Each year, The Chamber recognizes a force that makes our city function: volunteers.
At this year’s AGM, we recognized five Chamber volunteers for their dedicated services.
Volunteers of the Year
Patrick McLenehan | Steinbach Credit Union
Patrick is Steinbach Credit Union’s Corporate Relationship Advisor, so he’s no stranger to creating connections in our city. But his award-winning passion didn’t start there.
His dedication to volunteering was first inspired by his biggest role models, his parents. The community involvement he saw in them growing up sparked his passion for giving back at institutions like St John’s College, Victoria Hospital (where he earned recognition for over 300 volunteer hours), and eventually, The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce.
Patrick signed on as a Chamber Ambassador after a coworker assured him it would be an excellent business development opportunity. But he quickly discovered it was much, much more, when he began growing his network, his social circle, and his involvement in the Winnipeg business community.
Four years later, Patrick says his favourite part of volunteering with The Chamber is the comradery. When he looks at the list of Ambassadors on The Chamber website, he recognizes community leaders and influencers, sure. But what he sees, are friends. People with whom he’s spent countless hours at Chamber events, and even enjoyed Chamber trips abroad to Ireland (and soon Japan!).
Thank you and congratulations to Volunteer of the Year, Patrick McLenehan.
“The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce provides an incredible opportunity to be part of Winnipeg, and it is a continued privilege to be able to contribute in the way that I have. Our time is the most valuable thing that we have to give, and my time has been incredibly well spent as a Chamber Ambassador. From the Chamber Luncheons with their incredible and varied speakers, to the Leadership Winnipeg program that I loved so much, to the trips presented by the Chamber to Ireland and next year Japan– I truly believe that the Chamber has given me more than I have given it. This award means a great deal to me! And I am very thankful to have been given the opportunity to earn it! “
Connect with Patrick on LinkedIn
Nicole Fontaine
Nicole Fontaine is a community connector who specializes in linking entrepreneurs and the public sector. Her passion for volunteering is deeply rooted in the values instilled by her parents, who volunteered their time well into their retirement.
Nicole’s journey with The Chamber began over ten years ago, driven by her belief in The Chamber’s vital role supporting local businesses and promoting economic development. Since joining us as a Chamber Ambassador, she says it’s become second nature for her to refer new businesses or encourage former members to rejoin.
We love to see it, Nicole.
Now, she says she finds immense joy to be of service, build new connections, and proudly offer bilingual service as a reflection of her franco-Manitobaine roots. But Nicole says her favourite part of volunteering with us is the opportunity to spend time with an incredible community of professionals and fellow Ambassadors-turned great friends. She’s happy to support many of our local businesses who go on to make an impact on the global stage and looks forward to exploring new opportunities where she can make a difference.
Thank you, and congratulations to Volunteer of the Year, Nicole Fontaine.
“Merci beaucoup, Thank you to The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce for this recognition alongside so many esteemed members of our community. I am deeply honoured, blessed, and grateful to receive the Volunteer of the Year Award. Building community and fostering collaboration are at the heart of everything I do, so this acknowledgment means the world to me. Serving as an Ambassador has been both fulfilling and empowering, offering me countless opportunities, meaningful connections, and personal growth. I thrive on connecting the dots—meeting people, helping them, and referring them to one another and to the WCC. Being part of a community that fosters such connections is truly an amazing experience, and I am proud to contribute to the growth of our city, province, and country, as many of our local businesses go on to make an impact on the global stage. As Simon Sinek says, ‘The more people you inspire, the more people will inspire you.”
Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn
Shreeraj Patel | RBC
Raj is Vice President of Commercial Financial Services at RBC. Throughout his life runs the golden thread of his work to create a safe place for the people in his community.
In his own words, his beginning was traditional. A son to immigrant parents, small business owners themselves, who struggled like many small-business owners. Raj set his sights on a career in finance and earned a spot at Asper School of Business. It was there he first learned of The Chamber. He saw the staff and members as an activator and magnifier of the amazing things Winnipeggers were making happen in our city. He saw inspiring stories of entrepreneurship, inclusion and innovation. He saw his opportunity to go beyond the traditional and give back to his community.
Raj worked his way up through Canada’s top financial institutions, and as he built success in his career, he made it a priority to build success in his community. He dedicated his time to serve on The Chamber board, and eventually grew into The Chair. He says the biggest thing for him is getting to create places of inclusion for our business leaders and workers. He helps magnify voices that may not have the level of agency they deserve and works to make The Chamber an economic driver for many small and medium Winnipeg businesses.
He says he knows being an entrepreneur can be daunting – like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. But because of his dedication and hard work, he’s had plenty of members tell him coming to The Chamber feels like finding safety. It feels like being supported.
It feels like coming home.
Thank you, and congratulations to our Volunteer of the Year, Shreeraj Patel.
“I am truly honored and deeply humbled to receive the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce. This recognition holds a special place in my heart, as the Chamber has been an integral part of my journey for many years. The Chamber, with its remarkable 150-year history, stands as a key pillar in our business community, fostering connections and growth that extend far beyond the boardroom.
Volunteering with the Chamber has not only allowed me to contribute to our vibrant business landscape but has also provided me with invaluable skills and lifelong connections. The Chamber’s leadership and team have a profound understanding of the importance of volunteers, recognizing that we are the backbone of the organization’s ongoing success. It has been an absolute privilege to be part of this legacy, working alongside a dedicated community to champion diversity, inclusion, and progress within our organizations.
I am grateful for the opportunities the Chamber has provided and for the unwavering support from all those involved. Thank you for this incredible honor—I look forward to continuing our work together, building a stronger, more inclusive future for Winnipeg.”
Philip M. Sheps Award
Formerly known as Distinguished Long-Term Service Award
Dave Angus | Johnston Group Inc.
Before Dave stepped into his role as President of Johnston Group, he served as The Chamber’s President and CEO for 17 years. But his dedication to The Chamber and our community began even before that.
In the early 90s Dave was running a small family business. Like any small business, he was looking to grow his network, skillset and operations – while facing pushback from the City on the latter. So, Dave called then Chamber CEO Shelly Morris, and eventually, joined The Chamber’s Small Business Task Force where he met a man named Philip M. Sheps. This, Dave says, was the first time he felt the people around him really understood what it’s like to run a small business. The challenges he faced, the goals he held, and the support he needed.
If you ask him, Dave will tell you some of his favourite moments with The Chamber were working with Phil. The two would meet every Wednesday for an hour meeting that started at 9 a.m. and ran well into lunchtime. They were a veritable fountain of creative ideas and initiatives, so much so, that many never saw the light of day. But when they did, they blossomed into programs like YES! Winnipeg, which came to be a model of business attraction and retention across Canada, that still thrives today.
At the heart of Dave’s longstanding initiatives, partnerships and willingness to lead, is the longstanding desire to do good for his community. He says one of the greatest gifts The Chamber ever gave him was his interaction with fellow volunteers. But after 30+ years of outstanding service, we’re the ones who are grateful.
Thank you, and congratulations to our Philip M. Sheps Award Recipient, Dave Angus.
“It is with deep gratitude that I accept this recognition as I have great respect and appreciation for the work of The Chamber and the impact its volunteers have had on our community. To be the first recipient of the Philip M. Sheps award brings an even greater appreciation. I have tremendous respect for Phil and his community-minded contribution and leadership.”
Director of the Year
Ben Lee | Stantec
Ben is the Director of Business Development at Stantec. He also makes time to coach his kids’ sports teams, direct the Winnipeg Chinese and Cultural Community Centre, and support sick children as director of the Children’s Hospital Foundation.
For Ben, it’s more than just a way to give back. It’s about making the world a better place, and to do that, he says, you must be in the right place at the right time.
His journey with The Chamber began more than two years ago, after a few “persistent” nudges from The Chamber. He accepted a seat on the board of directors, and says he immediately enjoyed working with his fellow board members, coming up with new initiatives, and challenging each other to always reach higher. But he takes real delight in creating community connections.
He recalls being at a recent gala and running into Jack Wyndham, President of Manitoba Environmental Industries Association, who was looking for a new office space for his organization. Ben leapt at the chance to suggest Jack connect with The Chamber, as we’d just moved into our new space. A few months later, The Chamber and MEIA share the halls of 200 Portage Ave, with a bright, collaborative future ahead of us, thanks to Ben.
In his own words, Ben doesn’t volunteer to win awards. He does it to teach his kids, his peers and his community, that life’s short, so let’s make sure we be kind to one another and make the planet a better place.
We think what Ben does is more than just being in the right place at the right time.
Thank you and congratulations to our Director of the Year, Ben Lee.
“I’m honoured to be considered and to be selected. But we volunteer not to win awards. I try to teach my kids to volunteer and make this world a better place because our time on this planet is, in the grand scheme of things, very short. So, let’s make sure to be kind to one another and do our best to make this a better place.”
Want to volunteer with us? Learn how and register now by hitting the link below!
