An exclusive offer for RRC Polytech alumni — enter now for your chance to win tickets to Techapalooza 2026, in support of CancerCare Manitoba Foundation.

Band together with more than 700 passionate IT professionals in Manitoba to beat cancer at Techapalooza. Taking place at the Club Regent Event Centre on February 28, Techapalooza is a battle-of-the-bands, where 5 to 7 bands comprised of talented musicians (who work in the I.T. sector) perform for the title of ‘Fan Favourite’, all while raising funds for cancer research and care. Since inception in 2012, Techapalooza has raised more than $1 million for CancerCare Manitoba Foundation.

Enter now for your chance to win tickets to this incredible concert event. We’re giving away two pairs of tickets to lucky RRC Polytech alumni.

Winnipeg’s business leaders are in the hotseat.

In a good way.

RRC Polytech is title sponsor of the Exec(utive) Hotseat Podcast. It’s a new venture featuring entrepreneurs and CEOs in conversation with hosts Lisa Thompson and Amanda Buhse – both proud RRC Polytech alumni and successful business owners in their own right.

“It motivates me when I see executives around the world getting their message out,” said Thompson, president and creative force behind Brand Revival & Design Inc. (BRD), a marketing and design agency that helps B2B brands stand out.

 “There isn’t a lot of attention on the many great leaders in Winnipeg and from Winnipeg. They’re doing interesting things; for example, one of our guests is doing important environmental work, while also giving back to causes that save wild animals.”

“We want to make our Winnipeg leaders findable.”

Some twenty years or so into her sales and marketing career, Thompson remains eager to keep learning about business. She studied Business Administration in 2006, with her final year focusing on entrepreneurship. She describes herself as “obsessed” with entrepreneurs, drawing inspiration from their passion.

“Entrepreneurs are on an island. Once you build a community of fellow entrepreneurs, of peers, you’ve got help. I could not have gotten where I did in business without those people, but I had to really fight to find them.”

She came up with the Hotseat concept in part to address that gap, launching the podcast on her own in 2024.

An early guest was Amanda Buhse. A 2006 graduate of RRC Polytech’s Advanced Graphic Design program (now Communication Design), Buhse went on to co-found the upscale scented-candle brand Coal and Canary in 2014. With an aesthetic including cheeky product descriptions and a cheery graphic identity, Coal and Canary has achieved widespread success across Canada and internationally.

Though Lisa and Amanda had met in passing over the years (because Winnipeg!), it was during a pre-episode meet-up that the two felt their good chemistry. Thompson invited Buhse to become co-host and the answer was an enthusiastic “yes!”

“It was so cool because I’ve been wanting to get into podcasting,” said Buhse. “It’s an emerging medium for business. Lisa had done the legwork.”

“We have a lot in common. Even though my company provides a product and Lisa’s provides a service, it’s the same fundamental processes and passion. And the same pressure points. That drew us together.”

Thompson appreciated Buhse’s willingness to take a risk.

“We clicked right away; we could be sisters. Our feeling was ‘Let’s go for it!’.”

Together they’ve leaned into the medium with the drive that led to their individual successes in business. Along with the humility to learn what they don’t know.

“At first it was a little bit like ‘what are we doing?’,” said Thompson.” But because of our backgrounds and because we’ve had a lot of meetings with entrepreneurs, we have a comfort level with those conversations. But we are still learning the world of podcasting.”

“We’re both networkers and we talk to people,” added Buhse. “In my head, it’s easy to converse. But a podcast – there’s a lot that goes into it. In front of the mic, you need to be ten steps ahead but also be present. Having a partner is challenging too, in a fun way. We need to be in sync with each other and make sure the spotlight is on the guest.”

Episodes touch on a wide range of business topics, including startup advice, global brand management, finances, mindset, and community building.

The aim is for listeners to get tangible takeaways in less than an hour, Thompson said. Thus the signature “Hotseat” segment of each episode, when guests share their top three strategies for success in their areas of expertise.

The puck stops with Trevor Buhnai as the newly appointed CEO of Hockey Manitoba – and he couldn’t be any happier.

“Hockey’s been part of my life since I was four years old,” said Buhnai, who graduated from RRC Polytech’s Creative Communications (CreComm) program in 1990 and Business Administration program in 1994.

“Being able to combine a lifelong passion with what I believe is a skillset the organization was looking for…it’s not trite to say this is my dream job.”

Buhnai quickly took to goaltending as a kid. He’s played the position at various amateur levels, including Senior AAA Men’s, ever since. These days he’s suiting up in the Southdale Oldtimers Hockey League, still playing 48 games a year.

He takes the helm of Hockey Manitoba with more than twenty years of leadership experience spanning sport administration, hospitality, telecommunications, gaming and entertainment, corporate operations, and community organizations.

A big goal for Buhnai, along with the 9-member board and 10-member staff at Hockey Manitoba, is to help more people feel a sense of belonging within hockey community.

“One of the most exciting areas of growth in Manitoba right now is women’s and girls’ hockey. We’re seeing steady increases in registration, stronger development pathways, and more young players staying in the game longer. That tells us the environment is improving — and it reinforces how important it is to keep investing in opportunity, visibility, and leadership at every level.”

“As broad as hockey is, we want more people to feel there’s a place for them,” said Buhnai. “That includes para hockey for individuals with disabilities, newcomers to Canada who may be interested in playing but don’t know how to access the system, and anyone who wants to explore the game but isn’t sure where to start.”

“And that really excites me, because I came through the traditional hockey system,” he said. “That perspective motivates me to help broaden the game and create meaningful change.”

A Regina native, Buhnai had already spent three years studying at university when he arrived in Winnipeg and entered CreComm at age 21.

“I was the right age to really understand the opportunity in front of me in terms of developing a specific skillset, honing those skills, and bettering them over time.”

Buhnai chose the program’s advertising stream. A term position with Manitoba Telecom Services (now Bell MTS) followed graduation.

Kirsty Muller didn’t want to do her mental health and psychiatry clinical rotation as a nursing student. With lived experience of mental illness and addiction in her family, she initially believed a career in that space would be too close to home.

But within days of stepping onto the unit, that concern became clarity.

“I knew that’s where I was meant to be,” said Muller. “So I did my senior practicum there at Health Sciences Centre, and that’s where I started my career after graduation.”

Muller graduated in 2014 from the Joint Baccalaureate Nursing Program, a collaboration between RRC Polytech and the University of Manitoba that has since been phased out as RRC Polytech transitioned to its current Bachelor of Nursing degree. That moment shaped the rest of her career, and it happened because of her self-advocacy and the support she found at RRC Polytech.

Muller was in her 30s when she decided to leave her career in insurance and follow in her mother’s footsteps to become a registered nurse through RRC Polytech. She said she was nervous to return to school after being out of the classroom for so long, and knew she needed a refresher in subjects like math and science. As a mature student, she was looking for a program that would help her succeed and provide additional support.

At the same time, Muller said she didn’t know much about her cultural history, and she wanted an opportunity to explore that part of her identity.

That led her to RRC Polytech’s ACCESS program for nursing (now called Pathway to Health Programs), a year-long pathway designed to help Indigenous Manitobans build the academic skills and supports needed to transition into post-secondary programs at RRC Polytech.

“It had an Indigenous focus, and we had access to our elders in residence. So that was a big draw for me,” said Muller. “Elder Mae Louise Campbell would do teachings with us…it gave me an opportunity to learn about our cultural traditions and practices.”

Once she started RRC Polytech’s Bachelor of Nursing (BN) degree program, Muller said she “really relied on” the staff and resources available in the Indigenous Student Centre.

“Once you were in the ACCESS program, you were kind of attached to it for the remainder of your time at RRC Polytech,” said Muller. “We could go [to the Indigenous Student Centre] for lunch, tutoring, or help with financial issues…It was like an extra place you could go that other nursing students didn’t have access to.”

On Friday, January 30, CreativeMornings Winnipeg is celebrating five years! Join founders Christine Watson and Christian Robin as they reflect on how they launched a free, creative community in the middle of a pandemic and how it’s grown since then – despite the odds! All RRC Polytech alumni and community members are warmly invited to attend.

More than a decade ago, CreativeMornings was launched out of a desire for ongoing, accessible events for creative communities to connect. Today, these communities gather in 247 cities across more than 60 countries — including right here in Winnipeg.

Founded five years ago, the Winnipeg chapter of CreativeMornings not only celebrates our city’s creative talent, but also promotes an open space to connect with like-minded individuals. From marketing legends to hometown heroes, speakers are selected by each chapter based on a global theme. CreativeMornings Winnipeg has also been host to many powerhouse RRC Polytech alumni, providing a platform for homegrown artists, creators, and innovators to share their insights, struggles, and successes.

January’s theme is KOORSOO (faint glimmer of hope): chosen by the Tehran chapter of CreativeMornings, Koorsoo inspires us to keep going during times of challenge, despair, and darkness. “In our darkest hours, when everything seems to have dimmed, sometimes a light remains—not bright, not certain, but real. That is Koorsoo—a faint glimmer of hope that dares to survive. Koorsoo is not about triumph or clarity; it is about the fragile yet unwavering light that keeps us going. A glance, a memory, a word—small things that prevent collapse. It represents the quiet resilience of those who continue in spite of the weight, who believe without guarantee. In a world that often normalizes despair, Koorsoo is a rebellion—soft, but profound. It reminds us: even the smallest spark matters.”

On January 30th, Christine and Christian will trace the improbable, quietly radical origin story of CreativeMornings Winnipeg: how a small group of passionate people were stubborn enough to believe that creativity thrives everywhere and to trust the process (and each other) to create moments of beautiful connection, The founders will describe how they invested in possibility rather than prediction and how a small spark lit by “what if” conversations grew into a vibrant community that now shows up—month after month—to celebrate ideas, make connections, and champion each other’s work.

The story of the building of CreativeMornings Winnipeg and the celebration of the community’s 5th birthday is a reminder that building community is an act of courage, that belonging often begins as a whisper, and that even the smallest glimmer of hope can illuminate an entire movement.

Join CreativeMornings Winnipeg on January 30 at The Forks Event Space for an inspiring morning!

On Friday, December 19, RRC Polytech grad Joelle Foster will be the headliner at CreativeMornings Winnipeg’s free event taking place at Launch Co-Working (Exchange District – 5th floor, 167 Lombard Street). All RRC Polytech alumni and community members are invited to attend!

More than a decade ago, CreativeMornings was launched out of a desire for ongoing, accessible events for creative communities to connect. Today, these communities gather in 247 cities across more than 60 countries — including right here in Winnipeg.

The Winnipeg chapter of CreativeMornings not only celebrates our city’s creative talent, but also promotes an open space to connect with like-minded individuals. From marketing legends to hometown heroes, speakers are selected by each chapter based on a global theme.

December’s theme is INNOVATION: innovation is risky and rebellious. It means breaking the routine and reimagining the familiar. It treats uncertainty as an invitation instead of a barrier. Innovation doesn’t take a genius, it just requires curiosity and willingness to try. And try again. The world needs more tinkerers, experimenters, and fixers. People who believe change is possible and start with whatever they have. Then don’t stop until they’ve made something new or better.

Innovation in Manitoba is driven and supported in large part by the work of Joelle Foster, who is co-founder and President/CEO of North Forge. Joelle has more than two decades of experience supporting entrepreneurs across Canada. She co-founded the Women’s Equity Lab (WEL) MB to increase the number of women angel investors and developed North Forge’s four-stage digital Founders Program, driving a 300% growth in tech-enabled and advanced manufacturing companies in Manitoba. Joelle also established the Angel Network (2021), Global Entrepreneur Initiative (2023), and Women in Innovation Lab (WiLab, 2023). Under her leadership, North Forge won two Diversity and Inclusion awards in 2024. 

Join CreativeMornings Winnipeg on December 19 at Launch Co-Working (Exchange District) for an inspiring morning!

RRC Polytech officially unveiled its new Indigenous visual identity at Fall Convocation on November 18 – a project grounded in the institution’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, Indigenous student success, and shared values of respect, inclusion, and belonging. 

“Celebrating our latest cohort of graduates is always an exciting, profound occasion,” said Fred Meier, RRC Polytech’s President and CEO.

He shared that the fall ceremonies carried extra significance, as Indigenous graduates crossed the stage wearing new stoles that honour tradition while embracing progress and change.

The stoles and new visual identity are the result of extensive conversations with Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, staff, Knowledge Keepers, Elders, community partners, and hundreds of alumni, led by a steering committee made up of RRC Polytech staff and valued partners. 

“The design on these stoles is rooted in sacredness, seasonality, and interconnectedness, honouring the distinct identities of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples while weaving together themes of land, language, and story into a living expression of who we are,” said Carla Kematch, steering committee member and RRC Polytech’s Director of Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement.

“The visual identity reflects teachings learned through engagement sessions and a survey that was shared among our community, ensuring that the design is a true reflection of an identity that belongs to all of us.” 

New Educational Assistant grad credits positive practicum experience for confirming career path

“I think it’s beautiful,” said Elizabeth Henderson. “I feel empowered.”

Henderson graduated from the Educational Assistant Certificate Program with honours. She credits her practicum at Isaac Brock School — which has an Ojibwe bilingual program —­­ for confirming she was on the right career path.

“I plan on furthering my education to become a Anishinaabemowin teacher because I did so well in my practicum that people thought I was a teacher.”

“An opportunity just opened up back home in Ontario, so it’s just aligning with my life perfectly right now,” she said. “I think that’s my next step, revitalizing the language.”

While she was a student, Henderson sat on the Indigenous Student Panel and had the chance to speak to teachers about how they can better support Indigenous students. Wearing the new stole at graduation felt like a full-circle moment.

When asked what graduating meant to her, Henderson shared how proud was.

“Coming to RRC Polytech, I felt like I was able to succeed really well, especially thanks to the Indigenous Student Services Centre. That was my place to go and have some peace and quiet, practice my culture and smudging, and just have a home.”

Henderson drove from her hometown in Ontario to Winnipeg to attend convocation, her brother in tow. And though the ceremony was a meaningful event, she shared excitement about returning home.

“Taking this stole back home, the little kids can see that they can leave their home and then come back with education,” Henderson said. “It’s inspiring.”

You can learn more about RRC Polytech’s new Indigenous visual identity and Indigenous student supports on our website.

A career in surveying can take someone to an exciting variety of job sites — from rural to urban, populated to remote.

That’s where Colin Rivard started after graduating from the Civil Engineering Technology program, specializing in Geomatics, at RRC Polytech in 2012. With an entrepreneurial background, though, there was always a desire to build something of his own.

“My dad and his dad started a small business together. I saw how they got to see the tangible efforts of what you put into owning a business. There’s a direct correlation to the harder you work, the more benefit there is. I’ve always liked that.”

In 2018, Rivard founded RivaCore Surveys and Locates as a one-person operation, and since then he’s adapted his focus to building the ideal team and overseeing a period of fast expansion.

“Starting in the field, you just get a love for surveying and being by yourself with an instrument,” said Rivard. “The biggest thing that drives me now, though, is being able to work with a team that we’ve really developed over the years.”

Just last year, RivaCore had a small team of eight — today, they’ve grown to a staff of 23, with at least five more coming on for long-term projects before the end of 2025.

RivaCore, which provides services including pipeline, construction, topographic, heavy civil surveys and beyond, hasn’t just grown in numbers — it’s grown in reputation as well. The organization has clients across multiple provinces and its reputation for inclusion as a member of the Manitoba Métis Federation, as well as teamwork and community, have been at the core of their growth and success.

“I come from a soccer background,” said Rivard. “It’s a team sport, and now I’m sitting here with work and I really enjoy it because I’m with this great team where everyone has each other’s back and tries to make it the best they can.”

One of the key aspects to the company’s growth has been bringing on students new to the world of surveying. Many of these students come from RRC Polytech.

“This was actually our first year hiring a Civil Engineering Technology summer student and it’s already become a company model for us,” said Rivard.

“We had an opportunity with the Alamos Gold project in Lynn Lake where we could have multiple surveyors on site, which was the perfect chance to bring in juniors and grow our team for the next few years.”

By bringing in students, Rivard is looking to provide a work environment that can inspire them to stay on board with RivaCore and support a positive cycle of learning.

“We can pour into these students… and build a loyal, knowledgeable surveyor base. Then, we continue to develop people from within, get them into higher positions, and we know what we’re getting. The RRC Polytech program is a huge resource for that.”

One of the students who joined the team this summer was Aidan Pacey, who is entering his second year in Civil Engineering Technology. His co-op at RivaCore saw him build experience as a survey assistant across Manitoba.

RRC Polytech presented Tessa Potter, an Emmy-award-winning broadcast technician, with the 2025 Distinguished Graduate Award at the Electrical Engineering Technology Homecoming event for the program’s 60th anniversary. The award celebrates the remarkable personal and professional achievements of RRC Polytech alumni.

Since graduating from RRC Polytech’s Electronic Engineering Technology program in 2000, Potter has built a successful career in television, radio, and live sports broadcasting, earning two Sports Emmy Awards for her technical work on the 2022 Beijing and 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

“I’m thankful to RRC Polytech for this opportunity…I feel very honoured,” said Potter. “It’s surprising, when you see the list of other Distinguished Graduates, that someone like me, who’s still maybe considered a ground-floor worker, would be honoured.”

Potter credits the program for giving her the technical foundation that’s supported her throughout her career.

“Learning electronics isn’t something that happens through osmosis…you have to work at it,” said Potter. “Those classes where we took apart computers or wired up microcontrollers on a breadboard were valuable because they gave us space to experiment and make mistakes in a safe environment.”

She went on to roles with CTV and Rogers Media before joining True North Sports + Entertainment (TNSE) as a Broadcast Liaison, where she has supported NHL and AHL broadcasts for more than a decade. Today, she balances her work at TNSE and her role as a Senior Broadcast Technician at SBL Engineering with freelance broadcast contracts, which have taken her to international sporting events, such as the UEFA EURO Finals, the FIFA World Cup, the Commonwealth Games, and the Olympics.

“Tessa’s career shows how far a polytechnic education can take you, particularly in technical industries,” said Fred Meier, President and CEO, RRC Polytech. “Tessa has built an incredible career through collaboration, hard work, and continuous learning, which are all qualities that reflect her character and RRC Polytech’s values. We’re proud to count Tessa among our alumni and pleased to recognize her with this award.”

Potter is also an advocate for representation in her industry, a mentor to the next generation, and a leader committed to strengthening the broadcast community.

Generously supported by CTTAM (Certified Technicians and Technologists Association of Manitoba)

2025 marks more than half a century of excellence in Electrical Engineering education at RRC Polytech. To celebrate this incredible milestone, we invite members of the RRC Polytech Electrical Engineering community to join us on November 6 for Homecoming.

This free, casual event will bring together generations of alumni, instructors past and present, current students, and industry supporters for an evening of networking and fun. Food, beverages, and an interactive photo booth are on tap for the night, as well as a pop-up Campus Store booth where you can purchase RRC Polytech merch. In addition, we are proud to honour Emmy-award winning Broadcast Technician Tessa Potter as the recipient of RRC Polytech’s 2025 Distinguished Graduate Award at Homecoming.

We look forward to bringing our EET alumni community together this fall!

Event Details

Date:         Thursday, November 6, 2025
Time:         5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Location:  RRC Polytech’s Notre Dame Campus (2055 Notre Dame Ave.)
Menu:        Refreshments will be served and a cash bar will be available. *Attendees will receive a complimentary drink ticket.

A confirmation email will be sent out with event and parking details a few days prior to the event. If you have any questions, please contact Phil Klassen at pklassen@rrc.ca.