Board of directors

Garnet McBurney, Chair of Assiniboine Credit Union, hails from a grain farm in southwestern Manitoba. With extensive experience in accounting since 1988, including serving as Controller for major Brandon-based companies, he now leads Venture Accounting Group Ltd. Garnet’s passion lies in nurturing new business start-ups and mentoring entrepreneurs. Garnet served on the Westoba Credit Union Board since 2019, and as Chair since 2021. 

Jacqueline Keena, a professional agrologist of Métis descent, is managing director of EMILI, a Manitoba-based non-profit, working to increase the adoption of intelligent technologies in agriculture. In 2023, she was appointed to the Premier’s Business and Jobs Council, where she chairs the AI, Technology and Jobs committee. Jacqueline has served as Chair of ACU’s Nominating Committee and Human Resources Policy & Compensation Committee, and is also past-chair of the Women’s Enterprise Centre of Manitoba.

Darrel Nadeau, CPA, MBA, is a board member from Caisse Financial Group and brings over 13 years of experience in non-profit management. A proud Franco-Manitoban and member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, Darrel is currently the VP of Visitor Experience at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. He has served on various boards, including Pride Winnipeg, Winnipeg Arts Council, and the International Bureau for Children’s Rights. 

Jim Abernethy is a cattle producer from Glenboro. With a diploma in Agriculture from the University of Manitoba, Jim previously chaired Westoba’s Board (2016–2021) and also served as Vice-Chair of Westoba’s Board of Directors. Jim has contributed to various other boards, including Assiniboine Hills Conservation District, Glenboro Consumers Co-op, and a Provincial Advisory Board for Credit Union Central of Manitoba.

Jane Brown previously served as Audit and Risk Committee Chair with Westoba’s Board of Directors and has past experience on the IT Oversight Committee. Jane is a Rivers, Manitoba native. She spent 26 years at Behlen Industries, where she held diverse roles spanning accounting to IT. Jane’s retirement from her family business, HiWay Esso, has allowed her to serve on various boards, including Career Connections and Family Visions.

Stéphane Dorge, previously Vice-Chair of the Caisse’s Board of Directors, brings extensive experience through his leadership position in governance services and as Corporate Secretary of the Réseau Compassion Network. A graduate in management and law from the University of Ottawa, he has held key positions in the public and legal sectors. 

Patrick Fortier previously served as a member of Caisse’s Board of Directors and has served on many non-profit Boards. He holds a master’s degree in public administration and a BA in economics. A graduate of the Leadership Winnipeg program, Patrick is currently the Managing Director of the Internal Trade Secretariat. He lives in St. Boniface and is francophone and Métis. 

Don Johal is passionate about automobiles, commerce and people, which led to leadership roles in the vehicle rental industry — as a licensee/franchisee and as President of the Manitoba Car and Truck Rental Association. Don has served on ACU’s Governance & Ethics, and Human Resources Policy & Compensation Committees, and previously as Vice-Chair and Chair of Entegra Credit Union.

Crystal Laborero, a member of Sapotaweyak Cree Nation, previously served as ACU’s Board Chair. She is a Graduate of the Institute of Corporate Directors and has served on each of ACU’s board committees and other committees within the credit union system. Her experience in banking includes opening the first on-reserve RBC branch in Manitoba, at Peguis First Nation. She is the owner of Laborero Consulting, a management and HR consulting firm that focuses on innovative projects that positively impact communities.

Jeff Leclerc is a proud Franco-Manitoban who has dedicated his education and career to board governance. For the past two decades, he has held the position of University Secretary, the senior governance officer of the University of Manitoba. Jeff has served on the ACU Nominating Committee and has also held director roles on the boards of United Way Winnipeg and the University of Manitoba Pension Plan.

Priti Mehta-Shah (FCPA,FCA,CBV, ICD.D) is a leading transaction advisor who has provided guidance to clients in Canada and around the world for the past 30 years. Priti’s expertise includes assisting clients with buy side and sell side transactions, mergers and acquisitions, management buyouts, and placing financing for the acquisition. She has chaired and served on ACU’s Audit & Risk and Nominating Committees and is dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship for women.

Alain Molgat is a CPA, CMA with 30+ years’ experience in auditing, financial management and business advisory services. Alain is a Franco-Manitoban and as President of Alain Molgat Consulting, provides management and consulting services primarily to Indigenous-owned enterprises. Since first elected, Alain has served on each of ACU’s Board Committees, most recently as Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee.