Mini U leadership team

"Ashley's strong leadership resonates throughout every part of the program, and a huge part of that is the way she allows others to shine, to have their leadership moment by creating an environment of support and accountability”

- Marvin Manaol, program supervisor

What do you enjoy most about Mini U?

The opportunity for collaborative work. The capacity of our team is outstanding.  I feel so lucky to be surrounded by a passionate, energetic, and engaged team. Every problem is solvable and project possible when you have the support of such a hardworking and determined group of people working collaboratively. Each team member is celebrated for their uniqueness and how their individual experiences can positively influence our work. To be able to work with a large group of people with the same inevitable goal of creating positive experiences for our team and customers is so special. 

When did you start working with the programs?

My first year with the programs was in 2006 as a program supervisor. I grew up outside of Winnipeg and prior to my first day, my only experience with Mini U had been from a distance. I remember seeing groups of campers and leaders enjoying games in green spaces on campus and thinking that it would be a fun summer job. I had no idea of the impact the programs would have on my career. I was immediately welcomed into the Mini U family and have been lucky enough to call it my home since that time.  

I spent three summers as a program supervisor, eight years as a program coordinator and began in my current role in 2020. 

What experience do you have leading children’s programming?

I grew up leading children’s programming. My time teaching dance inspired me to a pursue a career that included influencing opportunities for young people to be physically active. It was in pursuit of this passion that I was drawn to Mini U.

What experiences do you hope to create for participants and leaders of the program?

I hope that I can help to create an environment where people are reminded of their strengths, feel appreciated for their efforts and are given opportunities to challenge themselves in ways that are meaningful to them. I hope that our participants and leaders will have the confidence to try new things and release any expectations of perfection in favor of expecting “failure” and treating it as an opportunity to learn. 

What do you enjoy most about leading at Mini U?

I love the diversity of my position. From trying to create fun and engaging games for a training session of 200 leaders, to assisting a young camper in understanding the consequences of their actions, to brainstorming the logistics for changes to part of our operational procedures, no two days are the same.

What is your favourite activity at Mini U?

I love our activity packages that are not based on mainstream team sports (Kinect-4 will always be a favourite!). It was Mini U that taught me that there are so many activities that I could participate in as part of a team that aren’t the ones I learnt in gym class as a child.  I think exposure to such a broad range of activities can create such valuable opportunities for our campers. Lifelong physical activity is so important and finding something that we enjoy and which allows us to feel successful is such an important part of that journey.

“Drew's ability to balance humor with sincerity fosters a culture of inclusivity and mutual respect.”

- Sean Stephens, program supervisor

What do you enjoy most about Mini U? 

At Mini U, I get to experience a work environment like no other. "Working really hard, while laughing" really captures it for me. I come to work each day knowing that I have the opportunity to make a difference in someone's life, and that excites me! 

When did you start working with the programs?

I started at Mini U in the summer of 2005, and I was hooked immediately. I continued to work for the program throughout the fall, winter, and spring while I was a student at university. In 2007, I was given the opportunity to work as a program supervisor, and I transitioned to a full-time program coordinator role in 2010. This past summer of 2024 marked my 20th summer, and I find that I enjoy it more each year!

What experience do you have leading children’s programming?

During my first couple of years as a program coordinator, a big part of my work was creating recreational experiences for children in our school groups program during the fall, winter, and spring. Over time, my experience with Mini U has shifted to focus more on the classroom side of our programs. I’m now involved in assisting with the creation of Mini U's Art, Science and Technology program curriculums and lesson plans.

What experiences do you hope to create for participants and leaders of the program?

Before working here, I never felt like I was part of something as big and meaningful. From the moment I started, I was welcomed and accepted with open arms and celebrated for who I am. That experience has inspired me to extend the same warmth and support to others.

What do you enjoy most about leading at Mini U?

The strides that individuals take while working here are truly awesome. What I enjoy most about leading at Mini U is witnessing someone’s growth from their first day at Leader Week orientation to their final days as a leader. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how far they come!

What is your favourite activity at Mini U? 

Making Elephant Toothpaste!

“I do not know how she works as fast as she does, but she is incredible at immediately doing the thing she said she would do. If I could steal a quality from Lisa, it would be her ability to not get distracted. She says she's going to do something she does it within 5 minutes.  It is truly impressive!”

- Sara Johnson, program supervisor

What do you enjoy most about Mini U Programs and Junior Bisons?

My favorite part of my job is the variety of people I get to interact with and the variety of tasks in my job. Each and every day looks different. Some days I work with volunteer coaches, other days I work with our student supervisors and some days I’m in the gym with our high-performance athletes. Some days are spent in the office, behind a computer screen while other days are spent in the gym, in the fieldhouse or in staff training. It keeps the job fun, exciting and also pushes me to continue to learn and keep up with the trends in the world of youth sport.

When did you start working with the programs?

I started here at Bison Sports as the Junior Bisons coordinator 10 years ago. I have recently morphed into a new combined role of program coordinator for both Mini U Programs and Junior Bisons and am excited about this new adventure.

What experience do you have leading children’s programming?

I have been fortunate enough to be involved in children and youth sports programs through my whole life. I grew up playing every sport possible (hockey, volleyball, basketball, softball, track and field). I then went to school to become a physical education and health education teacher and ventured into that when I graduated from university in 2003. I only taught for a short year and realized I wanted to head back to school and pursue my passion for sports so I went back to pursue my master’s degree in sport management, graduating in 2007. From there I went on to work at various companies through the years in sport coordinator/coaching roles for Skyhawks Sports Academy, YMCA of Greater St Paul and then landed here at the University of Manitoba in the Junior Bisons coordinator role in 2011.

What experiences do you hope to create for participants and leaders of the program?

I hope to create a high-performance environment for those athletes looking to pursue high level sport! I hope to provide as many opportunities to the youth in our community so they see our campus as a fun, engaging place to be! I think a safe, inclusive, competitive sport environment is really important for youth to be able to thrive and grow in and that is my goal each day I come to work!

What do you enjoy most about leading at Mini U and Junior Bisons?

My favorite part about leading in our programs is the diversity of people I work with. I work with high school aged coaches all the way to 65+ aged coaches. I work with athletes ages 12-18 and I get to work with families from a variety of backgrounds and ethnicities also.  The interactions and people make the job!

What is your favourite activity at Mini U and Junior Bisons?

My favorite activity would have to be volleyball. I love to play the game, watch the game and organize our club volleyball program!

"She exemplifies a powerful role model of leadership, demonstrating how empathy and understanding can drive success and personal growth within a team.”

- Angelica Buccini, program supervisor

What do you enjoy most about Mini U?

There is something really special about having the opportunity to witness the joy and excitement of the participants in our programs each day. Seeing a child make new friends, learn a new skill, receive a leadership card and laugh and play in an environment where I get to contribute, makes me fall in love with my job each and every day. 

I feel very fortunate to be a part of the magic that happens inside these walls day in and day out and to work with wonderful people that are more like friends than colleagues. 

When did you start working with the programs?

Unlike the rest of the leadership team, I did not work with Mini U Programs prior to my current position. As a student in the faculty I had observed from the sidelines the fun, fast paced environment and knew that this is where I wanted to be.  

Upon graduation in 2011, a spot on the team opened up and I was lucky enough to snag the sport program coordinator position and I couldn't be more grateful for this opportunity. 

What experience do you have leading children’s programming?

Over the course of my time with Mini U Programs I have had the opportunity to experience many changes to our programs and structure.  It has been exciting to see the evolution of the programs and how those changes have continued to have a large impact for the program and its participants.  

Each year brings new challenges and opportunities for learning and growth which is one of my favorite parts of this position.  I have been involved with the implementation of our leadership model, creating and implementing sport curriculums and lesson plans, creation and elimination of programs, the building of new software scheduling systems, creating age specific experiences and re-imagining our hiring and training systems. 

What experiences do you hope to create for participants and leaders of the program?

It is my hope that we can create an inclusive environment where participants and leaders can feel comfortable being themselves and open their minds to dream about future possibilities. We are fortunate enough to run programming on the UM campus where you are surrounded by a diverse array of opportunities and programs and I hope that with our help, we can encourage them to learn something new, take risks, meet new friends, be silly and play and become a leader in some capacity. 

What do you enjoy most about leading at Mini U?

Spending time getting to know the people that you work with, developing an understanding of different working styles and preferences and setting goals and aspirations for our time working together is something that I really enjoy. I love seeing our leaders find success and confidence in themselves and their abilities not only here but in their personal and professional life as well.  

What is your favourite activity at Mini U?

Pinguard, tchoukball and trashketball are some of my favourite games to play.  

"He is able to shift to what each area needs from him and able to shift to what each of his supervisors need from him. He changes his leadership style for the 4 of us working directly with us so seamlessly and I really appreciate the way he supports me."
- Sara Johnson, program supervisor.

What do you enjoy most about Mini U Programs and Junior Bisons?

For me, the people and the atmosphere make this such an amazing place to work. I am so lucky to meet individuals who are passionate about children’s programming and are genuinely great human beings. It is really special to work alongside people who love what they do!

When did you start working with the programs?

I began working at Mini U Programs in the Fall of 2017 as a Lifeguard/Swim Leader. I continued in this role through my undergraduate degree until the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. In the Spring of 2021, I became the Aquatics Supervisor, and by November 2021, I was the Aquatics Coordinator.

What experience do you have leading children’s programming?

I’ve been a Lifeguard and Swim Leader since 2014, teaching a diverse range of individuals. When I joined the Mini U team in 2017, I knew it was a place I wanted to keep returning to. The environment was fun, caring, and energetic, promoting teamwork and acceptance. Mini U transformed how I lead swimming lessons, providing a wealth of knowledge from other swim leaders and Bisons that I incorporated into my teaching. Since becoming a coordinator, I’ve had opportunities to lead staff who teach swimming programs, organize and curate swimming programs, and influence countless Mini U program offerings. This role has allowed me to provide leadership and development to both the programs and the staff, ensuring high-quality experiences for all participants.

What experiences do you hope to create for participants and leaders of the program?

I aim to create lasting experiences where participants will always remember their time with us. I hope that during their time in our programs, participants gain valuable knowledge and build meaningful relationships. I want everyone to feel recognized and appreciated, and I strive to foster an environment where leaders can grow and develop both as leaders and individuals.

What do you enjoy most about leading at Mini U and Junior Bisons?

It’s hard to pick just one thing because there are so many fantastic aspects. I would say the people I work with and the customers I interact with. Hearing that I’ve made a positive impact on someone gives me a great feeling that lasts all week.

What is your favorite activity at Mini U and Junior Bisons?

I love anything and everything at the pool!