About Us

In 2007 the Province of Manitoba announced a commitment to bring child advocacy centres to Manitoba as part of Tracia’s Trust: Phase 2 of Manitoba’s Sexual Exploitation Strategy. The first phase of developing Manitoba’s centre included creating a space for child victims and their parents/caregivers, including a child-friendly interview room, family room, and waiting room, as well as an independent, highly trained forensic interviewer.

Toba Centre for Children & Youth (formerly Snowflake Place) opened in 2013, offering this safe, neutral, family-friendly setting and in 2015, two forensic interviewers began conducting interviews of children and youth.

Since that time, we have conducted over 2,500 interviews and been witness to the challenges that children and families face when attempting to navigate the systems responding to child abuse. We are currently evolving our centre into a fully functioning child advocacy centre for Manitoba.

Annual Report

With over 2,500
interviews of children
from 58 communities
in Manitoba, no
matter what corner
of our province a
child resides, we are
here to listen.

Our Mission

It is Toba Centre’s mission to restore the health and wellbeing of those affected by child abuse through a coordinated, community response.

Our Vision

It is our vision that every victim of child abuse, and every child witness to violence, is heard, helped, and healed.

Our Values

At Toba Centre, we believe:

Freedom from abuse and exploitation is a basic human right
Every child has a right to feel safe and protected
Child abuse is both a community problem and community responsibility
Children and families can heal from abuse

Our team:

Personifies inclusivity and diversity
Prioritizes the highest standard of care above all else

Our Board

DON SMITH

Chair

CEO/Owner, Vital Life Inc / Occupational Rehab Group of Canada (retired). Don developed a sustainable business that was purchased in 2017 by the national company, CBI Health. Don has years of experience as a therapist and before that was a probation officer, specializing in working with adolescent sex offenders. Don is very involved in philanthropic work and has a passion for ensuring children have the futures they deserve.

CHRIS THORNE

Treasurer

Chris is the Vice President of Corporate Development with Titan Contractors in Kenora, ON. His previous experience includes 3 years in Corporate Finance/Banking with Roynat Capital; and 5 years prior to that in Public Accounting with KPMG LLP in both the Assurance and Tax practices. Chris also holds Board/Committee positions with World Police and Fire Games 2023 and Kenora Lake of the Woods Regional Community Foundation. His experience focuses on the overall financial health of the organization while bringing passion to its worthy cause. He and his wife Janessa have 3 tenacious daughters, which gives rise to his fervour for all children & youth in Manitoba to feel safe and have every chance at success.

LORI DUNCAN

Secretary

Lori is the owner/operator of an HR consulting firm and an Instructor in the Applied Commerce and Management Education Program at Red River College Polytechnic. She has extensive experience in HR and business operations leadership, both in Canada and the U.S. The opportunity to contribute to something meaningful is extremely rewarding for Lori, especially when it impacts children, families & community.

SHEILA NORTH

Director

Sheila currently works as a Journalist at CBC News Network. She was a former Director of Strategic Partnerships at Legacy Bowes, a former CICD Director at UCN, a former Grand Chief of the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO), and a former Chief Communications Officer for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. Sheila is a former CTV journalist and documentarist, and was nominated for a Gemini Award as a CBC journalist. As a film maker, Sheila released a documentary, 1200+, about missing and murdered Indigenous women girls (MMIWG) featured on CTV in 2019. Sheila is also a new, proud Kokum, which has only served to strengthen her desire to ensure all children are safe.

PAUL KRESTANOWICH

Director

Paul Krestanowich has been a Partner and Certified Financial Planner at Holland Financial for over 20 years. He has extensive board experience and volunteer service including being Past President of several charitable and amateur sports organizations. Paul and his wife Cory (grade two teacher) have four active teenagers and love being involved with youth activities/charities. We love to see all kids reach their full potential in life and look forward to helping Toba Centre with its new initiatives and reach its goals.

LEILANI KAGAN

Director

Leilani Kagan is a partner at Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP whose practice focusses on tax, corporate reorganizations, trusts and estate planning, charities and NPOs, and business law. She began her articles with the firm in 1998 and joined the partnership in 2005. In 2008, Leilani was a recipient of Lexpert’s “Rising Stars” award, recognizing Canada’s 40 Leading Lawyers Under 40. In 2022, she received the designation of Queen’s Counsel (Q.C.) by the Manitoba Government for her outstanding integrity and leadership, and significant contributions to the legal profession. Upon learning about the goals and purpose of Toba Centre, Leilani immediately stepped forward to lend her expertise, passion and commitment to the cause.

DAVID EGGERMAN

Director

David Eggerman is the Regional Vice President for Qualico’s operations in the Manitoba and Saskatchewan region. He began his career with Qualico as a regional controller and in the years leading up to his appointment of Regional Vice-President in 2020, his role grew to be more involved with operations and the Company’s business development strategy into new markets and enhance the company’s vertical business model. It is very rewarding to work with an organization that has a meaningful impact on people in our Province.