Coaches

Leadership Saskatoon coaches partner with Learning Teams to deepen reflection and apply program learning to a topic chosen by the group. They use a leadership-coaching approach—not mentoring or advising—to support inquiry, collaboration, and participant-driven insight. Through guided reflection, participants integrate what they are learning about themselves, how they work within teams, and how they show up as community leaders navigating complexity models, ensuring a professional, ethical, and evidence-informed coaching approach throughout the program.

We are pleased to introduce our 2025-26 coaches.

Suzanne Anton

Suzanne Anton, LLB, GPC.D, ACC

Suzanne is the General Counsel & Corporate Secretary at SaskCentral and is in her third year volunteering with Leadership Saskatoon. Drawing on her background in law, governance, and leadership development, she supports Learning Teams by helping participants deepen their reflection, collaboration, and personal growth. Prior to moving in‑house, Suzanne worked as a leadership coach and governance consultant, an experience that continues to shape her approach to developing strong, values‑aligned leaders. She also serves on the Governance Professionals of Canada Board (GPC) and the North Central Family Center Governance Committee. Suzanne is committed to strengthening leadership capacity in the Saskatoon community and is proud to support the next generation of leaders through this program.

Danny Freire

Danny Freire brings more than 15 years of leadership experience in student recruitment, enrolment management, and postsecondary administration. He is a graduate of the Advanced Certificate in Professional Coaching (ACPC) from the University of Saskatchewan. Born in Ecuador, Danny moved to Canada as a student and later worked in Japan and China before returning to Saskatchewan. He has held progressively senior roles at the University of Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan Polytechnic, leading enrolment services, recruitment strategies, and organizational modernization initiatives. Danny holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Master of Leadership in Postsecondary Education. He currently serves as Governance Officer at the University of Saskatchewan, supporting the Senate and advancing institutional policy and governance practices.

Tenneisha Nelson

Tenneisha is an experienced educator, and leadership practitioner who partners with individuals seeking greater balance, clarity, and growth in their personal and professional lives. With a Ph.D. in Educational Administration and an M.Sc. in Human Resource Development, she brings deep insight into leadership, learning, and human development. Shaped by diverse, multicultural experiences, Tenneisha’s coaching approach is grounded, adaptable, and values driven. She works as a collaborative “guide on the side,” offering thoughtful reflection, practical insight, and steady accountability. Clients appreciate her ability to listen deeply, ask meaningful questions, and create a supportive space for self-awareness, growth, and confident decision-making. She is a graduate of the Advanced Certificate in Professional Coaching (ACPC) from the University of Saskatchewan. 

Kathleen Ozmun

Kathleen Ozmun is founder and principal of Crossing Point Coaching and Consulting. She offers leadership and team coaching, assessments, workshops, change leadership and management consulting. Kathleen draws from her 20+ years of experience in change leadership and management, team effectiveness, leadership development, adult education and facilitation to help leaders be successful. She also draws on her extensive training in interest-based mediation and negotiation to support leaders and teams to resolve challenging issues. In 2021 Kathleen earned the Certified Practitioner in Team Coaching designation making her eligible for the Practitioner Award as a EMCC Global Individual Team Coaching Accreditation (ITCA) professional designation, the first globally recognised standard for team coaching accreditation. She is also an Associate Certified Coach with the International Coach Federation and a Prosci Certified Practitioner. Her leadership coaching approach is based on her training as an Energy Leadership Index – Master Practitioner and Certified Professional Coach specializing in leadership through the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching. Kathleen integrates Systemic Team Coach (GTCI with Peter Hawkins and David Clutterbuck), team effectiveness (Team Coaching International), executive leadership (Center for Executive Coaching), brain-based coaching for work performance (Results Coaching), and adult vertical developmental (Coaches Rising) into her work. She applies Leadership Architect (Korn Ferry), MBTI, Human Synergistics, and Crucial ConversationsTM tools, as appropriate.

Tonya Wirchenko

Tonya Wirchenko is a USask employee for 25+ years; currently working in the Office of the VP Research. I am a yoga and mindfulness teacher and love being a “maker” with various creative endeavours/interests.  I am a devoted Auntie, sister, and partner. Time in nature and with my kitten and dog are also important to me. My coaching style reflects all of these aspects: holistic in approach – inviting coachees to reflect not only on their patterns of thinking and responding, but also on how those show up in their bodies.  I ask reflective and sometimes challenging questions and really invite people to recognize their agency in making choices and taking action. Tonya is a graduate of the Advanced Certificate in Professional Coaching (ACPC) from the University of Saskatchewan. 

Jessica Yelland

Jessica is a Human Resources Manager in Learning and Performance Solutions, and a Leadership Saskatoon alumnus. She is a graduate of the Advanced Certificate in Professional Coaching (ACPC) from the University of Saskatchewan. 

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