WESK - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Business and Human Resource Advisor
- Business and Human Resources Advisor
As a Business and Human Resources Advisor, Amanda brings a variety of experience with a focus on HR best practises, recruitment and retention, and general business strategy. Amanda's passion is helping others by identifying their challenges and opportunities and creating action plans to make meaningful and impactful progress. She is excited to learn about client's business ideas and help them move from feasibility to start up and beyond.
When she's not helping to grow dreams and teams, Amanda is a food, travel and animal lover.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Member of the Board
Job Titles:
- Marketing and Events Coordinator
As a Marketing & Events Coordinator, Azba brings a diverse experience focusing on digital marketing and event management. She is a budding business professional who has been involved in planning and delivering successful campaigns and memorable events at various organizations. Her ability to approach challenges with a positive mindset, bring creative solutions, and stay resilient makes her a great person to work with.
She is completing her Bachelor's degree in Marketing and a Certificate in Entrepreneurship at the University of Regina. She is an extracurricular enthusiast who has held various volunteer positions with student clubs and participated in multiple national academic competitions. The highlight of her university journey so far has been bringing home a 3 rd place trophy in 2023 as an Academic Delegate at the JDC West competition.
When she is not at work, she loves to spend time with her family playing board games, experimenting with new recipes in her kitchen, reading novels and attending local networking events.
Job Titles:
- Project Coordinator
- Lending Advisor ( Mat Leave )
As WESK's project coordinator, Brittany's main project is The Exchange, a new program aimed at helping women entrepreneurs scale-up their business. Brittany is responsible for planning all aspects of The Exchange including meetings, workshops, training, and mentoring sessions. You can also see her at many of the Regina events!
Brittany brings almost 10 years of financial industry experience to WESK with a strong background in consumer lending. She holds a Certificate in Business Administration specializing in Financial Services from Assiniboine Community College
When Brittany is not at the office, you can find her on the golf course, travelling or spending time with her friends and family playing cards.
Job Titles:
- Business Advisor
- Client Services Manager
Cara joined the WESK team as a business advisor in June 2020. She is a serial entrepreneur, having owned and operated multiple businesses since 2001. Her role includes working with entrepreneurs at all stages of development and connecting them with the resources they need to thrive. She believes in being kind, honest, and helpful in all aspects of her life, and loves helping WESK members put their big ideas to life.
When Cara isn't busy advising clients, she enjoys spending time with her husband, two kids and her dog, volunteering as a producer of Saskatoon Maker Faire, and volunteering as a mentor with Futurepreneur Canada (for 10 years and counting!).
Cara enjoys golfing and pretending she isn't cold in the winter. Something you may not know about Cara - she is a past President of the Canadian Federation of Business and Professional Women.
Chinwe joined WESK in April 2023 as a Lending Advisor. She has 15 years' work experience in the financial industry that cuts across customer service, relationship management, business development and financial advisory.
She holds a bachelor's degree in economics and a master's in business administration.
She enjoys trying out new things, meeting new people, solving problems and learning.
With her spare time, she loves to explore new shops, cooking, reading novels, writing, travelling, and spending time with her family.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Member of the Board
Christena Konrad is blessed by being a mom to two amazing children, the wife of a beautiful human being, the primary shareholder of Fishinggeeks Incorporated and the Deputy Chief of Administrative Transformation with the Métis Nation Saskatchewan.
Her greatest accomplishments are holding a business degree in management, creating the original business model for the first indigenous birthing centre in Saskatchewan.
As a neurodivergent herself, she has a passion for Diversity and Inclusion. She finds so much joy in seeing people achieve their own personal goals regardless of what society leads us all to believe as "normal". She is currently studying to achieve her mediation certification and has recently been accepted and still considering working towards a Masters Program in Counselling and Psychology to be the best leader she can be and amplify her Diversity and Inclusion work within the workforce.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Member of the Board
Claire Belanger-Parker is an advocate for Saskatchewan. With a prolific career that began in tourism and event management, she is now focusing her talent and attention in leading associations to success.
Job Titles:
- Vice Chair of the Board
- Leadership Educator and Coach
Jacqueline Almeida is a dynamic leadership educator and coach in Saskatoon, SK. She is the owner of Alpha + Omega Strategies and works with entrepreneurs and organizations to develop and strengthen their leadership capacity. Although born and raised in New York City, Jacqueline has spent the last 27 years living in the beautiful prairies of Saskatchewan. Through her own story of struggle, resilience and triumph - Jacqueline has an unwavering belief that one must know and own their vision to find greater purpose and embark on their journey courageously. To her, that is what leadership is all about. You trailblaze, set the course, make it easier for others to follow along and create the environment for people to move towards a place where they will be better. Jacqueline holds a Master of Arts in Leadership and Management and draws much from her 25-year experience as a Consultant, Educator, and Coach.
Job Titles:
- Program and Growth Manager
As the Program & Growth Manager at WESK, Jessica brings over six years of experience in entrepreneurship and a deep commitment to empowering women and gender non-conforming individuals on their business journeys.
Jessica, along with her wife and two children, made a life-changing move in August 2022 to be closer to her in-laws and embrace the serenity of Lake-Life at Last Mountain Lake her is SK. The picturesque surroundings and family-focused values resonate in Jessica's approach to both personal and professional life.
Jessica's entrepreneurial journey began in 2017, providing her with a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs that entrepreneurs face. Known for her visionary mindset, Jessica can see the entire landscape of a goal, allowing for prompt project completion and a focus on innovative solutions.
In her role as Program & Growth Manager, Jessica leads with influencing and strategic thinking, fostering collaboration and a growth mindset within the team. Her expertise lies in designing and delivering effective training and programming, a skill honed through years of experience working with diverse entrepreneurs.
Passionate about gender equality in entrepreneurship, Jessica is on a mission to make a positive impact for women entrepreneurs in Saskatchewan. Her leadership proficiency is marked by qualities such as change embracement, emotional intelligence, and a proactive approach to work.
Job Titles:
- Brand Manager ( Mat Leave )
Michael Betteridge is a results-oriented and innovative professional with over 5 years of experience in the fields of marketing and digital media. As a skilled communicator creative and problem-solver, Michael has consistently delivered successful campaigns, strategy and solutions for various organizations.
He has held a senior leadership position with a hypergrowth real estate and property management organization, marketed for one of the largest marketing engagement agencies in Canada, as well as provided business development support for a local agency. His ability to think outside the box and approach challenges with a creative mindset has made him a valuable asset to the companies he has worked with.
In addition to his professional experience, Michael holds a Bachelor's degree in Human Resources from the University of Regina. He is a successful digital marketer with extensive knowledge of the latest digital marketing tools and trends, as well as a connector of people through a collaborative leadership style.
In his spare time, he leads fitness classes, co-chairs the local chapter of a nation-wide fundraiser, and spoils his two fur babies, Murphy and Oliver.
As the Chief Executive Officer of WESK, Miriam has a strong passion and commitment to enabling Saskatchewan to flourish. Equipped with a growth-focused mindset and diverse experience across multiple sectors, she is well-positioned to lead WESK's team towards achieving its mission of closing the gender entrepreneurship gap.
If you ask Miriam what she is most excited about regarding the future of WESK, she will share how inspiring it is to be part of an organization driving for and seeing progressive change. She recognizes the daily challenges women entrepreneurs face and believes supporting women is integral to building a stronger Saskatchewan. With her diverse professional background and experience in many sectors that span both the private and public sectors, including time as an entrepreneur while she was raising her children, she is bringing a wealth of knowledge and fresh thinking to WESK.
While Miriam's background spans multiple disciplines, it also spans multiple countries. She was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas, in the United States, transitioned to Germany for a year, and finally found herself on Canadian soil - where she started her career and family. There are a few common denominators in Miriam's career: her community-minded leadership, her growth-focused mindset, and her strong penchant for giving back.
When Miriam isn't advancing the entrepreneurial landscape in Saskatchewan, she dedicates herself to other noteworthy causes. She is an engaged member of the Saskatchewan Business Council, championing women entrepreneurs provincially and also a member of the University of Regina Leaders Council. Additionally, Miriam lends her expertise to the Women Enterprises of Canada Board, advocating on a national scale. Her leadership extends in other ways through volunteering roles, such as Vice-Chair, Sponsorship, for the 2022 Saskatchewan and on the Volunteer Host Organizing Committee for the 2022 Grey Cup.
Beyond her professional engagements, Miriam is a proud mother to three wonderful children, Eli, Eden, and Emerson, and one fur baby, a chocolate Labradoodle named Jasper. If Miriam is away from the WESK office, you will most likely find her in the comfort of her home being a short-order cook for her family or in an ice rink around Regina.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board
- Senior Loans Analyst
Rhonda is a Senior Loans Analyst at Farm Credit Canada with over 20 years of commercial and agriculture lending experience. She is a graduate of Olds College with a major in Finance. She has worked with a number of entrepreneurs and start-ups both in terms of financing and business plan preparation. She is a firm believer that people are capable of incredible things when they have the support they need and also believes future success depends on everyone's ability to contribute in meaningful and productive ways. Being an active member of the WESK board is an excellent way to contribute to women entrepreneur's in a meaningful way. She volunteer's her time with Big Brothers and Sisters in-school mentoring program at St. Michael's school
Job Titles:
- Director
- Member of the Board
- Chartered Professional Accountant
Shaunna is a Chartered Professional Accountant with over 16 years of experience. She is currently a Partner of Assurance with Ernst & Young, LLP, and her experience is diverse, ranging from working with large, multi-national publicly listed companies to small business and not-for-profits in a wide variety of industries. During the span of her career in Assurance, Consulting, and Tax, Shaunna has led teams on a wide range of projects including External Audit and SOX Compliance, Financial Reporting Assistance & Accounting Analysis, Internal Audit & Control Optimization, and Process Improvement & Technology Transformation. Shaunna is the co-lead of EY Saskatchewan's Women's Professional Network and she is past Director of DTNYXE. Outside of the office, Shaunna is a wife and proud parent to two young boys, enjoys travelling, spending time with family and unwinding at the lake.
Job Titles:
- Program Lead ( Mat Leave )
Stephanie joined the WESK team in September 2021. She brings over 9 years of programming experience, working for various non-profit organizations in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Her education includes a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation Studies and a Diploma in Business Administration from the University of Regina. As the Special Programs Coordinator, she assists with WESK's various programs, services, and events. Stephanie is passionate about helping others reach their true potential and is excited to be a part of WESK's community of women entrepreneurs.
Stephanie lives in Regina with her husband and their dog, Lily. When she isn't at work, she enjoys hiking, cooking, and travelling. She is also a certified health coach and is studying holistic nutrition in her spare time.
Tally Dufour is a trusted resource in the business-support landscape, bringing over ten years of experience working with and advising entrepreneurs. In addition to formal business education, she values any and all opportunities to learn - which has led to her going down a rabbit hole or two!
She has owned and operated two businesses and can relate to the struggles and celebrations of the entrepreneurial journey. If it isn't already apparent, Tally embodies the term "entrepreneurial spirit" and enjoys inspiring others in this sphere. Her resourcefulness and ability to connect make for incredibly memorable and insightful meetings.
Tally was born and raised in the Land of the Living Skies, where she takes pride in raising her sons. If she isn't assisting women entrepreneurs to start, grow, and scale, you can find her being crafty and taking on new adventures.
She is a big believer in community and standing up for the underdog!
Tanya is a goal-oriented Program Lead with over 5 years of experience in project management and training program delivery. She is passionate about building and maintaining strong relationships within the entrepreneurial ecosystem and is dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs across Saskatchewan.
Tanya enjoys spending time with her family, reading, travelling, exploring different cultures and trying new cuisines.