BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2023-2024

View the 2023 Board Chair Report
 

Christian Kennedy, Chair

Christian Kennedy has lived in the Dakota catchment area since 2006.  He started playing in the Dakota Adult Hockey League right after moving into the neighbourhood.  Christian has also taken time out of his busy schedule to coach his son and daughter’s hockey teams over the last number of years, as well as coaching baseball for two seasons. 

Christian was Chair of the United Way Winnipeg Golf Tournament from 2018 until 2022, and spent a total of seven years as a committee member.  He also held the position of Trustee for the University of Manitoba Alumni Fund from 2005 until 2008.  

Christian graduated from the University of Manitoba in 2004 with a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree majoring in both Finance and Marketing.  He is presently an Investment Advisor & Financial Planner with Mahoney-Kennedy Wealth Management at BMO Private Wealth.   He also holds three professional designations as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP), and Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®).


Cory Shangreaux, Vice Chair

Cory Shangreaux has lived in River Park South since 2006. Cory is married and has two boys ages 16 and 18 who have taken part in soccer, baseball and hockey programs based out of Dakota Community Centre. Cory is an active member of the Dakota Fieldhouse and enjoys the use of the running track on a regular basis. Cory previously coached minor hockey with the St Vital Minor Hockey Association for many years and is an active volunteer.

Cory is employed as Corporate Counsel with Richardson International and has a law degree from The University of Manitoba Faculty of Law. Prior to joining Richardson International, Cory worked as in-house counsel with employers such as Manitoba Hydro, SkipTheDishes, IG Wealth Management, Tribal Councils Investment Group and Pitblado LLP.

Cory also serves as chair of the executive committee for the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association’s Manitoba section (The CCCA is an independent section of the Canadian Bar Association and is Canada’s home to in-house counsel.) 


Anthony Maros, Treasurer

Anthony has lived in the Dakota catchment area since 2008. Anthony has two children that are active in the community centre between the preschool programs to indoor and outdoor soccer.

Anthony has been active in community work over the past 15 years. He has chaired a golf tournament in support of the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba from 2018 to present day. He has served on various football boards while coaching community, provincial, and junior teams in the province.

Anthony graduated from the University of Manitoba in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. He is presently a Private Banker with BMO Private Wealth. He also holds a Financial Modeling and Valuation Analyst designation and was the Investment Industry Association of Canada’s Top Under 40 list in 2020.

Anthony indicates giving back to his community is important. Whether through direct coaching or holding board positions it is important to be involved. Knowing your neighbors is important to having a successful community.


Sandy Nemeth

Sandy’s interest in serving on the Dakota CC board stems from a firm belief in community centres as valuable hubs of both recreation and sport excellence. She has watched DCC expand and evolve to meet the many and varied needs of the growing community it belongs to and is appreciative of the work and dedication of the centre staff and volunteers in making this happen.

Since 2010, Sandy has been a trustee on the Louis Riel School Board, currently in the role of board Chair and she also serves as a regional Director on the Manitoba School Boards Association. She is employed by the University of Manitoba and has been a resident of River Park South for over 25 years.  


Karlee Batchelor

Karlee Batchelor and her family have lived in River Park South since 2014 and her two young boys continue to keep her busy, having participated in soccer, baseball, curling, swimming, karate and golf.

She holds a Certified Engineering Technologist (C.E.T.) designation and is also a LEED Accredited Professional. She is currently Senior Estimator for PCL, and also a member of the Young Construction Leaders of Manitoba.

An ongoing passion project of Karlee’s has been her involvement with the Manitoba Kidney Foundation; she has actively volunteered and fundraised for the foundation for the past nine years.


Matthew Awang

Matt Awang and his family have lived in the Dakota catchment area since 2013. Matt is constantly involved in the Dakota Adult Rec Hockey League while his daughter participates in the R4U programs and his son in the hockey programs that take place at the community centre. Matt and family also enjoy participating in public skating and special events like Dakota Days and the Christmas Market.

Matt graduated Red River College in 2008 with a Structural Engineering Technology Diploma. He also graduated Lakehead University in 2011 with a Civil Engineering Bachelors Degree. Matt has 13 years of experience within the engineering consulting and construction industry as a Professional Civil/Structural Engineer and Project Manager.

Matt has volunteered with various organizations over the past decade including Engineering Geoscientists Manitoba, Young Construction Leaders of Manitoba, École St. Germain PAC and Habitat for Humanity to name just a few. Matt would like to serve on the board because of his passion for community sports, activities and positive community involvement initiatives. Matt would also like the opportunity to meet and work with new people within the community, elected officials and help contribute to the overall improvement of the community, the centre and its services.


Joseph Langan

Joseph Langan has lived in the Dakota catchment since 2014, where he and his family actively participate and  volunteer in a variety of sports and recreation programs, including hockey, soccer, basketball and flag football.  Joseph also dedicates time to help coach soccer as well as an active member of Dakota’s Track & Fitness Centre for a number of years. 

In addition to his busy work and family life, Joseph has also served on several volunteer Boards, including St. Paul’s College Foundation and the Winnipeg Lawn Tennis Club.

Joseph is a graduate from the University of Manitoba, where he earned Bachelors of Arts and Law degrees.  He has been practicing law for 20 years, and is currently in-house legal counsel with Manitoba Hydro.


Sharan Tappia

Sharan Tappia has lived in the Dakota catchment area with her husband Pram and their children, since 1997 and has been a Realtor with Royal Lepage, since 2004. 

Through her many years of volunteer service, Sharan has contributed many hours to a variety of charitable and not-for-profit organizations, as well as serving on numerous committees and Boards since 2005.  She is presently the founding President of Asian Women of Winnipeg (AWOW), and serves on the Boards of the Asian Heritage Society of Manitoba and the Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council.  Her past volunteer involvement as includes roles with the Winnipeg Real Estate Board, the Indian Association of Manitoba, and the Punjab Foundation of Manitoba. 

Sharan is looking forward to continuing her family’s long-standing commitment to the Centre, as her husband, Dr. Paramjit Tappia who served as Dakota CC’s Soccer Convener for many years. 


Scott Macaulay

Scott Macaulay was born and raised in the Dakota catchment area, moving out of country to attend University in the U.S. and play professional hockey in Europe for a number of years.  Recently, Scott and his wife Kelly and their two sons settled in his home community of River Park South, where the now participate, volunteer and enjoy the many programs offered at Dakota CC.  

He has numerous volunteer experiences with a variety of hockey organizations and causes, as well as Manitoba Harvest, Ronald McDonald House and RBC charity events.   

Scott is a graduate of Northern Michigan University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science, Finance & Risk Management degree.  He also holds an Executive Master of Business Administration degree from Athabasca University.  He is currently a Relationship Manager for RBC, managing mid-size commercial clients in the supply chain and manufacturing industries.