services and RM of Gimli
Brenna has been a part of the recreation world since childhood. She has gone from grass roots sport to competitive sport, to coaching and a career in the field, and now a proud volunteer for her children’s activities. Knowing the powerful impact that recreation has on everyone makes volunteering and giving back that much easier. Brenna has been involved with Recreation Manitoba since 2018 and joined the Board in 2022. She is currently the Director of Recreation & Leisure Services and RM of Gimli. Brenna has her Bachelor of Kinesiology and continues to take courses and training when opportunities arise, and enjoys sitting on various boards and committees throughout the Interlake region. She continues to enjoy curling and playing slo-pitch throughout the year along with coaching youth baseball and watching her boys in hockey.
Cassandra Groen l Director of Recreation Services, Town of Neepawa
Cassandra has a degree in Recreation Management and Community Development from the University of Manitoba and a Certificate of Organizational Leadership from Harvard University. Her first experience in the field was while at University of Manitoba, working with Bison Sports to host the Canada West Championships and the U Sports Championships in 2022. During Cassandra's time being a coach and high-level athlete, she was listed into Canada's Most Influential Women for Sports and Physical Activity. A few years after that she was part of Hockey Manitoba's first ever all female bench staff for Canada Winter Games in 2023. Cassandra played a leading role in the build of the Minnedosa Rink in 2023, along with many other park and campground improvements.
Cassandra is very passionate about using recreation to create a sense of belonging and sense of purpose to everyone. When not working you can find her kayaking, reading, coaching, traveling, or at a spin class.
Heather Reimer l Manager of Recreation, City of Brandon
Heather has worked in the recreation sector for 20 years in program delivery, community development and facility management. Heather currently works as the Manager of Recreation, for the City of Brandon. Recreation is an important part of Heather’s professional and personal life, and she strongly advocates that recreation is an essential service for growing healthy, vibrant and connected communities. Heather joined the Recreation Manitoba Board of Directors in 2022, and is eager to work with the board, and all members to advance recreation initiatives throughout the province.
Chris Brown l Administrative Coordinator of Recreation Operations, City of Winnipeg
Chris Brown began his career in recreation 35 years ago as a day camp leader with the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg. Since then, he has managed programs and facilities in the not-for-profit and private for-profit fitness sectors. A graduate of the University of Manitoba's Bachelor of Physical Education program, Chris is currently Administrative Coordinator of Recreation Operations with the City of Winnipeg.
Norman Ettawacappo l Facility Manager, St Norbert Community Centre
Norman is a First Nation member of the Norway House Cree Nation working and residing in Winnipeg. His professional and personal interest lies in sport, recreation, active living and youth oriented programs and projects. He has worked with and volunteered for non-profit organizations, major events and multisport games. Sport and recreation has been a huge part of his life personally and professionally and he hopes that his continued involvement in the industry provides more opportunities to increase participation for our community members and help organizations improve those programs. He is currently the Facility Manager for the St. Norbert Community Centre and is excited to join the Recreation Manitoba board of directors.
Sharon Arsenault l Facility Manager Sergeant Tommy Prince Place, City of Winnipeg
Sharon has been a recreation practitioner for over 30 years with the City of Winnipeg. From a youth and children’s on-site leader, senior leader, preschool, family, special events and finally facility management.
Sharon has a passion for community programming and special events especially in my low income surroundings. She is currently the facility manager at Sergeant Tommy Prince Place in Winnipeg. Sharon has been a volunteer for Recreation Manitoba for over 14 years!
Cam Young l Community Hub Manager, YMCA-YWCA Winnipeg
