The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Manitoba is pleased to announce the appointment of Molly McCracken to the position of Director, CCPA-MB.

Ms. McCracken brings more than 14 years’ experience in social-action research, policy development, and management with not-for-profit organizations and government.

She holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy & Administration and completed a term abroad on participatory development. Molly has served as a Policy Analyst in the provincial government, Executive Director of the West Broadway Development Corporation, Manager of street outreach programs at Sage House, Research Manager for the Child Care Coalition of Manitoba, and Research Coordinator at the Prairie Women’s Health Centre of Excellence.

She is currently teaching a course in the Urban & Inner City Studies program at the University of Winnipeg and is a board member for several local not-for-profit organizations. Molly has been involved as an author, research manager and advisor in over 21 publications on topics such as Aboriginal education, low income housing, inner-city neighborhood renewal, the economic benefits of child care and Community Economic Development.  Molly will take up her new position on May 1st, 2013.

In addition, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives is pleased to congratulate out-going CCPA-MB Director Shauna MacKinnon on her appointment as Assistant Professor in the Department of Urban and Inner City Studies at the University of Winnipeg.

During her eight year tenure as Director, CCPA Manitoba’s profile as a respected progressive voice on important public policy issues has grown significantly.  In addition to her administrative leadership, Dr. MacKinnon has engaged in research on social and economic issues, and spearheaded CCPA-MB’s annual State of the Inner City Report, a participatory research project now in its ninth year. She has provided research support for a number of social justice initiatives and has published widely.

Most recently she was instrumental in the establishment of the CCPA Errol Black Chair on labour issues, ensuring a continued focus on issues important to working people in Manitoba.  Under Dr. MacKinnon’s leadership, CCPA-MB has received three major SSHRC awards, the most recent a 7-year $2.5 million partnership grant in which she will continue as a co-investigator and research stream leader.