Our Team

Our board of directors is currently made up of six awesome individuals who have been inspired to do this work based on their own unique life experiences and worldviews. You can read more about them below!

 

Starla Ginter
President & Interim Treasurer

September 2023 - Present (President & Interim Treasurer)
January 2016 - September 2023 (Treasurer)

Starla was excited about the idea for Rise Above and jumped quickly to get on the founding board.  Having lived experience as both a child of a single parent and a single parent herself, Starla understands how life can become a daily challenge at survival. Success and significance can seem out of the reach of many single parents. Educational opportunities are the best way to pave a path to success for not just the parents but also for their children; meaningful help can impact generations.  Starla also works in non-profit housing and just wants her life to help others in any small way.

 

Beci Cartwright
Vice President

September 2023 - Present (Vice President)
July 2019 - September 2023 (director)

From Beci: “I was single parent for many years, but I was lucky to have family around to help support me. Nevertheless I had to wait until 2012, when I was 45, to go to university. I managed to leave with an Advanced Master’s in Psychology. I moved to Canada 3 years ago to start a new life with my wife. Since moving here, I have been looking for ways to give back to the community. I am very excited to work with Rise Above to provide some financial support for mums and dads to improve their lives and the lives of their children through education.”

 

Cara Ginter
Director

September 2023 - Present (director)
January 2016 - September 2023 (President)

Cara was an undergraduate student at the University of Manitoba when she helped launch Rise Above. She served as Rise Above’s president for 7.5 years.

 

Past Board Members

EMILY L’Heureux (JANUARY 2016 - NOVEMBER 2024)
Faith gushulak (AUGUST 2021 - OCTOBER 2024)
MARIE HORBAS (SEPTEMBER 2019 - 2023)
Jo Haakman (2017 - December 2022)
Garth Dyer (2018 - September 2019)
AnNette Gustave (December 2017 - 2018)
Desiree Blanc (December 2017 - September 2019)