Board of Directors - MSEAC – Manitoba Seniors Equity Action Coalition.

Dr. Sandra Sukhan | Co-Chair

A Life of Service

“I look forward to serving on the MSEAC Board where I believe my contributions from multiple perspectives and identities—volunteer, health advocate, educator, 55+ non-profit leader, scholar, activist, woman of colour, family member, and storyteller—will enhance conversations leading to action for positive change.”

Journey to Manitoba

Immigrated from Guyana, South America in 1970. “Our province has a lot to offer, and serving my community is my way of giving back.”

Volunteer Legacy

50+ years serving Manitoba organizations
Recipient of:
• Mayor’s Award for Community Service
• Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal (Premier of Manitoba)
• Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pin (MP for Winnipeg South)

Professional Leadership

30-year career in teaching/educational administration
Credentials:
• PhD & Master’s in Environmental Studies
• Two teaching degrees
• Red Seal Journeyperson in Hairstyling
First Honorary Consul for Guyana in Manitoba (since 2013)

— Dr. Sandra Sukhan, Co-Chair, MSEAC
July 12, 2025

Al Wiebe | Director

Lived Experience

After losing a $200,000/year income and suffering from unmedicated clinical depression, Al found himself on the streets for 29 months.

Advocacy Work

Being one of the lucky few to survive the streets and regain communication skills, Al is today a 24/7 advocate, community organizer, and trainer for all three levels of government, healthcare, and the corporate world, bringing a better understanding of the people we serve.

Lucille Bruce Co-Chair

Identity & Community Legacy

Lucille Bruce is a proud member of the Red River Métis Nation and a respected, urban Indigenous community leader and activist. Lucille’s 30 plus years of transformative work and volunteerism in the Indigenous urban community led to the establishment of a continuum of culturally relevant services and housing initiatives for the most vulnerable populations in Winnipeg, including Women, Children, Seniors and people experiencing homelessness.

Landmark Initiatives

Under her leadership, these programs were established:

Ndnawemaaganaq Youth Shelter: A youth safe house
Kihiw Iskewock Lodge: Transition house for women exiting correctional facilities
Wahbung Abinoqjiag: Culturally-appropriate program for child witnesses of family violence
Kekinan Assisted Living Centre: Senior care facility

Strategic Leadership Roles

Lucille served on:

Canadian Women’s Foundation
Provincial Women’s Jail Review Committee
Mental Health Commission of Canada (“At Home/Chez Soi” Research Project – Winnipeg Site Coordinator)

Transformative Systems Change

As CEO of End Homelessness Winnipeg, she:

Transitioned the organization to Indigenous leadership
Administered federal homelessness funding for Winnipeg
Co-authored the groundbreaking “Minosin Kikwa (A Good Home)” report on Indigenous seniors’ housing needs

Suni Matthews | Director

Current Roles

Suni Matthews is a retired inner-city school principal. Presently she chairs The Newcomer Education Coalition and is a member of The Manitoba Seniors Equity Action Coalition. She is also on the Board of Directors of Pembina Active Living 55+, a seniors organization serving seniors in the South of Winnipeg.

Career & Advocacy

She has worked as a teacher and program development consultant in the former Inner City Branch of the Manitoba Department of Education. For over 4 decades, she has worked in Winnipeg’s Inner City. Ms. Matthews is known for her long-time commitment and advocacy in anti-racist/equity-based education, community involvement/development, and social justice.

Leadership at Dufferin School

As Principal of Dufferin School, she embarked on an Anti-Racist Equity-Centred educational professional development journey with her students, staff, families, and community. The school worked with Ms. Enid Lee, an Equity Anti-Racist education and organizational change consultant/facilitator, to create equity-centred classrooms responsive to race, power, and high academic expectations.

Community Impact

Under Ms. Matthews’ leadership, Dufferin School was involved in a Comprehensive Community-Based Poverty Reduction Initiative. One of its main objectives was to improve prospects in the Centennial neighbourhood through family literacy, pre-school, in-school, and community programmes.

Personal Mission

Ms. Matthews is an advocate for school districts and classrooms in Winnipeg to mirror the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of Canada. In her own career, she overcame systemic educational barriers as both a teacher and administrator.

Terri Hammerback | Secretary/Treasurer

Career Highlights

40+ years advancing social justice through:
- Government policy roles
- Nonprofit leadership for at-risk youth
Recent Focus: Transitioned retirement energy to seniors’ advocacy

Current Work

Board Member, Manitoba Seniors Equity Action Coalition (MSEAC)
Bridges gaps between youth/senior advocacy efforts

Advocacy Impact

Brings a unique perspective connecting lifelong youth advocacy to elder equity
Passionate about intergenerational justice

Laura Funk, PhD | Director | Seniors Housing Researcher

Academic Background

Social gerontologist and sociologist at the University of Manitoba
Research specializes in:
- Paid and unpaid elder care systems
- Seniors housing accessibility and policy

Personal Connection

Grandmother resided in Winnipeg seniors’ social housing and long-term care
Mennonite family roots in Manitoba
Raised in British Columbia

Research Focus

Advocates for evidence-based improvements to:
- Social housing for seniors
- Long-term care facilities
- Caregiver support systems

Kathy Mallett, O.M. | Director | Indigenous Seniors' Advocate

Career & Advocacy

Retired executive director in Winnipeg’s not-for-profit sector, shaping initiatives through leadership, research, and advocacy.

Worked with Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations, including:

Community Education Development Association (CEDA)
Winnipeg Coalition on Native Child Welfare
Original Women’s Network

Research & Education

Published Minosin Kikiwa “A Good Home” on Indigenous older adults’ experiences.

Holds a history degree from the University of Winnipeg.

Served as elected school trustee (Winnipeg School Division, 1992).

Current Volunteer Work

Manitoba Seniors Equity Action Coalition (MSEAC)

Reconciliation Thunder, Inc.

Manitoba Historical Society

Awards & Recognition

Order of Manitoba (2011)

YMCA Woman of the Year (1985)

Manitoba Human Rights Commitment Award (2000s)

Keeping the Fires Burning Award (2011)

Meet Our Board of Directors

Our Leadership

Lucille Bruce

Dr. Sandra Sukhan

Terri Hammerback

Tom Simms

Kathy Mallet

Dr. Laura Funk

Director

Al Wiebe

Suni Matthews

Director

Director

Director

Director