Donna Bruce

Born and raised in Saskatchewan, Donna has Bachelors Degrees from both the University of Regina and the University of Saskatchewan. From over twenty years of experience working in government, the university and co-operatives, she has developed expertise in guiding the development of people and organizations. Donna has a special interest in community leadership development. As a self-employed consultant, much of her work involves assisting boards and organizations with governance, planning and board effectiveness. Time outdoors with creatures and growing things is Donna's favourite escape, and she is actively involved in the Saskatoon Nature Society.

Dennis Chubb

Dennis Chubb has served the people of Saskatchewan for more than 35 years. He believes strongly that citizens are entitled to the best leadership and thinking from the institutions and organizations they depend on for their quality of life. Dennis has a passion for brining together diverse perspectives to solve the problems that face communities. He is a founding member and the past Chair of the Board of Directors of Leadership Saskatoon Inc. and of the Canadian Community Leadership Network. His experience includes management in public welfare, adult and youth corrections, community development, organizational development and leadership of a multi-sector human services council.

Dennis was raised in southern Saskatchewan and grew up in a family business. He has been married to Patricia for 39 years. They have lived in Saskatoon since 1985 and have two sons and three grandchildren. Their passions are hiking, golf, gardening and travel.

Dennis has a B.A.('67) in English and Psychology from Univ. of Regina; a B.S.W.('76) from Univ. of Regina and, and M.S.W.('85) from UBC. Dennis provides organizational development and leadership development and consulting services to communities and to public and not-for-profit organizations through Intersect Solutions.

John Thompson

John and his wife Patty moved to Saskatoon in 1975 where John took up a position in sociology at St. Thomas More College, University of Saskatchewan. During thirty years, he taught more than 4,000 students at the UofS and St. Peter’s College, Muenster. He served as STM president from 1990 to 2000. His research included studies of marriage and family life, religious movements, the Catholic press, and careers of BA graduates in sociology. Many committee meetings filled in the extra time. Patty’s background as an elementary and Montessori teacher allowed them to share commitments to education and students. Patty operates her own in-home business.

John and Patty have two adult sons, Andrew and Mark. John has participated in the Leadership Saskatoon mentorship program for the past three years as a way of expressing gratitude for living in Saskatoon. Since retirement in 2005, he continues work on campus with the Gwenna Moss Centre for Teaching Effectiveness and at the national level with the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. He continues to be inspired by the writings of Parker Palmer, Sharon Parks, and Jim Collins.

Diane Fletcher

Diane Fletcher is an organizational and community development consultant, facilitator, trainer and coach based in Saskatoon. As well as a diverse background in the public and private sectors, Diane’s passion for communication, dialogue, leadership and board development has given her the privilege of working extensively with not-for-profit organizations, helping them make a difference in the community.

As a student and practitioner of large group processes including Appreciative Inquiry, a strength-based approach to organizational development, much of her current work is focused on facilitating opportunities for communities, organizations and people to work together in new ways to create their futures.

As well as being owner/principal of Calderwood Consulting, she is a member of the International Association of Facilitators, Organizational Development Network and an associate of Appreciative Inquiry Consulting, an International consulting firm.

Julian Demkiw

Julian is proud to be an alumnus of the inaugural year of Leadership Saskatoon.  Since his time as a participant he has joined the Program committee to assist in adapting the programming needs as the program evolves.  He has been involved in the planning and organization of the opening retreat and has participated as a small group facilitator in the 03/04 year.  Julian was born and raised in Saskatoon and works at the University of Saskatchewan as a Financial Assistant and Awards Officer and has begun a Masters Degree in Communication at the U of S.

Pat Katz

In her 15 years as a speaker, Patricia Katz of Optimus Consulting has inspired thousands of people to accomplish what matters most in ways that bring more peace of mind.  Columnist and author of three books (Work Tips, Home Tips, and Getting It Together), Patricia is a frequent media guest expert on issues of life balance, time, and organization.  She recently completed a Masters degree in Continuing Education and served as National President of CAPS (the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers).  Clients and colleagues describe Patricia as a real encourager who brings out the best in others.  She opens your eyes to new possibilities and makes even the impossible seem do-able.   www.patkatz.com

Ruth Kinzel

Ruth Kinzel, PhD, CHRP is a workplace change agent and educator. Her passion lies in process as she works with others to build their collective and personal capacities. Ruth’s firm, Kinzel Cadrin & Associates Consulting Inc., provides consultation, facilitation, training, coaching, and applied research services to a diverse clientele across all sectors. She is a specialist in organizational assessment and development, and serves as a faculty member in Royal Roads University’s Peace & Conflict Studies graduate program. Trained as a scholar-practitioner, and with over 20 years experience, Ruth’s process skills are combined with content expertise in human relations, organizational culture and change, conflict resolution, systems thinking, diversity, leadership and management performance development, and program evaluation. Ruth has been an active volunteer in many capacities for more than 30 years. At home and at work, she fosters awareness and ease of well-being. Ruth is an insightful analyst in complex and ambiguous situations, working with organizations to support business excellence.

Linda McCann

Linda has a quiet passion for helping people individually and in their workplaces in their quest for healthier and more meaningful lives.  She has worked as a personal and organization development consultant for over 20 years and has led start-up operations and innovative programs, most recently as Director of Organization & Employee Development at the University of Saskatchewan.  In recent years she has dedicated much of her practice to facilitating leadership development retreats at the local and national level.  She has a particular interest in leadership in higher education.  In addition to her formal training in psychology, Linda is a qualified Myers-Briggs Type Indicator instructor, is certified for Benchmarks with the Centre for Creative Leadership, and is a Certified Human Resource Professional.  Linda’s interest in the ‘whole person’ has led her to the Chopra Centre for Well-Being and to individual healers and spiritual leaders who have shared their wisdom with her.  Her quest for balance has led her to experience flexible work arrangements, practicing and teaching yoga and meditation, and to joyful times in her garden and with her grandchildren.

Lenore Swystun

Lenore Swystun, MA is passionate about in the belief that the strength of community lies in creating an environment and process whereby people come together to create a shared vision and have direct involvement in leading and implementing this vision. With a Masters Degree in Sociology, specializing in community development, cooperatives and rural diversification, Lenore’s experience and training includes community planning, citizen engagement, government relations, business planning, marketing, communications, facilitation, advocacy and executive administration.

Betty Mutwiri

Betty Mutwiri, BEd, MA (Leadership & Training) is passionate about fostering environments that maximize individual and organizational growth. Currently, she is the Manager of Learning and Leadership at Saskatoon Health Region and previous to that, Executive Director of Leadership Saskatoon Inc.

Betty infuses real life examples and stories to enliven and enrich her session. She believes that practicing the " Encouraging the Heart" principle promotes higher levels of excellence and engagement.

Shannon Floer

Shannon is pleased to find an organization that is as passionate about learning, living and exploring the topic of leadership as she is. She has enjoyed the opportunity to develop her leadership and facilitation skills while living in London Ontario, Macomb Illinois and Albuquerque New Mexico. The majority of her experience is based in the university system, specifically in student services. Among her many research interests, she is especially intrigued by living systems and chaos theory and how to assist more organizations focus on being people-centred.

Originally from Saskatoon, Shannon happily moved back four years ago to be near family. She opened Fahey Floer Consulting Group in fall of 2008, where she focuses on helping organizations translate their ideas into action. Shannon and her partner Wayne celebrated their first year of marriage in June and are looking forward to many more happy years together.