Community-Rooted Governance: The StoryBridge Network Welcomes Two New Board Members

Admin
Oct 7
3 min read

Updated: Oct 9

Group of seven people smiling indoors, standing and sitting. Bright background with large windows, casual attire, friendly atmosphere. — Standing, left to right: Hafiz Jatto, Chantella Morgan-Peart, Dr. Patlee Creary, Brian Creary, Lisa Houtkooper. Seated, left to right: Monique Burke, Rachel E. Smith.

At The StoryBridge Network, we believe authentic leadership starts with connection—connection to lived experience, to community, and to the transformative power of story. Our Board of Directors reflects that belief. These leaders bring values, vision, and deep care for the people we serve: newcomers, youth, seniors, and people experiencing displacement or housing transitions.

New to the Board

Man with glasses, wearing a dark sweater, rests chin on hand. Black and white photo with a contemplative expression. Plain background. Hafiz Jatto.

Hafiz Jatto (He/Him/They/Them) is a policy-minded community advocate based in Winnipeg, utilizing stories and critical discourse to promote anti-racist, equitable outcomes. Hafiz holds a Labour Studies degree (University of Manitoba) and a Project Management Certificate (Red River College). Their roles have spanned the Manitoba Association of Newcomer Serving Organizations, the City of Winnipeg, Manitoba’s Occupational Health Centre, and the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg.

Smiling person with curly hair stands against a light abstract background, wearing a striped shirt. The mood is cheerful and warm. Chantella Morgan-Peart.

Chantella Morgan-Peart brings more than twelve years of social work leadership with Jamaica’s Ministry of Labour and Social Security, alongside experience as a Case Worker & Donor Care Representative at Siloam Mission, public school Board Member, Trainer/Supervisor for the Electoral Commission of Jamaica, CPHR Awards Gala Committee Member, and Student Ambassador. She holds a BA in Social Work and a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management.

Our Continuing Board

A person with a mustache smiles slightly, sitting on a leather chair. Dark background, wearing a knitted sweater, creating a calm mood. Brian Creary.

Brian Creary — Director & Board Chair

A former member of the Jamaica Defence Force who helped establish the Caribbean Military Academy School of Aviation, Brian is now a Canadian aviation instructor and training manager. A passionate reader of first-person narratives, he champions spaces where diverse voices can be heard and valued.

Smiling person with glasses and short hair in a black and white photo. Wearing a patterned shirt and a necklace, set against a dark background. SJ Nesbitt.

Sarah Jane (SJ) Nesbitt — Director & Board Secretary

An operations strategist, storyteller, and musician, SJ centers community care, creativity, and accessibility. Her experience supporting seniors, neurodivergent individuals, and arts-based initiatives brings an inclusive lens to StoryBridge.

Smiling woman with long hair and ornate earrings, wearing a floral top against a neutral background. Mood is calm and pleasant. Monique Burke.

Monique Burke — Director-at-Large

Monique, a newcomer services coordinator with the Winnipeg School Division, brings over 15 years of experience in settlement, education, and program development. She is also a passionate community artist who focuses on youth leadership, culturally responsive care, and community inclusion.

Portrait of a woman with long hair, smiling slightly, set against a dark background. The image is in black and white, conveying a calm mood. Rachel E. Smith.

Rachel E Smith — Director-at-Large

A multidisciplinary artist and educator, Rachel integrates performance, coaching, and trauma-aware practice to help participants build confidence and presence through expressive arts. Rachel has been instrumental in guiding newcomers and community storytellers to share their chosen stories on stage with confidence.

Smiling person wearing patterned glasses, light jacket, against a dark textured background. Black and white image. Lisa Houtkooper.

Lisa Houtkooper — Director-at-Large

A registered nurse with 30+ years’ experience and a Master of Nursing, Lisa works at the Occupational Health Centre in Winnipeg. She is committed to psychologically safe workplaces and equity-deserving communities, and facilitates mindfulness and de-escalation training.

Woman with braided hair smiles gently against a plain background, creating a warm, friendly mood. Black and white image. Dr. Patlee Creary.

Leadership update: Dr. Patlee Creary has stepped down from the Board to serve as Executive Director of The StoryBridge Network. As a lived-experience storyteller, mindfulness facilitator, and small business owner with a PhD in Peace & Conflict Studies, Patlee now leads StoryBridge’s operations and growth, and the Board of Directors provides governance and strategic oversight.