Desiree Katz – President
Community Representative 2023-26
Desiree received her Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Manitoba in 2014 and her J.D. from the University of Manitoba in 2017. Desiree was called to the Manitoba Bar in 2018. She completed her articles at MLT Aikins LLP in Winnipeg, Manitoba and has been with the firm since then. Desiree practices primarily in the areas of taxation including corporate and personal tax planning, corporate reorganizations and tax efficient business structuring. Desiree is currently completing the CPA In-Depth Tax Program with an intended completion date of 2023. When not busy with her growing legal practice, Desiree enjoys spending time with her husband and two year-old daughter. They love to travel together, whether it be to somewhere tropical or to their family cottage at Hillside Beach, MB. When not thinking of where to travel to next, they enjoy quiet time at home working on their ever-growing Lego collection!
Ken Thomas-Treasurer
Community Representative 2024-27
For the past 20 years, Ken’s career background has been in senior financial and operational roles in dynamic and growing companies. Currently, his role is Corporate Governance with Bridge Road Construction Ltd., with a focus on project financing submissions, regulatory compliance matters of operating companies, risk management oversight, and due diligence coordination on Mutual Fund Trust and related entities. Ken is passionate about making a difference in peoples’ lives and has been privileged to serve and contribute as a volunteer on not-for-profit boards on a local, provincial, and national level serving in executive and committee leadership roles with Safety Services Manitoba (Past Chair), the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce (Past Chair), Skills Connect Inc. and Third Quarter (Chair of Audit Committee), and the Winkler & District Chamber of Commerce (Past-President). Ken enjoys spending time outdoors, golfing, reading, traveling, and new adventures with the grandkids.
Carinna D/Abramo Rosales
Community Representative 2023-2027
Carinna is currently a Co-Director at Supporting Employment and Economic Development (SEED) Winnipeg Inc and has been there for 20+ years. She played a lead role in developing the Business Enterprise Support and Training (BEST) program and has worked with various community partners to customize the program for specific audiences such as youth, newcomer and Indigenous entrepreneurs. She was also involved in the design and development of Recognition Counts, a micro loan program for skilled immigrants seeking qualification recognition in Canada. Carinna also focuses on the development of local social enterprise endeavours in Winnipeg and is the co-founder of the Manitoba Social Finance Working Group. Her background includes years of family business management in the hospitality sector, a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Manitoba, an Advanced Diploma in International Business, a Certificate in Mediation Services with a focus on Organizational Leadership, as well as a Certificate in Women’s Leadership from the Coady Institute of Development at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia.
Dennis Cunningham
Community Representative 2023-26
Dennis Cunningham joined Assiniboine Credit Union Limited as Manager of Environmental Sustainability in 2010. He engages with employees and ACU members to develop and deliver programs to support ACU’s commitment to environmental leadership. His work focuses on green and active commuting, energy efficiency, waste diversion, and greenhouse gas management. Recently his role has expanded to include climate related risk disclosure and the measurement of financed emissions. Dennis is currently a member of the Canadian Credit Union Association of Canada Working Group on the Task Force for Climate Related Disclosures. Prior to joining ACU, Dennis worked at the International Institute for Sustainable Development working on Business and Sustainable Development issues and Climate Change policy managing provincial, national and international projects. He has been active on numerous non-profit boards including the Winnipeg International Children’s Festival, Green Action Centre, Manitoba Eco Network, Sustainable Building Manitoba, and the Riverview Community Centre (currently Past-president). Outside of work and volunteering, Dennis runs marathons, ultramarathons, is an avid cyclist and he loves cross-country skiing.
Ainsley Desautels
Expertise Representative 2025-27
Ainsley Desautels is a dedicated and accomplished professional specializing in strategic human resources, leadership development, and leadership coaching. With a strong commitment to fostering organizational growth and enhancing leadership capabilities, Ainsley brings a wealth of expertise and experience. Ainsley is currently the Vice President, People & Culture with One Insurance Group.
A lifelong learner, Ainsley holds the Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation and the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) designation through the International Coaching Federation. In addition, Ainsley holds certifications in Coaching, Emotional Intelligence, Facilitation, Brain Based Coaching and Leadership. She has recently completed training to become a certified Skills for Success and Relational Skills Practitioner.
Ainsley is happiest when she is giving back to her community either as a volunteer leadership coach, participating on volunteer projects through Spark or as a volunteer judge in the Skills Manitoba annual competition.
Outside of professional pursuits, Ainsley enjoys spending time by the lake with her family. This balance between professional dedication and personal rejuvenation reflects Ainsley’s holistic approach to life and work.
Fatimata Niang
Faith Groups Representative 2025-28
Fatimata Niang is a dedicated professional with a strong background in finance, administration, and community impact. As a Black Muslim woman, she brings a unique perspective to financial accessibility and economic empowerment, aligning with Jubilee Fund’s mission to reduce the impact of poverty through sustainable investment.
Fluent in English and French, Fatimata has built a career that spans insurance, finance, and community development. Currently serving as an Adjuster at Manitoba Public Insurance, she advocates for fair and transparent claims processes, ensuring customers understand their benefits, coverage, and financial implications. Her experience as a Member Service Representative at Caisse Financial Group honed her ability to manage customer accounts, financial transactions, and promote accessible banking solutions.
Beyond corporate finance, Fatimata has actively supported non-profits and social enterprises, particularly through her role as an Administrative and Financial Assistant at 1JustCity, where she managed bookkeeping, donor relations, and community outreach. She has also provided bilingual advisory services in customer care, logistics, and technical support, demonstrating strong communication and problem-solving skills across various industries.
Holding a Master’s degree in Finance and Development from Université Assane Seck de Ziguinchor, Senegal and a Business Administration diploma from Université de Saint-Boniface, Fatimata understands the critical role of impact-driven investments in fostering sustainable economic growth. Her strategic planning experience, developing project budgets, monitoring financial performance, and planning operations further reinforces her expertise in financial governance and policy evaluation.
Passionate about equity and financial inclusion, Fatimata is eager to contribute her knowledge, leadership, and lived experience to Jubilee Fund’s board, ensuring that community-focused financial initiatives create lasting change for those facing economic hardship.
John Nicholson
Faith Group Representative 2020-24
From 1997-2016, John worked as a portfolio manager at National Bank Financial serving a client base that included both high net worth individuals as well as charitable foundations, religious communities, and Catholic organizations. John retired in 2016 and now serves as a consultant to charitable groups in Canada. He is currently involved with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Winnipeg as Director of Development. John, his wife Vera, and their two children are members of Holy Family Ukrainian Catholic Parish in Winnipeg. John serves on the Parish Council, the Archeparchy of Winnipeg Finance Council, and is a former Grand Knight of Council 8499.
Pierre Sebakwiye
Faith Group Representative 2025-27
Pierre Sebakwiye (No Pic) BIO: ‘Pierre is an ordinary person. He has been a primary and secondary school teacher before he gets into human rights and related work for over past 20 years. Pierre educational background is socio-political oriented. While working for the Labour Board, he is at the same time active member the Society of Saint Vencent de Paul, a worldwide Christian charity organization, and he is the President of its Sainte Catherine Laboure et de la Misericorde Divine Conference in Saint Boniface Cathedral Parish and Diocese.
Pierre believes that the Julilee Funds is one of the important means to give respect to human Rights, especially, the least disadvantaged fellow brothers and sisters.
Pierre considers every human being as sacred and unique, deserving all the integral respect in all circumstances. Pierre respects deeply our Creator and all the creation.
Lynda Trono
Faith Group Representative 2021-24
Lynda originally became involved with Jubilee Fund in 1998 at an ecumenical event called Building a Moral Economy. She was involved in the dreaming stages of the Jubilee Fund when she was young. Now years later, she is excited about being involved again. Lynda is a Diaconal Minister with The United Church of Canada. She has lived in Manitoba since 1995 and in that time has served as Conference Minister for Education, Justice and Communication with the Former Conference (now part of the Prairie to Pine Region) and worked with St. Mary’s Road United Church as part of their ministry team. For the past 9 years, she has been the Community Minister at West Broadway Community Ministry where she has increased her capacity to love. In her spare time, Lynda has volunteered with the North American Interfaith network as its Program Conveyor. She has a strong interest in working on issues of justice with people from different faith backgrounds. During her time at West Broadway Lynda received the West Broadway Pillar of the Community Award and the UNPAC Activist Award – Not Afraid to Get her Hands Dirty. She is looking forward to getting her hands dirty with the Jubilee Fund
If you are interested in joining the Jubilee Fund Board, please email us.