5 minute read
Post Contributed by Georgia Dalke, Team Lead, Chamber Engagement, Johnston Group
Leadership Winnipeg Class of 2024-2025
The most recent Leadership Winnipeg session was held at the downtown YMCA, where seven leaders from six organizations came to speak to our group about their work, the current state of downtown Winnipeg, and their vision for its future. Here are some of the insights I took away from these leaders and what they mean for our downtown.
Kevin Hunter – VP, Philanthropy, Engagement and Impact, YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg
YMCA Winnipeg isn’t just a gym, it’s a community organization and an important hub for the downtown community. Kevin Hunter talked about YMCA Winnipeg’s recently launched Heart of the City capital campaign, a $15 million campaign in support of the downtown YMCA’s renovation.
Jino Distasio – Dean, Science and Kinesiology, University of Winnipeg
Jino Distasio spoke about how no other city in Canada has seen the focused, concerted effort to fix downtown over the last 50 years. Now, one of the biggest obstacles is changing the mindset of the average Winnipegger that downtown is “ok” because no amount of investment will save a downtown that’s devoid of people.
David Pensato – Executive Director, the Exchange District BIZ
David Pensato from the Exchange District BIZ talked about where business improvement zones (BIZs) fit in the downtown ecosystem and the history of BIZs in Winnipeg. BIZs go above and beyond what the city is mandated to do. This can mean adding flowerpots to sidewalks, running promotional events for the neighbourhood, or advocating for heritage designations.
Jackie Hunt – Senior Director, Strategy and Impact, End Homelessness Winnipeg
Jackie Hunt shared about End Homelessness Winnipeg and its work which includes providing person-centred supports, housing supply, shared measurements, and housing prevention. The organization uses a “housing first” philosophy that focuses on moving people rapidly from homelessness into housing and then providing wrap-around services to ease the transition and provide ongoing support.
Dorian Morphy & Jim Ludlow – True North Sports + Entertainment
Two executives from True North Sports + Entertainment (TNSE) spoke about the major downtown developments TNSE has undertaken since 2004: Canada Life Centre (originally MTS Centre), True North Square, The Sutton Place Hotel, Wawanesa’s national headquarters, and now the redevelopment of Portage Place.
Greg Burnett, Executive Director, Downtown Community Safety Partnership (DCSP)
To close out the session, Greg Burnett from the Downtown Community Safety Partnership (DCSP) shared about the impact his teams have had on downtown Winnipeg since the organization’s inception in 2020.
Their work has mitigated approximately $2.7 million in emergency services costs between May and October 2024, representing an estimated 733% ROI. But Greg stressed that the lives they’ve saved – through administering Naloxone, conducting wellness checks, and many more situations – are the most important return on investment.
Downtown Winnipeg is in Good Hands
As someone who used to live, go to school, and work in downtown Winnipeg, this session was incredibly meaningful to me. Downtown Winnipeg is in good hands between the leaders we heard from in the session and the other 800,000+ Winnipeggers that care so deeply about the health of their city.
Thank you to our sponsors for making the Leadership Winnipeg program possible.
Vision Partners: Canada Life, Johnston Group, The Winnipeg Foundation
Proud Partner: Assiniboine Credit Union
Proud Supporters: Boston Pizza, Change Innovators Inc., Honest Agency, University of Winnipeg
