Our Teams

I’m Crystal Laborero. As Chair of the ACU Board of Directors, I oversee the various Board Committees and help guide the Board as it works towards ensuring the continued success of an important Manitoba co-operative. I have 10 years’ experience in the banking industry and opened the first on-reserve branch in Manitoba for RBC at Peguis First Nation. I sit on other boards and am exposed to a wide range of industries which provides for an even wider perspective and network. I’m also self-employed and the owner of Laborero Consulting, a management and HR consulting firm taking on innovative projects that can positively impact the community. As an Indigenous woman, I bring a different perspective. To me, community economic development and helping those who may not be receiving banking services is very important. I value community, fairness, integrity, caring and I see that in ACU. I am a Band member of Sapotaweyak Cree Nation, I’m married and a mother of two adult daughters and two adult stepdaughters. I love doing hot yoga, traveling, hiking, and reading.

Education and Credentials:
Certificate in Human Resource Management from the University of Manitoba
Certificate in Management from the University of Manitoba
Attended Queen's School of Business – Leadership Program
Certificate in Practical Workshop Facilitation from the University of Winnipeg
Directors Education Program from Rothmans Institute of Corporate Directors
ICD.D designation

I’m Anne Lindsey, a member of the ACU Board of Directors. I currently serve as Chair of the Governance and Ethics Committee, and am a member of the Human Resources Policy and Compensation Committee. I’m semi-retired, with a modest consulting practice providing advice, research and planning assistance to non-profit organizations.

I believe every person has a right to financial security and empowerment and that financial services should be delivered locally and with a commitment to the benefit of the entire community. My values are ecological stewardship, human rights and social inclusion, and co-operation, all of which align strongly with the values of ACU. When not working, I’m passionate about growing healthy food for my family, and volunteering with local organizations. I love to spend time in nature, hiking, paddling, and cross country skiing.

Education and Credentials:
Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Winnipeg
University Gold Medal in Anthropology
Master of Arts from the University of Calgary, Archaeology
Credit Union Director Achievement

ACU Board of Directors Committee:
Chair of Governance and Ethics Committee

I’m Marina James. As a member of the ACU Board of Directors I currently serve on the Audit and Finance and Risk Committee. I’m also the CEO of WinnipegREALTORS®. During my career, I’ve served as President and & CEO of Economic Development Winnipeg Inc.; Vice-President, Hotels with Westcorp Properties Inc.; General Manager Operational Effectiveness with Manitoba Lotteries Corporation; and as the General Manager of Place Louis Riel Suite Hotel. I serve on the Board of ACU because of its commitment to people and planet and because of its inclusive approach to those living in our province. My values of ethics and integrity guide everything I do, and are aligned closely with that of ACU and my fellow board members. When I’m not working I enjoy gardening, cooking and spending time with my family.

Education and Credentials:
MBA from the University of Guelph
National Advanced Certificate in Local Government Authority Administration and Economic Development from Dalhousie University
Certificate in Hotel Real Estate Investments and Asset Management from Cornell University

I’m Don Johal. As a Board member, I represent our members and ensure that ACU is operating in a sound and prudent manner in accordance with our mission, vision, and values. I’ve explored many avenues and business ventures throughout my career – I’m passionate about automobiles, commerce, and people, which has led me to work in and actively play a role in the local vehicle rental industry. I’ve built my career in the licensee/franchisee environment with Budget Car and Truck Rental and have been the President of the Manitoba Car and Truck Rental Association for several years. Before joining ACU, I was nominated to Entegra Credit Union’s Board of Directors in 2017 and served as both Vice-Chair and Board Chair during that time.

I am a dedicated, active member of my community and am passionate about making our city and province a better, more inclusive place for everyone. I give back to my community through my involvement with various local charitable organizations, and I strongly believe in the importance of using Business as a Force for Good. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time in the community and attending community functions, taking trips with family and friends, and playing golf.

I’m Jacqueline Keena, and I relish the opportunity to bring my expertise to the diverse ACU board in service of the membership. Currently, I am managing director of the Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative (EMILI), an agriculture artificial intelligence accelerator working to increase the adoption and integration of intelligent technologies across the agri-food value chain in Manitoba. To the ACU Board, I bring a unique perspective as a young, Metis woman who is interested in policy, good governance and meaningful and significant diversity and inclusion.  Outside of work, I volunteer as the vice chair of the Women's Enterprise Centre of Manitoba, a non-profit that provides small business loans to female entrepreneurs. Previously, I was chair of “Be the Vote”, a non-partisan, non-profit created to encourage greater youth participation in the electoral system. I enjoy cross-country skiing in the winter, gardening and biking in the summer. All year, I enjoy making great food and sharing it with family and friends. I’m excited to be working with ACU, a company whose values connect deeply with my own.

Education and Credentials:
Bachelor of Science (Agribusiness), University of Manitoba
Master of Arts, Public Policy, Carleton University
Professional Agrologist, Agrologists Manitoba

I’m Paul Lacap. As a Board Member, I represent the ACU membership and act in the best interest in the credit union. For the majority of my career, I have led change at the intersection of marketing and technology while managing multiple operational departments. My clients have primarily been large multinational brands including some of the largest finance and insurance companies in Canada and the US. Early in my career, when I was a fundraiser at United Way, I was introduced to ACU and to values-based banking. My values have always focused on human potential through education, the community and the improvement of my profession. My involvement with the University of Manitoba and ACU, now directly aligns my work with my values. Personally, I spend my time with my wife, son and lively dog as a husband and father. . I love to travel and have visited 25 countries in the last decade. I’m continually inspired by human potential and the hope of a better world for our kids to grow old in.

Education and Credentials:
Bachelor of Commerce (Honours)
Credit Union Director Achievement (CUDA)
Chartered Marketer (CM)
Project Management Professional (PMP)
PRINCE2 Practitioner
Prosci Change Management

ACU Board of Director Committees:
Chair Human Resources Policy and Compensation Committee
Member, Governance and Ethics Committee

I’m James Magnus-Johnston. Along with the rest of the board, I’m responsible for the strategic direction and oversight of ACU in service of its members. In my role with ACU, I have served on the Nominating, Governance and Ethics, and Community and Member Relations committees. Outside of ACU, I am the Co-director of the Centre for Resilience at Canadian Mennonite University, where I lecture in the fields of business and political studies. I am also a doctoral researcher at McGill University in the field of ecological economics. As a future-oriented social entrepreneur and academic, I bring to the ACU board a keen interest in the pace and trajectory of social, ecological, and technological change. I am committed to upholding the ACU triple bottom line (people, planet, prosperity) as a crucially important demonstration of leadership in our  changing 21st century business environment. I have enacted these values in the community as an entrepreneur, collaboratively spearheading initiatives that have similar commitments, including Fools + Horses Coffee, Compost Winnipeg, Transition Winnipeg, and The Fireweed Food Co-op /South Osborne Market. Outside of work, I sing, cycle, work with a range of community organizations, and I enjoying spending time in nature with my partner.

Education and Credentials:
Working towards PhD in Renewable Resources, McGill University
MPhil, Land Economy, University of Cambridge
Accredited Credit Union Director (ACCUD), Dalhousie University / Credit Union Institute
Research Fellow, Centre for the Advancement of the Steady State Economy
Member, Canadian Society for Ecological Economics
Articled as a Trustee-in-Bankruptcy, Canadian Insolvency and Restructuring Professionals
Certified Financial Counsellor, Canadian Insolvency and Restructuring Professionals
Double BA in Political Studies (Hons)/Communications, and  Theatre (Hons, Gold Medal)

I’m Priti Mehta-Shah. I am a Board Member for ACU, and I serve on the Nominating Committee. As a new board member, my goal is to learn, learn and learn so that I can be highly effective as soon as possible. I am a leading transaction advisor who has provided valuable guidance to clients in Canada, and around the world, for over 30 years. My expertise includes assisting clients in the sale of their businesses by identifying and screening appropriate purchasers to yield premium pricing for the vendor, and effectively negotiating and structuring the entire transaction. My community work usually involves promoting entrepreneurship for women.

I believe you should do everything with integrity, always show kindness to others, and always strive to grow by learning. This aligns very well with ACU and its commitment to community inclusion, environment sustainability and community enterprise development. I enjoy volunteering, spending time with family, traveling and working out.

Education and Credentials:
Bachelor of Commerce, (Hons.) University of Manitoba
Chartered Professional Accountant
CICA In-Depth Income Tax designation
CF designation
Chartered Business Valuator designation
Fellowship from the Chartered Professional Accountants of Manitoba
ICD.D designation
Currently obtaining CUDA designation

I’m Alain Molgat. Together with the rest of the board I ensure that ACU has a strong governance framework and that governance structures and processes are leading edge. I’m a Chartered Professional Accountant (CMA) with over 30 years of experience in auditing, financial management and business advisory services. As the President of Alain Molgat Consulting Ltd., I provide management and business transition advice and solutions to small indigenous-owned businesses and businesses in the film production industry. I support Assiniboine’s values-based vision and mission. My volunteer activities have always focused on community development, social inclusion and supporting co-operative principles. ACU is a vibrant, inclusive and diverse corporate leader in Manitoba, demonstrating daily its commitment to the community, to its employees and its members, and to the planet.

Education and Credentials:
Bachelor of Commerce degree with a major in accounting
CPA, CMA designation
Credit Union Director Achievement Program

ACU Board of Director Committee:
Chair of the Audit and Risk Management Committee
Member of the Human Resources Policy and Compensation Committee

I’m Diane Lee Sousa. As a Board member, I am dedicated to ensuring that ACU lives up to our mission, vision, and values while working in the best interests of our members. My career has centred around helping organizations integrate digital technologies in all areas of their organization, and my expertise lies in accounting and technology. I’ve worked in credit union–adjacent industries throughout my career and led the team that implemented accounting systems at many Manitoba credit unions, including ACU and legacy Entegra Credit Union. I was also on Entegra’s Board of Directors for ten years, including two years as Vice-Chair.

I am deeply dedicated to my volunteer work. I strongly believe in the importance of giving back to your community, which aligns with ACU’s commitment to community inclusion and enterprise development. I am currently on the Board and the treasurer for Riverview Community Centre, serve on the Technology Advisory Committee for CPA Canada, and volunteer with CPA Manitoba’s Financial Literacy program. Outside of work, I love spending time with my family at our cottage, watching my children’s hockey games (and managing their teams!), and giving back to our communities together.

Education and Credentials:
Bachelor of Commerce (Honours), University of Manitoba
Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA)
Certified Managerial Accountant (CMA)