Brandon Chamber Breakfast Series: Women in Leadership
Come for breakfast and a chance to network before the work day begins. We will feature a panel of local female professionals in early celebration of International Women's Day which is on March 8, 2019. Listen as they share their stories and experiences in our business community.

The panel will include:

• Anita Haigh of Blinds by Anita
• Elisabeth Saftiuk of Downtown Development Corporation
• Gillian Sullivan of Sneath Projects
• Jenn Shields of Royal LePage/Martin Liberty

Meet the Panel!

Elisabeth Saftiuk
Elisabeth Saftiuk is the Executive Director of the Brandon Downtown Development Corporation, a non-profit organization mandated to drive revitalization of downtown Brandon by identifying and encouraging investment and redevelopment opportunities in the city’s core.

Elisabeth is also an Acting Chair on the Manitoba Municipal Board, serves on the Brandon Chamber of Commerce’s Business Development Committee, and is a council member for the Manitoba Professional Planners Institute. She has experience in public policy development and land use planning, having worked as a policy analyst for the Manitoba PC Caucus and as a community planner for the Red River Planning District.

Elisabeth graduated from the University of Manitoba in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts (Advanced) degree in Economics. Following an internship with the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, she returned to the University of Manitoba to pursue graduate studies in the Faculty of Architecture, graduating in 2014 with a Master of City Planning. Elisabeth is a candidate member of the Canadian Institute of Planners and is in the process of obtaining her Registered Professional Planner designation. 

Anita Haigh
Anita Haigh along with her husband Glen are the owners of Blinds by Anita in Brandon since 2007.

They are a custom window covering business selling Hunter Douglas products to clients who appreciate quality products and a high level of customer service.

 For them it’s about building lasting relationships with their clients.

Gillian Austin
Gillian Sullivan is a red seal carpenter and the project manager for Sneath Projects, a general contractor based in Brandon, and established in 2016.  She is a force and oversees commercial and residential projects across the prairies.  As a woman in an industry dominated by men, she is transforming the trades industry one project at a time.  Known for her integrity, commitment to quality, and easy-going nature, she has helped to grow Sneath Projects into one of Westman’s most respected contractors—evidenced by the fact that it was named one of Westman’s Top 3 Contractors in 2018 by the Brandon Readers’ Choice Poll and the fact that the Sneath Group, of which Sneath Projects is a part, was recognized as Brandon’s best new business for 2018 and one of the top 3 small businesses in the province for 2018 by the Brandon and Manitoba Chambers of Commerce.  She apprenticed in Victoria and specialized in sustainable building.  In her spare time, she built an off the grid yurt near Riding Mountain National Park which serves as her family’s weekend home.  She is active in her community, organizing fundraisers and an annual block party for her neighbourhood.  She is an avid traveler and traveled all over the world before returning to Brandon to raise her two boys, Eoin, 7, and Finlay, 4.

Jenn Shields
Jenn is a mom, wife, daughter, friend and proud Brandonite.
 
She has been working alongside her husband Ryan in their Real Estate business Shields Group with Royal LePage Martin-Liberty for several years.
 
In November of 2018 she opened the doors of Open Hearts Wellness. A studio located in the Bass Building in downtown Brandon, offering yoga, meditation and other holistic wellness services.
 
Jenn feels passionate about supporting small business in our community, raised in a local business family. She especially loves collaborating and connecting with other local female entrepreneurs.