Meet our Board of Directors
Recreation Manitoba is a volunteer-based organization, comprised of individuals who work in parks, recreation and related fields.
Laine Wilson
Laine is a graduate of the University of Manitoba’s Bachelor of Recreation Management and Community Development undergraduate degree program. She is currently the Recreation Facilitator for the Rural Municipality of Rockwood and Town of Stonewall, in which she proudly calls home. As the proud mom of three active young kids, she sees the fundamental, proactive role recreation and community development play in increasing the quality of life for everyone. Recreation, community and leisure have been an integral part of her life and Laine is thrilled to have the opportunity to share her passion for our work, alongside the other board members of Rec MB and all of Manitoba. Laine enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, fishing, majority of mainstream sports, volunteering and relaxing at the lake.
Stephanie Jeffery, BMGNT
Stephanie holds almost 25 years of experience in recreation, fitness and community development. She believes in not only talking about physical activity but getting out and being active. In addition to her role as the Executive Director of the Manitoba Fitness Council, she is a certified fitness leader, leading classes weekly.
Amber Mamchuk
Amber is the Director of Recreation Services for the Municipality of Ritchot. With a passion for community development, planning and parks, Amber brings 20yrs+ of experience in the recreation sector to her role on the Recreation Manitoba Board. Prior to becoming a board member, she spent 3yrs on the Recreation Manitoba Conference program committee. Amber believes in the power of recreation to strengthen community connections and enhance quality of life. In her spare time, Amber enjoys camping, cross country skiing and hiking with her two young daughters, husband and dog.
Chair of the Recreation Manitoba Conference Committee
Justine Friesen
Justine has worked for the City of Brandon since June of 2015, first as the Youth Centre Coordinator and now as a Recreation Programmer. She has been involved with the annual Recreation Manitoba conference since 2015 and has been a Board Member for the organization since 2020. Knowledge gained through prior positions with the City of Winnipeg Recreation Department, working at a golf course, ballpark, multiple daycares and a placement with the Manitoba Provincial Department of Recreation and Regional Services has prepared her for a career in Recreation. In addition to her work and volunteer experience, she possesses a degree in Recreation Management and Community Development with a minor in Psychology from the University of Manitoba. Justine is passionate about working with her community and providing opportunities to increase overall well-being!
Taylor Owens
Taylor holds a BSc in Therapeutic Recreation from Dalhousie University in Halifax, N.S., where she is originally from. She is also a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Therapist though the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification. Taylor works as a Recreation Therapist at HSC Winnipeg, in inpatient Physical Rehab. She works with patients with spinal cord injuries, amputations, and neuromuscular disorders with a large focus on adapted recreation, leisure, and sport. Through her work in physical medicine, Taylor has seen how therapeutic and empowering leisure can be, especially when it is made accessible to everyone.
Taylor’s love for community recreation started at the age of 14 when she started work at her community recreation centre, running recreation programs and working as a summer camp counsellor for many years. Taylor has always enjoyed serving her community through work and volunteering; she is currently the Chair of the Saskatchewan-Manitoba Chapter of the Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association. Taylor is thrilled to work with Recreation Manitoba over the next two years and continue to advance and promote recreation as an integral part of everyday life. Taylor’s leisure interests are reading, yoga, walking, hosting dinner parties, and travelling.
Therapeutic Recreation representative on the board of Recreation Manitoba
Courtney Bangert-Murray
A life-long resident of the Eastman region, Courtney has worked in the recreation sector for over 12 years. These roles have included working with children through respite, teaching swimming lessons, managing aquatic facilities, 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 Director for both the Rural Municipality of Lac du Bonnet & theRural Municipality of Whitemouth. She also plays an important role as a Family Recreation Practitioner, with Recreation Opportunities for Children (ROC) Eastman. In addition to her titles, she is a certified fitness leader with the Manitoba Fitness Council, leading classes weekly. In her leisure time, she enjoys swimming, listening to music, dancing, hiking, camping, cycling and traveling!
Recreation, community and leisure have all played an integral part of her life and Courtney is thrilled to have the opportunity to share her passion for our work, alongside the other board members of Rec MB and all of Manitoba.
Vice president of Recreation Manitoba
Emily George,
Instructor, University of Manitoba, President of Recreation Manitoba,
Brady Clark,
City of Selkirk, Chair of Recreation Manitoba Finance Committee
Tara Cowan,
RM of Pipestone/Pipestone Albert Recreation Commission, Chair of Recreation Manitoba Governance and Nominating Committee