THERE is no shortage of powerful business leaders in Manitoba but a select few households have more than their fair share.
That’s because there’s not one but TWO power brokers living under the same roof.
Welcome to the first edition of the Manitoba Inc. Power Couples, a list of five twosomes who sit at head tables, are masters of the microphone and quite simply, get things done.
As with the Power 30 in our Spring edition, this is far from an exact science.
We have compiled this list in consultation with writers, editors, business people and other sources. It has been fluid since the beginning, with some people included in the first version, removed in a subsequent iteration and put back on in the final.
This is most certainly not a case where behind every good man is a good woman. The women of our Power Couples have just as much power as their partners and, in some cases, more.
Here they are – in no particular order:
CHARLIE SPIRING AND DAYNA SPIRING:
Charlie Spiring made his mark in Canada’s financial services industry in the 1990s as the CEO of Wellington West Capital, an independent wealth management firm that grew across the country before being sold for $333 million to National Bank in 2011. He reentered the independent space in 2017, co-founding Wellington- Altus Financial, a national firm with more than $30 billion in assets under administration.
For more than eight years, though, Spiring was often the arm candy for Dayna Spiring, who championed the city around the globe as the president and CEO of Economic Development Winnipeg until stepping away last year. As chair of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2019, she was the first-ever woman to have her name engraved on the Grey Cup. If there’s a more in-demand person to fill a leadership role for a Manitoba company or institution, we’d like to see them.
ARNI THORSTEINSON AND SUSAN GLASS:
As the president of Shelter Canadian Properties and with nearly a half-century of experience, Arni Thorsteinson is undoubtedly Manitoba’s crown prince of real estate. As the first chair of the board for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, he played an integral role in getting the first national museum built outside of Ottawa. A long-time supporter of the University of Manitoba and, in particular, the Asper School of Business, Thorsteinson was named to the Order of Manitoba in 2021.
Susan Glass may have more hardware on the mantle for her decades of support for the arts. She was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2009 for her “exemplary contribution to the life of the country.” She has been a long-time supporter of the National Arts Centre and served on its board of trustees, the board of its foundation and co-chaired the national committee for the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards. She has also worked on behalf of the Banff Centre, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the Winnipeg Art Gallery.
DOUG POLLARD AND KRISTIE PEARSON:
As long-time co-CEO of Winnipeg-based Pollard Banknote, Pollard helps run a global leader of lottery ticket manufacturers, overseeing employees and facilities around the world. Pearson has increasingly made her mark with non-profits in Winnipeg that serve the city’s less fortunate. She has spearheaded inner-city clean-up efforts, organized clothing drives and celebrated Indigenous leaders and communities. She was recently announced, along with legendary radio personality Ace Burpee, as co-chair of the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg’s “Heart of the City Capital Campaign,” which looks to raise $15 million to redevelop the downtown facility.
Pollard and Pearson were also tireless co-chairs of the 2023 United Way Winnipeg campaign, which raised $22.8 million — the highest total in its history — for 125 agencies that feed hungry kids, offer safe spaces for teens, protect families and offer job training and counselling.
PAUL MAHON AND ANNE MAHON:
As the president and CEO of Canada Life, one of the country’s leading insurance and financial services firms, Paul Mahon oversees a global employee base of more than 30,000 people in Canada, the U.S. and Europe. Anybody who rubs shoulders with the Desmarais family has no trouble getting their phone calls returned. His wife, however, may be on more speed-dials with movers and shakers around Manitoba.
As the chancellor of the University of Manitoba, she is its ceremonial head, presiding over all major ceremonies and is an ex officio member of the board of governors and the senate. Anne Mahon is also an award-winning author who tells the stories of marginalized communities.
At the International Distinguished Entrepreneur Award gala dinner in May, she was introduced as one of the VIPs in attendance. Her husband, who led the applause while sitting beside her, was not.
JASON SMITH AND LYNNE SKROMEDA:
Jason Smith is part of the hottest ticket in town these days as the president of the Winnipeg Sea Bears, the city’s two-year-old franchise in the Canadian Elite Basketball League. He has played a major role in some of Winnipeg’s most prestigious events over the years, including the 2014 Juno Awards, the 2015 Grey Cup Festival, the NHL Heritage Classic, Manitoba 150, the Canada Summer Games Festival and the Winnipeg Jets White Out parties.
Lynne Skromeda knows a thing or two about hot tickets. She is the CEO of Manitoba Film & Music but many people know her for her more than decade-long stint as the executive director of the Winnipeg Folk Festival, where she oversaw both the iconic annual festival and its year-round initiatives.
Fittingly, she sits on the board of the Canadian Live Music Association and she’s also a director of the RBC Winnipeg Convention Centre and the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce.
