Growing up at Assiniboine: Heritage Co-Op CEO reflects on deep roots here at the college
January 22, 2026
Every Assiniboine graduate’s journey to the college comes with a story. Usually that story goes something like this; they decided to pursue post-secondary education to impact their life in a positive way. For Leanne DeVliegere, her story dates back further than most, but the message remains the same.
“I grew up in Brandon, so ending up going to school here was a natural choice,” Leanne says.
Her ties to Assiniboine run deep. Her father, Dan Collens, taught heavy-duty mechanics at the college in the 1980s, and she and her brother often tagged along to campus.
“The halls felt familiar,” she recalled as a student in the early 2000’s. “The college hosted our wedding reception, my dad spent many years there as an instructor, ultimately retiring as Dean of Student Services, and I attended there as a student. Assiniboine has always felt like home.”
Today, she is the CEO of Heritage Co-op, a role that puts her at the centre of a member-owned organization deeply rooted in community. But her journey started with a decision to enroll in the Business Administration program, a choice that gave her the tools and confidence to lead.
A graduate of Assiniboine’s Business Administration program in 2000, she recalled that those early days as a student were made easier by the environment she was in.
“Transitioning from high school to post-secondary can be overwhelming,” she recalls. “But Assiniboine offered smaller classes and a personal environment. I got to know my instructors well; they brought real-world experience into the classroom.”
That personal approach made a lasting impression.
“I made lifelong friends and enjoyed the social side of college life,” she says. “Back then, I didn’t own a computer, and was sort of finding my way, but the college had everything I needed to succeed.”
She also shared that her time at Assiniboine wasn’t just about academics, it was about building confidence.
“Education is critical,” Leanne explains. “It teaches discipline, critical thinking, research, and application of knowledge. It broadens your mind and connects you with people and perspectives.”
Through her co-op work placement, she landed a summer job at a credit union, which became her first full-time role.
“That program was huge for me,” she says. “It taught me resumé writing, interviewing, and workplace skills. Plus, real-world experience and feedback early in your career are invaluable.”
That work placement program would be the springboard that launched the next decade and a half of Leanne’s career, as she spent 15 years in financial services at Westoba Credit Union, moving from member service roles to executive positions. Later, she served as COO at Fusion Credit Union for seven years, earning her MBA from the University of Fredericton along the way.
Then came the big pivot. In December 2024, she stepped into the role of CEO at Heritage Co-op, a member-owned organization with operations spanning food, fuel, agriculture, and home and building solutions.
“It’s been a learning curve,” she says. “I had previous experience working with businesses in these sectors, and Heritage has an amazing team of leaders and specialists that have helped with the transition.”
Her expertise in leadership, finance, and change management has been key to aligning the organization toward shared goals.
Heritage Co-op has a strong bond to the communities they serve, and Leanne is committed to honoring that legacy while embracing modern trends.
“We help people understand what co-op means and stay relevant to new generations,” she says. That means focusing on member service, investing in top-notch facilities, engaging in community initiatives, and yes, even using TikTok. “We honour tradition while embracing innovation,” something she shared she is passionate about.
True to her family’s roots, Leanne noted that if she didn’t pursue the career path she is on, she would have liked to explore teaching like her father, as she has an inherent drive to learn, and bring others along with her. And when asked to sum up Heritage Co-op in one word, Leanne doesn’t hesitate: “Community.” It’s a fitting choice for a leader whose career and values are deeply intertwined with the people and places that shaped her journey.
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