Our Board

Debbie Krahn

Chair

Debbie has strong rural roots and together with her family has enjoyed community life in Steinbach for many years. Her commitment to this community motivated her to becoming involved in several local initiatives such as supporting the founding of a preschool, working on a steering committee for a homeless shelter and in 2009, co-founding The Chrysalis Fund. Debbie’s career as a Palliative Care Nurse in Steinbach helped her to gain insight to the unique challenges encountered by many families. Debbie currently co-leads the Comfort Basket Project through The Bethesda Foundation that provides self care items to those sitting vigil at the bedside of a loved one. An awareness of how local non-profits can be a valuable resource to children, youth and families is foundational to her work with The Chrysalis Fund.

Debbie recharges her “battery” through exploring nature, reading great books, and enjoying a good meal with family or friends.

Dr. Karen Toews

Vice Chair

Karen was born and raised in Steinbach. She attended the University of Manitoba and received her MD degree in 1994 and her certificate from the College of Family Physicians in 1996. Karen has been practicing family medicine in Steinbach since September of 1996. Karen’s work interests include cancer care, palliative care, obstetrics and teaching medical students. Outside of medicine, Karen enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, biking, running, reading and travelling. Karen is married to Rod and mom to children Siobhan and Liam. She is committed to the community and is thrilled to be a part of The Chrysalis Fund since its inception.

Simone Penner

Treasurer

Simone has had a passion for not-for-profit organizations for many years. She is immensely thankful that her passion has been fueled by the encouragement of her family. Although she presently does not serve any organizations,  her volunteering over the years has seen her involved with the local homeless shelter in Steinbach, Today House, the Refugee Committee at Grace Mennonite Church, the local soup kitchen, Soup’s On, the CancerCare volunteer program and the Palliative Care Program in Steinbach.

Steinbach was home to Simone for over 40 years. She has 5 grandchildren and if you ask her she will tell you, “Those are the best “volunteer days” when I have them all to myself, no parents around!” The biggest loves of her life are her husband, 3 sons, 3 daughters-in-law, 2 African daughters, and 5 grandchildren. Some other loves in her life are the friendships that have synergized over the years of volunteering in the not for profit world, reading, music.

“Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more.” ~ Anthony Robbins

Brenda Penner

Secretary

Brenda Penner was born, grew up in and raised her own family in the Steinbach area. Despite these deep roots in the community, her own family, travel opportunities and service on a variety of boards and committees have broadened her world view, especially to see the intrinsic value of all people, including any on the margins. Brenda is a wife, mother and grandmother. She has been employed in office, bookkeeping and administrative positions throughout her working years. She has been an active church participant and volunteer in children’s and women’s programs, and committee work at local, provincial and national levels. She enjoys reading, word games, Sudoku, photography, traveling, cycling and life in general.

Brenda considers it a real privilege to be able to be part of The Chrysalis Fund board and to be able to work together with the generous women who are involved in this practical way of giving back to the community.

Nettie Austman

Steinbach has been home to Nettie for 36 years. After many very busy years of raising a family in the community and assisting in her husband’s business, Nettie is now retired, but continues to offer volunteer time. No longer involved in schools, sports, or music with her children, she volunteers her time as able with the Palliative Care Volunteer program and Soup’s On as a kitchen assistant. Joys in life include spending time with her family, traveling, reading, gardening, and cooking. She and her husband have 3 sons, 1 daughter, 2 daughters-in-law, and 3 amazing grandchildren.

Being involved with The Chrysalis Fund is a great way of giving back to a community that has been a wonderful place to raise a family.

Sherril Reimer

Steinbach has been home to Sherril and her husband Wes for 27 years, a wonderful place to raise their now 3 adult daughters. She enjoys her volunteer involvements with Soup’s On as a board member and weekly cook, as well as with Ten Thousand Villages. Being involved with South East Helping Hands teaching cooking classes also provides an opportunity to give back to the community. Sherril counts it a privilege to be a part of The Chrysalis Fund from its beginning. Her interests include reading, biking, traveling, spending time at the lake and meeting new people.

Lindsey Banman

Lindsey lives in Steinbach with her husband Matthew and their lovely daughter Norah and is a proud supporter of her home community. This was the reason for joining the Chrysalis Fund and wanting to make a greater impact in the lives of community members and organizations working tirelessly on creating healthy communities for all.

She works as the Member Relations Manager with the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce and receives much joy from interacting and forming relationships with local businesses that are enhancing the community through their own work.

Lindsey is always up for a great concert, especially while enjoying the Winnipeg Folk Festival with thousands of people. She never misses a season of playing on the Lorette Royals ringette team, which is a highlight of wintertime for her.

Her and Matthew enjoy going on nearby flying adventures in their 1977 Grumman Cheetah airplane, which has often taken them to new places, meeting wonderful people and providing hilarious stories…often turning into a comedy sketch at the next friend’s get-together!

Susan Yakabowich

Susan is passionate about generosity and embraces the vision of a world where everyone lives generously.

She works for Abundance Canada as a Gift Planning Consultant. She comes from a background of economic and business development and has lived the last 20 years in Southern Manitoba. She currently resides in Niverville.

She sits on the Executive for the Manitoba Chapter of the Canadian Association of Gift Planning as well is an active member of the Steinbach Professional Development Toastmasters group.

Susan is delighted to be part of The Chrysalis Fund and to be with like minded, generous women making a difference in the community.

“Helping others in need is not only a responsibility of life: it is what gives meaning to life.” – Mollie Marti

“No one has ever become poor by Giving” – Anne Frank

Emma Dyck

Emma was born and raised in New Zealand and moved to Canada in 2008. She lives in Steinbach with her husband Nathan and son Gryffin. She first heard about The Chrysalis Fund through her volunteer work with Ten Thousand Villages, and knew she wanted to get involved and be part of giving back to her local community.

Emma is an instructor at Red River College Polytech, teaching Business Communications and in the Adult Learning Centre. For fun, she enjoys travelling with her family, watching plays and musicals, and spending time outdoors swimming and hiking.

Emma is excited to join the board and looks forward to connecting with local non-profit organizations.

Angeline Martin

Angeline moved to Steinbach in 1999 after earning her diploma in Massage Therapy. She successfully operated her own massage therapy business for 15 years. Following that, she dedicated six years to working with ROC Eastman, an organization she holds close to her heart, and continues to volunteer with today. Currently, Ang works in compliance and anti-money laundering at Rotessa, a local online money service business.

Raised in a family that emphasized generosity and community engagement, Ang strives to embody these values.  She joined The Chrysalis Fund in 2019 and is proud to be part of this generous group!

Angeline shares her life with her husband, Mike, and their beloved French Bulldog, Scottie Elizabeth. They love to travel, spend time at the lake and reading in their backyard.”