Athena Leadership is operated by an annually elected Board of Directors. The board consists of current members with diverse industry background, experience and education, and community interests.
Athena Leadership
Board of Directors
2023-2024
Kim Phillips | AgGrowth International
INTERIM President
Kim Phillips was born and raised in rural Manitoba. She moved to Winnipeg to obtain her Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Manitoba and obtained her CPA while working at Ernst & Young LLP. During her time at university & EY, she was an active volunteer. She was the Co-Chair for the Commerce Business Banquet which is a feature networking event for the Commerce Student’s Association, she led EY’s workplace United Way Campaign, and she was selected as an EarthWatch ambassador to participate in an environmental field expedition in Brazil.
She returned to her agricultural roots by accepting a Group Controller position at Ag Growth International in 2018 and is now the Director of Finance for the Digital segment of the business. She is strongly passionate about developing women professionals and joined Athena Leadership in 2017. Since joining she has served as Treasurer, and President of the Board of Directors. Her focus is to foster the development forum that Athena Leadership provides to help advance Winnipeg women+ in their careers with an emphasis on promoting a diverse and inclusive environment.
Mercy Oluwafemi | The Winnipeg Foundation
Vice President
Mercy Oluwafemi is a world adventurer who is passionate about leadership, philanthropy, and catalyzing social change. She has delivered leadership programs around the world and has spoken at TEDx. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Manitoba and has earned multiple change management and project management certifications. She currently works at The Winnipeg Foundation connecting youth to philanthropy and the non-profit sector with a commitment to igniting positive change and creating lasting impact.
As Athena Vice-President, Mercy brings her project manager ‘hat’ to the organization, creating mentorship and networking opportunities and making space for inspiration, connection, and knowledge-sharing.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Mercy is an advocate for fitness, an ardent reader, and an avid volunteer. In her spare time, you’ll often find her planning her next travel adventure.
Larissa Kanhai | university of Manitoba
Secretary
Larissa Kanhai holds the position of Secretary on the Board of Directors for Athena Leadership. A self-professed global citizen and advocate – Larissa has lived, worked, and studied across Canada as well as travelling and volunteering across continents. For the last decade, she has made her home in Winnipeg, fostering community and networks along with her partner and 3 children. She holds an MBA in Sustainability and Public Enterprise, a B.A. Hons in International Development, a B.Sc. in Biology, and has a non-profit background in social justice. Larissa is a community activist and most recently worked with the Manitoba Government as Diversity and Inclusion Program Coordinator.
With passions for environmental justice, anti-racism, and intersectional feminism, Larissa brings expertise and lived experience to all her endeavours. Empowerment is both the “why” and the “how” in her pursuit of improving the world, which beautifully parallels the tenets of Athena Leadership. As a proud member of Athena for six years, Larissa fiercely believes in supporting relationships.
Larissa identifies as a cis-gender female, first-generation Canadian, and person of colour (pronouns: she/her/elle).
Katie Moist | bockstael construction
Treasurer
Katie Moist, P.Eng., is Project Manager at Bockstael Construction. Previously, Katie worked as a Municipal Engineer with KGS Group after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Manitoba in 2019. Katie has been an active member of the engineering community since starting in the Faculty of Engineering. Katie received the Co-op Engineering Student of the Year Award and John Shewchuk Engineering Design Awards upon graduation. She is currently an active member on the 30 by 30 Provincial Steering Committee, and the Vice Chair of Friends of Engineering. Katie received Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba’s Intern Award in 2022 in recognition for her impact to the profession. She is also an active volunteer in the community, holding positions with Athena Leadership and The United Way Winnipeg. In her free time, Katie enjoys staying active, travelling and spending time at her cabin.
Laura Saj | Price Industries
Director, Communications
Laura Saj was raised in Stonewall, Manitoba and graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Manitoba where she was an active member of the community, a passion she continues to foster to this day. She currently works as a Senior Events Coordinator for Price Industries where she usually has some story about the behind-the-scenes version of what appears as a “calm event” to those on the outside.
Laura is excited to join the board as the Director of Communications and focus on highlighting and promoting both Athena Leadership and its inspiring members.
In her spare time, Laura enjoys reading, hiking or other outdoor adventures, and attempting a DIY project or some new recipe she found.
brittany enns | lambert nemec group
Director, Scholarship
Brittany Enns has nearly a decade of corporate Human Resources experience within various industries, leading many successful people and culture initiatives and strategies. In her current role as Director of Recruitment - People & Culture at Lambert Nemec Group, Brittany is passionate about empowering candidates to confidently navigate their career journey. She has her Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from the Asper School of Business with majors in Human Resources and Marketing. In addition, Brittany holds her Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation and is a recipient of the CPHR Manitoba Rising Star Award.
Brittany joined Athena in 2021 and is honoured to serve as the Director of Scholarship. She is dedicated to growing the Athena Leader of Tomorrow scholarship by fostering strong relationships within the community, supporting women+ both personally and professionally.
Outside of work and spending time with family, Brittany enjoys reading mystery novels, working on creative sewing or crafty projects, and singing on stage with her band.