Telephone
204-339-1951
Ela Partyka
Board Chair
Ela Partyka joined the Knowles Centre Board of Directors in March 2025 and serves as Board Chair. She brings over 20 years of leadership experience across healthcare, nonprofit, and government systems. A registered social worker with an MSW and an MBA, Ela's work focuses on mental health, addictions, systems transformation, and organizational development. She is also a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and a strong advocate for continuous quality improvement and evidence-informed practice.
Ela brings a collaborative, values-driven leadership style to the Board, grounded in both professional expertise and lived experience. She is deeply aligned with Knowles Centre's mission to support young people with compassion, dignity, and accountability. Outside of her professional life, Ela enjoys nature, travel, learning, and spending time with her daughter and close friends, experiences that continue to shape her perspective and commitment to youth wellbeing.
Michael Anderson
Vice Chair
Michael Anderson joined the Knowles Centre Board of Directors in April 2025. He is the founder and CEO of 365 Technologies, a Winnipeg-based IT services provider delivering secure and innovative technology solutions across Western Canada. A Certified Information Systems Security Professional, Michael brings expertise in cybersecurity, risk management, and systems strategy.
Michael is passionate about helping organizations, particularly nonprofits, navigate complex and evolving technology landscapes in practical and responsible ways. He sees strong digital infrastructure as essential to organizational stability and service delivery. Having grown up in North Kildonan, Michael feels a personal connection to the community served by Knowles Centre. Outside of work, he enjoys golf and snowboarding and values time with his wife and five children, which grounds his perspective on community and care.
Amanda Senkowski
Treasurer
Amanda Senkowski joined the Knowles Centre Board of Directors in October 2024 and serves as Treasurer. She is the Principal of the Public Sector Accounting Board and works as a Financial Services Consultant, providing strategic financial leadership across public and private sector organizations. Amanda has held senior financial roles including Chief Financial Officer and Secretary-Treasurer with school divisions in the Winnipeg area, with responsibility for finance, governance, and operational stewardship.
Amanda brings a strong commitment to transparency, accountability, and long-term sustainability. She views sound financial governance as a tool that enables organizations to focus fully on their mission and impact. Her interest in board service is rooted in contributing practical expertise while supporting community-centered work. Amanda values mentorship, learning, and service, and brings a thoughtful, steady perspective to financial oversight at Knowles Centre.
Ihor Wenger
Director
Ihor Wenger serves as Vice Chair of the Knowles Centre Board of Directors and has been a committed board member for seven years. Following a 35-year career with Child and Family Services, Ihor sought meaningful ways to continue supporting children and families through community-based leadership. His long professional history has given him deep insight into the evolution of child protection systems both within Manitoba and beyond.
Ihor brings institutional knowledge, steady leadership, and a strong appreciation for thoughtful change. He values innovation and encourages new perspectives that move beyond traditional approaches while remaining grounded in care and responsibility. Ihor is motivated by the opportunity to help strengthen systems that support youth and families. Outside of board work, he is an avid cyclist and enjoys spending summers at Victoria Beach, where he recharges and reflects.
Shantelle Robillard
Director
Shantelle Robillard joined the Knowles Centre Board of Directors in November 2024. She is a proud First Nations woman from Fisher River Cree Nation, Treaty 5, and is the CEO of Walks Far Consulting. With nearly 20 years of experience across corporate, nonprofit, and Indigenous spaces, Shantelle is known for building strong relationships between Indigenous communities and organizations through cultural facilitation, recruitment strategies, and capacity building.
Shantelle brings lived experience, cultural knowledge, and a reconciliation-focused perspective to board governance. Her work is guided by Indigenous knowledge systems, trauma-informed practice, and a belief in creating environments where young people feel seen, respected, and supported. She is deeply committed to ensuring that youth are empowered to honour their identities while building strong futures, and she brings that vision into every aspect of her board involvement.
Justin Zarnowski
Director
Justin Zarnowski joined the board in September, 2025 and serves as a Director on the Knowles Centre Board of Directors. He brings legal and governance expertise from both the private and nonprofit sectors. He is Vice President, Legal Affairs at Shindico, where he oversees legal matters related to acquisitions, development, leasing, and regulatory processes. His work involves managing risk, compliance, and complex decision-making within large organizational systems.
Justin contributes a thoughtful and structured perspective to board governance, with a focus on accountability, clarity, and long-term planning. He has served on several boards and committees, including the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, and is actively involved in professional education through the Law Society of Manitoba and the University of Manitoba. Justin values strong governance as a foundation for ethical, sustainable organizations that serve their communities effectively.
Contact Us
2065 Henderson Highway
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R2G 1P7
x 204-339-1951 G 204-334-4173
A info@knowlescentre.org
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Knowles Centre Inc. acknowledges that we are gathered on Treaty 1 territory, the traditional territory of Anishinaabee, Cree, Anisininew, Dakota, and Dene People, and the homeland of the Métis Nation. With the spirit of reconciliation and decolonization, we seek to understand our place in history, and build alliances with Indigenous communities through education and collaboration.
