Lynne Stefanchuk serves as Executive Director of Lifesaving Society Manitoba.
With over 25 years of experience working with non-profit organizations, Lynne brings her skills in strategy building and fundraising to support the highly skilled Lifesaving Society Manitoba team.
Alexandra Carriere
Water Safety Manager
Alexandra Carriere is the Water Smart Manager for Lifesaving Society Manitoba.
With over a decade of experience, Alex manages the Northern Water Smart program, as well as newcomer, school, and other public education presentations and events. Her goal is to ensure that all Manitobans have access to the knowledge and real‑world skills they need to stay safe in, on, and around the water.
Lorne Edwards
Manager of Media and Community Engagement
Lorne Edwards is the Manager of Media and Community Engagement for Lifesaving Society Manitoba and serves as the point person for the Manitoba Coalition for Safer Waters and its’ programs.
Lorne joined Lifesaving Society Manitoba in 2017 following a 30-year career in broadcasting primarily at 680 CJOB. He has a Bachelor of Applied Arts Degree in Radio and Television from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) and was awarded Best Media Contribution to Boating Safety from the Canadian Safe Boating Council in 2017.
Omar Tejada
Safety Management Officer
Omar Tejada is the Safety Management Officer for Lifesaving Society Manitoba focusing on the development, updating, and implementation of safety policies and standards across the organization.
Omar is a retired Marine Officer with the Peruvian Navy. He is a certified National Lifeguard and National Lifeguard instructor. Omar holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Naval and Maritime Sciences from the Naval Academy (Peru) and a Master’s Degree in International Security Studies from the University of Leicester(UK). Omar has over 30 years of experience working nationally and internationally in aquatic safety.
Kathy Plett
Program Manager
Kathy Plett is the Program Manager. She is responsible for the development, and delivery of Lifesaving Society Programs in Manitoba.
Kathy is the programming resource for all Lifesaving Society instructors, examiners, trainers, affiliates, and the public in Manitoba. Kathy has been involved with the Lifesaving Society since 1971, when she earned her Bronze Medallion at Pan Am Pool with the Lifesaving Society’s Lifesaving Club that swam there every Saturday. Her first lifeguarding job was in 1972. She is a National Trainer for the Lifesaving Society. Kathy is the Manitoba representative on the National Training Programs Commission.
Kelsey Taylor
Member Services Representative
As Member Services Representative, Kelsey Taylor is on the front lines serving the needs of our aquatic affiliates.
Kelsey is a certified lifeguard and swim instructor and joined Lifesaving Society Manitoba in 2024 after working at the downtown YMCA/YWCA Winnipeg.
Nadiia Shkirat
Administrative Assistant
Buddy the Lifeguard Dog
Official Mascot of the Lifesaving Society
Buddy the Lifeguard Dog is the official mascot of the Lifesaving Society.
Thanks to our sponsor Portage Mutual Insurance, Buddy reaches families and children with our Water Smart messages. Buddy emphasizes the need to wear lifejackets, to swim with a buddy, and to always keep young children Within Arms’ Reach when in, on and around the water.
