Esprit Singers Strategic Advisory Council

The organization benefits from a recruited Strategic Advisory Council, which offers high-level guidance, expertise, and support in advancing the ensemble’s artistic and organizational goals.

Janet M. Belanger

Jan led the strategic policy development, direction and public reporting of award-winning corporate citizenship programs for Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life, now operating under the corporate name of Canada Life. She has contributed significantly to the field of corporate social responsibility and is recognized for her commitment to bridging the corporate and voluntary sector relationships.

D. Joan Blight

Joan has worked in the Not-for-Profit sector for 40+ years where she has extensive, multi-level voluntary-sector development experience. Joan has provided organizational and fund development services to local, national and international charitable organizations through her philanthropic consulting firm, Strategic Philanthropy. For over 20 years, Joan has had extensive volunteer involvement with the Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP). She was recognized by the Manitoba Chapter in 2016 and as a Friend of CAGP, a national award, in 2018. That same year, Joan was honoured as the outstanding professional fundraiser by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), MB Chapter. And in 2025, Joan was honoured by AFP with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Diane Boyle

Diane has been involved in the fundraising field for the past 40 years starting with the United Way of Toronto and moved to a senior position with KCI a fundraising consultant group where she has conducted campaigns across Canada. She is a Board member of the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba and continues as a volunteer fundraiser for a number of organizations in Winnipeg.

Susan J. Glass

Susan has been a long-time supporter of the National Arts Centre, has served on the Board of the NAC Foundation and co-chaired the National Advisory Council for the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award. She has worked on behalf of cultural institutions across the country including the Banff Centre, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Winnipeg Art Gallery and the Shaw Festival. Susan and her husband, Arni Thorsteinson, are well known philanthropists locally and nationally.

Susan was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada (2009) for her exemplary contribution to the life of the country. She is a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012) and the co-recipient of the Outstanding Fundraiser of the Year Award (2008), as chosen by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in Manitoba.

H. Susan Lewis

Former president and CEO of the United Way of Winnipeg, she is highly regarded for her ability to establish partnerships and engage citizens in community-building endeavours, notably the Winnipeg Poverty Reduction Council and the city’s Learning and Innovation Centre. At the national level, she has served on numerous United Way committees and is an advisory member of Imagine Canada. Now retired, she continues to mentor the next generation of social innovators.

She was awarded the Order of Canada in 2015 for her commitment to the well-being of her community as a leader of social innovation and as the head of the United Way of Winnipeg. Susan Lewis’ belief in the greater good has led her to improve the lives of many Manitobans. She has been honoured with the Order of Manitoba in 2011.

Brigitte Sandron

Brigitte Sandron has more than 35 years of experience in tourism, strategic planning and community development. She retired in 2023 as Executive Vice President and COO of Travel Manitoba and now works selectively as a tourism and strategic planning consultant. She currently serves as Chair of Villa Rosa and is the Immediate Past Chair of the Manitoba Museum. Her volunteer leadership includes serving with the United Way of Winnipeg, the Kidney Foundation of Canada (Manitoba Branch), St. John Brebeuf School Board, Tourism Alliance of Western Canada, SKÅL Winnipeg, and Rossbrook House.

Deborah Thorlakson

Deborah currently sits on 3 volunteer boards: The Sharon Carstairs Caring Community Award Selection Committee, the International Centre for Dignity and Palliative Care and the 180 condo board. She recently resigned from the Canadian Frailty Network (Chair of Audit and Finance) and the Manitoba Foundation for the Arts (Treasurer)

Other leadership positions with a variety of organizations include: The Winnipeg Art Gallery, Manitoba Arts Council, Prairie Action Foundation, The Health Sciences Centre Foundation and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. In addition to these leadership roles she has sat on a number of other non-profit boards including: The Headingley Library Board, The Winnipeg Chinese Cultural and Community Centre, The Health Sciences Centre Board, The Diabetes Treatment and Research Foundation, Physicians for Social Responsibility and Manitoba Heart and Stroke.

Deborah is the recipient of the Order of Manitoba, the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Premier’s Volunteer Award.

Celebrating Former Members:

Tannis Richardson

We are deeply saddened by the recent loss of Tannis Richardson. A dedicated volunteer since the founding of the Strategic Advisory Council of Esprit Singers, she has been a steadfast champion of our organization. Her generosity of spirit and clarity of vision helped shape our organisation that is committed to music artistry and excellence.

Her legacy lives on in the many shared experiences she made possible including the encouragement and support to tour Iceland, which held special personal meaning to her and remains a cherished part of our collective history.

Tannis was a remarkable philanthropist, an inspiring community leader, and a passionate advocate for the arts. Her contributions have left an indelible mark on our organization and the broader cultural community.

We are immeasurably grateful for her unwavering support. Her commitment to art, culture, and community will continue to resonate for years to come.

We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and all who were fortunate to be touched by her extraordinary life.

Rita Menzies

We sincerely regret the passing of our dear Strategic Advisory Council founding member, Rita Menzies. Rita was a cherished friend and colleague—not only to Esprit Singers, but to many across Winnipeg’s arts communities, throughout Manitoba, and across the country.

Since 2018, we at Esprit Singers have been deeply privileged to work alongside Rita. Her thoughtful guidance, quiet strength, and steadfast belief in the power of the arts helped shape our vision and our path forward.

Rita made significant and lasting contributions to her professional fields and her community over many decades. Her legacy is meaningful and enduring—one that continues to inspire and uplift. The ripple effect of her wisdom, generosity, and vision will be felt for years to come.

Rita was an extraordinary woman. Her values, humour, talent, kindness, honesty, and deep passion for life touched all who knew her. We will miss her profoundly—and we will continue to be guided by the light she so generously shared.