ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
Chelsea Walker – Director of Fundraising
Chelsea started her career at the Movement Centre since 2011. What started as a summer job, quickly developed into a deep belief and passion for the Conductive Education programs provided at the Centre. After just two months of summer camps, she knew that “[t]his was where I was supposed to be. I love being a part of something so unique, the family atmosphere, and watching the the impossible happen every day!”
After a few years of seeing firsthand the magic of the Movement Centre, she began her involvement with fundraising and marketing in an effort to raise awareness for the Movement Centre.
Chelsea loves to stay active, spend her summers at the lake, and spends most of the time outside of the Centre on family adventures with her two children.
PROGRAM TEAM
What is a Conductor?
A conductor in this context are individuals who are designated and specialize in Conductive Education. The conductors are supported by conductive education assistants, who work one to one with our clients in class and are kind, friendly, understanding, and very knowledgeable.
Chris Martin, Conductor QCS
Christopher began working at the Movement Centre as an assistant in the spring of 2009. He quickly realized that this was the career he would like to pursue and moved to England the following year to study conductive education. While in university Chris would return to The Movement Center to work during the summer intensive camps. In 2013 Christopher returned home to Winnipeg and began his full time position as a conductor. When not working at the center, Chris enjoys cycling, camping and collecting records.
“The intense work of the clients and their dedication to their goals continues to inspire me on a daily basis. I’m so proud to be working as a part of the team at the Movement Centre.”
Conductive Education Assistants (CEA)
Joey P, Senior CEA
Joey is our senior conductive education assistant at the Movement Centre of Manitoba and has the longest career in conductive education in Manitoba. Joey graduated from the Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive High school with honours in 1994 then completed his bachelor of science with a major in physics from the University of Manitoba in 2001. Joey then went into the education field where, because of a friend, he stumbled upon the programs at the Movement Centre in the summer of 2003. He began training in CE that summer and has never looked back.
Joey’s greatest passions have been playing and coaching rugby, nutrition and the many ideologies that exist when choosing food and Crossfit. “I met my brilliant wife at the Centre, conductor QCS Gemma Davy, got married in 2008 and now have 3 wonderful children, Leiella, Alexander and Mckenzie. I’ve had a blessed life and having a career where every morning I fly out of bed ready to meet the challenge of helping some dedicated clients meet some very difficult goals has only made it better. I haven’t just worked at the Centre, I have also made many, many wonderful lifelong friends here as well. This place has always been a second home to me!”
Amanda D, CEA
Amanda started working at the Movement Centre of Manitoba in April of 2023, after volunteering through a university disability course. She is currently working on her bachelor’s degree in social work. Before the Movement centre, she has worked in childcare for over five years, which grew her passion for helping others.
In her spare time, Amanda enjoys staying active at the gym, and playing on a women’s recreational basketball team. She also enjoys camping, reading, and hanging out with her cat.
Calvin R, CEA
Calvin is graduating with a Bachelor of Kinesiology with a minor in Psychology from the University of Manitoba this spring (2024). He is hoping to continue his education through pursuing a Master of Physical Therapy degree.
Calvin started working at the Movement Centre during the fall of 2023 through a fieldwork program at the University. He quickly fell in love with the many wonderful clients and staff and is now transiting to a full staff member. He is looking forward to continuing to build relationships with the clients while assisting them achieve their goals!
Outside of the Movement Centre, Calvin is a middle/long distance runner for the Bison cross country and track and field teams. You can catch him running many miles either on the roads of North Kildonan or at the U of M indoor and outdoor track. When Calvin isn’t running or working, he loves to spend his time exploring the backcountry either hiking or fishing out of his kayak.
Courtney T, CEA
Courtney is entering the final year of her Kinesiology degree at the University of Winnipeg. She plan on continuing her studies to pursue a Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy in the future.
When she’s not studying or working, Courtney is usually coaching. As an assistant Coach with the Oak Park Women’s Hockey Team she spends many hours over the winter at the rink. In the spring and summer she spends just as much time at the diamonds both coaching and playing softball.
Eden S, CEA
Eden is going into her last year of the Kinesiology and Applied Health program at the University of Winnipeg. She is hoping to go into Occupational Therapy after her undergraduate degree.
In her spare time, Eden enjoys spending time with her dogs, camping, and playing volleyball with her friends.
Kate H, CEA
Kate started working at the Movement Centre of Manitoba during the 2021 Summer Camps. She quickly realized her love for helping people reach their goals and overcome different challenges they may face using the teachings of Conductive Education.
Kate is currently finishing up her degree in Kinesiology with a minor in Psychology at the University of Manitoba. She plans on continuing her education to pursue a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy in the future.
Outside of work, Kate enjoys going to the cabin, spending time with family and friends, playing guitar, and playing sports. Sports have always been a big part of her life, her main sport being soccer. Kate grew up in Denver, Colorado, and later moved to Manitoba with her parents and her three brothers.
Lindsay P, CEA
Lindsay started working at the Movement Centre in June 2021. She graduated from the University of Winnipeg in 2019 with a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education, with a career goal to work with athletes and people with disabilities.
Outside of the Movement Centre, she is an amateur Muay Thai fighter and a coach at Kwest Muay Thai. She specializes in the fundamentals of contact and working with youth.
In her down time, she enjoys keeping active, baking, and playing games.
Tanvir K, CEA
Tanvir started working at the Movement Centre in November 2021, looking for a part-time job while she completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Manitoba. She’s been with the Movement Centre since and has loved it.
Tanvir graduated with her Bachelor of Kinesiology with a minor in Psychology in June 2023. She is now pursuing her Master’s in Occupational Therapy program and is excited to see where it takes her.
What Tanvir loves about the Movement Centre is how motivated the clients are to work hard and get their bodies moving to achieve their goals.
Some fun facts about Tanvir: She fluently speaks Punjabi, loves to travel, go on hikes, and try lots of new foods.
Margy Nelson (B. Ed.) – Founder
Margy Nelson has worn many “hats” in her professional life; business woman and then elementary and junior high teacher, – but according to her – the “hat” that is most near and dear to her heart is in the role of Executive Director and Co-Founder of The Movement Centre of Manitoba.
Back in January, 1989, Margy & husband John, gave birth to premature twins Bryce and Sean. Being born 12 weeks early, first-born son Bryce was quickly diagnosed with having cerebral palsy; Sean escaped complications. Years later, in the summer of 1997, Margy took her son, Bryce, out East, to a center offering a unique program called Conductive Education. As an educator at the time, Margy was enthralled that Conductive Education is an “educational” approach to motor movement; it’s a program that teaches daily-living skills – designed to increase independence. Margy and Bryce were away from home for 5 weeks, and had spent in excess of $7,000.00 for treatment and traveling expenses.
Margy quickly realized that there was a need for Conductive Education in Manitoba; in fact, there were numerous needs to be addressed. There was a need to assist all those living with a mobility challenge by providing them with Conductive Education; a need to assist all family members, by providing the necessary “tools” to their loved one – thereby potentially increasing some level of independence, and easing some of the pressures placed on the family.
When creating The Movement Centre, Margy approached two other mothers of children who had cerebral palsy – to help her create a non-profit charitable organization which would provide Conductive Education rehabilitation at a fee that would be affordable to all. “The Movement Centre of Manitoba” was incorporated in December, 1997 and immediately received its registered charitable status.
