Trustee since 2026

Bethany Kolisniak (she/her/elle) is a lifelong resident of LRSD Ward 4. She attended elementary school at École Van Belleghem, where she learned to speak French. Her LRSD roots run deep: her mother has been a teacher with LRSD for more than 25 years, and her younger brother, who has autism, attended LRSD schools until graduating at age 21.

Bethany has long been passionate about advancing social justice and, more simply, leaving her community a little better than she found it. As a high school student, she began volunteering with youth with disabilities at the Rehabilitation Centre for Children and has remained involved in community service ever since.

A Loran Scholar and Terry Fox Humanitarian Scholar, Bethany studied Indigenous Studies at the University of British Columbia's Okanagan campus. Prior to becoming a trustee, she spent several years working in public service, most recently as Constituency Assistant to Tracy Schmidt, MLA for Rossmere and Manitoba's Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning. Bethany has been admitted to law school at the University of Manitoba's Robson Hall and will begin her studies in the fall of 2027.

Bethany was motivated to run for trustee because she believes it’s important for diverse perspectives to be represented in decision-making, especially when it comes to delivering strong public education. She is humbled to serve the communities of Ward 4 and grateful for the opportunity to contribute to LRSD's ongoing work of ensuring every student has the support they need to learn, grow, and succeed.