Our Alumni

The Leadership Saskatoon program has been developing local leaders since 2001. Click the following links to view our alumni classes for each year.

Class of 2009

Front Row: Laura Drinkwater, Leah Perrault, Patti Hoffinger, Lisa Olson
Second Row: Heather Sully, Judy Wall, Nicole Shauf, Nalikando Nachilobe, Glenda Ball, Rita Mireles, Doug Njaa, Trevor Hanna
Third Row: Larry Parnell, Raylene Wellman, James McCullough, Rod Lund, Lana Bauer, Cheryl Vermette
Missing: Laurie Dean, Lori Farkas, Heather Kapeluck

Class of 2008

Click here to see the Class of 2008.

Class of 2007

Click here to see the Class of 2007.

Class of 2006

Click here to see the Class of 2006.

Class of 2005

Click here to see the Class of 2005.

Class of 2004

Click here to see the Class of 2004.

Class of 2003

Click here to see the Class of 2003.

Class of 2002

Click here to see the Class of 2002.

Class of 2001

Click here to see the Class of 2001.

Testimonials From Alumni

Al Zack

President & CEO
PrimeWest Mortgage Investment Corporation
Saskatoon
Class of 2005

When I was asked to provide a personal anecdote about this leadership experience, it took me all of three seconds to agree. I think the reason was because I am gaining so much respect for strong leadership, and I fundamentally agree with the leadership model that we are studying in the course.

I think being able to clearly define leadership and to understand my own strengths and weaknesses has really been awakening. I am someone who came into this course needing to develop the “Model the Way” principal of the Kouzes and Posner’s leadership model. Through the book, challenge days and the Action Leaning Project Team, the vision to approach this issue is becoming clear. It is an uplifting feeling to know that I am developing a road map to bring my actions and my values more in line, and as Lillas might say, I am improving my internal harmony, (how is that for emotional intelligence?).

Furthermore, this experience has helped me understand that I will be a student of leadership for a long time. If you asked me to define leadership four months ago, I probably would have said that it was a personality trait or a status symbol. Today I would tell you that leadership is a way of life.

To sum up my experience so far, I find that my feet are moving more in the direction of my heart, rather than my head (thanks Candace).

Dani Van Driel

Executive Director
Women’s Mid-Life Health Centre of Saskatchewan
Class of 2006

I really didn’t expect to be able to apply, in such a concrete way, the new skills I’ve learned through Leadership Saskatoon so quickly, with such encouraging results!

It’s been a year since I turned over a new career leaf, leaving a wonderful twelve-year experience as co-owner of a small business in acceptance of a new “calling” as the Executive Director of the Women’s Mid-Life Health Centre of Saskatchewan.

Six months into the new job, I became aware of the Leadership Saskatoon program through my new network of non-profit organizations and wanted to participate so that I might stretch myself and learn to be a better leader.

Since Class 2006 began in September, I’ve been encouraged to learn that over the past twelve years I had become moderately competent in three of the five exemplary practices of leadership examined in the program. But more importantly, I’m learning ways to improve on two areas where I’m NOT naturally gifted or experienced — inspiring a shared vision or challenging process.

Last month, I decided to “try out” what I was learning. My goal became to share (in my role alongside our Medical Director), at our Annual Meeting, our vision in the most compelling and inspiring way possible. I truly felt this to be important — our founders, volunteers, members, casual staff and those who had supported and encouraged us in so many ways needed to have confidence in our direction.

The outcome was so encouraging! Following the evening’s formal program, almost everyone stayed to chat about ways we might take things forward. There was a definite positive energy in the room.

But some tangible encouragement came the next morning with a large cheque delivered to the office topping up what was needed for us to purchase a much dreamed of piece of medical testing equipment! They had been inspired!

I know this didn’t happen because of me. It happened because our organization believes that everyone has the potential to lead and that great things happen when leaders join together. Leadership Saskatoon is helping me find new potential to bring to the table.

Erin Taman Athmer

Communications Manager
Saskatchewan Pulse Growers
Class of 2006

It was rather fitting that my ‘graduation’ from the Leadership Saskatoon program occurred on my 26th birthday.

Birthdays mark our beginnings and in June 2006, my leadership journey started.

I can recite a long list of the things I learned, discovered and experienced through Leadership Saskatoon, but the one thing that I have to credit most to the program was the sense of empowerment and confidence that I gained.

Leadership Saskatoon gave me the confidence to really spread my wings. It showed me the potential that I had within and inspired me to become a more active leader.

In my case, that meant taking a long, hard look at my career goals. After much self-reflection, I decided it was time to take on more responsibility. It was time to become a more engaged leader. It also meant the search for more meaningful employment was on.

I consider myself fortunate to have found a position with a local organization that recognized my potential. It feels good to be able to give back what others gave to me not so long ago. It was particularly important that I find work in Saskatoon because it is where my new network is.

My fellow participants taught me as much, if not more about leadership as the formal presenters did. It was a privilege to learn alongside some of the brightest, most talented people in Saskatoon. Our class was a true cross-section ranging in age, gender employment area, and background. I am thrilled to call these people my friends and I look forward to our social events where we catch up, encourage and continue to learn from each other.

I’ll admit that when I started to explore the Leadership Saskatoon program, I was a bit concerned about the time commitment. With a full-time job, several volunteer commitments and a wedding to plan it started to feel overwhelming. A good friend told me to that there would never be the ‘perfect’ time – there would always be something else or someone else wanting more of me. And so with that little piece of advice, and a big breath I took the plunge.

I knew I had done the right thing on the first night of the Opening Retreat. Our class had participated in traditional ice-breaker activities earlier that day and the formal instruction portion had ended. We were sitting around chatting, playing games and getting to know each other. After spending less than 24 hours together it was like we had known each other for years. Thinking back on it now, I’m not surprised because that is what leaders do – bring out the best in people and find ways to make you shine.

My leadership journey is just beginning. I know that there is much more that I have to learn about leadership. I also know that my leadership style is only starting to emerge and that is okay. This may just be one of those things you have to learn by doing and if I have questions, I know that I can call on my new network of peers for advice, a cup of coffee or a friend to simply listen.

Like a big slice of chocolate birthday cake, my life is so much richer as the result of Leadership Saskatoon. To the class of 2006, your presence was my present and to those considering the program, give yourself the gift of inspired learning by enrolling or donating today.

Erin Taman Athmer is the Communications Manager at Saskatchewan Pulse Growers – an agricultural organization representing 18,000 Saskatchewan farmers. She is also enjoys photography, scrapbooking and fishing with her husband. You can reach her at erinathmer@sasktel.net.

Kelley D. Moore

MCIP Coordinator
Regional Intersectoral Committee Saskatchewan Learning
Class of 2002

Since graduating from Leadership Saskatoon in 2002, there has yet to be an occasion upon seeing a flock of geese that I do not recall the values of shared leadership in achieving our community goals. When I first read the Leadership Saskatoon Program advertisement in the local paper, it resonated. The call was for community-minded individuals looking to deepen their understanding of community and ability to make positive, lasting contributions within Saskatoon. The notion of learning, dialoguing and working with others that had the same call to serving the community lead me to enrol in the program.

My learnings from Leadership Saskatoon are many, but most importantly, I learned about the individual contribution I brought to leadership and community. I learned the value in respecting our differences and that we each have an individual contribution that we offer and rather than trying to emulate the contributions of others, to honour the contribution my experience and values bring to the community-change process. The realization that my thoughts and ideas were valid, as valid as those around me, gave me confidence, which in term gave me the courage to share my views, values, opinions and ideas.

I have learned that in order to share leadership effectively and ensure sustainable decisions are made, it is important to understand the strengths and contributions others bring to community change. To encourage divergent opinions to emerge and to anticipate these differences and develop tools and processes that enable open dialogue, problem-solving, and eventually, convergence for decision-making.

I believe as our society continues to evolve, our ability to facilitate inclusivity, shared leadership and decision-making will improve. Leadership Saskatoon gave me the opportunity to share in leadership, engage in dialogue around community challenges, and to work toward understanding how we can continue to “flock” toward meeting our collective community goals. These values remain the cornerstones of my continued contribution to ensuring our communities remain great places to live, work and play!