‘Main goal is to engage people again’

The Manitoba LGBT* Chamber of Commerce has selected Jenny Steinke-Magnus as its first executive director.

Steinke-Magnus brings more than 15 years of experience in non-profit administration, communications, event management and human resources to the role. She started April 7; the chamber announced the appointment on social media last week.

“I’m thrilled,” said Steinke-Magnus, 40, who identifies as a member of the LGBTTQ+ community. “It kind of brings together many aspects of my identity and my past job skills and experience.”

Born and raised in Winnipeg, Steinke-Magnus joined the chamber after 5-½ years as executive director at the Manitoba Choral Association and two years as executive director for Prairie Voices Inc.

Steinke-Magnus holds a master of arts in French studies from Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C., and recently completed a non-profit management certificate from Calgary’s Mount Royal University. She serves as chairperson of Creative Manitoba.

The chamber started in 1988 as the Lambda Business and Professional Club of Winnipeg, taking its name from the 11th letter of the Greek alphabet — lambda — which was first adopted as a symbol for the Gay Activists Alliance in New York in the early 1970s.

Until now, the organization has been run by volunteers. It has about 100 members and struggled to get back on its feet after the COVID-19 pandemic.

In February, the chamber received a $300,000 grant from the federal Department of Small Business, through its 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Program. The grant allowed the organization to create two full-time roles: executive director and program co-ordinator. (Cec Lopez was hired to fill the latter position last month.)

Steinke-Magnus said she is looking forward to creating new programs in the coming months, including a mentorship program that will allow members to develop their business skills. Other priorities include updating the organization’s branding, planning events and liaising with the LGBTTQ+ business community.

“The main goal is to engage people again and really grow the chamber,” Steinke-Magnus said, adding it’s an inclusive organization meant for businesses, individuals and allies.

“There’s a lot that we could do and a lot of potential, and we’re really, really excited. We know there’s a lot of people out there — we just need to get the word out and let people know who we are.”

The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce is also excited about Steinke-Magnus’ appointment, said Loren Remillard, president and CEO.

“I think this is good news for our business community, for the (LGBTTQ+) community and all Winnipeggers,” he said. “The more we work together collaboratively as partners, the stronger our community will be.”

The two chambers have always had a good relationship, but it has “waxed and waned” depending on the LGBT* chamber’s volunteer leadership, Remillard said.

He believes a paid, full-time executive director will only make the chamber — and its connection to the Winnipeg chamber — stronger.

“We look forward to working with the new CEO, so that we can talk on a day-to-day basis about how we can work together more effectively to the benefit of both organizations,” Remillard said.

Kerry Porter, chairperson of Manitoba LGBT* Chamber of Commerce, was not available for comment before print deadline. In February, she called the funding that allowed for the two staff hirings “a game-changer” for the organization.

The chamber will host “Pride on Tap: a 2SLGBTQ+ Mixer” on May 27 at Devil May Care Brewing Co. Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members, and will be available at mb-lgbt.biz in the coming days.

“We want to encourage everyone to come out,” Steinke-Magnus said of the after-work event, which coincides with Pride Week.

“We would love to have people come out to that and hear about all the great things we’re going to be doing in the coming months.”

aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca