Drake Perry (he/him) is a student and administrative professional of Cree descent from Sapotaweyak Cree Nation in Treaty 4 territory, raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He is currently completing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at the University of Winnipeg, with a focus on public policy and administration. In early 2025, he returned to Winnipeg after studying abroad at Korea University in Seoul, South Korea.
Drake holds a Certificate in Legal Assistance from Red River College Polytechnic and worked for two years as a Legal Assistant at MLT Aikins LLP. He has strong administrative and organizational experience across sectors including legal, non-profit, hospitality, and retail. He spent seven years with Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, including time in a retail management role, and worked at The Keg Steakhouse as a server, at the Fairmont Winnipeg as a bellman, and as a porter in Queensland, Australia.
He joined the Manitoba Queer Chamber of Commerce in 2025 as the Outreach & Research Assistant, supporting membership engagement, communications, and community-based research. Before that, he worked with the Indigenous Chamber of Commerce in a membership and outreach capacity. Drake participated in the Leadership Winnipeg program through the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, which helped build his interest in leadership, public speaking, and working with local chambers to support inclusive economic development.
He has volunteered with unhoused communities in Winnipeg’s downtown core and continues to engage in local advocacy through board participation. In his free time, Drake enjoys cycling, travelling, and spending time with his cat Nero and his dog Klara.
Kerry Porter (she/her) brings over 26 years of experience with TD, having held a number of senior leadership roles across the organization. Currently Kerry leads the Private Banking and Wealth Specialized services teams across Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Known for her strong passion for people, development, strategy, and leadership, Kerry is also deeply engaged in the community, actively contributing to various organizations that align with her values.
Lisha Hassanali (she/her) is an award-winning communications and government relations professional with experience leading public affairs in energy, telecom, and the public sector. She is currently part of the strategic leadership team at Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP), Manitoba’s general farm policy organization. As a former journalist, Lisha has reported on current affairs, business, and arts for CBC Radio locally and nationally. Lisha is passionate about vibrant communities and has served on several boards including the Calgary Arts Development and was VP of the Calgary International Film Festival Board. Her volunteer efforts and community leadership have been recognized with a Governor General‘s Jubilee Medal.
Lisha grew up in Calgary, has a degree in Political Science, and was named one of Calgary’s Top 40 under 40. Lisha loves listening to Bollywood soundtracks, walking everywhere, and exploring her new home city of Winnipeg.
Antonio De Luca (he/him) is an agribusiness development professional and strategic communicator with experience across non-profits, post-secondary institutions, and government. He volunteers as Strategic Partnership Portfolio Chair with the Canadian Agri-Food Marketers Alliance (CAMA), where he fosters collaboration across Canada’s agri-food industry. Known for his thoughtful communication style, collaborative leadership, and commitment to inclusion, Antonio is a proud 2SLGBTQ+ individual dedicated to advancing equity and driving Manitoba’s economic growth.
Matt Metcalf (he/him) is a Senior Manager in Commercial Banking Operations at RBC Royal Bank of Canada. Over the past 9 years, Matt has travelled, worked and lived across the world including Montreal, Toronto and Tel Aviv. He is an active member of various employee resource groups at RBC including NextGen and Pride. He also mentors new graduates entering the workforce and new to bank hires as they start their career journey. He joined the chamber on behalf of RBC in 2017.
Megan Porter (she/her) manages a portfolio of residential and condominium properties across Winnipeg — which means she is always balancing a million moving parts and problem solving. Megan loves bringing people together and has worked closely with diverse teams and boards to get things done in thoughtful, collaborative ways.
Outside of work, she’s all about travel, cooking, eating great food and wine, and spending time with her two teens, beautiful wife, and their pets. Megan is thrilled to be part of the board and to help grow a vibrant, inclusive 2SLGBTQ+ business community here in Manitoba.
Shaun Castor (he/him) is the founder of Wellness on Wheels, a Winnipeg-based mobile massage therapy company that brings high-quality care directly to homes, offices, and community spaces. With over a decade of experience as a Registered Massage Therapist, Shaun is passionate about making wellness more accessible, inclusive, and flexible for clients and practitioners alike.
Wellness on Wheels is built on a model that prioritizes convenience without compromising care — offering individualized treatments and corporate wellness services while supporting massage therapists with fair compensation and a collaborative work culture. Shaun is currently focused on growing strategic partnerships, developing new wellness offerings, and shifting into a leadership role within the business.
As a proud member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, Shaun is honoured to serve on the Board of the Manitoba Queer Chamber of Commerce and is excited to contribute to the growth, visibility, and success of queer-owned businesses across the province.
Alexander Kohut (he/they) is the CEO of Cal’s Crops, a Winnipeg-based vertical farming company dedicated to hyper-local, sustainable agricultural practices. With a passion for values-driven leadership and building community through innovation, Alexander brings over a decade of entrepreneurial experience to the Chamber.
Before launching Cal’s Crops—one of Winnipeg’s fastest-growing vertical farms—they spent eight years running The Vintage Saint, a vintage clothing reselling company. His creative background also includes years of improvisational comedy, public speaking (including at Pecha Kucha), band leadership, and event booking.
At the core of Alexander’s work is a deep commitment to community-building, inclusive business development, and making sure 2SLGBTQIA+ voices are seen and supported. As an At-Large Board Member, Alexander aims to strengthen the ecosystem of support for queer entrepreneurs and increase visibility and opportunity for 2SLGBTQIA+ folks across Winnipeg and beyond.
Kathleen Murphy (they/them) is a Banking Advisor for Royal Bank of Canada and an active member of RBC’s Pride Steering Committee. Kathleen also has extensive experience working with 2SLGBTQ+ and arts non‑profits: serving as Choir Manager, Choral Mentor, and Board Member for Rainbow Harmony Project; co‑organizer for Messiah Queered, raising funds for Sunshine House; and Digital Resource Assistant for Manitoba Choral Association. A graduate of RRC Polytech’s Business Administration (Financial Services) program, they bring strategic planning, event production, communications, and member‑engagement expertise to the Chamber.
Karolya (KV) Vargscarr (they/them) is a white, queer settler that lives and works on Treaty 1 Territory in Winnipeg, Manitoba. An inclusive leader with more than 15 years’ experience in the social impact sector, KV is the Executive Director Manitoba at NPower Canada, as well as partner and co-founder of Collective Consulting.
Collective Consulting is KV’s queer business offering – it is a national management consulting firm comprised entirely of women and gender-diverse professionals from across Turtle Island, and is focused on the expertise of diverse consultants who remain rooted in Truth and Reconciliation, and the importance of centering it in the work of non-Indigenous Settler and Newcomer organizations and offerings.
In their spare time, you will find KV hiking with their dogs in Southern Manitoba, eating at locally-owned restaurants in Winnipeg, and exploring the beautiful Northern and rural towns and cities throughout Manitoba, with enthusiasm to connect, collaborate, and learn.