Our Structure

The Lifesaving Society Manitoba is governed by an elected volunteer Board of Directors. The Society’s office staff provide support from the Society’s headquarters at 100-383 Provencher Boulevard.

The board is composed of 8 members who govern in accordance with the Society’s mission and bylaws. Directors are elected for a 2-year term by the Society’s membership at the annual general meeting. No person or body external to the Society is entitled to appoint any directors. Directors appoint all committee chairs and members. They also review and approve all activity centre objectives.

Board of Directors

Phil Dobson – Chair & National Members Representative

Phil Dobson is the President of the Board of Directors for the Lifesaving Society Manitoba and the Society’s National Members Representative. He has a long history of aquatics. He received his first Lifesaving Society certification in 1973, Bronze Medallion. He went on to obtain Bronze Cross Award of Merrit, Award of Distinction, NLS, and Instructors. He taught NLS at the U of M pool for several years. Phil also competed in the Manitoba Lifeguard Championship and his team then went on to represent Manitoba at the National Lifeguard Championship in 1985 in Halifax Nova Scotia. He also became a PADI diver and utilized padi skills with the Freshwater Institute.  Phil also took Dive Rescue courses. Phil was also a competitive swimmer with age group, University swim team and Masters swim program.  He spent 2 years with the Canadian Coast Guard IRB program as a search and rescue technician. After graduation from the University of Manitoba, Phil began working for various financial institutions as a personal and commercial lender. Upon retirement, He decided to give back to the aquatic industry in Manitoba by becoming a board member in 2020. Phil strongly believes in aquatic safety and the Society’s mission to prevent drowning and water-related injury as a key public health strategy in our province. He wants all Manitobans to be able to enjoy themselves in, on, and around water and knows that the work the Society does to provide swimming, lifesaving, and lifeguarding training, leadership, and public education helps keep people safe when enjoying our many natural and man-made waterways. Phil and the Board work cohesively with the staff to set strategic direction for Lifesaving Society Manitoba and look forward to positive growth in the organization in the years ahead.

• Nyasha Katedza – Director
• Eric Labaupa – Director
• Sarah Rich – Director
• Zapphira Major – Director
• Kayla Saarinen –Director and National Board Member
• Maura Kenny – Director
• Dr. Kelvin Williamson – Director
• Jordan Kunzelman – Treasurer