Athena Leadership is operated by an annually elected Board of Directors. The board consists of current members with diverse industry background, experience and education, and community interests.
Athena Leadership
Board of Directors
2024-2025
KATIE MOIST | BOCKSTAEL CONSTRUCTION
President
Katie Moist, P.Eng., is Project Manager at Bockstael Construction, managing construction of multi-family residential and commercial buildings in the Winnipeg area. Previously, Katie worked as a Municipal Engineer with KGS Group after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Manitoba in 2019.
Katie has been an active member of the engineering community since starting in the Faculty of Engineering. She is currently an active member on the 30 by 30 Provincial Steering Committee, and the Vice Chair of Friends of Engineering. Katie received Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba’s Intern Award in 2022 in recognition for her impact to the profession. She is also an active volunteer in the community, holding positions with Athena Leadership and The United Way Winnipeg. In her free time, Katie enjoys staying active, travelling and spending time at her cabin.
mERISSA kING | uNLOCK cOMMUNICATIONS
Vice President
Originally from Newfoundland, Merissa King has proudly called Winnipeg her home since 2018. After working nearly 20 years in the marketing and communications field with a variety of organizations in Newfoundland, Ontario and Manitoba, she’s now the owner and principal consultant of her own communications consulting practice, Unlock Communications.
Merissa is an active member of the Winnipeg community, having volunteered with the Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council (The Welcome Place’s refugee family matching program), Friends of the Harte Trail and the Manitoba chapter of the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS). She enjoys being connected to the business community as a member of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and she’s thrilled to be on the Athena Leadership board to help empower its members to make a positive impact in the community.
In addition to consulting, Merissa enjoys creative writing, reading historical fiction, gardening, cross-country skiing and spending time with her husband, Stephen, and two dogs, Loki and Marty.
KELLY KRISTIN | FREELANCE PROFESSIONAL
Secretary
Biography Coming Soon…
ERIN SPARROW | THE DUFRESNE GROUP
Treasurer
Erin Sparrow, CPA, CBV is Senior Manager, Corporate Development at the Dufresne Group. She is passionate about digging into problems and finding unique solutions using her 10+ years of experience in strategy, business planning, accounting and finance. She is an active member of the community, jumping on volunteer opportunities that help support the next generation of leaders in Winnipeg.
Erin is excited to put this experience to work to support Athena Leadership in achieving its goals.
Outside of work, Erin keeps busy chasing around her two daughters, squeezing in a good book or reality tv show when she gets the chance. She loves to cook and is passionate about the food scene in Winnipeg, and is always looking for a great restaurant recommendation.
Laura Saj | Price Industries
Director, Communications
Laura Saj was raised in Stonewall, Manitoba and graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Manitoba where she was an active member of the community, a passion she continues to foster to this day. She currently works as a Senior Events Coordinator for Price Industries where she usually has some story about the behind-the-scenes version of what appears as a “calm event” to those on the outside.
Laura is thrilled to be a member of the Athena Leadership board working alongside a group of inspiring women and hoping to help foster the next generation.
In her spare time, Laura enjoys reading, hiking or other outdoor adventures, and attempting a DIY project or some new recipe she found.
brittany enns | lambert nemec group
Director, Scholarship
Brittany Enns has nearly a decade of corporate Human Resources experience within various industries, leading many successful people and culture initiatives and strategies. In her current role as Director of Recruitment - People & Culture at Lambert Nemec Group, Brittany is passionate about empowering candidates to confidently navigate their career journey. She has her Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from the Asper School of Business with majors in Human Resources and Marketing. In addition, Brittany holds her Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation and is a recipient of the CPHR Manitoba Rising Star Award.
Brittany joined Athena in 2021 and is honoured to serve as the Director of Scholarship. She is dedicated to growing the Athena Leader of Tomorrow scholarship by fostering strong relationships within the community, supporting women+ both personally and professionally.
Outside of work and spending time with family, Brittany enjoys reading mystery novels, working on creative sewing or crafty projects, and singing on stage with her band.
MERCY OLUWAFEMI | THE WINNIPEG FOUNDATION
PAST PRESIDENT
Mercy Oluwafemi is a world adventurer who is passionate about leadership, philanthropy, and catalyzing social change. She has delivered leadership development programs around the world and has spoken at TEDx. She hold a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Manitoba and has earned multiple certifications in change management and project management. Mercy believes that every person has a story to tell, and her passion lies in creating opportunities for people to feel connected and inspired to become better versions of themselves.
With a wealth of community engagement and project management experience, and as Athena Leadership’s Past-President, she hopes to advise and support the board in creating mentorship and networking opportunities, fostering inspiration, connection, and knowledge-sharing within the organization.
Mercy is an avid reader and her biggest claim to fame is once reading over 430 books in one year. Outside of reading she enjoys fitness, planning her next adventure, and volunteering.