Board

Current Board Members

Matt Erhard – President

Matt Erhard is the Managing Partner of Summit Search Group, a professional and executive recruitment firm. Matt is passionate about connecting top talent with some of the best employers in Canada. Matt remains connected to the community throughout Manitoba’s business and not-for-profit communities, including the Winnipeg Executives Association, the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, the Young Associates and the Whitesehell Advisory Board. He is also the past Chair of KidSport Winnipeg and the Vice-Chair of the Exchange District BIZ. Please feel free to contact him at: president@futureleadersofmanitoba.com
Patricia Katz – Past President and Alumni Relations

Patricia Katz has her Bachelor of Commerce Honours (Finance and Marketing) as well as her Masters Certificate in Project Management from Schulich School of Business, York University (hosted by University of Winnipeg). She is extremely proud to be a part of the FLMC, and all it stands for. She is passionate about bringing positive attention to all of the great things that young leaders in Manitoba are doing, and looks forward to being part of this great organization for years to come.
Kathy Kerr – Past President

Kathy Kerr works for Red River College and is the Dean of the School of Continuing Education. She has an Honours Bachelor of Arts from Wilfred Laurier University and a Masters of Applied Linguistics from the University of New England. After having lived in a number of places in Canada and around the world, she has found her home in Winnipeg and is a proud Manitoban. Kathy has been involved with the Future Leaders of Manitoba since 2007, and looks forward to celebrating the people and province of Manitoba each year in January .
Jessica Schofield – Executive Vice President

Jessica Schofield has a Bachelor of Arts from University of Winnipeg and a J.D. from Dalhousie University. Jessica was called to the Manitoba Bar in June of 2012 and is working as an associate at Taylor McCaffrey LLP. Jessica has been a member of FLM since 2012 and is enthusiastic in playing a role in supporting and assisting the future leaders of our province. She can be reached at [email protected]
Zayla Saunders – Community Relations

Zayla Saunders is Regional Account Manager at Value Partners Investments, an investment firm founded in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Her passion for helping Canadians navigate their financial roadmaps brought her into a career in the financial services industry.

Zayla graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelors of Arts degree majoring in Sociology and Business. She holds certifications from the Insurance Council of Manitoba and Investment Funds Institute of Canada. She is currently studying to attain her CIM designation.

Zayla is a strong advocate for community-driven initiatives. A proud Manitoban, she looks to support the opportunities it cultivates for other future leaders around her and looks forward to helping fuel the rapid growth of Manitoba for years to come.
Andi Sharma – Alumni Relations

Andi Sharma works for the Government of Manitoba’s Northern Healthy Foods Initiative, a program designed to localize northern food systems so as to alleviate the severe and ongoing food security crisis affecting Manitoba’s remote communities. She is a dedicated community builder, and a strong believer in the remarkable talent that Manitoba has to offer the country and the world.

She holds an Honours Undergraduate Degree in International Business and Finance, a Masters Degree in Public Administration and she is currently earning her pilot’s license to fly healthy food to the far reaches of Canada’s northlands.
Kirah Sapong – Marketing & Web

Kirah Sapong is a UX designer and developer with a background in graphic design, motion design, and content writing. She is the partner and co-founder of a Canadian-based online health and wellness digital publishing platform. She is a strong believer in the value of entrepreneurship, community activism, and supporting and nourishing Manitoba’s ever-growing network of young and ambitious talent.

Kirah holds a Creative Communications diploma from Red River College. Formerly, she was associate editor and contributor for a large online content platform educating and empowering woman in the areas of personal finance and wealth management.
Jessica Kmiec – Marketing & Social

Jessica graduated from Red River College’s Business Administration program with a major in marketing. In her graduating year she received the Academic Achievement Award for the highest GPA with a marketing specialization. She has over 10 year’s experience in retail and sales and enjoys freelancing as a makeup artist on the side. Currently she works as an Account Coordinator on the sponsorship team managing relationships and helping bands build awareness. Through her work, education, and freelancing Jessica has gained experience in networking, relationship building, and social media management.
Mike Trakalo – Marketing & Social

Mike Trakalo is the social media specialist at Bold Commerce and has specialized in digital marketing and eCommerce for the latter half of the decade.

Mike has a Bachelors Degree in Rhetoric and Communications from the University of Winnipeg and a Creative Communications Diploma from Red River College, where he specialized in Advertising

When Mike is not sharing social media expertise, he is helping local and global eCommerce entrepreneurs and small business owners launch, run, and grow their online stores.
Micheal Anderson – Sponsorship

Michael Anderson is the founder and CEO of 365 Technologies, an IT services company In Winnipeg. He holds a B.Comm (Hons.) and MBA from the I.H. Asper School of Business and was a FLM finalist in 2018. Michael’s charitable involvement includes the Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba, Operation Walk, Siloam Mission, and the Battens Disease Research Association. He shares 5 children with his partner, and is a competitive ultramarathon runner.
Lesley Hamilton – Past President & Founder

Lesley is a Vice-President and Senior Investment Advisor at Wellington- Altus Private Wealth.

Lesley has completed her ‘Certified Financial Planning’ (CFP) designation. Her mark on the ‘Financial Planning Standards Council’ (FPSC) final exam was one of the top three in Canada, earning her a spot on the FPSC President’s List for outstanding performance. She is also a Certified Investment Manager (CIM).

Since 2005 Lesley and her team have focused their practice on providing comprehensive financial planning advice to business owners and incorporated professionals.

Lesley is the founder and past president of the ‘Future Leaders of Manitoba Council Inc. An organization that works with the Business Council of Manitoba to attract, retain and recognize young professionals in the Province of Manitoba. Lesley sits on the boards of Dasch Inc., and Rossbrook House and is a long-time supporter of Special Olympics Manitoba.
Andrew Kirk – Past President & Co-Founder, Finance Lead

Andrew has his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Manitoba and is currently working at the FWS Group of Companies in the Procurement department. He has been involved in the Future Leaders of Manitoba since its inception and is proud to be part of recognizing the incredible talent that we have right here in Manitoba. He is humbled by the outstanding people that have been nominated for the awards over the years.
Jordan Farber – Co-Founder

Jordan is one of the founding members of the Future Leaders of Manitoba and feels that the best way we can keep our next generation of leaders here in Manitoba is by acknowledging them, thanking them and recognizing their contributions with a Future Leaders of Manitoba Award. He received both his Bachelor of Arts and MBA from the University of Manitoba. Jordan is currently Vice President, Global Real Estate for 24-7 Intouch.

In addition to his involvement with Future Leaders of Manitoba, Jordan has volunteered with organizations such as Winnipeg Harvest, United Way, RaY Inc., Siloam Mission, University of Manitoba, Red River College and a number of inner city schools. Jordan recently completed a Board term with B’nai Brith Canada, one of the oldest human rights advocacy groups in the world and currently sits on the Board for Main Street Project, a not for profit organization that helps Winnipeg’s most vulnerable residents. In 2017, Jordan was recognized as one of Ace Burpee’s top 100 fascinating Manitobans and was recently the recipient of a Vigor Award, an international award that recognizes individuals who are making a positive impact on the world.