Experience and Endorsements

I officially launched Marianne Cerilli - Change Agent in January 2019. Since then I have partnered with diverse groups doing some amazing work.

Below are a list of groups I have supported with participatory planning, mentoring young staff for succession to ED, internal organizing and engaging union members, initiating a volunteer program, designing participatory governance models, and writing protocols for government policy.

Workshop during this time included: Engaging and Empowering Volunteers, Collaboration and Democracy Between Elections, Advocacy and Organizing Basics. 

And one of my favorite things - banning the panel, or making panel discussions more engaging for participants than an hour or two of listening followed by a few questions and answers. As an organizer I see any group or meeting is an opportunity to create some much needed positive change. 

Some 2019 - 2021 Partnerships

  • MB Association Parent Councils
  • Woman Healing for Change
  • Margaret Laurence Endowment Fund Advisory Panel Chair – Women and Gender Studies Programs at three Manitoba Universities plus Community Representatives.
  • UFCW – United Food and Commercial Workers Union
  • Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals
  • Treaty 3 – (28 First Nations communities 2 in Manitoba and 26 in Ontario)
  • Canada Northwest Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Partnership
  • Volunteer Manitoba
  • Canadian Community Economic Development Network
  • Take 3 For Climate Justice – A Youth Conference on Climate Change and Human Rights

During the pandemic slow down I have been putting my experience to good use by initiating local action groups on a variety of issue on a pro-bono basis. 

Going digital has been a necessity in this new reality we  find ourselves in.  I am comfortable leading experiential and engaging online meetings using digital technologies as a tools to ensure participation, inclusion and even fun! One of my favorite things to do is create playful activities that involve everyone in the group in learning and taking action together.

 

I have worked with Marianne on worker engagement for the UFCW Security Sector membership. Marianne’s straight forward and direct approach in developing our project, and her ability to collaborate with multiple organizations and stakeholders provided the results our organization was striving for. It has given us significantly increased worker engagement and awareness of labour and workplace issues for this industry. Our collaboration has also given us a solid pathway to build on for this sector or our membership. I highly recommend Marianne as a “change agent” for any engagement project.

Bea Bruske
UFCW Secretary Treasurer – CLC President

I first worked with Marianne when she was an advocate at the West Central Women's Resource Centre and I was chair of their board. I have continued to connect with Marianne on various projects over the past 2 decades. I have found her to be very resourceful and thoughtful. Marianne has a great ability to analyze situations and offer creative solutions.

Genevieve (Genny) Funk-Unrau BSW, RSW
Klinic - Community Health Outreach Worker


The Community Development program was the best experience of all my schooling. There was historical context, plus applied skills. It brought all my skills together in a tangible way that could be applied in the community. The course Working Across Differences, taught by Marianne Cerilli, had a big impact on me. We unpacked all the assumptions we learn over our lives. It was about trying to understand other cultures, oppression, and colonization. It pushed me toward a genealogy search.

Angelina Pelletier
Graduate RRC CD/CED Program