Manitoba’s Future 40: Last 9 finalists revealed before Thursday gala

From a 25-year-old cancer researcher developing new treatments for incurable leukemia to a woman who helped bring more than 5,000 gifts to isolated seniors — CBC Manitoba's final nine Future 40 stars have been revealed.

• CBC Manitoba's Future 40: Full nominee bios

CBC Manitoba and Metro called on Manitobans to nominate people under 40 making a big impact on their community.

More than 195 nominations came in, and CBC Manitoba unveiled new finalists every day this week. Now, here are the final nine movers and shakers:

Julie Donaldson

Julie Donaldson is a major advocate for caregivers in Manitoba.

She started the Be A Santa to a Senior program that has delivered more than 5,000 gifts to isolated seniors in Winnipeg over the past six years.

She’s the managing partner of Home Instead Senior Care, which has provided more than 100,000 hours of care to seniors and jobs to over 120 care givers.

She’s also the founder and president of the Manitoba Caregiver Coalition.

Donaldson is also involved in local and national research projects on providing care to seniors.

Niigaan Sinclair

Niigaan Sinclair is a University of Manitoba professor who teaches indigenous literature, culture, history and politics.

He was the co-editor of Manitowapow: Aboriginal Writings from the Land of Water and is an extremely active commentator on indigenous issues.

His creative and critical work has been published across Canada.

He regularly speaks on indigenous issues at schools and universities.

Lindsey White

Lindsey White is a musician and songwriter who works hard to encourage youth to get involved in music.

She developed a music program for students in Winnipeg that uses games to build students’ music-making skills. She’s brought that program to schools across Winnipeg.

White also works with child care workers to incorporate music development into regular child care programming.

Mihskakwan James Harper

James Harper is an extremely active mentor and volunteer in the indigenous community.

He’s a mentor for a program called Restoring the Sacred, which helps support aboriginal youth from Northern Manitoba as they adjust to living in Winnipeg.

He volunteers as a peer cultural leader at Ka Ni Kanichihk and visits inner-city schools to do presentations showcasing aboriginal culture.

Harper does it all while finishing a degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Manitoba with a specialization in sustainable modes of transportation.

Rebecca Dielschneider

Rebecca Dielschneider is a cancer researcher at CancerCare Manitoba who focuses on cancer of the immune system.

She’s working to develop new therapies for incurable leukemia. At age 25, she’s already published a manuscript on new treatments effective in treating aggressive leukemia.

That work has led to a clinical trial for the treatments.

Her work has yielded new techniques for killing leukemic cells while sparing health cells. The results could have broad implications for the treatment of leukemia and other types of cancer.

She has won numerous awards and competitions for her work.

Dr. Todd Duhamel

Dr. Todd Duhamel is a kinesiology professor at the University of Manitoba and the principal investigator at the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences at the St. Boniface Hospital.

Duhamel researches the role of physical activity in promoting cardiovascular health.
He’s managed to secure more than $4.9 million in research funding and started the ENCOURAGE project.

It’s a program that promotes physical activity in primary health care at Seven Oaks Hospital, and incorporates the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Winnipeg in Motion and the Reh-Fit Centre.

Jessica Dumas

Jessica Dumas is the chair of the Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce and owns her own business.

She led the development of a restorative justice program in several First Nations in Manitoba, helping build relationships between the RCMP, courts and aboriginal communities.

She has spent the last 15 years actively volunteering, and has say on the board of the Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg and the Lieutenant Governor's Youth Experience Program.

Dr. Ian Mauro

Dr. Ian Mauro is a geography professor at the University of Winnipeg and a filmmaker who directed the world’s first Inuktitut language film on climate change.

His research focuses on food security and climate change and he’s made numerous films on the topic.

His documentary Climate Change in Atlantic Canada toured Canada with David Suzuki.

Mauro is the co-founder of the Harvest Moon Festival in Clearwater, Man. The festival is known for bringing together Manitobans to celebrate local and sustainable food.

He’s currently working on a third documentary that is expected to tour with Suzuki this year.

Sebrina Woligroski

Sebrina Woligroski is a leading advocate for women’s and LGBT rights in Winnipeg.

She facilitates sexual health and anti-violence workshops for newcomers at the Sexuality Education Resource Centre. She also helps at the WISH clinic, co-organizes the Red Tent (a safer spaces project for women) at the Winnipeg Folk Festival and hosts workshops on sex-positivity.

She has chaired national and international task groups on women’s rights and LGBT inclusion and advocated for accessible education for university students.