Toll free general number: 1-877-444-5222

Mailing address: 227 Portage Avenue, R3B 2A6

Meet Our Staff – Pics & Bios (Listed Alphabetically by Last Name) 

Rita Chahal  

General Manager Manitoba of the Chambers of Commerce (MCC).

Rita joined the MCC in early 2008 and  brings with her over  20 years experience in program planning, human resources management along with a strong working knowledge of the broadcasting, film and new media industries. Rita was instrumental in developing a national program that encourages Canadian girls to consider careers in broadcasting, film, animation and mew media. Through her  professional and community experience  in the not- for- profit, arts and educational sector Rita knows first hand the funding and staffing challenges that most not- for- profits and businesses face. As General Manager of  MCC Rita is responsible for the overall financial, business development and operational aspects of MCC. Rita works closely with the local Chambers and is aware of and sensitive to the labour issues impacting Manitoba business especially in rural communities.

A science graduate of Dalhousie University, Rita  previously served as the Executive Director of the Women in Media Foundation and  as  Executive Director of Employment Projects of Winnipeg.

In addition to her responsibilities at MCC Rita serves on a number of community organizations and boards including:

• Arts and Cultural Industries of Manitoba – Current Board Chair
• Current member of the board for the Manitoba Centennial Centre Corporation (ministerial appointment)
• MCC member representative – Advisory group for Impact of Domestic Violence in the Workplace
• ‘Training for Tomorrow Scholarship’ selection committee
• Former member of the steering committee for the YM/YWCA Women of Distinction Award gala dinner
• Former member of the Manitoba Volunteer Sector Initiative Advisory Committee
• Immediate past Chair of the India School of Dance Music and Theatre.

Rita and her husband Chander, have three children and maintain a home in a traditional Indian joint family system.   

Diane Czastkiewicz

Terry Hayes

Born and raised in Beausejour, Manitoba, Terry went on to graduate with a diploma from the Red River College Business Administration Program in 1980 and then graduated with a degree from the University of Winnipeg Administrative Studies Program in 1982. After a couple of years in the workforce, Terry decided to further his education and returned to university where he graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree in 1988.

Terry began a career as a Branch Administration Officer with RBC Royal Bank in 1988 and worked in a number of bank branches throughout Manitoba until 1992.

Terry then accepted an offer to become an Executive Assistant (EA) to a Provincial Government Minister in 1992.

Since 1996, Terry has been Director of Marketing and Membership with the MCC. His main responsibility has been membership retention and has been part of a team that has seen a net growth in membership of 59% since 2001.

Terry is happily married and has 2 wonderful boys. When time permits, he enjoys golfing and curling.

Dan Overall 

Born and raised in Winnipeg, Dan graduated with honours from the University Manitoba of Law School in 1988. He practiced law in Manitoba, with an emphasis on litigation, until 1999.

Since 1997 Dan has been the Director of Policy and Communications for the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. In that capacity Dan drafts and oversees the MCC’s policy positions. He has made submissions to both the federal and provincial levels of government and has represented the MCC on a wide array of committees including the Trade Advisory Group, the President’s Advisory Council For Literacy and the Winnipeg and Region Cluster Steering Committee.

Dan is editor-in-chief and a contributing writer for the Manitoba Focus, the Manitoba Chambers’ news magazine; a videographer and editor for MCCTV and hosts the Manitoba’s Cül Companies Radio show. He also writes articles for the MCC Website and the Winnipeg Free Press.

Graham Starmer

Born and raised in southern England, Graham Starmer went straight from school into the Thames Valley Region police force, later transferring to the Regional Crime Squad for Southern England.

He emigrated to Canada in 1969 and joined the Bank of Nova Scotia as an accountant, later the assistant branch manager, of a branch in Toronto.

Mr. Starmer returned to police work in 1970  when he joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.  He spent the next four years on general detachment duties, mostly in Manitoba, before being selected for the RCMP’s Security Service, based in Ottawa.  He was responsible for counter-intelligence national programs in Ottawa as well as counter-terrorism work in Edmonton and Winnipeg.

In 1984 he was transferred by the RCMP into the newly-formed Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), as an intelligence officer and project manager.  His duties included developing a sound working relationship with senior officials of the Manitoba government, as well as with Manitoba’s business and ethnic communities, and educational institutions.

Mr. Starmer resigned from CSIS in 1994 to take a position as an investigator with the Ombudsman’s office in Winnipeg.

He was selected by the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce in January, 1998 to be its new President.  The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce serves as the umbrella organization for 74 chambers of commerce throughout the province, with a total of about 9,000 members, as well as 250 Corporate members.

Mr. Starmer, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Carleton University in Ottawa and is working on a Master of Arts degree at the University of Manitoba, is married with two daughters.  His wife Sylvia was born and raised in Minnedosa.