Each year, The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce celebrates the people who help our community thrive – not just through their work, but through their time, energy, and heart.
Our 2024-2025 Volunteer Award Recipients embody what it means to lead our community by example, helping us across our pillars of networking, events, thought leadership, member advocacy, and so much more, to help build a better Winnipeg for all.
Now, meet the volunteers who made it all possible this year.
Kahla Evans - Volunteer of The Year Award Recipient
As host of Fave Self CEO, Kahla’s dedicated to helping creatives, entrepreneurs, and leaders of all kinds find their voice, and create connections in our community.
And when it comes to volunteering, well, that’s just how Kahla was raised. Growing up in a small town, her whole family was involved in something: coaching minor ball and hockey, hosting Breakfast with Santa at the community hall, or helping throw socials for families fallen on hard times. She says it’s just part of being a country kid.
Today, Kahla’s been a tremendous force behind so much of what we do here at The Chamber, from Cohosting this year’s small business forums, to emceeing our Spirit of Winnipeg Awards this past June. She said her favourite part was, of course, the people. Getting to see how all the nominees and recipients were using their gifts and talents to give back, many of which were folks she’d interviewed before, volunteered alongside, or been a customer of for years. Her heart was truly happy the entire time.
Ours too, Kahla.
Thank you and congratulations to our Volunteer of the Year Award Recipient, Kahla Evans.
“Growing up a country kid, volunteering was just life. You pitched in when someone needed a hand, whether it was coaching minor hockey or flipping pancakes at Breakfast with Santa in the community hall. That’s always stayed with me, and it’s why I’ve loved being part of The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce – helping out, meeting incredible people, and getting to cheer on local businesses I’ve shopped at forever. Receiving Volunteer of the Year still feels surreal (at first I thought they were asking me to work the event!), but I’m so grateful… and this is just the start. After all, you can take the girl out of the country – but you’ll never take the country out of the girl!”
Monique Levesque-Pharoah - Volunteer of The Year Award Recipient
As Director of Development at Peer Connections Manitoba, Monique Levesque-Pharoah champions fundraising efforts to reduce wait times for free, confidential peer support services across the province.
Monique believes we’re at our best when we give back to those around us. In true Chamber fashion, her volunteer journey began with Toastmasters International, where she’s spent decades helping others become stronger communicators, leaders, and speakers — and even met her husband along the way.
This year marks an incredible milestone for Monique: 30 years of volunteering. That’s three decades of service, mentorship, and community leadership worth celebrating.
Monique’s connection to The Chamber began as an act of reciprocity. While working with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, she reached out for support on an event—and The Chamber showed up with a team. Not long after, Monique became an Ambassador herself, guided by the belief that you should always support those who support you.
Thank you, and congratulations to our Volunteer of The Year Award Recipient Monique Levesque-Pharoah.
“I am truly honoured to receive The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce’s Volunteer of the Year Award. Volunteering has been one of the most rewarding parts of my life, allowing me to connect with inspiring people, contribute to causes I care deeply about, and help strengthen our community. This recognition is also an opportunity to share the vital work of Peer Connections Manitoba, an organization dedicated to providing free, peer-led mental health and wellness support to individuals and families. I’m grateful for the chance to shine a light on their impact and to work alongside so many incredible people who are building a more supportive, inclusive, and compassionate Winnipeg.”
Justin Zarnowski - Director of The Year Award Recipient
Justin is General Counsel for Shindico, where he helps the 50-year-old full-service commercial real-estate company connect developers with land, entrepreneurs with workspaces, and Winnipeggers, with homes.
These talents are what led him to The Chamber back in 2020. Loren and the team were working on rent-assistance policy to guide the province on effective support for Manitobans, and wanted to understand what was actually happening in the market. So, in classic Chamber fashion, they reached out to somebody who knows somebody, and Former Chamber Chair Ken Jones said we should talk to Justin Zarnowski.
Justin met with the team and shared insights to shape The Chambers recommendations on that and other policy items. Shortly after, Justin happily accepted a seat on our board.
But he says his proudest moment, was when he was able to offer guidance during the opening of our new Chamber headquarters at 200 Portage. He collaborated closely with our COO Karen Weiss and our entire team, as they navigated the leasing and construction process.
The cool thing there, Justin says, is there’s a final product. A real, tangible thing you can look up at from the corner of Portage and Main and be proud to say, “I helped build this.”
Yes you did, Justin. And we’ll always be grateful.
Thank you, and congratulations to our Director of The Year Award Recipient Justin Zarnowski.
“I have had the privilege of working at Shindico for almost 15 years. It may sound corny but our slogan “Succeeding by Helping Others Succeed” is something we want each of our employees to live every day. This idea that others’ success isn’t something to be jealous of but rather celebrated is something we need much more of in Winnipeg. When I joined The Chamber Board, I was so pleased to see that this is the same attitude The Chamber brings to all of their (and our) work. I would like to thank The Chamber staff, especially Loren and all of my current and former board colleagues for having made my experience sitting on The Chamber board a singular pleasure of my life.“
Brian Scharfstein - Philip M. Sheps Award Recipient
A proud Winnipegger, Brian has enjoyed building Canadian Footwear and Foothealth Centers for over 56 years, providing jobs to over 100 employees across locations in Winnipeg and Calgary, while placing the utmost importance on workplace safety and a secure shopping experience for our community. Because, Brian says, knowing that he can make a difference is his passion.
He grew up in a house where being part of the community and volunteering was important, with a mother and father who led by example.
In the early 2000s, Brian attended his first Chamber event and quickly saw the opportunity to network, build relationships, and bolster his business. But when he mentioned it to his peers at the time, he heard the same refrain, “It’s just an old boys club.”
Well, that wouldn’t do, so when Brian became Chair in 2013, he spent the year passionately promoting our Winnipeg Chamber with the support of his partner, Pam. Brian clocked somewhere in the range of 180 events that year, sometimes two or three per day.
His goal was to network, change our community perception, and usher in a new understanding of who The Chamber really represents.
Today, as we look around at all the smiling faces of Winnipeg’s business community, we can see the impact of Brian’s work. His efforts helped redefine who we are, and his legacy will continue to shape our future.
Thank you, and congratulations to this year’s Philip M. Sheps Award Recipient Brian Scharfstein.
“I love Winnipeg! My success in business has been largely due to the support of this city and the businesses in this city. What better way to reciprocate than volunteer? The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce has been instrumental in leading our business community. Building relationships, networking, and supporting the business community can best be achieved by giving your time and commitment to community.”
