Kate Fenske

Chief Executive Officer at Downtown Winnipeg BIZ

Speaker

Kate Fenske is CEO of Downtown Winnipeg BIZ and a leader in urban place management, known for getting things done in complex environments. She brings diverse partners together, finds a path forward, and turns momentum into real, visible progress.

Her path to this work isn’t linear—spanning journalism, government relations, communications, advertising, and even the rail industry—but it’s always been about people, how we connect, and building strong communities together. Since 2018, she’s been helping shape downtown Winnipeg as a true urban neighbourhood at the heart of the city, with a focus on creating day-to-day experiences that feel safe, welcoming, and worth showing up for.

Kate serves on the Downtown Community Safety Partnership Board and the Manitoba Arts Council, bringing a collaborative, roll-up-your-sleeves approach to everything she does.