The role of the Board of Directors is to approve and oversee the direction of the WCB. By statute, the Board of Directors consists of 10 members appointed by the Government of Manitoba from nominations submitted by labour, employers and the public. The Chief Executive Officer is a non-voting member of the Board of Directors.

The Executive Committee is responsible for providing leadership in the daily operations of the WCB.

Board of Directors

Michael Werier - ChairpersonMichael Werier

Michael is a lawyer with extensive experience as an arbitrator/mediator and an expert in employment and labour law, health law and civil litigation.

 

 

Catherine SkinnerCatherine Skinner - Acting President and CEO

Cathy Skinner is Vice President, Legal, Compliance and Corporate Services and currently serving as acting President and CEO. She joined the WCB in 2014 and was appointed General Counsel and Vice President in 2019. Cathy earned her law degree at the University of Toronto and holds a master's degree in law from the University of London. She was also designated a Certified In-House Counsel by the University of Toronto Rotman School of Management in 2017.

Cathy has practised law in Ontario and Manitoba for more than 20 years, specializing primarily in administrative, statutory and insurance law. She is active in the Canadian Bar Association at the national and local levels. Cathy is also a guest lecturer at the University of Manitoba.

 

Worker Representatives
 

 Jean-Guy Bourgeois

Jean-Guy is the Director of Internal Operations at the Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union (MGEU).  He is also a member of the Executive Council of the Manitoba Federation of Labour and a member of the Board of Directors at the Union Centre. Jean-Guy was appointed to the WCB Board of Directors in 2016.

Sylvia Farley

Sylvia is the former Executive Director of the Manitoba Federation of Labour. Previously, Sylvia was the Labour Director of the United Way of Winnipeg. Sylvia was appointed to the WCB Board of Directors in 2016. 

Marc Lafond

Marc is Business Manager/Financial Secretary of the International Union of Operating Engineers of Manitoba (Local 987). He is also President of Manitoba Building and Construction Trades Council. He serves on various boards. He was appointed in 2018.


Employer Representatives
 

Ron Koslowsky

Ron is the Vice President, Manitoba Division of the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters with extensive experience in manufacturing, construction, insurance and business consulting. Ron was appointed to the WCB Board of Directors in 2018. 

 

Yvette Milner

Yvette is the President of Merit Contractors Association of Manitoba and has extensive experience in many areas of disability management and workplace safety. Yvette was appointed to the WCB Board of Directors in 2016.

Chris Lorenc

Chris is President of the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association and President of the Western Canada Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association.  He was appointed in 2023.


Public Interest Representatives
 

Ranbir Dhillon

Ranbir is the Vice-President, Corporate Development at Exchange Income Corporation. Over the past 25 years he has worked with and served on various boards and community organizations. Ranbir is a Certified Professional Accountant. He was appointed in 2022.

Glenn Hildebrand

Glenn is a senior management consultant with over 30 years' experience in public relations and communication management fields. His practice also includes assisting organizations in improving and enhancing board governance structures and processes. He was appointed in 2019.

Randal Smith

Randy is a retired former Deputy Director and Senior Counsel with the Department of Justice Canada, Labour Canada. He has been involved with multiple organizations including Canada Pension Tribunal, Manitoba Human Rights Commission, and the Civil Service Superannuation Board. Mr. Smith is a lawyer who was called to the Bar in 1980 and appointed Queen's Council in 1991. He was appointed in 2022.

 

Governance

The Board of Directors is the centre of the WCB’s governance structure, oversees the management of the WCB and is committed to best practices in corporate governance.

 

Program Audit

In 2005, the Legislative Review Committee on the Workers Compensation Act recommended that the Government appoint an independent auditor every five years to conduct a value-for-money audit of a program of the WCB. This recommendation was subsequently incorporated into the amended legislation.

In 2010, the Board of Directors of the WCB recommended and the Government approved that an external cost, efficiency, and effectiveness audit be conducted of the Short Term Claims program. 

The audit concluded that the Short Term Claims program was well managed and controlled.  The audit report outlined sixteen recommendations to improve various aspects of the administration of the program. To view the audit report, click here.

In 2015, the Board of Directors recommended and the Government approved an external audit of the WCB's Review Office and File Access Unit.

The audit notes that the reconsideration process is operating with due regard for cost, efficiency and effectiveness. The audit report identified 24 opportunities for improvements and the WCB has accepted the recommendations and is working to make the suggested improvements. To view the audit report, click here.

In 2022, the WCB Board of Directors approved an external audit of the SAFE Work Manitoba 10-year “Prevention Rebate Program” (PRP).

The audit identified 6 recommendations for improving the administration of the PRP. Rationale, expected benefits, and key actions required have been identified to allow for implementation. To view the audit report, click here.

 

Board Minutes

Executive Management Committee

Download Organizational Chart

Catherine Skinner
Acting President and CEO
Vince Jordan
Vice President & Chief Technology Officer
Dan Holland
Vice President, Compensation Services
Renzo Borgesa
Vice President, Strategy, Innovation, & Transformation
Leslie Anne Hurley
Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Candace Crossland
Acting Vice President, Communications
Dave Kramer
Vice President SAFE Work Manitoba
Brad Janzen
Acting Vice President, Legal, Compliance & Corporate Services
Merrilee Allan
Acting Vice President, Human Resources
 
 
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