Manito Ahbee Board of Governors
Elaine Cowan
Past President and Owner, The Anokiiwin Group and currently Realtor, Senior Negotiator with Avison Young Commercial Real Estate
Many years of working in both the public and private sector have given Elaine the wide range of skills that are demanded of today’s successful entrepreneurs.
During nearly two decades of service with the Manitoba government, Elaine progressed from secre¬tarial to management and senior policy positions. This experience has given her valuable insights into how government works and how to make things happen in a public/private sector environment.
Elaine’s experience in the public sector includes:
- Director of Training – Northeast Manitoba Training Committee (Federal)
- Special Advisor to Minister of Northern Affairs (Manitoba);
- Coordinator - Manitoba Energy Authority Task Force on Hydro Development;
- Special Assistant – Minister of Environment & Workplace Safety & Health (Manitoba);
- Research Director – Manitoba Government Caucus; and,
- Secretary – Manitoba Government and Opposition Caucuses.
From her involvement in establishing and running a log building construction company to her success as President of The Anokiiwin Group, Elaine has “learned the ropes” through the hard work, long hours and trial and error that is the hallmark of every successful entrepreneur. Her entrepreneurial experience includes:
- Co-Owner – Original Log Builders
- Owner – Courtyard Deli Restaurant;
- Founder and President – Anokiiwin Training Institute and Anokiiwin Employment Solutions.
- Commercial Realtor, Avison Young Commercial Real Estate
Elaine’s more recent entrepreneurial activities have been recognized with the awarding of the:
- Self-Employment Assistance Award for Entrepre¬neurship in 1996;
- Regional Finalist in the 1998 Canadian Women Entrepreneur of the Year Award; and,
- 1999 National Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award (Start Up Category)
- Nominee for the National Aboriginal Achievement Award - 2000
- 2000 “Impact on Local Economy” Women Business Owners of Manitoba
- 2000 “Overall Excellence” Women Business Owners of Manitoba
- Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2000 Award – Women Business Owners of Manitoba
- Nominee for Entrepreneur of the Year 2000 (National) – Ernst and Young.
Elaine is active in several community and business organizations and is on the Boards of the:
- Premier’s Economic Advisory Council (PEAC)
- Winnipeg Airport Authority (Provincial Nominee)
- Council of Crown Corporations (Province of Manitoba)
- Chair, Sponsorship Committee, YWCA/YMCA “Women of Distinction Award”
