Trina Maher, President, Bridging Concepts
Trina is a member of the Ojibwe community of Mattagami First Nation. She is an Adult Educator, who also holds an international designation of Classroom Technical Trainer by CompTIA, is a practitioner of the International Association of Public Participation and a master level facilitator of a variety of personal development programs. Trina has 20+ years of working across Canada to ‘help people and ideas connect’ for Indigenous workplace inclusion and community organizational development. She has worked with corporations across many sectors advancing reconciliation through customized training conversations for managers to effectively plan and carry out human resource and community engagement efforts that supports the vision to see Indigenous peoples enjoy meaningful careers in Canadian workplaces. She compliments this work with her dedication to supporting Indigenous Nation building by providing professional development workshops in which she combines contemporary organizational and leadership concepts with Indigenous worldview for learning and doing. Trina has been an advisory member for a number of committees and initiatives, most recently helping to guide the development and launch of the Canadian Career Development Practitioner Centre.
Travis DeLaronde, Partner, Saunders DeLaronde Law
Travis is proud to be a member of Skownan First Nation. He was called to the Manitoba bar in 2017 and has experience in many areas of law. Currently, Travis’ focus is on employment, child protection, and child & family wellness law. Most of his practice involves advising First Nations and Indigenous led groups/organizations.
Travis holds three degrees from the University of Manitoba (BPE, BEd, and JD). Prior to joining the legal profession, he was a high school teacher at Ashern, MB, and in Winnipeg, MB (Children of the Earth High School).
Travis enjoys advising clients with effective communication and giving presentations. He is also a volunteer board member of Legal Help Centre. Travis is also a busy father of three boys.
Diane Wiesenthal, FCHRP
Diane is serving as special advisor to CAHRMA. As a recognized expert in strategic and innovative HR management, Diane created and leads a company called “Corporate People Responsibility ®, (CPR) Inc. Previously she was the Vice President, People and Organizational Services for the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB), a global grain marketing organization. Her academic training in Human Resource management was completed at Queen’s University, the University of Manitoba and Red River College. Diane obtained her professional human resource designation, CHRP, in 1993 and was awarded the Fellow designation in 2010.
Diane has lead senior international HR delegations for the People to People Ambassadors Program based in Washington D.C. – which was established in 1956 under the leadership of former President Dwight Eisenhower. She is the past President of: the North American Human Resource Association (NAHRMA) for Mexico, USA and Canada; the Canadian Council of Human Resources Associations (CCHRA), and the Human Resource Management Association of Manitoba (HRMAM). Diane is regularly requested to write articles relating to the HR profession for various HR magazines and newspapers. She has been invited as a guest speaker on Real Recognition Radio as well as numerous conferences and seminars. In 2010, Diane was the recipient of the “Innovative Practitioner Award” from HRMAM for consistently demonstrating the ability to lead with passion and integrity and deliver excellent results. Also in 2010, she was instrumental in securing the “Organizational Development and Strategic Initiatives Award” for the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) from HRMAM for implementing human resource initiatives, such as the CWB’s People Vision and Strategy, that made significant contributions to business results. Under her leadership, the CWB has been designated as a ‘Top 25 Employer’ in Manitoba in 2008, 2010 and 2011, and one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers in 2011.
Diane Panting, CEB, CCP, CHRP, IPMA-CP (Past Advisors)
Diane is serving as special advisor to CAHRMA. She is a Partner with Aon Hewitt and serves as well as the Manitoba Market Director for Manitoba providing Human Resource, compensation and total rewards consulting services to clients in Western Canada, the U.S. and has done so in Europe. Diane has extensive knowledge and practical skills as a practitioner and a consultant in HR management and business activities, including organizational realignment strategy, HR strategy and planning, leadership, HR research, HR policies and processes. She completed a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree from the University of Manitoba, a certificate and advanced certificate in HR Management from the University of Manitoba and the HR Management Association of Manitoba, a Certificate in Employee Benefits (CEB) from Humber College. She is a Certified HR Professional (CHRP) and a Certified Personnel Professional (IMA-CP). She also is a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) through World at Work. She is a Competent Toastmaster through Toastmasters International. Diane is the past President of the Human Resource Management Association (HRMAM) and recent board member, Canadian Council of Human Resources Associations (CCHRA). She is founding member and past president of IHRIM Canada West of the International Association for HR Information Management (IHRIM-HR Technology). Diane is the past Chairperson of the Manitoba Region and past National Executive Committee member and current member of the Canadian Pension and Benefits Institute.
R. David Wynne, MBA, CHRP, IPMA-CP (Past Advisors)
David was the Human Resource Information Co-ordinator with Manitoba Public Insurance for 25 years dealing with the implementation and maintenance of HR technology as well as all areas of HR and is now a retired consultant. Has a background in the banking industry, accounting and payroll. A human resource generalist with over 30 years of HR experience specializing in HR technology. He is a founding member of the Canadian Aboriginal Human Resource Management Association (CAHRMA). David is a Co-Chair of the Aboriginal Committee of the Human Resource Management Association of Manitoba (HRMAM). Former Financial Officer and Director of the Canada West affinity group (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta & BC) of the International Association for Human Resource Information Management (IHRIM).Former member of the Audit Committee for IHRIM (international). Former chairperson and still a member of the Advisory Committee for the continuing education HR Certificate program at Red River College. He has developed and taught a course at Red River College on computer systems within HR and served a past Director of Advocacy & Research and past Director of Marketing for the Human Resource Management Association of Manitoba (HRMAM).