Reaching Home Community Advisory Board

Mark Fleming

Mark is a proud member of Minegoziibe Anishinabe (Pine Creek) First Nation in Manitoba, with strong Métis family roots. Based in Winnipeg with his wife and two daughters, his journey has been shaped by his upbringing in Winnipegosis, Manitoba, and studies at the University of Winnipeg. With over 25 years of experience in youth leadership, social welfare, and program development, Mark has held significant leadership roles, including 14 years as Executive Director of the North End Housing Project.

As Chair of Winnipeg’s Community Advisory Board (CAB) for Reaching Home since 2015, Mark has been a driving force in addressing homelessness. His extensive governance experience and dedication to fostering collaboration, transparency, and inclusion reflect his commitment to preventing and ending homelessness. Mark’s focus on coordinating resources and breaking down silos ensures impactful solutions for those most in need.

Al Wiebe

Al is a passionate advocate with lived experience, having spent 29 months on the streets of Winnipeg after a successful 200,000-a-year professional career. Drawing from his journey, Al has founded national and international lived experience groups and trained executives in person-centered engagement across healthcare, government, and corporate sectors. He has housed over 750 people in Toronto, Vancouver, and Winnipeg using a “lived experience-led, person-centered housing first” model that respects all cultural and spiritual needs.

As host of the advocacy radio show Of No Fixed Address for eight years, Al amplifies voices on poverty, homelessness, and human rights. He founded “Hope Alley” memorial service and is working toward purchasing the area to expand its support for the community. Al also leads initiatives like the National Anti-Poverty Fund and the upcoming 2025 Worldwide Lived Experience Symposium. His efforts have influenced healthcare policies across Canada, improved patient care, and driven systemic change. Al has been a member of the Community Advisory Board (CAB) for nine years and currently serves as its Vice Chair.

Dana Riccio Arabe

Dana Arabe is a proud Indigenous woman of mixed heritage, a dedicated mother of two, and an accomplished leader with over a decade of executive management experience in the not-for-profit sector. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, she has devoted her career and volunteer efforts to empowering Indigenous children, youth, and families in her community. Dana is deeply passionate about fostering resilience, addressing systemic inequities, and tackling the root causes of violence through a collaborative, strengths-based approach.

As the Executive Director of Blue Thunderbird Family Care Inc., Dana leads an Indigenous-led organization committed to creating safe, loving, and culturally affirming environments for children, families, and communities. Under her leadership, the organization delivers innovative, culturally relevant programs that build capacity, strengthen connections, and promote healing. Dana’s vision and dedication continue to inspire meaningful change, ensuring that Indigenous families have the support and resources they need to thrive.

Christina Maes Nino

Christina has dedicated her career to supporting, organizing, and collaborating with people living in poverty, with a particular focus on improving housing circumstances. Her experience includes case management in supportive housing for individuals who were previously homeless in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and community development work in social housing in Calgary. She later pursued policy and research, earning a Master’s in City Planning from the University of Manitoba.

As the Executive Director of the Manitoba Non-Profit Housing Association, Christina has expanded programs to support affordable housing, including the Rent Relief Fund, eviction prevention initiatives, and energy efficiency programs, while strengthening the Association’s advocacy efforts. She co-authored significant reports, such as the Winnipeg Street Health Report (2011) and Here and Now: Winnipeg Plan to End Youth Homelessness (2016), and coordinated Winnipeg’s Street Census projects in 2015 and 2018. Christina is an active member of the Winnipeg Community Advisory Board for Reaching Home and serves on the Board of Directors of the Community Housing Transformation Centre.

Karen Martin

Karen has dedicated over 24 years to serving as a Paramedic in Winnipeg, building a career rooted in compassion and a commitment to community well-being. Beginning her paramedic journey in the early 1990s in rural Manitoba communities, she has brought her expertise and dedication to her current role within the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service.

As the District Chief of Paramedic Operations, Karen oversees the growing Community Paramedicine Program, working to address the complex health needs of Winnipeg’s most vulnerable populations. Through fostering partnerships with healthcare providers, social services, and community organizations, Karen and her team bridge gaps in care, ensuring equitable access to medical support and improving health outcomes for those facing systemic barriers.

Shana Menkis

Shana is the Executive Director of the Quality and Citizen Experience (QCE) Branch with Manitoba Health, Seniors, and Long-Term Care (MHSLTC). In this role, she and her team focus on health system quality, encompassing patient safety, people-centered care, patient and public engagement, and patient experience. Shana previously worked in MHSLTC Infrastructure, overseeing the health system’s capital program, and has extensive experience leading operations in government service delivery and the social service sector. She holds a Master’s in Business Administration, with expertise in resource management and leadership development.

Certified in psychological safety in the workplace, Shana trains non-profit professionals on creating safe and respectful work environments. Beyond her professional roles, she serves on the boards of Shelter Movers and the Manitoba Centennial Centre Corporation.

Dawn Cumming

Dawn Cumming is a dedicated community advocate based in Winnipeg, with extensive experience in social services, community engagement, and program development. Her work spans multiple sectors, including addictions, mental health, early learning and child care, disability support, newcomer services, homelessness, and housing security. With a strong commitment to fostering inclusive and supportive environments, Dawn brings a broad perspective and deep expertise to her community work.

As the Director of Community Services at Mount Carmel Clinic, Dawn provides strategic leadership to programs that promote health, wellness, and equity. Known for her collaborative approach, she works to strengthen community connections and drive meaningful change.

Paula Thomas

Paula is a dedicated advocate and lived expert whose journey from homelessness to healthcare has shaped her deep commitment to social change. A proud woman of color, she spent nearly 30 years experiencing homelessness before entering the sex trade as a young adult. Determined to break the cycle, she overcame addiction, pursued her education, and has now worked as a nurse for over three decades. Her lived experience gives her an intimate understanding of the systemic barriers that marginalized communities face, particularly those struggling with housing insecurity and access to essential services.

Passionate about using her voice to uplift others, Paula now advocates for people experiencing homelessness, ensuring that policies and programs reflect the realities of those they aim to serve. Her expertise bridges the gap between lived experience and professional practice, bringing invaluable insight into trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and housing-first approaches.

Brenda Mazur

Brenda is a seasoned leader with a deep commitment to community development and Indigenous advocacy. Retiring from the Government of Canada in 2016, she brought decades of experience in strategic planning, partnership building, and policy implementation. As a Development Officer for Indigenous Services Canada, she played a pivotal role in advancing urban Indigenous initiatives, working alongside community steering committees to shape priorities, allocate strategic investments, and foster collaboration between Indigenous-led organizations, government stakeholders, and community partners. Her expertise in grants and contributions funding has directly contributed to improving socio-economic outcomes for Indigenous communities.

Recognized for her leadership and impact, Brenda received the Deputy Minister’s Recognition Award for Leadership Excellence in 2014 and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 for her dedication to partnership-driven investments. Now, as a member of Winnipeg’s Community Advisory Board for Reaching Home, she brings her wealth of experience to tackling homelessness. With a strong background in community engagement, funding allocation, and policy development, Brenda is committed to fostering sustainable solutions that create lasting change for vulnerable populations in Winnipeg.

Stefanie Einfeld

Stefanie is a proud Métis woman living in Winnipeg with her family and has been dedicated to the non-profit community housing sector for nearly a decade. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and has pursued additional education in trauma-informed leadership and Indigenous community engagement. Beginning her career at Manitoba’s largest housing co-operative, she quickly became passionate about sustainable, affordable housing. She further expanded her expertise through national housing conferences, educational events, and a certification in Property Management.

Her experience includes working in the Sustainable Affordable Housing program at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, where she gained a national perspective on housing development and funding. Currently, Stefanie is the Manager of the Regional Energy Coach Program at the Community Housing Transformation Centre, where she previously led the Indigenous Internship Program, supporting Indigenous youth in learning about community housing.