The puck stops with Trevor Buhnai as the newly appointed CEO of Hockey Manitoba – and he couldn’t be any happier.

“Hockey’s been part of my life since I was four years old,” said Buhnai, who graduated from RRC Polytech’s Creative Communications (CreComm) program in 1990 and Business Administration program in 1994.

“Being able to combine a lifelong passion with what I believe is a skillset the organization was looking for…it’s not trite to say this is my dream job.”

Buhnai quickly took to goaltending as a kid. He’s played the position at various amateur levels, including Senior AAA Men’s, ever since. These days he’s suiting up in the Southdale Oldtimers Hockey League, still playing 48 games a year.

He takes the helm of Hockey Manitoba with more than twenty years of leadership experience spanning sport administration, hospitality, telecommunications, gaming and entertainment, corporate operations, and community organizations.

A big goal for Buhnai, along with the 9-member board and 10-member staff at Hockey Manitoba, is to help more people feel a sense of belonging within hockey community.

“One of the most exciting areas of growth in Manitoba right now is women’s and girls’ hockey. We’re seeing steady increases in registration, stronger development pathways, and more young players staying in the game longer. That tells us the environment is improving — and it reinforces how important it is to keep investing in opportunity, visibility, and leadership at every level.”

“As broad as hockey is, we want more people to feel there’s a place for them,” said Buhnai. “That includes para hockey for individuals with disabilities, newcomers to Canada who may be interested in playing but don’t know how to access the system, and anyone who wants to explore the game but isn’t sure where to start.”

“And that really excites me, because I came through the traditional hockey system,” he said. “That perspective motivates me to help broaden the game and create meaningful change.”

A Regina native, Buhnai had already spent three years studying at university when he arrived in Winnipeg and entered CreComm at age 21.

“I was the right age to really understand the opportunity in front of me in terms of developing a specific skillset, honing those skills, and bettering them over time.”

Buhnai chose the program’s advertising stream. A term position with Manitoba Telecom Services (now Bell MTS) followed graduation.

Opportunity knocked when his creative work in CreComm’s second-year annual student competition led to both Buhnai and his graphic design partner joining Palmer Jarvis, then an independent ad agency with offices across western Canada.

“Our client for the competition was The Keg restaurants. That was cool. It’s cooler to look back on it now. At the time, I was just looking for work and Palmer Jarvis hired us.”

While he enjoyed being on the creative side of the advertising business with Palmer Jarvis, he found himself drawn to working directly with clients in account-manager types of roles.

Coupled with his pursuit of a Business Administration education through night courses at RRC Polytech, this shift in career focus led to marketing roles with some of Manitoba’s top companies, including Bell MTS, IG Wealth Management, Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, and Canad Inns.

“In every organization I’ve worked with, whether it was consumer-facing or manufacturing, there are common problems and common solutions. You always have some type of customer; you’re always trying to fill some type of need for those customers.”

In 2021, Buhnai went back to Saskatchewan to become Chief Operating Officer of the Regina Pats. A return to Winnipeg a couple of years later reaffirmed that the Manitoba capital is home.

“I’m the biggest supporter of Winnipeg. Leaving the city again will only be for vacations and business. And I’ll do everything I can to help the business community grow in this city as well.”

The Winnipeg pride includes his affinity for RRC Polytech. He’s been back in the CreComm classroom more than once to share his insights as an industry professional. He recognizes the program as a pipeline for creative talent and appreciates the community that forms among classmates and fellow program graduates.

“My foundational skill is communication. And that comes through when writing a business plan, doing an interview, or doing public relations or branding work. How do you develop an organization’s story? For me it all started at Red River.”

Articulating Hockey Manitoba’s story means developing a strong team and capacity within the organization. After all, it’s a story that involves more than 23,000 registered participants, along with officials, coaches, volunteers, families, and corporate partners that, together, number more than 10,000 strong.

“It’s important to stay connected to the broader hockey community. That can mean travelling to meetings, attending events, or engaging directly with partners, volunteers, and families. Those conversations ground the work and remind me that behind every decision are people who care deeply about the sport.”

“It’s exciting to be involved at a time when Hockey Manitoba has a real opportunity to evolve, strengthen trust, and ensure hockey stays accessible, welcoming, and sustainable for the next generation.”

Profile by Randy Matthes (Creative Communications, 1993).

Kirsty Muller didn’t want to do her mental health and psychiatry clinical rotation as a nursing student. With lived experience of mental illness and addiction in her family, she initially believed a career in that space would be too close to home.

But within days of stepping onto the unit, that concern became clarity.

“I knew that’s where I was meant to be,” said Muller. “So I did my senior practicum there at Health Sciences Centre, and that’s where I started my career after graduation.”

Muller graduated in 2014 from the Joint Baccalaureate Nursing Program, a collaboration between RRC Polytech and the University of Manitoba that has since been phased out as RRC Polytech transitioned to its current Bachelor of Nursing degree. That moment shaped the rest of her career, and it happened because of her self-advocacy and the support she found at RRC Polytech.

Muller was in her 30s when she decided to leave her career in insurance and follow in her mother’s footsteps to become a registered nurse through RRC Polytech. She said she was nervous to return to school after being out of the classroom for so long, and knew she needed a refresher in subjects like math and science. As a mature student, she was looking for a program that would help her succeed and provide additional support.

At the same time, Muller said she didn’t know much about her cultural history, and she wanted an opportunity to explore that part of her identity.

That led her to RRC Polytech’s ACCESS program for nursing (now called Pathway to Health Programs), a year-long pathway designed to help Indigenous Manitobans build the academic skills and supports needed to transition into post-secondary programs at RRC Polytech.

“It had an Indigenous focus, and we had access to our elders in residence. So that was a big draw for me,” said Muller. “Elder Mae Louise Campbell would do teachings with us…it gave me an opportunity to learn about our cultural traditions and practices.”

Once she started RRC Polytech’s Bachelor of Nursing (BN) degree program, Muller said she “really relied on” the staff and resources available in the Indigenous Student Centre.

“Once you were in the ACCESS program, you were kind of attached to it for the remainder of your time at RRC Polytech,” said Muller. “We could go [to the Indigenous Student Centre] for lunch, tutoring, or help with financial issues…It was like an extra place you could go that other nursing students didn’t have access to.”

That support became especially critical during her first year of nursing school. Muller was balancing anxiety, a major personal transition, and parenting twin toddlers. Rather than carrying it alone, she voiced her struggles and sought support.

“I found a lot of strength, solace, and encouragement through the Indigenous Student Centre…I would go and see Elder Mae Louise Campbell before I had exams to do a prayer and a smudge,” said Muller. “They were really an outlet for me.”

Muller said her instructors encouraged her to take the time she needed. She also accessed accommodations through Student Accessibility Services.

“I don’t think I would have made it through nursing school or got my degree if it wasn’t for all of those people who had my back,” said Muller.

That support didn’t replace the demands of the program, but it did help Muller meet them. By the time she entered the workforce, Muller said she felt “very prepared.”

“We did our clinicals in our first year…and once we got into the hospitals, nurses were always happy to hear that we were RRC Polytech nursing students because they knew it meant we had a lot of practical experience.”

Muller now works as the Addiction Services Program Manager for Four Arrows Regional Health Authority, delivering trauma-informed, culturally-grounded care to urban members and Northern Indigenous communities.

She said the most rewarding part of her work is seeing the difference that can be made not just in one person, but in a community as a whole.

“The job is tough…but ultimately, it is absolutely rewarding. And when you find an area and an expertise or a special area that you want to work in, it makes it all worth it.”

Muller is also a powerful advocate, and in 2025, she represented Canada as the Indigenous Delegate to the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs, where she brought Indigenous voices into global conversations on health and drug policy.

“Our elders and our relatives talk about how it takes seven generations to make a change. But we’ve already been able to do that in helping communities like this. So I would love to see nurses like myself and nurses that I work with providing care like this in every community, not just in Manitoba, but in Canada,” said Muller.

That commitment to community also extends to the next generation of nurses. Muller said that giving back to students and future nurses is extremely important to her. In her current role, she routinely gives talks to students, sharing her experiences and knowledge specifically as an Indigenous nurse serving Manitoba’s Indigenous population, communities, and relatives.

She spoke to RRC Polytech’s newest class of nursing graduates at a convocation ceremony last June, leaving them with the following words of inspiration: ”Show up as yourself. Your authenticity is your power. Be an advocate – for your patients, your communities, and also for yourself. Advocate for the roles you want and the seat you deserve. Take up space because you’ve earned it. And when you get there, open the door for someone else to follow.”

Profile by Raegan Hedley (Creative Communications, 2016).

RRC Polytech officially unveiled its new Indigenous visual identity at Fall Convocation on November 18 – a project grounded in the institution’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, Indigenous student success, and shared values of respect, inclusion, and belonging. 

“Celebrating our latest cohort of graduates is always an exciting, profound occasion,” said Fred Meier, RRC Polytech’s President and CEO.

He shared that the fall ceremonies carried extra significance, as Indigenous graduates crossed the stage wearing new stoles that honour tradition while embracing progress and change.

The stoles and new visual identity are the result of extensive conversations with Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, staff, Knowledge Keepers, Elders, community partners, and hundreds of alumni, led by a steering committee made up of RRC Polytech staff and valued partners. 

“The design on these stoles is rooted in sacredness, seasonality, and interconnectedness, honouring the distinct identities of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples while weaving together themes of land, language, and story into a living expression of who we are,” said Carla Kematch, steering committee member and RRC Polytech’s Director of Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement.

“The visual identity reflects teachings learned through engagement sessions and a survey that was shared among our community, ensuring that the design is a true reflection of an identity that belongs to all of us.” 

New Educational Assistant grad credits positive practicum experience for confirming career path

“I think it’s beautiful,” said Elizabeth Henderson. “I feel empowered.”

Henderson graduated from the Educational Assistant Certificate Program with honours. She credits her practicum at Isaac Brock School — which has an Ojibwe bilingual program —­­ for confirming she was on the right career path.

“I plan on furthering my education to become a Anishinaabemowin teacher because I did so well in my practicum that people thought I was a teacher.”

“An opportunity just opened up back home in Ontario, so it’s just aligning with my life perfectly right now,” she said. “I think that’s my next step, revitalizing the language.”

While she was a student, Henderson sat on the Indigenous Student Panel and had the chance to speak to teachers about how they can better support Indigenous students. Wearing the new stole at graduation felt like a full-circle moment.

When asked what graduating meant to her, Henderson shared how proud was.

“Coming to RRC Polytech, I felt like I was able to succeed really well, especially thanks to the Indigenous Student Services Centre. That was my place to go and have some peace and quiet, practice my culture and smudging, and just have a home.”

Henderson drove from her hometown in Ontario to Winnipeg to attend convocation, her brother in tow. And though the ceremony was a meaningful event, she shared excitement about returning home.

“Taking this stole back home, the little kids can see that they can leave their home and then come back with education,” Henderson said. “It’s inspiring.”

You can learn more about RRC Polytech’s new Indigenous visual identity and Indigenous student supports on our website.

For Melanie Forbes, connection isn’t just a word, it’s the foundation of a career at St.Amant that’s spanned 20 years and impacted many lives.

As Manager of Corporate Education, Forbes supports employees and volunteers through their education and onboarding. She has plenty of lived experience here to share, as she’s continued to advance her education at every step of her career ladder.

“I think we’re never done learning,” she said. “It’s important to me to challenge myself and to continue on in my learning and my career.”

A beloved organization in Manitoba, St.Amant is dedicated to supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and autism to live full lives, rooted in dignity and choice. With a team of more than 2000 staff and hundreds of volunteers, the nonprofit offers residential, clinical, educational, and outreach services, always emphasizing person-centred care and inclusion.

Forbes’s career with St. Amant began in 2005, when she started as a direct support professional in the Community Residential Program, a service that empowers adults with intellectual disabilities to live their lives in their own homes in the community.

“We support them to do the things that everybody does in life – go hang out with friends, participate in clubs, see their family, go to church – all that good stuff.”

As an Honours Graduate from RRC Polytech’s Health Care Aide certificate program, Forbes initially considered a career in nursing. However, a few years into her time at St.Amant, she realized that her passion was more in community-focused work. Transitioning to a supervisory Team Leader role, her passion and compass started to align.

“That’s when I started my diploma in Disability and Community Support,” said Forbes. Enrolling in RRC Polytech’s two-year program, she finished the first year, took a break to start her family, and then returned years later to finish off the second year, graduating in 2019.

“It was important to me to challenge myself in my learning and career,” she said. Even now, Forbes is studying at the University of Winnipeg, pursuing a degree in Disability Studies. “At RRC Polytech, I wanted to finish what I had started, and I knew it was a program that my organization valued.”

One standout memory from the program was a media course on disability representation.

“We did an arts project as part of that course, and that was just really fun for me — something that sort of combined my academic interests with my personal hobbies, being sort of crafty,” she recalled.

Beyond technical knowledge, the program found her collaborating with a fascinating, diverse group of students.

“It’s not a lecture style at all. It’s all about learning from one another and sharing experiences,” she said. “You do get some folks that are 35 or 40 or are ready for that next step in their career. It’s a cool learning environment.”

That spirit of connection was carried back to St.Amant, with Forbes bringing her new expertise into roles in corporate education, first as a Training and Development Facilitator and later in her current role.

“I’m still facilitating training – orientation and values-based initiatives like mindfulness, plain language, and training around the Adults Living with an Intellectual Disability Act – but now I’m more so directing the work that happens within our department and supporting the team.”

It’s also led to a leadership role with the Beyond Limits conference, an annual highlight for Forbes, who sits as co-chair and is responsible for pulling together a day of meaningful learning experiences and professional networking for people working within the disability sector.

 “Beyond Limits is a conference for folks supporting people with disabilities or for people with lived experience of disability, as well as others interested in learning about accessibility and inclusion” she said. “It’s a place to learn about research in the field, best practices, and to have opportunities for networking and connecting.”

Regular attendees include different clinical professionals like occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and speech and language pathologists, leaders within disability organizations, family members, self-advocates, and professionals working in education.

“We also have some people with lived experience of disability that attend, which is really amazing,” she shared. “We strive to include the voice of people with lived experience in our speaker lineup and presentations. That’s so important to us.”

For Forbes, it’s also a chance to reconnect with her RRC Polytech roots.

“I still regularly connect with a lot of the instructors through my involvement with Beyond Limits or through practicum opportunities as we continue to partner with the College.”

Today, many graduates of the Disability and Community Support program work alongside Forbes at St.Amant – often as coordinators within community programs. Practicum students also frequently gain hands-on experience through placements arranged with the organization.

 “When we’re at events like Beyond Limits or talking to the coordinators and the instructors from that program, there’s this sense of community and ‘oh, look at where everybody is now!’ Seeing the different paths that everybody takes, it’s awesome to see that projection.”

For students entering the field, Forbes’s advice is simple: be open and soak it all in.

“Take advantage of that learning opportunity. Enjoy the practicum components where you get to try out different workplace settings and figure out what feels most meaningful for you within this work of supporting people with disabilities,” she said. “It’s a really rewarding career because you get back a lot of great feelings from helping people accomplish their dreams.”

Helping others achieve their goals and advance in this space, similar to what she’s done over 20 years, is what has kept Forbes passionate about her work at St.Amant.

“At the end of the day, no matter what role you’re in, you’re contributing to making life better for people. You’re helping them achieve their dreams and do the things they want to do, and live full and meaningful lives. It feels great to be able to work hard and have an impact on people’s lives.”

Nominated by St.Amant, Forbes was one of 41 incredible graduates featured in the College’s Polytechnic Proud campaign.

Profile by John Gaudes (Creative Communications, 2012).

What a difference one open door makes.

Alana Odegard was an expatriate Canadian in Iceland with a husband and a young daughter when she found her vocational calling.

“I had arrived in Iceland as a University of Manitoba student planning to do a couple of credits and instead of a couple of months, I’d ended up staying seven years,” said Odegard, Director of Chamber Relations with Winnipeg-based insurer Johnston Group.

“I was teaching English. And I came to realize I really wanted to help people find their message and communicate it. A friend – also an expat – said to me ‘that’s a thing.’.”

That was in 2010.

Odegard looked up RRC Polytech’s 2-year Creative Communications (CreComm) program. It sounded too good to be true.

She moved back to Canada in June 2011. Though intake was closed for the upcoming academic year, she went down to the College’s Exchange District Campus on her dad’s recommendation.

“I really wanted to start my path. The person at reception said ‘okay, go up to the (Creative Arts) Chair’s office, you never know.’ I went up there – locked door. I turn to leave, and the door opens. Out comes (then Chair) Larry Partap. I gave him my pitch,” she said.

“I was so excited at the prospect of starting the program that I had already looked up and finished the entrance requirements — like the photo essay —even though I knew it would be another year before I could submit them.”

Partap listened and asked for Odegard’s submissions, which she was ready to hand in the next day.

Two months later – and one year earlier than she anticipated – Odegard was starting CreComm.

She went into the program with her eye on the journalism stream.

“In Iceland, I wrote more than 150 weekly columns for an online magazine about daily life from an expat’s point of view. I thought I might become a journalist.”

She got a taste of journalism in CreComm, serving as an editor for RRC Polytech’s news publication, The Projector, and also having the opportunity to write for the Winnipeg Free Press.

But now a single mom with a young child, the prospect of dashing off to report breaking news held little appeal.

Instead, she found her values and interests aligned with CreComm’s Public Relations specialization. Odegard credits (then) instructor Melanie Lee Lockhart for the insight. (Lockhart is now chair of the Creative Communications and Communication Management programs at RRC Polytech).

“I have a strong sense of social justice, and [Melanie’s] teaching helped me re-orient it toward public relations. She instilled the ethics of the practice.”

Another door opened when Odegard went to the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce on a second-year work placement. The organization serves to lead, connect, and grow Winnipeg’s business community – through public-policy advocacy, business supports, and community building.

“Melanie fit me there. She knew what I was looking for. It was a non-profit with a connection to community and to small business. It was impactful work and it felt immediate.”

The Chamber hired Odegard before her placement was over. She’d stay for seven years, taking on roles that provided her with experience in communications, policy, strategy, and executive leadership.

“CreComm absolutely prepared me for it. For the pace. For the ability to sit in different types of meetings with different types of stakeholders, to take a holistic view of a situation, and then develop an actionable plan.”

In 2020, Odegard took her Winnipeg Chamber experience to Johnston Group, where she now helps the business members of some 700+ chambers of commerce across Canada with their group-insurance needs.

A big goal for Johnston Group in working with the chambers has been to make business less transactional with a greater focus on trust, mutual respect, and long-term relationships.

In developing an online platform to empower the chambers as group-insurance plan members, a communications lens was essential, Odegard said.

“The emphasis was on UX (user experience), which brings it back to the heart of public relations: you need to wear the hat of whoever you’re serving. We built a platform that I would’ve wanted when I worked at the Winnipeg Chamber.”

It’s the kind of big project Odegard likes.

“I love big problems, the more complicated the better. I like to look for patterns to help untangle some of the complexity.”

Leading a seven-member team (including two fellow CreComm grads), she values a well-crafted message that resonates for its audience.

“It’s gratifying to hear, ‘I can tell someone who knows chambers delivered this.’.”

A 2013 graduate, Odegard looks back fondly on her CreComm days. She also appreciates belonging to the extensive community of CreComm grads in the workforce.

And as chair of CreComm’s program advisory council, she helps ensure the current curriculum continues preparing graduates to meet the needs of industry.

“I believe so highly in the program. The instructors really want to see their students succeed. The standards are high, so you’re ready for industry. You can really lean into it. And if you do, you’re set.”

Last June, Odegard delivered the alumni address at RRC Polytech’s Spring Convocation. In the audience was her daughter, no longer a toddler at age 14.

“It was kind of a full circle. I used to bring her along to my school projects in my CreComm days. She starred in my video projects. She’s seen what happens when you find something you love.”

Back to that fateful “open door” moment at Chair Larry Partap’s office in 2011.

“There was an advertising campaign underway at the time featuring (1984 CreComm grad and broadcast journalist) Dawna Friesen. I told Larry ‘I’m going to work hard and do so well, I’m going to end up on a billboard.’.”

“Funny thing is, I’ve now been on billboards twice.”

Odegard was one of 41 outstanding graduates featured in the College’s Polytechnic Proud campaign. She was nominated by Melodie Richard, her one-time CreComm advertising instructor and now colleague at Johnston Group, where Richard serves as Marketing Director.

Profile by Randy Matthes (Creative Communications, 1993).

Update: As of May 20, 2025, Odegard has accepted a new role as Director of Customer Experience at Johnston Group.

Ninety per cent of Cypher Environmental’s employees are RRC Polytech graduates. That’s not a coincidence.

The company has built a strong connection with the College and actively seeks out grads who are ready to tackle real-world challenges—a must in the manufacturing industry.

“Red River is home for a lot of us,” said Dr. Teaghan Wellman, Executive Vice-President and Vice-President of Research and Development at Cypher.

“The College does a fantastic job of giving students the opportunity to get their feet wet—not just in a perfect situation, but what might actually take place—on a manufacturing floor or in a research project,” adds the 2016 grad, who completed a post-graduate diploma at RRC Polytech in Quality Assurance and Quality Control in the Pharmaceutical Industry.

Wellman knows this firsthand. What started as a short-term research role at Cypher turned into a decade-long career leading one of Manitoba’s most innovative environmental companies.

Today, she helps develop sustainable road solutions used in more than 60 countries—and it all began with an unexpected opportunity at RRC Polytech.

The Road to Real-world Exposure

Wellman’s path to Cypher wasn’t part of some carefully laid-out career plan. It happened because she stayed open to opportunities.

After earning a Bachelor of Science from the University of Manitoba, she wasn’t sure what was next. A master’s degree felt like the obvious choice, but she wanted something more applied to bridge the gap between theory and industry.

That’s what led her to RRC Polytech’s Post Graduate Diploma in Quality Assurance and Quality Control in the Pharmaceutical Industry.

“The program had a diverse course load,” she said. “There were different courses in not only the pharmaceutical industry but also general manufacturing and quality control.”

She describes her time at RRC Polytech as creative, hands-on, and motivating. Unlike traditional academic programs, where learning often stays theoretical, RRC Polytech provided Wellman with real-world exposure.

“We had the opportunity to go and visit local pharmaceutical companies and actually see what the industry is expecting, as opposed to just reading it out of a textbook,” she said.

That hands-on approach is what set her up for success when a professor connected her with a local research opportunity at Cypher Environmental.

“I thought, why not?” she said. “At the time, I knew the pains and the struggles of finding summer employment or even an internship, so I thought, let’s give it a go.”

That summer job as a lab assistant was a turning point for her. She was brought on to help develop a soil stabilization product, which would later become ROAD//STABILIZR®, one of Cypher’s flagship innovations.

Soon after, she helped develop another key product, DUST/BLOKR®, a non-corrosive and environmentally friendly alternative to road salts. Today, both solutions are used worldwide.

“It’s humbling to see something we worked on here in Manitoba making an impact around the world,” she said.

A Decade of Growth

When Wellman first joined Cypher, it was a small company with just a handful of employees. The team was scrappy, ambitious, and working to scale up their impact.

Over the years, she took on more responsibility, moving from a laboratory assistant to a research specialist, then to Director of Research and Development, then Vice-President, and now Executive Vice-President.

The company itself has grown, too. What started as a small Manitoba-based operation with four employees is now a leader in sustainable environmental solutions with a staff of more than 20. Cypher’s products—alternatives to traditional road stabilization and dust control solutions—are now used in over 60 countries.

“Every day is different,” she said. “As Executive Vice-President, my day involves whatever needs doing. I have a hand in quite a few different things, whether it’s production, day-to-day leadership meetings and strategy, or getting my hands dirty back in research and development, getting back into my roots and back into the lab.”

That mix of leadership and innovation is what keeps her excited about her work.

“I love the ability to be able to create solutions that have real impact on industries as well as the environment,” she said. “And all while collaborating with such an incredible team.”

Building Industry Leaders

Cypher’s commitment to hiring graduates from RRC Polytech is to recruit talent, but it’s also about giving back.

“We’ve all been in that classroom when the daunting task of finding an internship or a co-op summer opportunity is upon you, and it’s very challenging. So, having gone through that experience myself, I know that it’s very important to maintain those relationships and give back to the community.”

Cypher has hired interns from RRC Polytech across multiple disciplines, including manufacturing, engineering, business, and science. Wellman and Cypher’s CEO frequently visit RRC Polytech to speak to students, offering guidance and insights from their own career paths.

“We try to offer some words of encouragement and just let them know that if we can do it, they can do it.”Looking back at her path from student to industry leader, Wellman’s biggest advice for students is to embrace every opportunity—even the ones that feel like a detour.

“The harder things in life are often the most rewarding,” she said. “Never underestimate an opportunity, even if it doesn’t seem like it’s going to be the perfect fit. I didn’t plan for a career down this path, but it’s been extremely rewarding. Every experience, each project, internship, and challenge is preparing you for something much greater than you may know.”

She also encourages students to take initiative and build relationships while still in school.

“Education isn’t just about earning that diploma or walking across the stage at the end of your degree; it’s about equipping yourself and gaining the skills, relationships, and connections—and the confidence—to take on what comes next in your journey.”

Despite going on to earn multiple degrees—including a master’s degree in leadership and science, and a doctorate of business administration from Walden University—Wellman is still not finished.

“For me, it’s quite simple: just keep learning,” she said. “I think we need to be lifelong learners, never underestimate the power of an opportunity, and take as much out of any situation as you possibly can. Be open to learning at any stage in your life or career.”

For Wellman, this means always embracing challenges, questioning assumptions, and pushing boundaries. And that, she says, is exactly what RRC Polytech prepared her to do.

Wellman was one of 41 outstanding graduates featured in the College’s Polytechnic Proud campaign.

Profile by Riley Chervinski (Creative Communications, 2016).

“When you have to do something, don’t think, ‘I have to do this’. Look at it as an opportunity and say, ‘I get to do this.’”

This motto guides Shannon Bunn, Funding Officer at Treaty One Nations, in her work, family life, and community involvement.

A proud member of Brokenhead Ojibway Nation with family ties to Sandy Bay Ojibway Nation, Bunn has spent her career serving urban Indigenous communities and helping build self-reliance and strength for First Nations in Manitoba.

In 2012, as a young parent, Bunn planned to enroll in the Early Childhood Education program at Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech). When the program was full, an advisor recommended the Business Administration program, which then offered a flexible, three-year option for students returning to education.

“I was able to commit to my education and my family at the same time because of that program,” Bunn said.

The program’s supportive environment made a big difference. Bunn appreciated the small class sizes, hands-on learning, and inclusion of Indigenous knowledge. “There was a high rate of Indigenous students in the classroom, which made me feel more comfortable venturing into something new,” she said.

Bunn recalls a communications class with instructor Lyall Krahn as a turning point. “I remember questioning why I was in the program and what I wanted to do after,” she said. “He gave me good words of encouragement, shared his experiences working with Indigenous communities, and told me how well I was doing. That gave me the confidence to continue with the program.”

A Career in Community

The skills Bunn gained at RRC Polytech became the foundation of her career. After graduating in 2015, she brought her skills to the non-profit sector, working to support and strengthen Indigenous communities. Her desire to make a difference comes from her upbringing in Winnipeg’s North End.

“I grew up there and could relate to many of the stories of the youth and children in the area and wanted to make a positive impact on their lives,” she said.

Her first role was with Graffiti Art Programming Inc., a non-profit that offers free after-school arts programs for youth in Winnipeg’s North End and Downtown. She started as a summer student and eventually became a leader in the organization. Over eight years, she grew as a professional and developed her passion for supporting youth and the arts. Today, Bunn serves as the Board Chair and continues to advocate for young people in her community.

After her time at Graffiti Art Programming, Bunn became the Community Coordinator at Merchant’s Corner, a mixed-use space in the North End. Once a notorious hotel, the building was transformed into housing and education facilities. As the sole staff member, Bunn helped with the transitional process from the construction phase to the operation phase of this vital community hub.

These experiences prepared her for her current role at Treaty One, where she has worked since 2021. She started as a Program Assistant and is now the Funding Officer, where she takes on tasks like proposal writing, relationship building, and project coordination.

“When I first started, the organization was small, with about 10 staff. As it grew, my role evolved to meet the organization’s needs,” she explained.

Building Canada’s Largest Urban Reserve

At Treaty One, Bunn plays a key role in the development of Naawi-Oodena, Canada’s largest urban reserve. The project involves working closely with stakeholders, funders, and community members. Bunn also provides cross-functional department support between Treaty One Nations and Treaty One Development Corporation.

“One of the biggest accomplishments was conducting more than 200 community engagements in just two years,” Bunn said. These sessions were important in the process for securing reserve status.

“Our organization will serve as a model for other First Nations communities. As a Treaty One member, this is heart work for me, and I am proud to contribute to something so meaningful.”

A Legacy of Leadership

Bunn’s dedication to First Nations communities comes from her belief in the importance of independence. “Economic development is the future for our First Nations communities,” she said.

“We’re creating our own sovereignty, reducing dependencies on government funding, and building prosperity for future generations. The Business Administration program at RRC Polytech provides a great foundation for this work.”

Bunn was one of 41 outstanding graduates featured in the College’s Polytechnic Proud campaign. 

Reflecting on being recognized as a proud RRC Polytech grad in a billboard lighting up the Winnipeg skyline, Bunn shared how much it meant to her and her family.

“It was a very proud moment for me and my family. It meant a lot when I saw that my younger nieces, nephews, and cousins had shared it on social media and said, ‘That’s my auntie. That’s my cousin.’ I hope to be an inspiration and always pass on that message about how important education is for their future, just as my elders shared that message with me.”

Profile by Riley Chervinski (Creative Communications, 2016).

Katherine Westwood first joined Relish Ideas as an intern.

Little more than a decade later, they’re stepping up to big responsibilities as a principal and Director of Product Development with the Winnipeg design and digital-strategy firm.

“It happened gradually, then all at once,” quipped Westwood, a 2013 Digital Media Design honours graduate, reflecting on the still-fresh promotion. “It’s a little surreal.”

“I advanced in fits and starts. I took on tutorials and then more duties as a junior and then senior web-developer.”

Hired off their internship, Westwood knew right away Relish was the place for them.

“When I filled out my work-placement form at Red River, I said I wanted to go someplace quiet. That’s Relish; everyone is focused, using headphones. It was my dream workplace. It was where I belonged.”

“From the start, I was given my own project as an intern. I was fortunate to get coaching from (Relish principal) James Black.”

It was during their annual review two years ago that Westwood was asked what they wanted to accomplish at Relish.

“I turned it around and asked ‘What do YOU want to see from me. What is YOUR long-term goal for me?’”

So began the career-development conversation that led to Westwood assuming new roles this past August.

Westwood has worked more closely with Black during their time with the firm. Now, as a principal, Westwood is also collaborating with Suzanne Braun, who founded Relish as a one-person studio in 1998.

The firm has grown since then, expanding its business from graphic design to a broader set of digital capabilities. Relish now employs 29 people.

Westwood will aim to keep that momentum going. As Director of Product Development, they are working to commercialize technology, lead special projects, and develop unique applications for Relish clients.

Westwood grew up in Winnipeg’s North End and is a member of Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation. They only confirmed their first nations status while attending RRC Polytech. More recently, they became aware of Nigerian ancestry on their mother’s side.

Westwood brings their still-growing understanding of both cultures to their responsibilities with Relish. They’re eager to connect more with Indigenous communities on important cultural issues, including Indigenous language restoration and revitalization.

“Not only am I focused on bringing in more work and more creative projects, but also creating better outcomes by engaging with communities.”

Westwood brings an unabashed love of coding to all their projects.

“I picked up coding by accident and I fell in love with it. It’s interactive, it’s layered, and it’s never gotten old for me.”

What could be a hindrance in such a role isn’t one for Westwood.

“I’m dyslexic but I learned to deal with it. I catch it ongoing in my code. It makes me very particular, very structured. It helps that I’m blessed with a good memory.”

In their spare time, Westwood is both a voracious reader (“I’ll read anything if it’s well-written”) and a writer. They’re particularly fond of the horror genre. In addition to publishing online book reviews, they are working on their own novel in the dark-fantasy genre.

Westwood draws a parallel between literature and website design.

“I take a structural approach to plotting a story. These are the elements I want in order for the story to progress a certain way. Building a website is much the same way: we’re working with placeholder text, images, and content. It’s a framework only. Bare bones. And then suddenly it becomes this beautiful story that helps people gain access to information. Especially the way websites have become much more visual and interactive.”

Digital spaces are constantly evolving, Westwood noted, citing website security and e-commerce among areas that have become more essential since their time in Digital Media Design. Still, Westwood values the foundational training they received at RRC Polytech.

“Design principles, communications, and teamwork are a strong base. And then you have specializations. It’s such a broad spectrum.

“Alicia Ramirez was absolutely adorable – the best instructor. She taught us the basics. I reflect every day on what she taught us.”

As a digital media professional, Westwood aims to inspire those around them. They publish a blog for coders and speak to first-year Digital Media and Design students. The motivation is as personal as it is professional.

Westwood entered Digital Media Design at age 28, with formative life experiences. After graduating from Maples Collegiate, they became a support worker and a respite worker.

“This was deliberate; my parents fostered four younger kids. I was doing this in accordance with providing them further care – getting them into the community, taking them to the museum.”

“During my third year at Relish, I became the primary caregiver for my younger brother and sister. I’ve always wanted to model the best life and behaviour I can for them. They’re both adults now and still live with me. I want them to know you can put your whole heart into something and succeed.”

And if their trajectory at Relish hasn’t fully sunk in, Westwood nevertheless appreciates it.

“I don’t know much about my culture, but I know what mino-bimaadiziwin means: the good life.

“And I think I finally got there.”

Westwood was one of 41 phenomenal graduates featured in the Polytechnic Proud campaign. You can learn more about the campaign here.

Profile by Randy Matthes (Creative Communications, 1993).

Kevin Wasylenko has the ability to reach into the future through his life’s work.

The Winnipeg-based landscape horticulturalist has turned his lifelong passion for plants and trees into a rewarding – one might even say blossoming – career with the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF), the National Government of the Red River Métis.

“In the realm of horticulture, and with positions in the green industry, you get this really profound chance to leave a legacy,” Wasylenko explained, seated in a trendy coffee shop.

“As long as you’re planting things and following the right systems or protocol to make sure those plants are able to succeed, you can leave a mark that may last hundreds of years. I think that’s powerful for the entire green industry, and anyone who works with plants,” he said.

“Trees aren’t going out of style anytime soon,” he said with a smile.

Wasylenko is a 2019 graduate of RRC Polytech’s Landscape Horticulturalist apprenticeship program. He earned his Red Seal designation with Apprenticeship Manitoba the following year.

Today, as Green Initiatives Coordinator for the Energy, Infrastructure, and Resource Management Department of MMF, he is leading the Métis government’s ambitious pledge to plant 2 million trees and shrubs across the Red River Métis national homeland. He also sits on the Board of Directors for the Manitoba Nursery Landscape Association, and even teaches horticulture workshops.

In November of 2024, Apprenticeship Manitoba recognized Wasylenko as Rural Journeyperson of the Year at its 18^th annual Awards of Distinction at the RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg, celebrating the work he has done to educate and develop Manitoba’s skilled trades workforce.

Red Seal apprenticeship appealing

Wasylenko grew up near Richer and Ste-Geneviève, southeast of Winnipeg.

“I’ve always had a close connection to nature,” he said. He remembers many daytrips berry-picking with family and neighbours, many of whom were also Métis.

In his youth, Wasylenko grew up in the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets program and had plans to join the Royal Canadian Navy. “But, at 18, I wanted to take some time to see what was out there,” he remembered.

He picked up a landscaping job and worked it for a year or so. “A family member reached out and told me the landscape work I was doing actually qualified me for the Apprenticeship Manitoba Landscape Horticulturist trade. My hours could be put towards eligibility for technical training,” he said.

At first, he saw the skilled trade as a handy fall back. “The trades program functioned as a nice foundation, because once you have that Red Seal, you have tangible skills,” he recalled.

Soon after, he found himself in class at RRC Polytech in Winnipeg. At the time, the College had recently built a new greenhouse building at the Notre Dame Campus. He quickly recognized the state-of-the-art facility was ideal for the training necessary for Apprenticeship Manitoba’s rigorous program.

“The greenhouses RRC Polytech built give students in the program an excellent understanding of how to grow and maintain plants,” he said. “It’s one thing learning it from a textbook, but once you have the facilities and means to learn it by actually planting and observing the growth of these plants, it helps students get a knack for it.”

Planting a veritable forest of trees

The Manitoba Métis Federation created its tree planting initiative in 2021, a year before Wasylenko joined the government. The goal of the program he leads is to put 2 million trees and shrubs in the ground across the Red River Métis homeland, which covers Manitoba and parts of Saskatchewan, Alberta, Northern Ontario, British Columbia, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.

The initiative comes down to providing trees and shrubs to Red River Métis citizens, with instructions on growing. “We assist in giving our citizens information for what will grow best on their property,” said Wasylenko. “We focus on native trees; we don’t want to disturb the ecosystems in the province.”

Planting trees and shrubs is also an effort to solve food insecurity, especially in remote northern communities. “With fruit-bearing trees and shrubs, the MMF is providing food to citizens in need and to communities that are struggling,” he continued.

“Our citizens want to increase their food sovereignty and be able to grow food on their own properties. In return for our help doing that, they provide us with metrics on growth, which we use to track the survival of the trees and the carbon sequestration from those trees and shrubs.”

“We have planted apples and plums, they’re heartier for the climate. We have also planted sea buckthorn – it’s a really cool plant. It has pronounced thorns, and it covers itself in orange berries that are incredibly potent in vitamin C: per 100 grams, the berries contain about eight times the amount of an orange. You cook them down and use them in jams. And we have planted haskaps, which are also known as honeyberries. They are an interesting fruit-bearing shrub that are incredibly cold-tolerant and low-maintenance to grow.”

Green professionals “in high demand”

Wasylenko often urges landscape horticulture students at RRC Polytech to broaden their views of the skilled trade.

“When people think of landscape horticulturalists, they think hard scaping and grass cutting; when nowadays, green professionals are in high demand,” he said. “Individuals who understand the proper techniques of plant installation, care, and maintenance – they can get good jobs.”

“It’s a mistake to look at landscape horticulture as only a construction trade, rather than something that bleeds into a much larger industry. I find we’re almost pigeonholing ourselves, when in fact there is a lot of demand for landscape horticulturalists,” said Wasylenko.

A proud RRC Polytech graduate, Wasylenko was one of 41 outstanding graduates featured in the Polytechnic Proud campaign. You can learn more about the campaign here.

Profile by Nigel Moore (Creative Communications, 1998).

Gavin Taylor is not only “Polytechnic Proud” – he’s Portage la Prairie proud as well.

“Portage la Prairie produces lots of bright, young people who can make a positive impact on this community,” said Taylor, 27, of his hometown.

“Some chase their dreams elsewhere but they can always come back and make this community a great place to live. We need them here.”

You can say as much of Taylor, a 2021 graduate of RRC Polytech’s Business/Technology Teacher Education program.

He’s now in his fourth year as an Applied Commerce Teacher at Portage Collegiate Institute (PCI), where he was once a student.

“I always said I’d take the best job available that suited me. I wanted to be a full-time business teacher. I wanted something rural. I thought it would be somewhere else; it turned out to be Portage.

“My second year, I became the lead business teacher. And the room I inherited was the same room where I studied when I was a student. A lot of the staff were also the same – except now I was calling them by their first name.”

More than 1,100 students attend PCI. As Portage la Prairie’s lone public high school, it reflects all the challenges, opportunities and potential of the city itself.

“Our students are from all walks of life. The demographics are similar to those of Winnipeg’s inner-city schools. We have challenges but there are really great things coming out of our classrooms.”

Taylor teaches a range of business courses for grades nine through 12. The school store plays a big role in the learning. Students order products, take inventory, launch promotions and generally learn how a business operates.

Meanwhile, a venture development course has students seeing their own business ideas to fruition. The course builds up to a tradeshow day in May when students show off their work to the public, including local media.

“We make things as real-world as possible. And whether a student goes on to establish their own enterprise or become an employee, they’re gaining skills that really transcend business.”

Just ten or so years older than his current grade 12 students, Taylor leans into that narrow age gap.

“I do think it’s advantageous. I can pull out examples the kids already know about. I’ll make jokes or use memes.”

Still, the topics in Taylor’s classes are no less important for the lighter-hearted approach. This semester he’s teaching a Grade 12 Economics class. A recent discussion centred on the question: ‘where should the provincial government allocate more money?’

“Students had to rank priorities. We had some great discussions on how these problems aren’t easily solved. They said ‘How can you pick? They’re all important.’ I said I agree but that what’s people in government and people with power do now. And that’s what you’re going to have to do in near future. Critical thinking is one thing I try to help them navigate. I want them to be ready for whatever comes their way.”

Taylor credits RRC Polytech for getting him ready to teach others.

“We started student teaching in year one. That set the tone. We had to microteach a lesson on a topic we knew nothing about – pretending our classmates were high school students. I wanted a challenge, so I chose an arts and crafts lesson. We built our skills in a lot of different ways.”

“There’s something great about our vocational teachers at RRC Polytech. Vocational students flourish. What’s in the coffee?”

One of 41 outstanding graduates featured in the College’s Polytechnic Proud campaign, Taylor had a little misdirection in store for his students.

“They were more excited than I was, I think, to hear I was part of the campaign. They thought my billboard was in Winnipeg, so naturally they wanted to do a field trip. Actually, my billboard was in Portage, right across the street from the school. I walked them outside and said, ‘this is the field trip’.”

He was proud to be the Portage Campus convocation guest speaker this past June.

“This is a special moment for me,” he said at the ceremony. “There are PCI students and former PCI staff being celebrated today, in addition to many more impactful graduates who will shape the future of Portage la Prairie, and the world as a whole.”

Current PCI students needn’t worry Mr. Taylor will run out of enthusiasm for teaching business any time soon.

“I love this stuff. I get excited about it, so it’s hard for students NOT to get excited,” said Taylor three days into the new school year.

“In class, we talk about Maslow’s hierarchy of needs because it’s relevant for business and how we market to customers. I always say I’m in the self-actualized area. This is my dream job. There’s no place I’d rather be.”

Profile by Randy Matthes (Creative Communications, 1993).