Applications are now closed for the 2024-2025 Cohort. Please check back in March 2025 for more information.

Alumni

Class of 2024

Class of 2023

Class of 2022

 

Alumni Reviews

With Leadership of Saskatoon I was able to identify my values, my strengths and what I need to work on as a leader. It gave me excellent tools to work with team building, personal awareness, and relationship building. Even though the program was done entirely via Zoom, I felt that the cohort showed-up and the lessons were very well explained and the material valuable.

 

Amanda Martins Barbosa, Class of 2021

Leadership Saskatoon challenged me most in learning more about who I am, what I need, and how I communicate with others. I am grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to participate in Leadership Saskatoon and would definitely recommend the program.

 Jennifer Chadney, Saskatchewan Health Authority, 2019 Alumna

When I began Leadership Saskatoon, I anticipated it would help me in my new role as a leader within my organization. I also assumed that it would be similar in nature to other training sessions and PD experiences I’ve been part of. I quickly learned it was going to be so much more. It truly has been a journey of personal growth and has provided me with knowledge, insight and understanding that I’ve been able to readily put in to practice and that I am using every day in all facets of my life. Even more importantly, Leadership Saskatoon has been a gift that has helped me greatly develop my self-assurance and inner confidence. Leadership Saskatoon has truly been a transformative experience for me.

 

Brandy Pilon, Saskatoon Student Child Care Services Inc., 2019 Alumna

Ten months ago I didn’t believe I was a leader and questioned why I was asked to attend Leadership Saskatoon. I didn’t like being vulnerable and was unsure of myself, however, I was open and ready to grow. Today, I have a new appreciation for my cohort and have built relationships that I hope will last a life time. I actually embrace the uncomfortable and new situations because I have watched myself change and grow into a leader. Leadership Saskatoon helped me realize that I am a leader, that I am not alone, and gave me the tools to continue to grow on my leadership journey.

 

 Amber Neuls, City of Saskatoon, 2019 Alumna

This program made me a more confident leader. I was able to apply my newly learned skills on the job. Not only was this a benefit to me, it also had a direct impact on the development of my Team. It has resulted in a positive individual growth, directly impacting our organization in a great way! 

 

Tammy Fleming, WBM Technologies Inc., 2018 Alumna

I am grateful for my experiences at Leadership Saskatoon, right from the very first meeting until the last day. Organizing a group of leaders within the community and allowing them the space to work on themselves openly and freely to become better leaders holds immeasurable value, not only for the individual, but for the community in which we lead.

 

Krystal Nieckar, OUTSaskatoon, 2018 Alumna

Leadership Saskatoon provided me an invaluable toolkit of resources, and the confidence to apply them in my professional and personal lives. More so, it provided me a network of like-minded individuals to share the journey with and relationships I will take with me far beyond graduation day. A truly special experience. 

 

Lindsay Arnott, Saskatchewan Blue Cross, 2017 Alumna

Class of 2024

Class of 2023

Class of 2022

 

Alumni Reviews

With Leadership of Saskatoon I was able to identify my values, my strengths and what I need to work on as a leader. It gave me excellent tools to work with team building, personal awareness, and relationship building. Even though the program was done entirely via Zoom, I felt that the cohort showed-up and the lessons were very well explained and the material valuable.

 

Amanda Martins Barbosa, Class of 2021

Leadership Saskatoon challenged me most in learning more about who I am, what I need, and how I communicate with others. I am grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to participate in Leadership Saskatoon and would definitely recommend the program.

 Jennifer Chadney, Saskatchewan Health Authority, 2019 Alumna

When I began Leadership Saskatoon, I anticipated it would help me in my new role as a leader within my organization. I quickly learned it was going to be so much more. It truly has been a journey of personal growth and has provided me with knowledge, insight and understanding that I’ve been able to readily put in to practice and that I am using every day in all facets of my life. Even more importantly, Leadership Saskatoon has been a gift that has helped me greatly develop my self-assurance and inner confidence. Leadership Saskatoon has truly been a transformative experience for me.

 

Brandy Pilon, Saskatoon Student Child Care Services Inc., 2019 Alumna

Ten months ago I didn’t believe I was a leader and questioned why I was asked to attend Leadership Saskatoon. I didn’t like being vulnerable and was unsure of myself, however, I was open and ready to grow. Today, I have a new appreciation for my cohort and have built relationships that I hope will last a life time. I actually embrace the uncomfortable and new situations because I have watched myself change and grow into a leader. Leadership Saskatoon helped me realize that I am a leader, that I am not alone, and gave me the tools to continue to grow on my leadership journey.

 

 Amber Neuls, City of Saskatoon, 2019 Alumna

This program made me a more confident leader. I was able to apply my newly learned skills on the job. Not only was this a benefit to me, it also had a direct impact on the development of my Team. It has resulted in a positive individual growth, directly impacting our organization in a great way! 

 

Tammy Fleming, WBM Technologies Inc., 2018 Alumna

I am grateful for my experiences at Leadership Saskatoon, right from the very first meeting until the last day. Organizing a group of leaders within the community and allowing them the space to work on themselves openly and freely to become better leaders holds immeasurable value, not only for the individual, but for the community in which we lead.

 

Krystal Nieckar, OUTSaskatoon, 2018 Alumna

Leadership Saskatoon provided me an invaluable toolkit of resources, and the confidence to apply them in my professional and personal lives. More so, it provided me a network of like-minded individuals to share the journey with and relationships I will take with me far beyond graduation day. A truly special experience. 

 

Lindsay Arnott, Saskatchewan Blue Cross, 2017 Alumna

Alumni Events

Leadership Saskatoon Alumni Award

The award celebrates alumni who have made a significant contribution in the community, grown collaboration, supported inclusion and diversity, and continue to promote Leadership Saskatoon.

Pictured: Award Winner Sharon Clarke with Board Chair Julian Demkiw

Current Winner: Sharon Clarke – 2024

Leadership Saskatoon is thrilled to announce that Sharon Clarke, a distinguished member of our alumni and community leader, has been honoured with the 2024 Leadership Saskatoon Alumni Award. This recognition serves as a testament to Sharon’s outstanding achievements, remarkable contributions, and unwavering commitment to excellence and community leadership in the health field, through a unique combination of Indigenous, government, and non-governmental experience.

The Leadership Saskatoon Alumni Award is one of the most esteemed accolades presented annually by Leadership Saskatoon to recognize exceptional accomplishments and service among our alumni. Each year, this award is bestowed upon an alumni who exemplifies the highest standards of professional success, community engagement, and dedication to fostering positive change in Saskatoon – and in the case of Sharon, even beyond.

A member of the Chakastaypasin Cree Nation in Saskatchewan, Sharon has gained extensive management and leadership experience working in health and education within government, non-profit, and Indigenous organizations across Canada and internationally. Her efforts have contributed towards a growing transformation and engagement of leaders and staff towards a culturally responsive and safe health system. This has required extensive leadership, creativity, and ingenuity on her part to work within the system to facilitate change. Sharon has been instrumental in the planning and implementation of an emerging Indigenous health strategy at the national level with the Canadian Institute for Health Information, while also consulting with the World Health Organisation around Indigenous health issues and initiatives. Sharon currently builds safe places for all people to learn and grow through her work with the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

Sharon remarks that it is wonderful to be honoured as an Alumna of this Leadership Saskatoon, saying, “I loved learning with and from the program facilitators and fellow leadership colleagues, and I value the learning and lessons as they have enriched my leadership journey!” She highlights the importance of lifelong learning, finding mentors along your journey, and letting go of the safety net and not being afraid to try. Solid advice from this esteemed alumna!

Welcoming, warm, and intelligent, Sharon leads with grace and strength – and a sense of humor! Working with both newcomer and Indigenous communities to find ways to share stories that build awareness and bridge understanding, she has led and served within many communities and organizations with the purpose of strengthening and building inclusive communities.  

“Sharon lives the values of Leadership Saskatoon as she guides staff, peers, and senior leaders to build inclusion and diversity within the health field from local to global arenas, and we could not be more proud to call her an alumna of our program,” said Jolene Zidkovich, Executive Director of Leadership Saskatoon. “Her remarkable achievements and unwavering commitment to driving innovation and change within the health field with the purpose of strengthening and building inclusive communities demonstrates true leadership in Saskatoon and beyond.”

Sharon was formally honoured during the Graduation Ceremony of Leadership Saskatoon in June 2024.  

Previous Recipients of Don Ravis Leadership Saskatoon Alumni Award

 

2023 – Laurie O’Connor

2022 – Nancy Lautner

2021 – Betty Mutwiri

2019 – Bill Brooks

2018 – Kelley Moore

2017 – Jason Aebig

Previous Recipients of Cherry Insurance-Leadership Saskatoon Community Leadership Award

 

2017 – Namarta Kochar

2016 – Zeba Ahmed

2015 – Tom Kischuk

2014 – Milton Taylor

2013 – Dave Dutchak

2012 – Kirby Wirchenko

2011 – Om Kochar

2010 – Ayten Archer