Board of Directors

Meet the thought leaders guiding MMDF and helping to power Manitoba forward. Our leadership team at MMDF is committed to a future where all Manitobans have an opportunity for success and growth.

Chuck Davidson (Chair)President & CEO of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce

Since 2013, Chuck Davidson has been the President & CEO of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce (MCC), the largest business organization in the province, representing 68 local Chamber of Commerce and nearly 10,000 organizations throughout Manitoba. Under his leadership, MCC has seen a renewed focus on policy and advocacy as the Voice of Business in Manitoba and has been recognized as an accredited Chamber of Commerce with distinction.

Prior to joining MCC, Chuck spent close to a decade at the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce as Vice-President, Policy & Communications. A graduate of Red River College’s Creative Communications program, Chuck launched his career as an announcer and reporter with 680-CJOB, before moving into communications and policy development roles where he has worked for the past two decades.

Chuck is a tireless community booster and a passionate champion of economic development in Manitoba. He was appointed as co-chair of the newly established Rural Manitoba Economic Development Corporation. In addition, he chairs the 20 million-dollar Manitoba Mineral Development Fund; is a Board member of the Community Economic Development Fund and serves as co-chair of Travel Manitoba’s Provincial Tourism strategy. He is currently President of the Chamber of Commerce Group Insurance Plan and past chair of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Accreditation Council as well as a former president of the South Winnipeg Community Centre.

Chuck grew up in Flin Flon and Snow Lake and now resides in Winnipeg with his wife and two sons.

Kevin PloegmanPartner, Fort Group

Kevin was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and grew up in North Kildonan. He earned his Bachelor of Physical Education Degree from the University of Manitoba in 1999 and his Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) Degree from the University of Manitoba in 2002. In October 2004, Kevin became a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada by receiving his Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) designation.

Kevin became a partner at Fort Group in 2015. He has 20 years of combined experience in both public accounting and industry, where he serviced private companies and not-for-profit organizations of all sizes. In 2011, Kevin completed the CICA In-Depth Tax Course to compliment his assurance and business advisory skills. Kevin has developed an exceptional toolkit to service all of the needs of small and medium sized owner-managed entities and not-for-profit organizations, and strives to provide the best service possible to all of his clients.

Jamie DumontPrincipal, Chadwick Consulting Ltd, Manitoba Chambers of Commerce Board Member

Jamie Dumont is Principal with Chadwick Consulting Ltd, specializing in Indigenous and northern economic development. Jamie is Past-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Indigenous Chamber of Commerce, sits on the board of directors of the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce, and the Indigenous Affairs Policy Committee of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. In 2022, Jamie was re-elected as Trustee for Ward 1 of the Winnipeg School Division.

Michael WoelckeFormer CEO of Arctic Gateway Group, Manitoba Chambers of Commerce Board Member

Michael Woelcke is the CEO of Arctic Gateway Group. Arctic Gateway Group owns the Hudson Bay Railway, the Port of Churchill, the Churchill Marine Tank Farm and Arctic Gateway Freight Services. AGG is owned by OneNorth which is comprised of communities, towns, and Indigenous communities in northern Manitoba.

Prior to working for AGG, Michael spent 30 years at VIA Rail Canada. Over his career he held various positions in Property Management, Real Estate, Procurement, Customer Services and during his last fives years was the General Manager of Regional Services with full responsibility for VIA’s regional trains including the Winnipeg to Churchill service. Michael has volunteered on a number of boards and was Board Chair at Concordia Hospital for five years. He enjoys cycling, skiing, traveling, and spending time with his four grandchildren.

Colleen SmookMayor of the City of Thompson, Association of Manitoba Municipalities (Cities Caucus Chair)

Richard TrudeauFormer Director, HR, External & Indigenous Affairs HudBay Minerals – Mining Association of Manitoba (Vice-President)