Congratulations to three kababayans who made it to CBC’s Manitoba Future 40 of 2020 – Jackie Wild, Arnel Alibin and Lorhiz Aquino.
Future 40 is organized by Canadian Broadcasting Corporation where it recognizes and awards 40 Manitobans under 40 years old highlighting the outstanding professional and/or service contributions that the individual has made to their community and how he or she is making a difference in the lives of the people of Manitoba. It also emphasizes what future successes and dreams are in the horizon for this individual.
40 | Business Entrepreneurship Economy
Mr. Arnel Alibin is the General Manager and one of the co-owners of Max’s Restaurant of Winnipeg and a community leader. Even during pre-COVID-19 Mr. Alibin has shown commitment in community engagement, he initiated Max’s Restaurant’s donation partnership with Concordia Hospital Foundation, Victoria Hospital Foundation, St. Boniface Hospital Foundation, Seven Oaks General Hospital and World Vision Canada. Max’s Restaurant has provided and donated more than one thousand (1,000) meals to hospitals and foundations. In September 2019, Mr. Alibin led the Max’s team to provide over 600 meals to participants of the World Vision Global 6K for Water challenge held in Birdhills, Manitoba. The event raised $40,000 for the purpose of building drinkable water wells in the Republic of Congo. In September, 2020 Mr. Alibin led the Max’s team in Victoria Hospital Foundation’s 5th Annual Miracle Garden Party and Max’s Restaurant was one of the event venues. The event raised $125,000 for mental health awareness. Mr. Alibin continues to lead the Max’s team thrive throughout the pandemic. Max’s Restaurant has served more than 150,000 customers since it opened in January 2019 and employed 100+ employees. During this pandemic, Mr. Alibin and Max’s Restaurant is able to provide full-time and part-time jobs to at least 15 people.
https://www.maxsrestaurantna.com/winnipeg
30 | Business Entrepreneurship Economy
Raised in Winnipeg’s vibrant inner city, Jackie understands the pressing social and economic issues for our most vulnerable populations. Throughout her professional career, she has witnessed the incredible impact that socially-minded businesses can create through authentic and thoughtful strategic partnerships. She truly believes that by working together we can achieve incredible outcomes.
Passionate about doing work that matters, she joined TELUS where she supports hundreds of local, grassroots charities creating opportunities for conversation, collaboration and shared learning. Strategically focused on systemic change, she was instrumental in bringing social purpose programs to TELUS Manitoba including the engagement of local leaders in granting decisions. Through this program, more than 200,000 disadvantaged youth and 123 projects have been supported with $1.5M in funding. Additionally, she enabled the allocation of $2M in national emergency relief funding, which included a sizable grant for our Health Sciences Centre helping families struggling through COVID-19.
A champion of civic engagement, Jackie served as a Manitoba 150 Committee Chair. She lends her voice to various boards including the Manitoba Museum, serves as Vice President of the Manitoba Filipino Business Council and recently featured on the Filipino Journal’s “20 Filipinos to Watch” list. She continues to mentor, and be mentored, by key social service agencies including IRCOM, Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, United Way Winnipeg and Winnipeg Art Gallery.
An empathetic and courageous leader, Jackie shows an undeniable ability to engage and inspire civic engagement proving that good business and doing are mutually inclusive.
24 | Sports Recreation
Lorhiz is a founding director of the Manitoba Esports Association (MESA). Lorhiz started pioneering Esports program when she joined as Vice-President of the UoM Esports Club while finishing her degree at UoM Asper School of Business. After graduating, they created MESA to grow and develop the Esports community in Manitoba. They develop professional players and create opportunities for a wide range of professionals involved in this industry such as graphic designers, photographers, shoutcasters, videographers, cosplayers, streamers, and content creators. Lorhiz, an active educational speaker at G.A.M.E of Manitoba Educators has spoken in school divisions to support schools and post-secondary institutions interested in developing Esports programs. As competitive gaming gains popularity worldwide, Esport’s inclusion in the Olympic Games is under consideration. With so much demand for Esports in the province and not a lot of opportunities to showcase our talents, MESA has partnered with Canadian Sports Centre Manitoba to host Manitoba’s first Esports Expo in 2019. Manitobans got a glimpse of the budding Esports community in the province and had the opportunity to experience Esports live. A future event is underway with the Red River Exhibition including an expo arena to watch the Canadian League Championship in 2021, showcasing the best Manitoba and Ontario talents as they clash in this epic interprovincial tournament (first of its kind). As Director of Finance and Sponsorships, Lorhiz is in charge of the financial/legal aspects of the organization including new acquisitions. Lorhiz works behind the scenes to keep things in motion and make these events happen.
