At present, FrontStep Research Co-op has six members, all of whom have completed a significant training program and previously worked in the research industry, in door-to-door and telephone interviewing and in focus group facilitation. Many have work experience that has provided them with a strong foundational understanding of youth, child care, addictions, and disability issues.

Members of FrontStep Research Co-op:

Judith Harris is a resident of the Spence Neighbourhood. Judith is an Associate Professor in the Urban and Inner-City Studies program, University of Winnipeg. She has been teaching community economic development since 1996 and helped to design the training modules for the FrontStep Research Co-op. Judith’s degrees are in Economics and Urban and Regional Planning. The focus of her research is social economy and social enterprise.

Judy Hunter has Administrative Assistant and Computerized Accounting training. She has worked as both a telephone interviewer and as a supervisor for a telemarketing firm. Judy’s knowledge of inner-city issues comes from growing up in the inner city and working for Rossbrook House Inc. as a Youth Worker.

Virginia Hunter has been with the FrontStep Research Co-op since she completed the research training workshops in 2007. Virginia studied Conflict Resolution at Menno Simons College and graduated with an Administrative Assistant Diploma from Red River College. She brings editing and publishing skills to her work from her time as an editor for Pemmican Publications. She is an accomplished interviewer and her column “Inner-City Voices”, co-edited with Mike Maunder, was widely read in the Winnipeg Free Press. Virginia has been a founding member of many Aboriginal organizations in Winnipeg.

Sandra Leone was the first manager of the FrontStep Research Co-op, and has been involved in the Co-op since 2007. She has a BSc in Computer Science and gained extensive experience in the development of cooperatives in her home, Argentina, before coming to Canada. Sandra has been a partner in two businesses and is a skilled graphic designer. She is currently enrolled as a Master ’s student in Computer Science at the University of Winnipeg. Sandra’s role in cultivating cooperative relationships and in managing this new social enterprise is highly valued and her human resource management skills are vital to the organization.

Gladys Linklater completed the Community Social Development worker Program at the Assiniboine Community College in Brandon, MB. She also graduated with a BA in Native Studies from Brandon University. Gladys has been involved with the FrontStep Research Co-op since 2008 and has completed the required training workshops. She has experience conducting door-to-door interviews within the inner city. She was briefly employed as Community Liaison Worker for the Spence Neighborhood Association. Currently, Gladys works for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority as a Cree Interpreter/ Resource Worker.

Gail De Chateauvert is an Apprentice at FrontStep Research Co-op. She has a Bachelor of Education and has been employed as a teacher in a pre-employment program for aboriginal youth and as a Substitute Teacher in Seven Oaks School Division. Gail is currently employed at Knowles Centre as a Youth Care Worker.