Contributors

Alexandria De Zorzi is a Digital Marketing Specialist at Assiniboine Credit Union.

Adam C. Richard, is a Wealth Adviser with Aviso Wealth at ACU Wealth Management. His goal is to build enduring relationships by helping client establish achievable lifetime goals and then tailoring investment and retirement income plans to meet their specific needs. Contact: Assiniboine Financial Group 200-900 Harrow Street East 204.258.3382 arichard@assiniboine.mb.ca

Brent is a Branch Manager at Assiniboine Credit Union. He spends his days serving local residents and buasinesses in his home community – a community abandoned long-ago by all traditional financial institutions.

Bill Dinsdale is a Senior Community Account Manager at ACU. Bill's role in the ACU Community Financial Centre (CFC) is to assist non-profits, co-operatives, and social enterprises through financing and account management, specializing in non-profit housing.

Brendan is Assiniboine’s Strategic Partner of Values-Based Banking. As the former Manitoba Regional Director at the Canadian CED Network, member of the Social Enterprise Council of Canada, former board member at LITE and former member of ACU’s Board of Directors, Brendan is a passionate educator and organizer dedicated to creating inclusive, fairer, and more sustainable economies and communities.

Cheryl is a retiree. She was formerly a Senior Financial Advisor at ACU and was located at the School Road Branch who specialized in Socially Responsible Investing.

Christine Wong has been covering business and technology since 1995, when Mark Zuckerberg was in sixth grade. A former associate producer at Business News Network and Slice TV, Wong freelances while chasing after the biggest story of her life — Ben, who is 10.

Dennis is Assiniboine Credit Union’s Manager of Environmental Sustainability. He helps employees and members to reduce ACU’s environmental footprint.

Gabrielle Courteau, is the Manager, Communications & Community Relations at Assiniboine Credit Union.

Former Community Account Manager with ACU's Community Financial Centre, Heather Sadowy managed a diverse portfolio of small business and non-profit members in a variety of industries.

The Indigenous Leadership Circle (ILC) was created by a group of employees who are passionate about promoting Reconciliation in our communities and our credit union. We encourage employee engagement and education by organizing cultural events and experiences, promoting Indigenous achievements, and promoting and offering learning opportunities here at ACU.

A technical copywriter based in Toronto, Canada. After working with many brilliant, hard-working marketers and tech professionals as a technical copywriter, I know what makes great B2B tech copy. I’ve spent 20+ years writing copy and helpful content for B2B technology & SaaS companies looking to make their copy less “tech-y.”

James Burns is a freelance writer and copywriter. With a background in journalism, financial services and marketing, he writes for a wide range of companies across the financial services spectrum. His articles and blogs provide financial advice and insights to both consumers and businesses.

Jason is a Winnipeg-based journalist and photographer who has been published across Canadian media.

Jacob Marks is a writer and communications professional based in Winnipeg, MB. Experienced with diverse clients and across sectors, he specializes in issues management, brand management and telling compelling stories no matter the medium.

I’m Joshua Henson, Insurance Specialist, with Aviso Insurance, and Wealth Advisor with Aviso Wealth. I offer life, accident and sickness insurance. I’ve been in the financial services industry since 2003 with TD Canada Trust, Niverville Credit Union, Entegra Credit Union, Castle Mortgage Group, Canadian Western Bank, RBC Royal Bank, and now Aviso Financial Group as an insurance specialist and wealth advisor. I bring a depth of knowledge most advisors don’t have. My process is rooted in financial planning fundamentals. I love that ACU is a progressive, socially responsible cooperative. It is important to me that ACU helps a variety of different people and gives back to the community through various programs. I know that ACU cares about the environment and is looking for better ways to do things. Outside of work, I am a former Canadian Chess Champion, I’m a photography enthusiast, I’m married with three children, I love coffee and I’m a total foodie!

Jeffrey is a former Community Account Manager with ACU's Community Financial Centre.

With almost 20 years experience at ACU, Kat Attwell has been helping members realize their financial potential through investments, financing and loans. Now as Corporate Risk Officer, she works with ACU branches to educate staff on fraud prevention while also handling fraud inquiries to help protect members and the credit union. Outside of the office, Kat enjoys playing soccer and has been known to have a green thumb — making the most of her Manitoba garden.

Kelly Melchor’s professional life has been happily spent in the insurance industry. After graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons.) degree in Finance and Marketing, she started her career with one of Canada’s largest insurance companies. Over the years she gathered experience across a multitude of different product lines in various sales, strategy, and leadership roles working with large organizations in the insurance and financial services sector, and garnered enhanced skills and knowledge upon the completion of her Master’s of Business Administration degree majoring in Innovation Leadership. She found her home at Winnipeg Insurance Brokers Ltd. in 2018 as Executive Director. Outside of work Kelly enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, and loves to travel, read, and attend entertainment and sporting events.

Kyle Prevost is the high school business teacher that you wish that you'd had. When not engaging young minds, you can find Kyle writing and speaking about personal finance, or trying to recapture past glories in a boxing ring.

Kevin took over the helm as Assiniboine’s President and CEO in 2014. With a decade of experience in the credit union system, Kevin is passionate about co-ops and committed to the values and principles of the co-operative community.

Lorie-Anne is the Sponsorship Coordinator at Assiniboine Credit Union. She works with professionals in the community and at ACU to tell stories that will inspire and educate.

Lisa, a Brand & Campaign Specialist at ACU, is an accomplished Graphic Designer and Fine Artist. She is also an Indigenous Leadership Circle Member at ACU, an employee-led group of employees passionate about Reconciliation. Her career at ACU spans nearly two decades and has been a creative industry professional for nearly three decades. When she isn't pursuing her creative passions, she is busy enjoying the great outdoors and the company of family and friends (human and furry).

Matt is a Winnipeg-based marketer and investor who covers the Canadian financial services industry.

Mark has been developing digital blog communities for 10+ years that connect business and tech pros with their inspirational stories. He developed a North American best practice for creating positive experiences on social media networks and spends as much time learning about entrepreneur success stories as he does producing content for others to enjoy. Mark is also a commercial photographer focusing on product and location images. His work can be seen at Wonderlab Photo

MC (Maria Cristina) Laureano is ACU's Community Relations Specialist. She oversees ACU's grants and sponsorships program and, as her title implies, she is out in the community engaging with partners to strengthen ACU's community involvement initiatives. Along with her community work at ACU, MC is an avid volunteer and is part of numerous boards and committees — community is definitely one of her passions!

Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair is Anishinaabe (St. Peter’s/Little Peguis) and an Associate Professor at the University of Manitoba. He is an award-winning writer, editor and activist who was named one of Monocle Magazine‘s “Canada’s Top 20 Most Influential People” and he won the 2018 Canadian columnist of the year at the National Newspaper Awards for his bi-weekly columns in The Winnipeg Free Press. In 2019 he won Peace Educator of the Year from the Peace and Justice Studies Association based at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. He is an international media commentator as a part of the "Power Panel" on CBC's Power & Politics and National Affairs panel on CBC's The Current. He is also a former secondary school teacher who has trained educators and students across Canada.

Ryan Fontaine is the Senior Investment Advisor with Aviso Wealth, and an Insurance Specialist with Aviso Insurance. Ryan has over 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry as a Financial Advisor. Specializing in the development of customized income planning strategies that help ACU members maintain their lifestyle into their retirement years.

Rubain Manzoor is a data-driven freelance content strategist. She's on a mission to make boring business blogs and websites interesting, and focuses on an inbound approach to strategy and writing. When she's not working, she's binge-watching her favourite show or discovering new eats for her upcoming food blog.

Robert Rusak is a Wealth Advisor with Aviso Wealth at ACU Wealth Management. Robert not only delivers solid advice to help his clients reach their goals, he also gives them the peace of mind that comes with knowing someone is watching their investments, making sure they are staying on track.

Sean Cooper is the bestselling author of the book, Burn Your Mortgage. He bought his first house when he was only 27 in Toronto and paid off his mortgage in just 3 years by age 30. An in-demand Personal Finance Journalist, Money Coach and Speaker, his articles and blogs have been featured in publications such as the Toronto Star, Globe and Mail, Financial Post and MoneySense. Connect with Sean on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Stephanie Thiessen is the Manager, Communications & Community Relations at Assiniboine Credit Union.

A journalist by trade and an adventurer at heart, Shel is always collecting stories, whether on assignment or not. She loves to explore the unexpected places that are filled with surprising discoveries. Her clothes are seldom clean and her hair is never brushed but her head is full of ideas to share. She lives on a farm in rural Manitoba with chickens, ducks, bees, a dog named Sammy and assorted humans.

Vawn Himmelsbach is a freelance writer and editor. She has covered technology and travel for 15 years, for media outlets such as CBCNews.ca, The Globe & Mail, Metro News, ITBusiness, PCworld Canada and Computerworld Canada. She also spent three years living abroad and working as an Asian correspondent.