About Us

As Chair of the Taché CDC Board, my role focuses on providing strategic guidance, strengthening governance, and ensuring our initiatives remain aligned with the evolving needs of the community. I work closely with fellow board members and the RM of Taché to support long-term planning, collaborative problem-solving, and initiatives that create meaningful impact.

I joined the Board because I believe strongly in the CDC’s role as a catalyst for community development and opportunity. I am inspired by the organization’s commitment to equity, sustainability, and inclusive growth, and I value the opportunity to contribute my skills in a way that directly benefits individuals, families, and local partners.

Professionally, I bring experience in leadership, project management, and strategic planning across both nonprofit and private sector settings. My background includes working with diverse stakeholders, managing cross-functional teams, and supporting programs focused on community engagement, capacity building, and organizational effectiveness. I aim to contribute a thoughtful and balanced perspective to the Board’s work, grounded in both practical experience and a passion for service.

My name is Allan Rau, and when I was elected to the Lorette Urban District (LUD), I had the opportunity to join the CDC Board as a representative from the LUD. Since I wasn’t familiar with the Board at first, those early days were about learning who the CDC is and what it does. My tenure as a LUD member will soon be over, but I intend to continue as a CDC member.

My professional background is in firefighting and engineering, including 30 years in the Canadian Armed Forces, where my family and I lived in numerous locations across Canada and Europe. During my career, I held various roles including firefighter, Fire Chief, Fire Marshal, NATO Crash Fire Rescue Chairman, and Engineering Officer.

After retiring in 2010, my wife Louisette and I moved to Lorette to begin a new chapter. Firefighting has always been my passion, and in retirement I looked for ways to stay involved in the community. Joining the Taché Fire Department in 2015 was the perfect opportunity, and in 2016 I was appointed Fire Chief. I also remain active as a board member for Lorette Thrifty Treasures, with the Manitoba Association of Fire Chiefs, and as Eastman Mutual Aid District Coordinator. In 2022, I was elected as a LUD Lorette Committee Member.

I value community involvement and am committed to contributing my experience and leadership to help support a strong and connected Taché.

I serve on the Taché Community Development Corporation Board while also serving my eighth year as Municipal Councillor for Ward 6 in the RM of Taché. In this role, I act as a link between local government and community-led growth, helping identify opportunities that align with our municipality’s long-term vision and benefit residents across our diverse wards.

I accepted the appointment to the CDC Board because I believe that a thriving community is built on the strength of its local economy and the quality of life of its residents. Living in Ste. Geneviève and operating a business here with my family, I am deeply invested in seeing our region flourish.
As the owner of Ste. G’s General Store, which I have run with my husband and family for more than ten years, I understand firsthand the realities of operating a small-town, family-run business. This experience gives me a practical perspective on rural economic development and the importance of community support networks.

I am motivated by the challenge of balancing modern growth with our unique rural and urban character, and I remain committed to fostering an environment where small businesses succeed and community projects become a reality. I strive to bring a well-rounded, common-sense approach to supporting community development in Taché.

For nearly three decades, I have proudly called Lorette home. Over 27 years, my husband and I raised our five children here, and I have had the privilege of watching our community grow, evolve, and overcome challenges together. That deep connection to Lorette — and the people who make it special — is what drives my commitment to serve on the CDC Board.

My background is a blend of technical, administrative, and community-focused experience. I began my career in computer programming, later ran an in-home daycare for 10 years while raising my family, and spent another decade as Ice Convenor for the Lorette Arena. I have also taken on bookkeeping roles over the years. Today, I serve as Front Store Manager at Lorette Pharmacie Dufresne, where I continue supporting local families and seniors.

Community involvement has always been central to my life. I was one of the founding members of the Optimist Club of Lorette and later helped create the Lorette Family Fun Group. Over the years, I have served on numerous committees including CCLCC, the Taché Food Resource Centre, the Lorette Soccer Club, the Taché Youth Centre, and Taché Christmas Hampers, among others. I have also volunteered in many local activities, from managing hockey teams to organizing community events.

I chose to join the CDC Board because I believe in giving back to a community that has given my family so much. With my strong local roots, hands-on experience, and passion for community building, I am committed to helping shape a vibrant and inclusive future for Taché.

My name is Russell Trudeau, and I serve as a volunteer Board Member with the Taché CDC. I have lived in the Taché community since 1996, first in Lorette and later in Landmark, where my family purchased the Freedom Foods Co-op in 2002. I began working in the family business at a young age, starting as a gas attendant and learning the operations over the years before purchasing the business myself in 2025.

As a long-time resident, business owner, coach, volunteer, and parent, I care deeply about the community I grew up in. That is why I accepted the opportunity to join the CDC Board — to help support, grow, and nourish a strong community.
I look forward to building new relationships with people who share the same passion for our municipality and to being part of the continued growth and development of Taché both now and into the future.

Colleen Jolicoeur serves as a Board Member of the Taché Community Development Corporation (Taché CDC), bringing a strong commitment to community service and local economic development. As a long-time advocate for the RM of Taché, she is passionate about supporting initiatives that strengthen local businesses, encourage investment, and enhance the quality of life for residents.

In her role as a municipal councillor representing Ward 4, Colleen has gained valuable experience working with community organizations, regional partners, and local stakeholders to address the needs of the municipality. Her involvement on numerous committees and boards provides her with a broad understanding of community priorities and opportunities for growth.

As a member of the Taché CDC Board, Colleen is dedicated to promoting economic development, supporting entrepreneurship, encouraging tourism, and helping create vibrant and sustainable communities throughout the RM of Taché. She believes that collaboration, innovation, and community engagement are essential to building a prosperous future for local residents and businesses.

I am excited to be one of the newest members of the Taché Community Development Corporation (Taché CDC) Board. As a Registered Massage Therapist with over 22 years of experience, I have had the privilege of operating my own home-based business in Lorette for the past 10 years. Being a small business owner has given me a firsthand understanding of the importance of supporting local entrepreneurs and creating vibrant communities.

Over the years, I have been actively involved in our community. I served for three years on the Manitoba Association of Therapeutic Massage (MTAM) Board and have been a member of the LUD of Lorette Committee since 2022. I also participate on the RM of Taché Planning and Development Committee, where I enjoy contributing to the growth and future of our municipality.

Volunteering and giving back are important to me. You may have seen me helping out at school events, supporting the Lorette Family Fun Group, or delivering meals to seniors in Lorette through Club Blés d’Or. I believe strong communities are built through connection, collaboration, and service.

I look forward to working with my fellow Taché CDC Board members to support local businesses, encourage economic growth, and help advance projects that make the RM of Taché an even better place to live, work, and raise a family

I am passionate about economic and community development and currently serve as the Economic Development Officer for the RM of Taché. I am especially passionate about attracting businesses, investment, and new opportunities to the RM of Taché while helping support vibrant, sustainable, and growing communities.

In my role, I work closely with businesses, organizations, government partners, developers, and community members to support business growth, investment attraction, tourism development, healthcare recruitment, and initiatives that strengthen our communities both economically and socially.

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to lead and support a variety of projects focused on business development, youth entrepreneurship, strategic planning, tourism promotion, and community revitalization. I enjoy bringing people together, building partnerships, and finding creative ways to help communities grow and thrive.

I was honoured to receive the Rising Star Award through the Economic Developers Association of Manitoba (EDAM), recognizing my contributions and leadership within the field of economic development.

My educational background includes Business Accounting and Management through Red River College Polytechnic. I am also nearing completion of the Municipal Administration Program through the University of Manitoba and have completed Year 1 and Year 2 of Economic Development studies through the University of Waterloo.

One of the areas I am especially passionate about is supporting youth and future entrepreneurs. Through local partnerships and programming, I have helped develop opportunities for students and young entrepreneurs to gain business experience, mentorship, and confidence as they pursue their goals.

I am actively involved in several community and volunteer initiatives throughout southeastern Manitoba and strongly believe in the importance of collaboration, relationship building, and creating opportunities that leave a lasting positive impact.

Whether I am working on grant development, economic strategies, community events, or business support initiatives, my goal is always to help create welcoming, innovative, and sustainable communities for residents, businesses, investors, and future generations.

My name is Véronique Schmik, and I currently serve as the Assistant Economic Development Officer (Assistant EDO) for the RM of Taché. In this role, I support a wide range of economic development initiatives, including business retention and expansion, tourism development, community engagement, grant projects, investment attraction, and strategic planning. I enjoy working with local businesses, community organizations, and residents to help create opportunities that strengthen our communities and support long-term growth.

Before joining the RM in this role, I had the privilege of serving as a volunteer Board Member with the Community Development Corporation (CDC) for several months. During my time on the Board, I participated in meetings, contributed to discussions on community initiatives, voted on projects, and gained valuable insight into the importance of collaboration and strategic planning in community development.

I have always been passionate about giving back to the community I call home and supporting projects that have a lasting impact. My interest in economic development comes from a desire to help build vibrant, sustainable communities where businesses can thrive, families can succeed, and future generations have opportunities to grow. I am grateful to now be able to pursue that passion professionally while continuing to work alongside community leaders, businesses, and residents who share the same vision.

In 2025, I graduated from Ste. Anne Collegiate in Manitoba and earned an Applied Business Management Certification from the Louis Riel Arts and Technology Centre. As a summer student with the RM of Taché, I worked alongside the Economic Development Officer, where I gained valuable hands-on experience in economic development, community planning, tourism, business engagement, and grant initiatives. That experience confirmed my passion for the field and led me to pursue a career in economic development.

I am currently enrolled in the Business Accounting and Management program at Red River College Polytechnic, where I am continuing to build my knowledge of business management, accounting, finance, and organizational leadership. I look forward to continuing to serve the residents and businesses of the RM of Taché while helping support sustainable economic growth and a prosperous future for our communities.