Behind every trade mission, event, partnership, and Manitoba company supported by the World Trade Centre Winnipeg is a team of people working toward one shared goal: helping Manitoba businesses succeed on the global stage.
One of those people is Tiphanie Tsihoarana.
Born and raised in Madagascar, Tiphanie now calls Winnipeg home, where she works as Executive Assistant at WTC Winnipeg. But her story is about much more than her role. Behind her exceptional organizational skills is a woman driven by service, discipline, and integrity — someone who has always wanted to be part of something bigger than herself.
In this conversation, Tiphanie shares the experiences, values, and purpose that continue to shape both her life and her work.
"I've always wanted to serve something bigger than myself."
Who is Tiphanie beyond your role at WTC Winnipeg?
Before anything else, I'm a wife, a mom, and the oldest of six children. I was born and raised in Madagascar, where I earned my law degree from the University of Antananarivo.
But if I had to describe myself beyond a degree or job title, I'd say I'm curious, ambitious, disciplined... and passionate about hair.
I've always loved caring for my natural hair. Before moving to Canada, I was constantly experimenting with new hairstyles and products. It became a way for me to express my creativity. It might seem like a small detail, but it's a meaningful part of who I am.
What lessons or values from your childhood in Madagascar have stayed with you over the years?
Without a doubt, the two values I carry with me every day are resilience and honesty.
Resilience is deeply rooted in our culture. Growing up in Madagascar, you learn from a young age how to adapt, persevere, and keep moving forward, even when life is challenging.
Honesty came from my family. Not just being truthful in what you say or do, but intellectual honesty as well. I was raised to do things with integrity, stay true to my values, and always act with sincerity.
Looking back, I realize those two principles have guided almost every important decision I've made.
What inspired you to study law?
In Madagascar, a law degree opens many doors. It gave me the flexibility to build different career paths.
At first, I wanted to become a judge. But as I continued my studies, I found myself drawn to another path: diplomacy.
What drew me to diplomacy wasn't just the prestige of the profession. More than anything, it was the opportunity to represent my country, build meaningful connections, and serve the greater good. In many ways, that's what I get to do every day at WTC Winnipeg.
Looking back, I realize my desire to serve has never really changed. It has simply taken different forms throughout my life.
Your first professional experience was also centered around public service.
Yes. In Madagascar, I had the opportunity to work with Transparency International on anti-corruption initiatives. To me, it was much more than just a job.
It allowed me to live out the values my parents had instilled in me. I didn't just want to talk about integrity—I wanted to contribute, in my own way, to building a fairer society.
I've always been motivated by the idea of making a positive impact and being part of meaningful change.
The people closest to you often describe you as incredibly disciplined. Is that something you identify with?
Yes, absolutely.
Even as a child, people often told me I was mature for my age. Today, discipline is still one of the qualities my family and friends associate with me most.
Some people see discipline as limiting. For me, it’s the exact opposite. It helps me manage my time, my energy, my responsibilities, my mental load, and even my finances. In many ways, it gives me a sense of freedom.
My days start early. I like to take the time to get my family ready, organize my day, and enjoy a few quiet moments to meditate before things get busy. That routine helps me approach each day with a sense of calm.
Over time, discipline has become the foundation of how I stay organized. And today, staying organized is one of the greatest strengths I bring to the World Trade Centre Winnipeg team.
What does that commitment to service look like in your role at WTC Winnipeg?
When people think about international trade, they often picture trade missions, business meetings, or companies exporting their products around the world. I like to think about everything happening behind the scenes that makes those successes possible.
My role is to create an environment where our team can do its best work. When leaders have the support they need, they make better decisions.
Supporting our CEO and leadership team isn't just about managing calendars. It's about understanding the organization's priorities, anticipating needs, following through on key decisions, and making sure nothing gets in the way of moving important projects forward.
Even though I don't work directly with Manitoba businesses every day, I know I'm contributing to their success by helping our team perform at its best.
Tiphanie is the kind of person you want to listen to, get to know, and, most importantly, work alongside. She leads with quiet confidence, earns trust through her actions, and approaches every responsibility with unwavering dedication. Integrity and resilience aren't just values she believes in — they're values she lives every day.
Most articles like this end with a call to action: book a meeting with one of our Trade Advisors, explore one of our services, or register for an upcoming webinar.
This one doesn't.
Instead, I simply hope you've enjoyed getting to know Tiphanie as much as I enjoyed this conversation with her.
Because beyond the trade missions, the events, and the global business connections, World Trade Centre Winnipeg is, above all, about people.
And Tiphanie's story is one worth telling.
