Our Team

Dr. James Bonar

Dr. Bonar graduated from the University of Manitoba Dental Faculty in 1983 and immediately embarked on a three-year service as a Dental Officer in the Canadian Armed Forces.

He began private practice in Brandon in 1986 and soon after became involved in organized dentistry, serving as President of the Western Manitoba Dental Society and President of the Manitoba Dental Association.

He has been awarded the Manitoba Dental Association Presidents Award of Merit and Fellowships in the Pierre Fouchard Academy and the International College of Dentists. These are awarded to recognize exemplary service to organized dentistry. He is also a director on the Board of CDSPI, a company that provides insurance and investment products to the dental community.

Dr. Bonar provides a wide range of treatments with a focus on surgery and implant dentistry.

Dr. Bonar is married to Sandy and they have three children; Krista, Darci and Paul.

Dr. Alex Pappas

Dr. Alex Pappas was born and raised in Brandon, MB where he attended Central, New Era, J R Reid, and Vincent Massey schools. Dr. Pappas enrolled in Brandon University with his goal of achieving acceptance into dental school. He was accepted into the University of Manitoba Faculty of Dentistry and went on to graduate in 1991. Within a week of graduating, he joined Dr. James Bonar and in 1995 they formed Chancellor Dental Group.

Dr. Pappas is very proud that together they have formed a strong, patient-focused, up-to-date and modern dental office in Brandon. They have served the communities of Western Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and North Dakota more than 30 years! Alex also helped provide dental care in Deloraine, MB through Dr. Bonar’s satellite office for nearly 10 years.

Alex enjoys taking dental education courses, with a special interest in orthodontics. In the past, he has been a member and president of the Western Manitoba Dental Society, has recently been on the Manitoba Dental Associationeconomics committee, and is a member of the ManitobaDental Foundation. He provides all dental services, is always taking new patients and plans on never retiring!

Outside of work he is a proud father to three children and enjoys downhill skiing, golf, and racquet sports. If asked what his second choice of a profession would be, he would answer Dentistry over and over again.

Dr. Cameron Norrie

Dr. Cameron Norrie grew up in Winnipeg and attended the University of Manitoba for his undergraduate science studies, where he was also a member of the men's varsity basketball team. He graduated with his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of Manitoba where he won multiple awards upon graduation.

He chose to continue his training by completing a General Practice Residency with the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg. There he had additional training in medically compromised patients, patients with special needs, oral surgery, and various forms of sedation, and is currently serving on the Board of Directors of the St Paul’s College Foundation at the University of Manitoba.

Dr. Norriehas provided IV sedation and oral surgery at Chancellor Dental since 2017 and also practices a full scope of general dentistry – he knows that a visit to the dentist can still cause some apprehension for patients and is happy to offer various methods of sedation to make the experience more comfortable.

Dr. Norrie is excited to have moved with his family (Dr. Darci Bonar & children) back to Dr. Bonar’s hometown and to be practicing fulltime at our office.

In his spare time, he enjoys golfing, traveling, and spending time outdoors.

Dr. Darci Bonar

Dr. Darci Bonar completed her undergraduate studies in Sciences at both Brandon University and the University of Manitoba. Following this she graduated with a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Manitoba, Faculty of Dentistry in 2011.

She has served the profession as an instructor at the U of M Dental College and has also enjoyed being a part of the Manitoba Dental Association’s Student Mentorship Program. She has volunteered as Chair of the Committee for Student and New Dentist Affairs, and recently completed a 7-year term on the Winnipeg Dental Society executive committee. Darci is also a member of the Canadian Dental Association, the Manitoba Dental Association, the Winnipeg Dental Society, and the Academy of General Dentistry.

Dr. Darci practices all aspects of general dentistry including children’s dentistry, restorative and aesthetic dentistry, endodontics (root canals), prosthodontics (dentures, crowns, &bridges), as well as oral surgery. She is also trained in intraoral scanning and Invisalign.

Dr. Darci was born and raised in Brandon, Manitoba. She practiced at Chancellor Dental Group upon her graduation in 2011 for a couple of years before moving back to Winnipeg to practise for 9 years. In spring of 2021, she and her husband moved back to Brandon to work alongside her father, Dr. Jim Bonar.

Dr. Darci and her husband have two children and in her free time she enjoys travelling, exercise, golf, music, baking, and sleeping (when her children allow!).

Maxine

Maxine has been with Chancellor Dental for a number of years now, working with Dr. Pappas as one of his “angels”. She is married to Tim and has two grown children, Tyler and Taya, and has two pets – pup Roxy and kitty Milo. In her spare time she enjoys home life, gardening, and crafts.

The most daring thing I ever did...

Was jump out of an airplane. On purpose.

Is your glass half full or half empty?

Always half full – I look for the positive every day.

Do you collect anything?

Snowmen. Who doesn’t love a snowman!

Steina

Steina has been with Chancellor Dental working as Dr. Pappas’ assistant for many years, helping keep him in line! In her down time, she enjoys going to the movies, shopping, photography, singing, playing guitar, and going to the beach.

If I won the lottery tomorrow…

Bye-bye! I’d be off to Hawaii!

On Sunday mornings you can usually fine me…

Grocery shopping and meal prepping for the week

What are three things you could not go without on a holiday?

Toothbrush, floss and my lipstick

Trisha

Trish graduated from Keewatin Community College in 1995 and has been Dr. Bonar’s Dental Assistant since 2007. Trish enjoys cooking, camping, boating, and spending time with family and friends.

On Sunday mornings you can find me…

enjoying a few cups of coffee while watching her husband cook a large breakfast

What is the best part of your job?

Helping people out of pain and overcoming their fear of Dentistry with a positive experience!

What is your favorite family tradition?

Watching Christmas Vacation as a family by the Christmas tree.

Michelle

Michelle graduated from Red River Community College in 2015 and joined the Chancellor team in 2020. She is a busy mom of three and when not at work can be found fishing, hiking or anything else outdoors!

Who would you most like to swap places with for a day?

Any of my daughters… to be a kid again and appreciate a good nap!

What would be your personal motto?

If today was not your day, tomorrow can be a fresh start!

On Sunday mornings, you can usually find me...

Making pancakes and watching cartoons with my girls.

Lorena

Lorena joined Chancellor in 2022 after an illustrious career as a dental assistant in Treherne and Portage la Prairie. She graduated from Red River College in Winkler in 2013, after having worked for five years as a Level I assistant, and is particularly proud of the fact that she graduated at the age of 38 as a single mom with four kids – quite an accomplishment! Lorena loves cooking, gardening, golfing, and just going for a stroll.

What are you happiest doing, when you’re not working?

Spending time with my kids – whether it be hiking, shopping, watching movies, playing games, or cooking for them.

Where’s your favourite place in the world?

My favourite place in the world is Las Vegas – I’ve been three times and will absolutely be back!

Would you rather win the lottery or work at the perfect job, and why?

I would rather win the lottery so I could go back to school and become a dentist, because then I would have my dream job!

Ricki

Ricki joined our illustrious crew in 2023. She graduated with the Academic Achievement award from the University College of the North and has been working as a Level II dental assistant since 2013. Ricki loves doing activities with her two kids, having late night fires, and golfing when she gets the chance.

What would be your personal motto?

You don’t want to take life too seriously – if you don’t laugh you will cry!

What is your favourite thing about your career?

Meeting new people & developing those relationships, and helping patients with anxieties and building trust with them.

What’s the best meal you’ve ever had?

Tacos, always tacos!

Vikash

Vikash graduated from Oxford College of Art, Business and Technology in 2007 and has been with Chancellor since 2013. He is one of our few gentlemen in a sea of ladies here! When he isn’t cleaning teeth, he is spending time with his wife and two boys. He especially enjoys travelling to Toronto to spend time with family.

Flashback to when you were 10 years old. What do you want to be when you grow up?

At the age of 10, I remember my favorite NHL Hockey team won the Stanley Cup. So, I wanted to be a hockey player.

If I won the lottery tomorrow…

1) I would not tell anyone 2) Invest in well paying stocks 3) Move to a warmer climate

What’s the best meal you’ve ever had?

Best meal was in India. Family and I travelled there a few years back. We stopped at a dine-in restaurant and the food and service was outstanding!

Roxanna

Roxanna graduated from the University of Manitoba School of Dental Hygiene in 2006. After spending some time in Portage and Winnipeg,she then joined the Chancellor Dental team in 2008. When she isn’t cleaning those pearls, she is at home on her acreage just outside of Minnedosa.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

When I was about 10 years old I wanted to work with animals – I love them all!

What are you happiest doing, when you’re not working?

Camping, boating, reading, and spending time at home with my family and animals.

If you were a crayon, what color would you be?

Robin’s egg blue.

Amber

Amber graduated from the University of Manitoba School of Dental Hygiene in 2007 and has been with Chancellor ever since. She spends most of her free time with her husband, chasing their two sons and dog, Miley.

What is your favorite family tradition?

McDonald's on Christmas Day.

Where’s your favorite place in the world?

Disney World.

What are you happiest doing, when you’re not working?

Travelling with my family.

Jessica

Jessica is a true local girl who grew up in Forrest and attended Elton Collegiate, played volleyball for ACC, studied at Brandon University, and took her Dental Hygiene Diploma from the University of Manitoba. Jess joined our team in 2021 and when she’s not making beautiful smiles, she still loves to play volleyball and enjoys hanging out with friends and watching movies.

What are you happiest doing when you’re not working?

Travelling – usually somewhere warm but there are many places I’d like to visit.

Where is your favourite place in the world?

So far, my favourite place I’ve ever been is the Bahamas.

What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done?

Swimming with wild sharks.

Kara

Kara joined our team in 2022 after graduating from the Canadian National Institute of Health in Ottawa with an Advanced Diploma of Dental Hygiene with Honours. A Brandon girl born and bred, she loves horseback riding, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.

The most inspiring part of the job for Kara is meeting new people and learning about them. She feels you can learn a lot about someone in an hour, and it’s a great pleasure to meet and understand those around our community!

Aside from necessities, what is one thing you couldn’t go a day without?

Music.

Have you ever had a nickname?

Kdawg, gifted to me by my sister!

What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done?

Bungee jumping with Great Canadian Bungee!

Trish

Born and raised in Brandon, Trish comes to us from a career in real estate management, construction, and development. Having recently returned to her dearly missed hometown, we are pleased to have Trish join our team as Office Manager. She brings with her a wide range of skills that help keep our office running smoothly!

What would be your personal motto?

Just do the right thing. And you always know, in your heart, what that is.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

How great my son turned out – he truly is my pride and joy!

Do you have any famous relatives?

I am distantly related to Thomas Edison – he was my great-grandmother’s cousin.

Stephanie

Steph, our Special Projects administrator, graduated in 2016 from Brandon University with her BBA and joined our team in 2019. She does everything from HR, office management, bookkeeping, IT magic, reception duties, and anything and everything we throw at her! Outside the office you’ll find her working on her own business or keeping busy cross-country skiing, hiking, swimming, biking, golfing, or running. Most of all, she loves camping in and exploring the National and Provincial parks across Manitoba, Alberta, and BC.

If you were ruler of your own country, what would be the first law you would introduce?

Common…common sense.

What is your favourite place in the world?

The mountains.

Is your glass half full or half empty?

Always half full!

Tish

Tish comes to us after 22 years in emergency services, having worked as both an EMT and a dispatcher. She is new to the dental industry but is excited to learn and brings to our office a passion for health care and helping people – she loves meeting new people and is caring and compassionate so she’s a natural for our team!

Tish’s three kids are her life and with her husband often working, she’s grateful for heramazing parents and in-laws helping herbalance work, kids, and activities. Outside of work, in the summer you can find Tish out at Aspen Grove campground with her family, and in the winter she’s at the hockey rink four+ days a week!

Who is your hero?

My Mom. She’s hard-working, caring, and has the biggest heart!

What is your proudest accomplishment?

My kids.

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Pizza!

Bettina

Hailing originally from Germany, Bettina joined the Chancellor family after graduating from the Dental Administrative Assistant program at Robertson College in 2020 and has been a great addition to our team! Bettina loves staying active outside, and spending quality time with friends and family.

What are you happiest doing when you’re not working?

I love to travel!

What do you like to do with friends in your spare time?

We love to go shopping together or go on spontaneous road trips.

How many languages do you speak?

I can speak both German and English.

Taya

Tayajoined us officially in 2023, but really she has been a part of the Chancellor family her whole life, being the daughter of one of our very own employees. She actually worked at our clinic as a summer student for four years while she was in middle school! Tayacame to us after a number of years working as a medical receptionist and is a definite asset to our team. She loves reading, spending time with friends & family, and crafting.

On Sunday mornings you can usually find me…

…curled up in bed cuddling with my two cats, Cali & Ella, and my boyfriend.

What’s your proudest accomplishment?

Purchasing my first home at 21!

What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done?

Ziplining in the Dominican.

What’s one thing you’ll never do again?

Stick my tongue to a stop sign pole – learned that the hard way 😊