Nipawin & District Chamber of Director & Board Bio's

Family: I am married to Dennis Murphy. We have three kids, Brodie, Braun, and Burgess Vatamaniuck. All attend L.P. Miller High School here in Nipawin.

Business: I have been co-owner of several businesses prior to coming to Nipawin. I have been with the Nipawin & District Chamber of Commerce since May 2000 and Executive Director since May 2003. I sit as ex-officio on all Chamber Committees. Hobbies Interests: My family and I enjoy fishing, camping, hunting, quading, attending our kids events, and are close to our families and friends. My family is from the Weirdale / Prince Albert area. My husband's family is from the Nipawin area. When we first moved to Nipawin, I said to my husband that I wanted to get actively involved with my new community. What better way than to work for the Nipawin business community at the Chamber Office. Thanks to my first boss at the Chamber, Tracy Senger, for giving me that opportunity. Thanks also to my former boss, Lyn Brown for teaching me so much. I am very pleased to serve this wonderful business community

Family: Wife Kristine and 2 kids, Madison and Nicholas

I am originally from New Brunswick but have lived most of my life in Saskatchewan, most recently in Prince Albert. Business - Branch Manager, RBC Royal Bank. I have been with RBC for about 10 years working in various positions in operations, sales and management. I believe strongly in the potential of Nipawin and District and the opportunities that are available here. This is a great community with great people and my family and I are thrilled to be here.

Chamber Committees: Executive Action Committee

Let Me Introduce Myself to You, the optimistic Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Nipawin Inc.  I have been in the workforce since I was 13 years old.  Imagine 40 years!  It hasn't all been rosy but I am enjoying a fulfilling career, enjoying helping others to achieve their goals. 

I am the wife of Dave, mother of 3 with an added 2 stepsons.  Dave and I are empty nesters with 3 grandchildren in Kelowna, B.C. Not one of the kids live in Saskatchewan!  Dave's career (Production Specialist for Hydro Plants) brought us to White Fox, a bedroom community of Nipawin, SK.  We moved here in 1999, bringing our youngest daughter, who graduated the next year.

I had transferred to the Nipawin Hospital as Maintenance Engineer, where I again cleared the way for women to have a career in a man's world.  Fixing everything from electric beds to worn out plumbing. Tending steam boilers and shoveling roofs brought me respect from the Hospital and Nursing Home staff, they still admire my ambition.

My first entrepreneurial experience was at the age of 13, making sandwiches and selling them to construction crews building a subdivision in Uranium City - started in sales early!  From 13 until leaving home, I worked in the food industry such as the cookery in Eldorado, of which I could always fall back on.

Education was a continual desire I had giving me the position of research librarian for the Dept. of Northern Saskatchewan, in La Ronge.  Then continuing on as librarian in Manitoba, working for the Duck Mountain School Division.  My ex-husband and I experienced "Back to the Earth" syndrome, which was an education that I realize could never be taught in a school.  I  never dreamed I could have such a beautiful 1/2-acre garden (trying to keep the goats out) and enjoy making a thousand perogies with such good friends and family. 

Throughout the years experiencing different careers such as Ambulance Attendant, Head cook in nursing homes and hospitals,  my own catering business - with my children as my staff, has given me the confidence to succeed. I was always studying something ex. Univ. class in Marketing.  Enthusiastically having home based businesses - selling something (Amway, Air Purifiers, Nutrition products…) plus being a mom! All of which was instrumental in giving my children the drive to be successful.

I have the leadership qualities, being out going, ambitious and yet having empathy, that draw people to me recognizing that I have their best interests first.  From cooking at a northern fishing lodge to being a leader for the Boy Scouts, I always try to leave people with a positive and up-building attitude, bringing out the best in people.  Supervising people was never a chore as I always showed respect for them and they showed their appreciation by giving back that respect.

Perhaps some think of me as a work alcoholic, but I consider myself as being conscientious.  In 
selling Real Estate since 2002, I realize how all of these experiences have benefited me to cope with the unique people that come for my help.  Dave had made one request when I got into full time sales, that "I don't change in personality".  I truly believe I have maintained my down to earth, positive outlook and kept with my responsible and cheerful attitude.  Everyone I meet remembers me.

Throughout the years I have been very active in the community, especially with my children.  Right now I am on the Board for the Chamber of Commerce of Nipawin and Area and also sit on their Promotion Committee.  I also sit as the secretary/treasurer for a land development group.

It's well known that I have deep spiritual grounding.  I always maintain a high level of integrity and therefore have the trust not only from my congregation but also my clients and the community.  I have empathy and compassion for all types of people and can relate to all walks of life. Foremost in my mind and enduring to my heart is the life of being a single mom.  I have attained more than what I envisioned and now I have goals that I never dreamed of, both spiritually and in my profession, but I know I will achieve.

Success has always been a passion.  I always taught my children " never be a quitter" and they have made me a proud mother, as their leader.